ElysianFields

I'm wondering whether it is permissable for a public school to lend or rent out its space for a religious group to meet there on Sundays.

I just received a snail mail marketing piece (courtesy of www.church-marketing.org) for an outfit called Try Grace. It says, "if you've given up on church but haven't given up on God, try grace. We're not about religion...we're about relationships." The flyer indicates that this group meets at an elementary school in my school district on Sundays.

I'd consider legal action if this is impermissable; if not, I'm going to at least write to the county school board.

Any guidance?

sea star

As long as they allow other groups to use/rent the facilities, there is not a problem. See if they will allow you to use the school for a freethinkers' group.

Tubby Lardmore

Don't know the answer to your question. Oddly enough, I have been in the opposite situation. My K - 8 school was so full that I spent my kindergarten year in a makeshift classroom they rented from a nearby church.

Toto

It's not only legal, but religious lobbying groups have obtained the right to force schools to rent their facilities to religious groups.

It's theocracy lite.

David B

Would that include freethinking groups? If not, is it constitutional?

David B (is curious)

Toto

Dave B. - this is an emerging area of the law. Christian groups, in paricular the Good News Clubs, have sued to have after school access to schools so that they can run their programs as if they were an extension of the school day. Congress pandered to them and conditions some federal money on schools not discriminating against religious groups who want to use or rent facilities.

If a freethought group calls itself a "religion" (and the courts cannot look into the validity of any group's theology), they would qualify. Or if they don't, they could qualify under equal treatment.