Federal court cuts funding for United Bible Groups
A Swiss organisation called United Bible Groups in School, University and Vocations will no longer receive funding from the Swiss government, according to a decision released on Friday by the Federal Administrative Court in St Gallen.
United Bible Groups had received monetary support without interruption from 1992 until 2014, when a review was conducted of 26 faith-based applicants for funds. The group had applied for funding to support its activities for children and adolescents, but its application was rejected by the Federal Social Insurance Office in 2014.
United Bible Groups contested the decision, but lost.
As justification for its ruling, the federal court stated that United Bible Groups does not offer any independent extra-curricular support for the development of children and adolescents. Instead, it concentrates on its mission of spreading the Christian faith.
Providing extra-curricular support is a condition for receiving a grant under the Child and Youth Assistance Act, however.
The Act does not specifically rule out support of religious organisations. The decisive factor is whether the activities provided by the organisations contribute to the development of the adolescents, without focusing on proselytising.
The decision, which went into effect on June 17, 2015, cannot be appealed to the Swiss Federal Court.
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