Mention the name of God, and you can lose government funding. That’s what one sheriff in Louisiana learned recently. The Department of Justice (DOJ) cut $30,000 for two Sheriff’s Office youth programs, including the Bossier Young Marines. The reason? The program’s oath placed “special emphasis on the love of God and fidelity to our country.”

Sheriff Julian Whittington said they “were informed that these are unacceptable, inherently religious activities and the Department of Justice would not be able to fund the programs if it continued.” He added that the government demanded a “letter from me stating that I would no longer have voluntary prayer and I would also have to remove ‘God’ from the Young Marine’s oath.”

Let’s put this in perspective. The DOJ receives its funds from a Congress that opens every session in prayer. Those funds are denominated in currency that has the words “In God We Trust.” By the way, this is the same government that has no problem sending billions of dollars to groups like Planned Parenthood, that don’t do the good that Young Marine Initiative does every year.

We don’t need to feel too sorry for the sheriff and his programs. Donations have been pouring in. Politicians have taken up their cause. Representative John Fleming has defended them and criticized the DOJ. Governor Bobby Jindal attended their “In God We Trust” Rally on July 4 and called on the government to reinstate funding for the program. He said it “has helped a number of Louisiana youth better themselves and be successful, contributing citizens of this great state.”

Liberty Institute is also involved. They sent a letter to the DOJ last week, informing officials that the denial of funds to the youth programs violates the First Amendment’s Free Exercise Clause because it constitutes unlawful viewpoint discrimination. Liberty also demands that the DOJ restore funding without delay or special conditions.

The Sheriff is moving ahead with or without the government’s help. I applaud his courage and work to help troubled youth.