After-School Christian Club Wins in Federal Court

Published Wednesday, March 12th, 2008 in Culture & Society

In a ruling that enforces the rights of Christians in a school system that seems to pay more respect to other gods, a federal court judge in California has ruled in favor of Child Evangelism Fellowship of San Diego in its case against the San Diego City School District.

Child Evangelism Fellowship alleged that the school district has discriminated against its after-school program since 1999. The organization filed suit when the district refused to provide equal access for the Good News Clubs at the Ericson Elementary School.

“Equal access is a simple concept,” said Mathew D. Staver, Founder of Liberty Counsel and Dean of Liberty University School of Law. “The government must treat similar groups the same and may not censor religious viewpoints.”

The school district’s original policy provided access to the school facilities to “organizations, clubs, and associations formed for recreational, educational, political, economic, artistic, or moral purposes.” The district has always allowed free use for Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4-H Clubs, and other similar youth groups, but the district charged for CEF’s Good News Clubs to meet.

The district then changed its policy to expressly deny CEF, but Liberty Counsel continued to press the case. The district then adopted a new policy that now provides equal access consistent with the First Amendment.

As a result of the ruling, the district must refund the fees it charged CEF, including interest, and pay court-awarded attorney’s fees.

“Good News Clubs are great for kids. Why wouldn’t every public school in America want a group that teaches children to have good moral character and to be respectful of others?” Staver asked. “Religious bigotry and constitutional amnesia sometimes lead school districts to act against the best interest of their own students.”