Supreme Court Won't Hear Bible Club Case

[Khephra]

WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court turned aside a church-state fight over a Bible club given permission by a lower court to meet in a public school during classtime.

Attorneys for a school superintendent in the state of Washington argued that a federal appeals court was far out of bounds when it ruled in favor of the Bible club last year. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals held that the club, called World Changers, should be treated the same as other school clubs and allowed to use school space and supplies.

Spanaway Lake High School set aside classtime each morning for students to receive tutoring, do homework, attend assemblies or attend meetings of clubs approved by the school. Attendance at some approved activity was mandatory.

"No other court has ever held that religious clubs have the right to meet in a public school during instructional time when attendance is mandated," the school's lawyers argued in court papers.


more...............

http://www.newsday.com/news/politics/wire/sns-ap-scotus-bible-club,0,4536246.story?coll=sns-ap-politics-headlines

[La_Serpiente]

1. I really have no problem with religoius groups

I don't care if religious groups use the school...it's just that they cannot do it during class time I fee.

[WillParkinson]

10. I've got a problem with this part:

The school noted that the club's stated goals include a pledge to "Evangelize our campus for Jesus Christ," and to "teach students that Jesus Christ is the Answer to the confusion, pain and uncertainty this world offers."

If that's their 'mission statement' then I certainly DO have a problem with them using school property. I don't want anyone to tell my kids (well, if I had any) that their belief is any more important or true than mine.

[Bandit]

2. I think this was appropriate

I think the lower court was correct. They should have the same rights as anyone else. It is in no way a mixing of Church and State.

[dbt]

3. Hmm. SC won't hear this Church-State case?

Could it be that they might be forced into supporting the Constitution, thus flying in the face of their Bush v. Gore decision? Nah, they're infallible. Prolly something else entirely.

:evilgrin:
dbt

[Frodo]

7. I don't think it can be read that way.

First - they are unholding a ninth circuit court opinion. There's jsut no way the 9th came down on the conservative side of something unless it was clearly the correct answer.

Second - The SC has ruled before on similar cases (I don't know all the specifics here). But Bible studies in school (not during class-time) have been upheld more than once.

Third - It had to be pretty much a no-brainer if the SC wouldn't even hear the case. It only takes four to say a case may have merit - and, in practice, other Justices will bow to two or three votes if those justices feel there is a real Constitutional issue.

[Malva Zebrina]

4. the real test of this will be when all other religions , or atheists

or Buddhists are allowed to do likewise. So far, I have not heard of any other clubs that have a religious theme, or even a non believer theme, that want to meet during school hours. Under this, all should have equal time and opportunity to do so.

[zbdent]

5. Test could be as simple as this - ask if you could hold a club

meeting for something innocuous, but non-Christian. When you get your dates back saying "Sorry, that one's not available." to every date, just show up on those dates with a camcorder and record the "club use" of the facilities.

Also, make sure you get the school's response of your dates non-availability in some recorded format, whether on tape or by paper document.

[pfitz59]

6. Flat Earth Society

I suggest a Young Nudists Club. How about a Gay/Lesbian Mate Swapping Club. Cannabis Club! Zorastians and Rastafarians United? 666 Club. Young Wiccans? The list goes on. There is always a counter to fundie overload!

[histohoney]

9. I think they have to follow the dress codes,

so maybe no nudits. They have lots of non Christian clubs, film clubs,science clubs, some have car clubs ect... I tell you it's the Band clubs you should worry about. Band kids are enslaved, forced to sell from cheesey catalogs, sell bad candies and endless raffel tickets. OH the horror of it all.

[PurityOfEssence]

8. Of course, you'll never hear about this from the 9th Circuit Court haters

I don't see how this infringes on the separation concept, and I'm pretty harsh on the subject. This is just providing space on free time. The implication taken from this could--and probably will--infringe upon it at some time in the future, but that should be dealt with then.

This should be a clear example of this court's fairmindedness and accuracy of interpretation; I'm sure that if it's ever referenced by the fundies, it'll be just as an obvious right.