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December 5, 2011
Supreme Court Permits NYC Ban on Church Worship Services in Public Schools
Today the U.S. Supreme Court declined to review an evangelical church’s appeal of a New York City ban on worship services in public schools. The decision means that 60 NYC churches have one month to find new places to worship.
The Bronx Household of Faith had been meeting at a public K-8 school in New York City since 2002, but was recently turned down when it applied for another permit. The Second Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in June that the NYC Department of Education had the legal right to bar churches from renting school facilities for worship services. The decision overturned a 2002 ruling that had allowed the congregation and nearly 60 other churches (as of 2009) to conduct worship services in NYC school buildings.
The Supreme Court’s refusal to review the case means the Second Circuit’s decision stands.
CT previously covered the Second Circuit’s decision in the case and reactions from church-state experts, as well as other notable decisions throughout the long-running case’s progression.
Comments
Well, there goes my idea for a "GOD-fest" in the park. I wanted all the Christian churches to get together in the park on a Sunday afternoon once a year and celebrate God. But now this US Supreme Court ruling means that PUBLIC PARKS cannot be rented by Church groups because we are taught to "PRAY ALWAYS". It would seem with this decision (and I have not read the whole decision yet) that pro-GOD activities are banned from public places. It is hard to imagine that such a broad exclusion is contained in this decision. I suppose anti-God rallies can still take place....
Posted By: mortimerzilch | December 6, 2011 6:42 AM
Well, I guess the school have a right to rent to whomever they want. It just doesn't make sense. Schools have the potential to have an extra source of income by renting their facilities to churches. I wonder where their logic comes from. What a sad day for New York City.
Posted By: Evan | December 6, 2011 4:49 PM
I guess it's time to close churches as places where many people vote for government officials.
Posted By: Randy Sutter | December 6, 2011 5:56 PM
Apparently, the Supreme Court plans to ban churches meeting in public schools all throughout the United States. It is amazing that we are told to be "tolerant" of everything, but when Christians want to worship, it cannot be tolerated. That does not even make sense.
Posted By: Crystal | December 12, 2011 3:25 PM
Having read the background of the story makes the story itself even more disturbing. A "worship service" is now categorized as a form of regulated speech, not protected by the first amendment. If a non-profit wants to hold a concert or a lecture in a school, it is protected and on the same footing as the Boy Scouts or Big Brothers Big Sisters. The allowance of one creates a limited public forum. The exclusion of a church holding what it claims to be an activity of worship is ominous. This goes far beyond NYC and will affect church starts across the country. What is needed is a contrary decision by another circuit court to force the Supreme Court to face the issue head on.
Posted By: Paul Goddard | December 13, 2011 3:06 PM
we need to pray that the 60 NYC churches find a new place to have their meetings and worship. We also need to pray for the US supreme court and for everyone that is affected by the ruling.
I also feel that everything happens for a reason according to God's plan. Maybe this will shed some light to some people. Maybe this news will attract others who never heard of God and what worship is and what it means. Maybe this news will bring Christians even more together than ever in unity. Lets take this at a more positive angle and let this situation give us the motivation and the encouragement we need to go out and evangelize even more. We all need to pray and have faith that God will provide.
Posted By: Nelson Tam | December 16, 2011 4:36 PM
Maybe we and those "60 Churches" are over looking something? There already exists hundreds, if not thousands of Churches and Church buildings in New York City. Why can't those "Christians" bless some ALREADY existing Church body with their fellowship, worship and membership????
Why the need to be rogue at all? How many denominations do we need after all? I am quite comfortable in any number of "denominations" and existing Church bodies all over my town. I "chose" one for now, but I have found many others that are solid and healthy to fellowship with. And, if I wanted to have my own Church, there are plenty of businesses and halls that would accomodate that.
Just what ARE we witnessing in these 60 Churches meeting in schools?
Posted By: Tim Ball | January 7, 2012 7:57 AM
This doesn't surprise me. Now if we can just get them to ban the teachings of Islam in public schools. I received this video in my email and found it to be very disturbing. At a time when the separation of church and state is so readily enforced how can this be? http://bcove.me/07uefz8c
Posted By: Ron Armstrong | February 2, 2012 1:42 PM