Faith

Christian Pastors Arrested As They Protest NYC Ban on Churches in Public Schools

Churches will no longer be able to use public schools to hold worship services in New York City. The decision, which goes into effect on Feb. 12, has led to outcry and protests among congregants and their supporters. On Thursday, 43 individuals, comprised of both pastors and champions for religious liberty, were arrested while taking a stand against the ban outside of a public school in the Bronx.

Pastors Arrested as They Protest NYC Ban on Churches in Public Schools

Thursday's pastor-led protest (Image Credit: DNAinfo/Serena Solomon)

About 200 people had congregated outside of Morris High School, the location where Mayor Michael Bloomberg was delivering his “State of the City” address. The protesters sang, cheered, gave speeches and prayed that the decision to keep them out of the public school system would be reversed. When they didn‘t leave following police officers’ requests, a portion of the group was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct.

These arrests come following another protest last week — this time over allegations that the city’s Housing Authority was also attempting to remove churches from public space. During the incident, New York City councilman Fernando Cabrera (also a pastor) and supporters were among seven arrested and charged with criminal trespassing; the group was singing hymns outside of the New York City law department.

The Associated Baptist Press has more about this earlier protest:

The protest was prompted by reports that New York City Housing Authority officials notified several religious groups, mostly churches, over the Christmas holidays they could no longer rent community rooms and other facilities.

Jane Gordon, senior counsel for the New York City Law Department said the housing authority has been reviewing policies regarding all users of its facilities — not just religious groups — for more than a year and its policies have nothing to do with the education department policies.

Pastors Arrested as They Protest NYC Ban on Churches in Public Schools

Photo Credit: AP/Mary Altaffer

Pastor Dimas Salaberrios, who was arrested and whose church has been fighting to keep its space at the Bronx River Community Center, claims that there’s a sinister plan in the works.

“New York City Law Department is working on getting rid of churches from community centers. Now they’re targeting us,” he told the Christian post.

But city authorities claim that they aren’t discriminating and that other groups operating in the same space as Salaberrios’ church are facing similar regulations.

In December, we reported that the U.S. Supreme Court had refused to hear a case surrounding the city’s ban on public school usage by churches. In a game of judicial volleyball, a federal appeals court upheld the policy in June, reversing the previous stance of a district judge. The high court’s refusal to hear the case, thus, upholds the June ruling.

The legal battle between the Bronx Household of Faith, an evangelical Christian church, and the city has been raging for years:

While the city is purportedly seeking to ban religious use of public school buildings on weekends and during times when the buildings are unused, there are certainly some downsides, outside of religious liberty, to their actions. Aside from the fact that children aren’t using the buildings at this time (i.e. indoctrination isn’t a concern), several million dollars in estimated rent will no longer flow into the city’s coffers — and at a time when cuts to public programs are consistently on the table.

Pastors Arrested as They Protest NYC Ban on Churches in Public Schools

Bronx Assemblyman Nelson Castro

Also, community churches help ease some of the constraints present in communities. From gangs to assistance to the poor, it’s often beneficial to have churches present in high-needs communities. By forcing the churches to leave public property, there’s no guarantee some of the help that they were once offering these areas will still be available following their exit.

WORLD on Campus reports that 150 congregations will need to move their meeting spaces when the public school ban goes into effect next month. Cabrera is said to be working with Bronx Assemblyman Nelson Castro to come up with a state legislation that would void the city’s public school ban.

Castro, according to WORLD, has introduced Bill A08800, which would allow “the use of school buildings and school sites for religious meetings and worship when not in use for school purposes or when such service or worship is deemed not disruptive of normal school operations.”

Comments (140)

1 2 3
  • Everett Bennett Jr
    Posted on January 13, 2012 at 8:43pm

    Simple, quit paying taxes. There you go….oh, they’re getting their monies from the FEDs. Ok, quit paying the FEDs taxes, it’s all going to fall apart anyway, why invest in unconstitutional non-Romans 13 compliant Govt?

    Report Post » Everett Bennett Jr  
    • Servant Of YHVH
      Posted on January 13, 2012 at 9:16pm

      Well what do we all expect? These people are quite obviously anti-God, they are also totally and completely ignorant of the Constitution (and this includes the judges that have no idea what the founding fathers meant when they wrote it) when they pretend that the founding fathers said anything about “separation of church and state”, The only reason that the judges, politicians and anyone else cries “separation” is because they just hate God and they hate His power and sovereignty over us. A lot of these people go to church and PRETEND that they are religious and they think that they are fooling the people and God, well they are completely wasting their time going there because where they will be going will not be where God resides. Also, I hate to see it but a lot of churches have condemned themselves with God by letting these people attend their church. The Bible states outright that if any church allows non-believers to belong to that church then that church also becomes dead to God and God will NOT be at one of those churches. I know some people will disagree or argue about it but they can disagree all they want, they will not win in a disagreement with God who stated that!

      Report Post » Servant Of YHVH  
    • BJC
      Posted on January 13, 2012 at 9:26pm

      But the Muslims can have prayer breaks in school during the day in the cafeteria. Screwed up!!!

      Report Post »  
    • Chr1st14n
      Posted on January 13, 2012 at 9:36pm

      doesn’t change the fact Jesus said pay your taxes.

      Report Post » Chr1st14n  
    • jzs
      Posted on January 13, 2012 at 9:47pm

      The OWS movement is catching on.

      Report Post » jzs  
    • db321
      Posted on January 13, 2012 at 10:12pm

      Please let me know when one of the predictions of the Bible that states Lawlessness would be removed and “Right will become Wrong and Wrong will become Right.” Obama has brought this one and everyone needs to wake up – he is not your savior.

      Report Post » db321  
    • Mother of JZS
      Posted on January 13, 2012 at 10:21pm

      @jzs
      Dad nabit… Get back down in the basement where you belong and turn that stupid puter off! You no good stupid Son of mine!!! OWS can’t stay in my house any more. Get those stupid commies out of my basement or I’ll kick you out into the street just like I did your stupid Father, the Fuhrer! Mein Kampf my arse! And shave that little Hitler stash off your upper lip or I’ll shave it off “fuhrer you”!

      Love,
      Your Mother.

      Report Post » Mother of JZS  
    • jzs
      Posted on January 13, 2012 at 11:37pm

      Dagnabbit, Mother, here‘s you’re medicine. Good. You’ll feel better and be able to sleep. Dream of Heaven, a beautiful Christian Heaven, where everyone plays harps and lives in harmony, without inequality, and without vulture capitalists who will buy your building and kick you out and force you to either live on the street or beg to live in my basement.

      Mom, sorry, you should have saved the million or so bucks it takes to live 20 years after retirement. Oh you did have that much money in the stock market? And you were left with nothing when the recession hit? I guess privatizing Social Security didn’t work out so well for ya. Sucks for you! Sorry! And I’m sorry that the Republicans eliminated Social Security and Medicare to pay for more tax cuts for the billionaire job creators. Have you thought about getting into the job market? I hear there’s a demand for 80 year old ladies in the workplace.

      I swear I’m going to replace that light bulb in the basement. In the meantime, here’s dinner. There’s a can opener somewhere down there. Love you!!!

      jzs  
    • ILUVJESUS
      Posted on January 14, 2012 at 1:37am

      Equal access – this went all the way to the Supreme Court in the 80s. But still, you haveto fight them.

      Report Post » ILUVJESUS  
    • StonyBurk
      Posted on January 14, 2012 at 7:54am

      Sad to see it come to this in America– but it seems unless one is willing to get arrested they get no
      public support -and no public hearing of their grievances.Funny how in Washington D.C. from the time when our National Government moved there until after the bloody American War Between the States
      Nobody thought it unwise or illegal to use Federal buildings for Christian worship President Jefferson ,himself was not merely regular in attendance at such divine services but request the Marine Corps Band provide musical instruments for the occasion unless deployed to actual duty elsewhere.I do suspect this foolish law may have been an attempt to avoid having Muslims use our public schools as Mosques? I would Hope and Pray it is not merely anti-Christian bigotry at work.

      Report Post »  
    • grannyrecipe
      Posted on January 14, 2012 at 8:16am

      @STONYBURK

      Is that you Master Chief? Good comments!

      Report Post » grannyrecipe  
    • TomFerrari
      Posted on January 14, 2012 at 8:22am

      They forgot the golden rule of protesting. It is ONLY ALLOWED if you are protesting in SUPPORT of a crooked administration. If you want to occupy something and you blindly support obama, the full weight of the DOJ will protect you. If, however, you protest for GOD, well, then, you GO TO JAIL. GO DIRECTLY TO JAIL. We are living in Bizarro world where everything is backwards. God is a doG to be kicked around by obama and his cronies and used for political gain. Caesar wants God to have NO PLACE in governing or even guiding our society. Remember the “CLINGING” quote?? They are trying to WREST God from us and are frustrated we will not comply! That is the place for “separation of Church and state.” The state should have ABSOLUTELY no say over any GENUINELY religious matters.

      Report Post » TomFerrari  
    • Spiritglogal
      Posted on January 15, 2012 at 10:39pm

      Muslim children are already given space in public schools to pray during Ramadan (and other times?) DURING school hours. So is that not a church vs. state conflict? But when churches want to pay to use the facilities when NO children (hence: no conflict ) are present, the state puts up a STINK! Unreal!

      Report Post » Spiritglogal  
  • PingPongPing
    Posted on January 13, 2012 at 8:39pm

    What an ourtage! OWS gets a free pass, but christians do not?

    Report Post » PingPongPing  
    • bullcrapbuster
      Posted on January 13, 2012 at 8:59pm

      Too true.

      Report Post » bullcrapbuster  
    • pamela kay
      Posted on January 13, 2012 at 9:23pm

      PINGPONGPING, You guessed it. These protestors are correct, THEY ARE BEING TARGETED.

      Report Post » pamela kay  
    • RepubliCorp
      Posted on January 13, 2012 at 10:05pm

      I avoid arrest dress up as the gay robot. Seems to wotk

      Report Post » RepubliCorp  
    • HorseCrazy
      Posted on January 13, 2012 at 10:43pm

      that too was must first thought. they let those idiots camp outside for weeks but a religious assembly for a few hours outside, jail time. completely targeting religious groups it is disgusting.

      Report Post »  
  • LeadNotFollow
    Posted on January 13, 2012 at 8:30pm

    Occupy Wall Street protestors get their @$$e$ KISSED, while Christians get their @$$e$ ARRESTED.
    America is so screwed up and backward. The attack on Christianity never stops.

    Report Post »  
    • MCDAVE
      Posted on January 13, 2012 at 10:25pm

      The only good news is Obama and his socialists keep alienating more and more voters..Soon everyone will have a reason to hate them…

      Report Post »  
    • HorseCrazy
      Posted on January 13, 2012 at 10:47pm

      lets also not forget the ground zero mosque controversy that they were all so pc about. liberals camping in parks while using drugs etc is ok, building a mosque next to ground zero also ok, renting public space to hold church services including community service and outreach, bad.

      Report Post »  
  • barber2
    Posted on January 13, 2012 at 8:26pm

    It isn’t easy to destroy a successful capitalist system. But Obama and his Far Lefties are sure trying their hardest to do just that. Guess they’ll just “redistribute” some more money from those nasty rich people to make up for these lost funds…

    Report Post »  
    • midwesthippie
      Posted on January 14, 2012 at 1:15am

      agree…and it may be deeper. the obamaleft is destroying communities that are church and charity based. they are trying to replace them with communities that are reliant on federal handouts. these people are community organizers…just NOT the obamaleft’s kind.

      Report Post » midwesthippie  
  • barber2
    Posted on January 13, 2012 at 8:21pm

    Am sure the Lefties would never want to ease the burden they put on us suckers who actually pay taxes by allowing RENT money to be raised from the churches. If only our Lefties spent more time in Economics classes rather then the Community Organizing classes in which they get their degrees ( is this the reason that we can‘t see Obama’s school records?? he majored in community organization/ agitating ?? )

    Report Post »  
  • ModerationIsBest
    Posted on January 13, 2012 at 8:16pm

    Meh, as long as they‘re paying rent and aren’t trying to recruit kids before/during/after school then I don‘t see why they can’t rent out the space.

    Report Post »  
    • brother_ed
      Posted on January 13, 2012 at 11:10pm

      My thoughts exactly.

      You either make it available to all, or not available at all.

      As long as school is not in session and you have the cash, fine.

      The city needs the money, they need space. Sounds like capitalism to me.

      Report Post » brother_ed  
    • Leopold
      Posted on January 14, 2012 at 2:57am

      I saw your post and thought I send you an answer to a question about maturity and salvationy. Man, you have some serious issues with God.Your ravings and hateful rethoric about God does not speak in favor of you being a moderate.

      I saw someone gave you scripture about children going to heaven. Here is also one from the Old Testament that speaks perhaps best to the maturity. In the book of Numbers 14:29 it states: “In this desert your bodies will fall everyone of you 20 years and older, who was counted in the census and who has grumbled against me.” That is probably where we get the legal age of 18 to 21 from.

      And to children being so easily manipulated, Jesus had the following to say in Matthew 18:6 “But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” This is what the muslims, who teach their children hatred and killing, will face when they stand before God.And any other person that sets out to teach Children that God is not real. Judgement is coming and thank God for that, because He will bring justice.

      Report Post »  
    • Leopold
      Posted on January 14, 2012 at 3:01am

      Hi moderate

      I saw your post and thought I send you an answer to a question about maturity and salvation. Man, you have some serious issues with God.Your ravings and hateful rhetoric about God does not speak in favor of you being a moderate.
      However, I appreciate your post on this one.

      I saw someone gave you scripture about children going to heaven a while back. Here is also one from the Old Testament that speaks perhaps best to the maturity. In the book of Numbers 14:29 it states: “In this desert your bodies will fall everyone of you 20 years and older, who was counted in the census and who has grumbled against me.” That is probably where we get the legal age of 18 to 21 from.

      And to children being so easily manipulated, Jesus had the following to say in Matthew 18:6 “But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” This is what the muslims, who teach their children hatred and killing, will face when they stand before God.And any other person that sets out to teach Children that God is not real. Judgement is coming and thank God for that, because He will bring justice.

      Report Post »  
    • Leopold
      Posted on January 14, 2012 at 3:05am

      the last post is for moderate

      Report Post »  
    • ModerationIsBest
      Posted on January 14, 2012 at 10:41am

      @Leopold

      You call it hateful, I call it truth.
      Your God is the ultimate abortionists because he gives children to women he knows will get an abortion. You can either admit that, or admit that he’s not all knowing. I’m fine with either answer.

      Besides, what does this have to do with the issue on this thread?

      Fact is, I defended the churches ability to rent the school after hours to hold their services as long as they weren’t using the school to recruit kids before/during/directly after school hours.

      Again people look past the things where I support them, and directly go to the thing they don’t like. Very good job at picking and choosing.

      Therefore, how hateful of you, or your God can I be when I defend your right to practice your faith? The thing I won’t defend is your ability to force people to conform to your beliefs through the passing of legislation. This country is not a theocracy and I would like to keep it that way.

      Report Post »  
  • JJBlazeReader
    Posted on January 13, 2012 at 8:04pm

    ..

    I bet the decision would be different if it was a gay church or if the group renting were muslims.

    ..

    Report Post » JJBlazeReader  
    • COFemale
      Posted on January 13, 2012 at 9:34pm

      Well there is one way to find out. Get a Muslim group to seek out to rent the space. If the Muslim group isn’t turned down, then it is ground for a lawsuit. I am not one to jump into lawsuits, but in this instance, I ‘d like to put them to the test just so I can show bias and discrimination.

      Report Post » COFemale  
  • hugo65hsv
    Posted on January 13, 2012 at 8:01pm

    Well it’s just more proof of what liberals are really made of..

    Report Post »  
  • Buckeyemom1776
    Posted on January 13, 2012 at 7:57pm

    Bloomberg panders to Muslims, but screws Christians……pretty typical for a progressive, don’t ya think?

    Report Post »  
  • blackstone22
    Posted on January 13, 2012 at 7:54pm

    This is so disgraceful it’s hard to comprehend the force behind this ban. These school buildings are empty, why not have them receive revenue and be used as a positive force particularly by communities in need. Better that they remain empty ? where is the logic?
    This makes absolutley no sense. My prayers are with you assemblyman Castro to hopefully overturn this evil ruling.

    Report Post »  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on January 14, 2012 at 8:31am

      “This is so disgraceful it’s hard to comprehend the force behind this ban.” You know who that force is I’m sure. Same guy who was big in Sodom and Gomorrah a while back.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
  • MrMagoo
    Posted on January 13, 2012 at 7:42pm

    Its New York City,New York who cares?Its never represented the USA in my life time anymore than California.
    Both States could secede from the Union and millions would CHEER!

    Report Post » MrMagoo  
    • GeorgieJo
      Posted on January 13, 2012 at 8:20pm

      New York PAYS teachers to sit in rubber rooms and collect their salarys
      Bloomie doesn’t MIND spending MONEY on those creeps
      Seems like Christianity is under attack

      So sad. They do not know what they wish.

      Report Post »  
    • This_Individual
      Posted on January 13, 2012 at 9:22pm

      Don’t worry many of us would like to seceed and get away from socialists like yourself.

      Report Post »  
    • 2theADDLED
      Posted on January 13, 2012 at 9:48pm

      Most nanny laws start in NY or CA and infect the rest of the country.

      Report Post »  
  • oneopin
    Posted on January 13, 2012 at 7:38pm

    No one seems to mind when political functions are conducted in churches. Hmmmm

    Report Post »  
    • CatB
      Posted on January 13, 2012 at 8:21pm

      No one minds when they are Democrats …..

      Report Post »  
  • skippy6
    Posted on January 13, 2012 at 7:36pm

    I don’t think that they are excluding any one religion….Are they??? Well there goes their extra cash the dimwits…..

    Report Post » skippy6  
  • oneillptgd
    Posted on January 13, 2012 at 7:29pm

    Anti Christian bigotry from the left. You can’t mistake their real feelings. What wave of persecution will be tolerated by the pro ows brown shirts?
    God will forgive repentant sin, but He will judge justly. The redcoats during the revolution persecuted the black robe brigade. See how that turned out!

    Report Post »  
  • hillbillyinny
    Posted on January 13, 2012 at 7:28pm

    Revelations in REAL TIME!

    Report Post »  
  • I.Gaspar
    Posted on January 13, 2012 at 7:25pm

    The animals of the Left have to be voted out at every single level. If they aren’t, life in the U.S. will become more unbearable than any normal human being could imagine. And if it gets to that point, all of society will crumble.

    Report Post »  
  • Flyingfish
    Posted on January 13, 2012 at 7:25pm

    As much as I side with the people on religious freedom, the public school system has absolutely no obligation to rent out their empty spaces to anyone.

    Don’t like it then change the school board if you do then suck up the extra taxes needed it;s as simple as that.

    Report Post » Flyingfish  
    • PASSIONFORCHRIST
      Posted on January 13, 2012 at 7:38pm

      You Obviously didn’t read the article. THEY RENT THE AREA OUT, AND ONLY A CERTAIN AREA, THUS THEIR PAYING FOR IT . IT GENERATES MONEY FOR THE SCHOOL AND SO MANY OTHER BENEFICIAL THINGS TO THE COMMUNITY. WHAT BETTER WAY TO GENERATE FUNDS AND COMMUNITY SVC! READ THE ARTICLE AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!! YEA! LETS STOP GOOD THINGS FROM HAPPENING!

      Report Post »  
    • tricia
      Posted on January 13, 2012 at 8:55pm

      There is no religious freedom with the dictator mayor. He bought the mayor seat, after changing the term-limit law. He was given control of the NYC school system during his first term, THERE IS NO SCHOOL BOARD.
      The NYC Housing Authority is also evicting Christians, read the whole article.
      NO Smoking, NO Fats, NO Salt, and now NO Alcohol Bloomberg, banned clergy at the 911 ceremony this past anniversary, he helped the Ground Zero Mosque developers.
      Do you see a pattern? Bloomberg dislikes Christians and all freedom loving individuals. He acts like a Mullah or the Taliban Police, he knows whats best for your BODY and soul. So harassing Christians and poking at them until they react, will help him usher in more prohibition laws or maybe marshal law.
      Christians bad – Muslims good. Christians and taxpaying citizens have no constitutional rights – Occupy Wall Streeters, Mosque Developers and Immigrants have constitutional freedoms.
      LIBERAL FASCISM!!!!!

      Report Post »  
    • HorseCrazy
      Posted on January 13, 2012 at 10:53pm

      my old church used to rent out a school when our church space was being rennovated. the school also rented to the boy scouts of america as well as birthday parties etc. the rules were no booze and no black soled shoes on the gym floor. very basic and a good batch of extra funding for the school. the building sit vacant all summer and every evening. would be smart if the politicians would utilize these spaces like private business owners do. I lease out my vacation homes etc when I am not using them why can’t they. it is basic business.

      Report Post »  
  • frust@ted
    Posted on January 13, 2012 at 7:20pm

    I don‘t see why churches shouldn’t be able to use a school building when it is being unused. I can see why a church should not be able to use a building while school is in session.

    What I really want to find out is Why these people were arrested so quickly while OWS seemed to be given plenty of time before they were hauled off. Im more than willing to listen and agree that they should have been arrested but i want to know what the difference was. Anyone know??????

    Report Post »  
    • poverty.sucks
      Posted on January 13, 2012 at 7:24pm

      Christ Jesus said, because they hate me, they will hate you.

      Report Post » poverty.sucks  
    • JohnHW
      Posted on January 13, 2012 at 7:36pm

      They were arrested because they are not liberal and the city’s major was giving his state of the city speech. Can’t have this billionaire mayor interrupted by some Christian group – now can we?

      Report Post » JohnHW  
    • frust@ted
      Posted on January 13, 2012 at 7:50pm

      I really hope this story gets picked up by Fox and they start asking why this group was arrested and the OWS wasn’t. Fox is biased no doubt but if it wasn’t this question or Story would never be known or talked about..

      Report Post »  
    • This_Individual
      Posted on January 13, 2012 at 9:23pm

      No, they don’t hate Jesus, they just hate proslytization.

      Report Post »  
  • krjones
    Posted on January 13, 2012 at 7:16pm

    This county is done. Finished. Time to start over.

    Report Post »  
  • Abraham Young
    Posted on January 13, 2012 at 7:15pm

    Read Thomas Jefferson in HIS opinion church should be held in government buildings.

    I am with these CHristian pastors. I want to stand with them. It’s time for all to rise for religious fairness

    against the Communists who would throw us out.

    What makes our federal government any different than a Communist regime? They act like one. They are now persecuting religion.

    Report Post »  
  • barbofmv
    Posted on January 13, 2012 at 7:15pm

    This PC crap has gone too far, next time i’m in a public school I will ensure to say a prayer outloud

    Pray people

    Report Post »  
    • jeanr
      Posted on January 13, 2012 at 7:32pm

      Sorry, pal. I think you may be a bit old to go back and get that diploma. But you and the other hayseeds can always hold on to that GED dream.

      Report Post »  
  • TXPilot
    Posted on January 13, 2012 at 7:14pm

    Ok, NYC let OWS protestors get away with everything from spitting on officers to cr@pping on police cars, but they arrested these people?….They much be much more dangerous and threatening, than they appear to be.

    Report Post » TXPilot  
  • poverty.sucks
    Posted on January 13, 2012 at 7:14pm

    This will have an economic cause/affect, who’s going to replace the revenue from lost Sunday Lease?

    Recently I was thinking about this practice. Most school districts will lease space to churches to hold worship service, then once school is in session, cannot hold prayers. Seems odd to me.

    Report Post » poverty.sucks  
    • frust@ted
      Posted on January 13, 2012 at 7:24pm

      I think what people are going to miss from this story is they were renting/leasing/using the building on weekends to hold service when school wasn’t in session. That is a key factor in this story and what will be left out on so many news reports.

      Report Post »  
  • bjornskis
    Posted on January 13, 2012 at 7:11pm

    wow arrested real quick took much longer with the occupy dead beats

    Report Post »  
  • democritusoilder267
    Posted on January 13, 2012 at 7:08pm

    In my opinion no religious group shall be able to hold services in schools.

    Report Post » democritusoilder267  
    • godhatesacoward
      Posted on January 13, 2012 at 7:16pm

      They are renting the space “after hours” what‘s big f’n deal?

      Report Post » godhatesacoward  
    • skippy6
      Posted on January 13, 2012 at 7:16pm

      Why??

      Report Post » skippy6  
    • Abraham Young
      Posted on January 13, 2012 at 7:17pm

      Get out your 5000 Year Leap and see what Old TJ had to say about holding church services in public buildings.

      Or get our your copy of Original Intent and learn what the founders felt about religion.

      We are taking back our country, our government, and our schools, one by one.

      Report Post »  
    • slr4528
      Posted on January 13, 2012 at 7:22pm

      If the space is not in use, the rental of this space to any group is a great way to raise funds to support the school. School is not in session when the church occupies the meeting rooms. In communities stricken with poverty, the church is a major safety net for people down on their luck and the church,not the government,provides a valuable service to the poor.

      Report Post »  
    • democritusoilder267
      Posted on January 13, 2012 at 7:30pm

      I respectfully disagree with your views on this topic. America does have a rich Christian history but that doesn’t mean our country is a Christian nation. This is a very topic to explain so I’ll let my sources explain my position on this subject. No, I’m not an atheist. I would like to point that out.
      http://www.alternet.org/belief/153727/5_founding_fathers_whose_skepticism_about_christianity_would_make_them_unelectable_today/?page=entire
      http://www.atheismresource.com/2012/are-we-a-christian-nation

      Report Post » democritusoilder267  
    • jeanr
      Posted on January 13, 2012 at 7:37pm

      You are aware that Jefferson was ‘one’ of the founding father, right? There is no homogenous “founding fathers” philosophy that explains all of their collective intent. Hamilton was just as much as a patriot as Jefferson, but they could not disagree more with each other. John Adams was a pompous ass, but a genius pompus ass at that.

      Report Post »  
    • wifezilla
      Posted on January 13, 2012 at 7:39pm

      I see nothing wrong with renting out the school after hours and on weekends. If you are opening up the schools for rental, there is no reason it can’t be rented out to church groups or organizations. To specifically single out churchs shows this is a targeted, anti-religion move. (P.S. I am an atheist)

      Report Post » wifezilla  
    • gatorintn
      Posted on January 13, 2012 at 7:56pm

      Heresiarch

      Report Post »  
    • Nursenevada
      Posted on January 14, 2012 at 11:51am

      @democrat: Your links are Hogwash! What the heck is alternet anyway? Look at the link people. Right in the link name you can see what these are. It is how the left is rewriting history. The other link is an atheism link.

      Report Post »  
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