Our office received a letter today from Child Evangelism Fellowship
president Reese Kauffman with some urgent news. On June 2. 2011 the 2nd U.S.
Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan, NY in a 2 -1 decision ruled that New
York City can ban churches from using public school facilities for Sunday
worship services and this does not violate free speech. Judge Pierre Leval
commented "At least one request(ed) to hold Jewish services (in a school
building used for Christian services on Sundays) was denied because the building
was unavailable on Saturdays. This contributes to a perception of public schools
as Christian churches, but not synagogues or mosques. ... When worship services
are performed in a place, the nature of the site changes. The place has, at
least for a time, become the church. In the end, we think the board could have
reasonably concluded that what the public would see, were the Board not to
exclude religious worship services, is public schools, which serve on Sundays as
state-sponsored Christian churches.” (Read more here).
president Reese Kauffman with some urgent news. On June 2. 2011 the 2nd U.S.
Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan, NY in a 2 -1 decision ruled that New
York City can ban churches from using public school facilities for Sunday
worship services and this does not violate free speech. Judge Pierre Leval
commented "At least one request(ed) to hold Jewish services (in a school
building used for Christian services on Sundays) was denied because the building
was unavailable on Saturdays. This contributes to a perception of public schools
as Christian churches, but not synagogues or mosques. ... When worship services
are performed in a place, the nature of the site changes. The place has, at
least for a time, become the church. In the end, we think the board could have
reasonably concluded that what the public would see, were the Board not to
exclude religious worship services, is public schools, which serve on Sundays as
state-sponsored Christian churches.” (Read more here).
Mr. Kauffman saw an article about this and immediately called Matt Staver,
of Liberty Council, and asked if this ruling could affect Good News Clubs.
Mr. Staver responded " YES, AND IT'S SERIOUS." In his letter, Mr.
Kauffman writes "Anyone who loves children needs to know about this threat... it
is all the more urgent to start as many Good News Clubs as possible." I've
mentioned last week that the Time is Now for reaching children. We need to go
while the Supreme Court is still on our side. This is U.S. Circuit Court of
Appeals ruling is proof that the time grows short for reaching children in the
public schools.
of Liberty Council, and asked if this ruling could affect Good News Clubs.
Mr. Staver responded " YES, AND IT'S SERIOUS." In his letter, Mr.
Kauffman writes "Anyone who loves children needs to know about this threat... it
is all the more urgent to start as many Good News Clubs as possible." I've
mentioned last week that the Time is Now for reaching children. We need to go
while the Supreme Court is still on our side. This is U.S. Circuit Court of
Appeals ruling is proof that the time grows short for reaching children in the
public schools.
