Model Secular Policy Guide.pdf

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child abuse and maltreatment. 52 In approximately 18 states, any person who suspects child abuse orneglect is required to report it. 53About 27 states currently include members of the clergy among those professionals specificallymandated by law to report known or suspected instances of child abuse or neglect. 54 Eight states andthe District of Columbia do not require that clergy report known or suspected instances of child abuseor harm. Only nine states explicitly include Christian Science practitioners among classes of clergyrequired to report. This is an important fact because of the role faith healing can play in the medicalneglect of children.POLICY RECOMMENDATIONWhile the confidentiality of pastoral communications is well recognized, due to the uniqueand vulnerable position of children and the recent history of abuse of this pastoral privilege,religious communication must not be exempted from mandatory child abuse reporting statutes.Recovery ProgramsAlcoholics Anonymous (AA) has been providing alcohol recovery services for eighty-plus years and haslong been the recommended solution for individuals with an alcohol-dependency problem.AA originally sprang from a Christian religiousmovement called “The Oxford Group,” andAA (and programs based on its model) use“higher power” imagery in its 12-step programmodel that can be alienating for nontheists andnegatively impact their recovery. In fact, courtorderedAA is a violation of the EstablishmentPrinciple. 55AA has benefitted many individuals, providingrecovery programs vital to achieving individualbehavior change. However, offering choice in recovery is important not only from a legal standpoint,but because research has shown that allowing choice in recovery programs results in enhancedoutcomes – especially when the program is selected based on the individual’s needs and beliefs.All 12-step programs have been judged “pervasively religious” in every federal appeals court and statesupreme court that has reviewed pertinent cases. Recovery programs offered or permitted by the22
federal government such as drug court, prison, probation department, etc. which requires mandatedattendance, such as that required in 12-step programs, must have a secular offering or are consideredunconstitutional. 56A growing number of mutual support recovery organizations do not require religious or higherpower beliefs. Offering one or more of these programs in addition to the AA programs increases theprobability for participant success. A list of these programs includes:SMART Recovery participants learn tools for recovery based on the latest scientific research andparticipate in a worldwide community which includes free self-empowering, science-based mutualsupport groups.WWW.SMARTRECOVERY.ORGWomen for Sobriety is a program for women with problems of addiction. It is the first and onlyself-help program for women only. WFS’ purpose is to help all women recover from problem drinkingthrough the discovery of self, gained by sharing experiences, hope and encouragement with otherwomen in similar circumstances.WWW.WOMENFORSOBRIETY.ORGLifeRing offers secular self-help to abstain from alcohol and non-medically indicated drugs byrelying on a person’s power and the support of others. LifeRing welcomes people from all faiths ornone, and respects the fact that spiritual beliefs, if any, are personal.WWW.LIFERING.ORGSOS - <strong>Secular</strong> Organizations for Sobriety and Save Our Selves takes a selfempowermentapproach to recovery. SOS addresses sobriety as “Priority One, no matter what!”<strong>Guide</strong>lines for sobriety include: to break the cycle of denial and achieve sobriety, we first acknowledgethat we are alcoholics or addicts.WWW.SOSSOBRIETY.ORG.POLICY RECOMMENDATIONWherever recovery programs are offered or permitted by the government, a secular optionmust be available.23
Page 2 and 3: This guide is supported in whole or
Page 4 and 5: Letter from the Executive Director
Page 6 and 7: Tax Policy.........................
Page 8 and 9: CONSTITUTIONAL LAW“Congress shall
Page 10 and 11: The Establishment ClauseIn 1947, th
Page 12 and 13: In Marsh v. Chambers, 22 the U.S. S
Page 14 and 15: Bills restricting non-surgical abor
Page 16 and 17: Religious Exemption for Contracepti
Page 18 and 19: and 1997), Washington (2008), and V
Page 20 and 21: They especially place at risk babie
Page 24 and 25: EDUCATIONStudents are constitutiona
Page 26 and 27: Abstinence-only programs lead to no
Page 28 and 29: message to students that the govern
Page 30 and 31: Employment DiscriminationOur govern
Page 32 and 33: TAX POLICYThe same tax rules should
Page 34 and 35: Political Endorsement from the Pulp
Page 36 and 37: Provide for Humanist ChaplainsWhile
Page 38 and 39: INTERNATIONALFreedom of religion, b
Page 40 and 41: In early 2013, these experts releas
Page 42 and 43: RESOURCES1 Public Religion Research
Page 44 and 45: 44 Haemophilis influenzae type B45
Page 46 and 47: 87 26 USC §508(c)(1)(A). ((c) Exce

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