UPI's Michael Kirkland discusses issues surrounding the case of Bronx Household of Faith, a dispute over the church's use of a public school for Sunday worship services. The 2nd Circuit ruled 2-1 against the church, on the grounds that use of the school for religious purpose conveys the appearance of endorsement. Bronx claims that ruling – if it stands – would leave them without a home, and is appealing to the Supreme Court.
The Wall Street Journal points out: "About 60 churches currently use New York City public-school auditoriums and classrooms for worship activities after school hours and on weekends. The arrangement has allowed small, cash-strapped churches to avoid the city's high rents, as the schools charge a nominal fee to cover the costs of custodians and security staff."
But, the Journal says: "Should the [high] court refuse the case, church leaders would have to find other, possibly more expensive places to meet. Churches meeting in local schools pay 'substantially below … market rent' for the space, according to the city's law department."
On the Bronx Household Web site, Pastor Bob Hall posted a rather poignant open letter about the case, and the struggles for true believers in a ferociously secular society.
The appeals court ruling, unless reversed by the U.S. Supreme Court, "will put us out on the street, literally."
Kirkland says this is an opportunity for the Supreme Court to "put God back into the public schools," but that is not right. The case is about use of a school building during non-instructional time, and whether the principle of equal access requires schools to offer religious the same rights of use as other purposes. See the BJC's Brent Walker on this subject!
