The Freedom From Religion Foundation and Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington is suing the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development over information about a weekly cabinet bible study.
The suit comes after the group had asked for Freedom of Information Act requests to agencies led by Cabinet secretaries who attend the weekly bible study. A press release says the FFRF wants to investigate how government resources are being used and if employees in the agency feel “coerced into organizing and even participating in the event.”
The Bible study is for cabinet secretaries only. Employees do not attend the studies, according to CBN News.
The FFRF and CREW filed suit when HUD refused to waive fees for the FOIA requests. HUD provided responses to the requests but said the fees were needed because the records were “not in the public interest or related to HUD operations or activities.”
The leader of the bible study is Capitol Ministries founder Ralph Drollinger, who has led the studies for years.
Drollinger said the FFRF could find the materials discussed at the studies at his site, www.capmin.org. He also said all related Bible study expenses are paid by Capitol Ministries.
Cabinet secretaries who attend the Capitol Ministries Bible Study include Attorney General Jeff Sessions, CIA Director Mike Pompeo, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, HUD Secretary Ben Carson and Energy Secretary Rick Perry.
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Publication date: January 23, 2018
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