Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Feds probe city over barring of church: Officials ousted congregation from local YMCA
WorldNetDaily.com ^ | Friday, May 14, 2004

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.


TOPICS: Front Page News; News/Current Events; US: Texas
KEYWORDS: amicusbrief; churchandstate; doj; lawsuit; religiousfreedom; ymca

1 posted on 05/14/2004 2:43:27 AM PDT by JohnHuang2
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: JohnHuang2
ymCa

Does the "C" still stand for Christian? Inquiring minds want to know.

2 posted on 05/14/2004 3:47:05 AM PDT by aardvark1 (You can't have everything...where would you put it? --Steven Wright)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: JohnHuang2

Yet, I have to believe a muslim group would be given open access.


3 posted on 05/14/2004 5:10:39 AM PDT by ChevyZ28 (Most of us would rather be ruined by praise, than saved by criticism.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ChevyZ28

Perhaps the Muslim group would be no more welcome, in Terrell, but you'd hear a lot more about it on the evening news!


4 posted on 05/14/2004 10:56:08 AM PDT by Redbob (saving this space for witty comebacks)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Redbob

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.


5 posted on 05/14/2004 11:01:21 AM PDT by ChevyZ28 (Most of us would rather be ruined by praise, than saved by criticism.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson