State Department, Catholic diocese put damper on Ice Bucket Challenge

While the ice-cold water of the ice bucket challenge has heat up social media like Facebook and Twitter, some organizations have barred their members from participating.

Among the organizations that have told their members not to take the challenge, which is used to raise funds for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, are the Catholic Archdiocese of Cincinnati and the State Department.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is commonly known as ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease, the famous player for the New York Yankees whose struggles with the disease brought it into the popular consciousness.

CBS News reports that the Archdiocese of Cincinnati has told its 113 schools not to participate in the challenge. This is because the funds raised from the challenge may end up funding research into treatments from embryonic stem cells. The Catholic Church is wholly opposed to using embryonic stem cells to treat diseases.

The State Department has banned its members from doing the challenge because the State Department does not allow for the use of public venues to advance private causes. In a cable sent from State Department lawyers, the department stressed the prohibitions against such actions, "no matter how worthy the cause."

The ice bucket challenge has been taken by thousands of people including film and television celebrities, professional athletes, and politicians.

Below are some examples of the ice bucket challenge.

First team players get soaked for ALS https://t.co/Dl4o4S1qjo #icebucketchallenge #icebucket #ela #ALS pic.twitter.com/8gMHm3fB82

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 21, 2014

Iago Aspas doing the Ice Bucket Challenge https://t.co/pV4PNa6ajN — MrBoywunder (@MrBoywunder) August 21, 2014

Fred & @Carrie_Rachel took the ALS #IceBucketChallenge! https://t.co/bJcXD75iCy Watch & donate: https://t.co/gUDwdGrS0Y #StrikeOutALS

— Portlandia (@portlandia) August 21, 2014