Liberty Counsel: Doors Now Wide Open for Christian Clubs at Nation's Schools
by Allie Martin
December 21, 2006
(AgapePress) - - A federal appeals court has ruled that a South Carolina public school district violated the constitutional rights of a student-led Christian club. The unanimous decision (3-0) by the Fourth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals last week ruled that the Anderson School District Five had a discriminatory policy against Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF), which sponsors Good News Clubs in elementary schools. CEF was charged a fee to use school facilities, even though the district waived fees for clubs such as the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, YMCA, the local Democratic Party, and other groups.
CEF of South Carolina was represented in the three-year legal battle by Orlando-based Liberty Counsel. Mat Staver, founder and chairman of the legal group, says the decision handed down by the appeals court is solid.
Mat Staver | |
"The court clearly had some great words to say that every public school in America ought to heed," says Staver. "It says, for example, that the government may not bar religious perspectives on otherwise permitted subjects, and that communities of faith may not be arbitrarily excluded from the protections of the free-speech clause." In short, said the court ruling, "speech is not to be selectively permitted or proscribed according to official preference." Overall, the court "hit the bullseye," says the Christian attorney.
"Government cannot treat religious group unfavorably compared to other groups," he states. "Equal access is the law, and equal access means equal treatment in every respect."
Staver contends that Christians clubs have a positive influence on public school campuses and should not be harassed. In fact, he feels they should be welcomed with open arms.
"I think it's ironic as these schools hassle the Good News Clubs, because they're great organizations," Staver shares. "They teach character, they teach morality, they teach right and wrong, they teach respect, and they do it all from a Christian viewpoint -- and the kids' lives are literally changed."
The Liberty Counsel founder believes the ruling now opens the doors for Good News Clubs and other Christian clubs in public schools nationwide. The case was Child Evangelism Fellowship v. Anderson School District Five.
Allie Martin, a regular contributor to AgapePress, is a reporter for American Family Radio News, which can be heard online.
