SD Hearing Will Address Unconstitutional Treatment of In-School Bible Clubs
by Allie Martin
August 19, 2005
(AgapePress) - A federal judge will be asked today (Friday) to allow a Christian after-school club to meet in San Diego city schools free of charge. Six years ago, Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) of Greater San Diego requested to use district facilities to hold meetings of the Good News Club after school hours. School officials said CEF would have to pay "fair rental value" for use of those facilities because the organization is "a church conducting religious services." So from 1999 through the 2004-2005 school year, CEF was charged those fees -- which the district increased each year. Recently CEF had to stop meeting in San Diego city schools because the cost was becoming prohibitive.
Florida-based Liberty Counsel is representing CEF, asking for a preliminary injunction so the Good News Clubs will be able to use school facilities on equal terms when the new school year begins. Mat Staver, president of Liberty Counsel, says the actions of school administrators are unfair.
Mat Staver | |
"They allow a host of other secular organizations to use the facilities and to use them free of charge," Staver points out, "but for years they have denied that same equal treatment to the Good News Clubs." According to the attorney, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that Good News Clubs are entitled to equal treatment under the First Amendment. But school officials have held their ground despite being given that information from the Supreme Court and other cases, he says. "They've refused to listen," he states, "and they've continued not only to discriminate, but they have increased the discrimination each year by increasing the rental fees to Good News Clubs each year."
Staver says imposing a financial barrier that is based on a group's religious viewpoint is "outrageous" as well as unconstitutional.
"The constitutional principles are very clear: equal access means equal treatment," he explains. "The First Amendment demands that Good News Clubs be treated equally to other secular clubs. And here we have young boys and girls who may never hear the gospel of Jesus Christ having the opportunity to do so through a Good News Club. But that opportunity is shut down when schools discriminate against these fine organizations."
Public schools, says Staver, should welcome Good News Clubs for their life-changing message. "We have the opportunity to take the gospel to a public elementary school immediately after school. Who wouldn't want a club on campus that presents a positive message of hope and that teaches sound character and morals?" he asks.
Allie Martin, a regular contributor to AgapePress, is a reporter for American Family Radio News, which can be heard online.
