Federal judge: Schools cannot exclude religious groups from holding worship services

News Radio 88 ^ | 6/28/02

[areafiftyone]

(New York-AP) -- A federal judge says New York city schools cannot exclude religious groups from holding worship services in school spaces.

The ruling is a victory for the Bronx Household of Faith -- an evangelical Protestant group which has fought in court for the last eight years to hold religious services at Anne Cross Merseau Middle School near Yankee Stadium.

United States District Judge Loretta Preska says she made the ruling because the first amendment prohibits the government from dissecting speech to determine whether it constitutes worship.

Jordon Lorence -- the lawyer who argued the case for the church -- called it a ``great ruling.'' He said it falls in line with a Supreme Court ruling last year.

The church's 100 members had been meeting in homes for the past 30 years and had lacked the public facilities they feel are necessary to grow to large enough numbers to build a church.

Lisa Grumet -- who argued the case for the city -- says the city is studying its options because it still believes that the Constitution does not mandate that public schools be opened for religious services, so excluding them does not violate the first amendment.

[Draco]

I wish the city spents its lawyers' time on productive pursuits, like prosecuting criminals, rather than hounding Protestants who are causing no body any harm. They pay taxes too, and should have access to public facilities just as much as any other group.

[areafiftyone]

I agree.

[Concerned]

DRACO WROTE: "...Protestants who are causing no body any harm...pay taxes too, and should have access to public facilities just as much as any other group."

AMEN!