November 13, 2000
High court will hear case of Christians denied access
___WASHINGTON (ABP)--The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear the appeal of a Christian youth organization that was denied use of school facilities because of its religious nature.
___While non-religious groups such as the Boy Scouts and 4-H Club were able to use school facilities after hours, the U.S. 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals said the Good News Club does not qualify under a New York school district's policy.
___Since 1992, Milford Central School District has had a policy allowing local residents to use school facilities for social, civic and recreational meetings and entertainment events.
___The policy states, however, that school premises "shall not be used by an individual or organization for religious purposes."
___In 1996, the Good News Club--affiliated with a Christian missionary organization known as Child Evangelism Fellowship--applied to use the school's facilities to have "a fun time of singing songs, hearing (a) Bible lesson and memorizing Scripture."
___The club said its program typically begins by calling attendance and awarding a treat to each child who can recite a Bible verse. The children sing songs, learn Bible stories and memorize Bible verses and close with a prayer.
___After reviewing the club's program materials, the district's interim superintendent said the proposed activities were not merely discussion of secular subjects from a religious perspective, but "were in fact the equivalent of religious instruction itself."
___The Milford Board of Education denied the application, and the club filed a complaint with a U.S. district court in March 1997, charging its rights of free speech, equal protection and religious freedom had been violated.
___The district ruled in favor of the school district, and the 2nd Circuit upheld the ruling.
___The 2nd Circuit said activities of the club "fall clearly on the side of religious instruction and prayer." The court ruling details lesson plans of the Christian club, including one that distinguished between "saved" and "unsaved" children. The unsaved are "given an opportunity later in class today to believe on Jesus."
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