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A southwest suburban township’s promotion of alleged “religious excursions” has drawn a complaint from the Freedom from Religion Foundation that the township’s actions are unconstitutional.
The foundation recently sent a letter to Frankfort Township Supervisor Jim Moustis raising the issue after it said it was contacted by a “concerned local resident.”
Based in Madison, Wis., the foundation describes itself as an educational group with more than 31,000 members nationwide, and which promotes the constitutional principle of separation of church and state.
The issue, according to the nonprofit, stems from Frankfort Township-promoted excursions, including one to the Ark Encounter and Creation Museum in Kentucky from April 29 through May 2.
The township, in advertising the trip, said those going would “explore a full-size replica of Noah’s Ark and experience a chronological retelling of biblical history as God revealed it.”
The foundation had also asked the township to cancel another trip, slated for June 16-20, to Lancaster County, Penn., promoted as a visit to “Amishlands” and which includes seeing a theatrical performance of a production titled “Jesus.”
“Sponsoring regular Christian-themed trips shows an endorsement of Christianity on behalf of the township,” the May 7 letter to Moustis reads. “This endorsement is unconstitutional and excludes the township’s non-Christian residents, who are being told that they are not part of the township’s favored religious group.”
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The letter was sent via email and U.S. mail, according to the foundation.
Messages left for Moustis and the township’s attorney seeking a response were not returned.
Ryan Jayne, staff attorney for the foundation who wrote and sent the letter, said he had talked Thursday with the township’s lawyer, who indicated that the June trip would be canceled.
Other upcoming trips promoted by the township include one in August to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland and an eight-day trip in October to Ireland.
There was no clear indication that, other than promoting the trips, township funds were being spent to help pay for the trips.
The fee charged for the Kentucky trip was $699 per person based on double occupancy, or $899 for single occupancy, according to the township.
Along with asking the township to cancel the Pennsylvania trip, the foundation, in the letter, asked the township to not organize or schedule similar future excursions.