Facts
The Joy and Faith Club requested permission to use the campus facilities of the Holmes Middle School. The Club intends to read the Bible, interpret scripture, and take lectures to children from 9 to 15 years old at these meetings. The school administrators deny permission since they suppose that it would violate the district’s policy.
Issue
Can the Holmes Middle School deny permission for the Joy and Faith Club to use the campus facilities?
Analysis/Application
The Holmes Middle School should give permission to the Joy and Faith Club. On the one hand, the denial would violate the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. It guarantees that people have the freedom of speech and religion (U.S. Const. amend. I). On the other hand, two additional cases have already addressed the same issue. According to Good News Club v. Milford Central School (1998), the school should not deny the Club’s request to hold afterschool meetings. The Court stipulated that it is not allowed to prevent organizations from accessing school facilities because they are religious in nature (Connell, 2020). In Rosenberger v. Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia (1995), the Court stipulated that the university should not deny funding to a student religious publication. This evidence demonstrates that the Holmes Middle School should allow the Joy and Faith Club to use campus facilities for its meetings.
Written Reflection Questions
The learning materials and activities demonstrated that disputes between Christian and secular organizations are typical. Even though they involve such a delicate topic, it is necessary to address them as usual. Now, I see that previous cases ruled against discrimination of religious organizations and individuals. I can use this information now and in the future to help such Christian bodies and persons protect their constitutional rights.
However, it was confusing to me that it was a typical case that Christian organizations faced discrimination based on their religion. No individual should experience limitations because of their beliefs, and it surprised me that many cases violate this claim. I did not ask anyone for assistance to investigate the issue. The analysis above helped me understand that the U.S. judiciary protects the rights of religious organizations.
References
Good News Club v. Milford Central School (1998) 21 F. Supp. 2d 147.
Connell, K. W. (2020). The bad news of Good News Club: Obliterating the wall between church & state. William & Mary Bill of Rights Journal, 28(3), 569-585.
Rosenberger v. Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia (1995) 515 US 819.
U.S. Const. amend. I.