Should there be a law against public institutions that lie for money?

The problem is that lying is difficult to prove\demonstrate as it involves the intent to deceive - so if the teller believes it is true there is no deceit, no lie.You can have a law against providing false information for money -- that is called fraud.False information can be demonstrated: if someone claims to have a degree and you can show that the degree doesn't exist ...If someone claims the earth is less than 10,000 years old you can show that there are tree rings that show a greater age ...If this "information" is sold or exchanged for money then fraud has been committed. Can you protect people from being fools?Enjoy

There are two problems with laws -- (1) you need a legal basis to charge people under the law, and that usually means you need people to file complaints, and (2) religious people are predominantly not just willing participants, but strongly believe it is their right to participate in the program.To my mind a better approach would be education -- particularly in logical fallacies, which can arm people against all kinds of hokus bogus claims, not just religious ones (such as claims by purported "charity" organizations that provide little actual charity).Enjoy

Agreed, and that is one aspect that makes it difficult to apply to religions, because people believe they are dealing with truths (Truths/TRUTHS) rather than deception. They are willing participants, and would fight against any attempt to "suppress" their beliefs -- look at the "religious freedom" laws for example.Enjoy