Posted on 05/14/2004 2:43:27 AM PDT by JohnHuang2
The U.S. Department of Justice has opened an investigation into the city of Terrell, Texas, after the city's ban on religious activities on city-owned property prompted a local church to file a lawsuit, according to the Liberty Legal Institute.
As WorldNetDaily reported, the legal group helped Purpose Life Church sue the city in March after officials ousted the congregation from the Kaufman County YMCA. The church had been leasing space at the Y for church services. Though the YMCA leases the facility from the city, municipal regulations still apply in the building.
The church held services at the Y for just three weeks before the city barred them from using the facility.
"We appreciate the diligent efforts of the Justice Department to investigate religious discrimination in the City of Terrell and look forward to a resolution," said Brad Lamberth, lead attorney on the case for Liberty Legal.
Said attorney Kelly Shackelford when the suit was filed: "Government officials may not discriminate against churches. We will do everything in our power to stop this discrimination."
Possible outcomes of the federal probe include the Department of Justice filing an amicus brief in the lawsuit or joining the action as a plaintiff. Another option would be for the department to do nothing subsequent to its investigation.
Does the "C" still stand for Christian? Inquiring minds want to know.
Yet, I have to believe a muslim group would be given open access.
Perhaps the Muslim group would be no more welcome, in Terrell, but you'd hear a lot more about it on the evening news!
What you say has merit, but I don't know if I would agree with that just yet. We have many Americans, the media and even our government proclaiming Islam to be the religion of peace. Islam is gaining in support and popularity in this country.
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