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By Ceci Connolly
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, May 9, 2002; Page A29

In the first legal challenge to federally funded programs that teach sexual abstinence, the American Civil Liberties Union plans to file suit today against the state of Louisiana for allegedly using tax dollars to promote religion.

With $1.6 million in federal funds annually, the suit contends, Louisiana has spent money on "Christ-centered" skits, religious youth revivals and biblical instruction on purity. One group used the Christmas story of the Virgin Mary to teach abstinence, and the Catholic Diocese of Lafayette spent grant money organizing prayer sessions at abortion clinics, according to state documents outlined in the lawsuit.

"We are asking the court to stop the promotion of religion in this government-funded program," said Catherine Weiss, director of the ACLU's Reproductive Freedom Project.

The lawsuit comes as Congress is debating President Bush's request to nearly double federal spending on programs that teach abstinence until marriage. Yesterday, Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson touted the say-no-to-sex policy at the United Nations.

Advocates argue that the abstinence-only approach is the only fail-safe way to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. The scientific literature on the effectiveness of abstinence-only programs remains inconclusive, and many health professionals fear that withholding information about contraception will put teenagers at risk.

The suit, to be filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, names Gov. Mike Foster (R) and top aide Dan Richey as defendants. It focuses on what the ACLU says is a misuse of government money and violations of the Constitution's separation of church and state.

As part of the 1996 welfare reform law, Congress spends $50 million each year on state block grants to "teach an unambiguous abstinence message to youth." Bush has asked for $88 million to expand two other abstinence programs that funnel money directly to community groups. Louisiana has received more than $4.8 million in the past three years.

The ACLU quotes extensively from reports filed each month with the Governor's Program on Abstinence. The Rapides Station Community Ministries has submitted documents detailing how its $73,000 in grants have supported a radio program that teaches the Gospel, a youth revival that included commitments of faith and its Christmas project.

"December was an excellent month for our program," the ministries' report states. "We were able to focus on the virgin birth and make it apparent that God desire[s] sexual purity as a way of life."

One crisis pregnancy center received $111,000 for "Passion 4 Purity," which teaches abstinence through "scriptural concepts."

Richey, state coordinator of the program, said he has insisted on a health-based approach and in a few instances has asked organizations to remove religious references.

"We do not advocate in any way, shape or form a nonsecular component with any of our contracts," he said yesterday. "Out of 70 contractors, if one or two or three or four have incorporated the abstinence message with their faith-based message, well, those things happen."

HHS Deputy Secretary Claude Allen said last night he was unaware of the allegations but relied primarily on states to enforce the program's rules. When the department learns of violations, it can revoke a grant, he said.