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Sued By Atheist Group Over WH Bible Study, Ben Carson Issues A Mic Drop Moment

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Dr. Ben Carson issued a strong statement after atheist groups attacked the White House’s weekly Bible study.

“The Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) and Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) are apparently filing a lawsuit against (the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) and me, alleging that they are being treated unfairly because they are required to pay a standard fee when requesting information through the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA) regarding my participation in the weekly Bible study for cabinet members,” Carson wrote on Facebook.



“I refuse to be intimidated by anti-religious groups into relinquishing my spirituality or religious beliefs.”

The groups sued the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development led by Carson when FOIA fees were not waived after they requested information on the Bible studies.

“I will not stop being a Christian while in service to this country, in fact, it is my faith that helps me serve the nation even better,” he continued. “The relentless attacks on spirituality of our nation must be resisted.”

CBN News reported in July that President Donald Trump and cabinet members “have been gathering weekly to learn more about God’s word.”

The atheist groups had used the FOIA requests to see if government funds were being used to pay for the Bible study and if staff members were pressured to attend, according to The Daily Caller.

According to CBN News, cabinet secretaries are the only attendees of the Bible studies, staff members do not attend.

Do you think the FOIA fee should have been waived for these groups?

The lawsuit claims that FFRF and CREW were charged the FOIA fee because the “documents is likely to cast the agency or HUD Secretary Ben Carson in a negative light.”

Every FOIA request has a standard fee “if the information requested is not in the public interest or related to the agencies operations,” The Daily Caller reported.

Ralph Drollinger, the founder of Capitol Ministries, offered a suggestion for the group instead of them paying money to sue.

“There’s nothing secret to this — and all related Bible study expenses are paid by Capitol Ministries, a 501(c)3 organization,” he wrote in a Facebook post.



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According to Capitol Ministries’ website, their goal “is to deliver the Gospel to every public servant, in every capitol in every year!”

“We stay away from politics and concentrate on the hearts of leaders.”

Attorney General Jeff Sessions, CIA Director Mike Pompeo, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, HUD Secretary Ben Carson and Energy Secretary Rick Perry are among the cabinet secretaries who attend the Bible study, according to CBN News.

“We the people must decide who we are and what we stand for,” Carson concluded.

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Erin Coates was an editor for The Western Journal for over two years before becoming a news writer. A University of Oregon graduate, Erin has conducted research in data journalism and contributed to various publications as a writer and editor.
Erin Coates was an editor for The Western Journal for over two years before becoming a news writer. She grew up in San Diego, California, proceeding to attend the University of Oregon and graduate with honors holding a degree in journalism. During her time in Oregon, Erin was an associate editor for Ethos Magazine and a freelance writer for Eugene Magazine. She has conducted research in data journalism, which has been published in the book “Data Journalism: Past, Present and Future.” Erin is an avid runner with a heart for encouraging young girls and has served as a coach for the organization Girls on the Run. As a writer and editor, Erin strives to promote social dialogue and tell the story of those around her.
Birthplace
Tucson, Arizona
Nationality
American
Honors/Awards
Graduated with Honors
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, University of Oregon
Books Written
Contributor for Data Journalism: Past, Present and Future
Location
Prescott, Arizona
Languages Spoken
English, French
Topics of Expertise
Politics, Health, Entertainment, Faith




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