Faith

‘State Religion’: Bloomberg Defends NYC Policy Evicting Dozens of Churches From Public School Buildings

The story surrounding the New York City church ban is an intriguing one. The Blaze has extensively covered the ongoing drama between faith leaders and the city’s Department of Education — the latter of which has worked fervently to prevent churches from renting weekend space in its public school buildings.

Following years of legal battles and a refusal on the part of the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the case, the ban on church use of the buildings has now gone into effect, leaving dozens of community houses of worship without a location to meet.

While faith leaders lament the decision and fear for gangs, the hungry and others in need throughout the communities they serve, Mayor Michael Bloomberg is standing by the ruling. Citing religious freedom and the separation of church and state, he used his weekly radio address to reiterate his stance on the matter.

“Someday the religion that the state picks as the ‘state religion’ might not be yours,” Bloomberg said. “The way to solve that is to not have a state religion.”

NYC Public School Church Ban Goes Into Effect | Michael Bloomberg Defends

NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg

But critics claim that the ban, which took effect Feb. 12, will amount to a loss of service for needy communities, a decrease in congregant attendance and church closures as the result of unaffordable rental rates. New York City is known for its high costs, which could pose serious barriers for these houses of worship as they struggle for survival.

“You’re talking about thousands and thousands of people who are being forced out of their worship spaces,” explained Rev. Jon Storck, pastor of Grace Fellowship Church — a house of worship that has been meeting in Public School 150 in Sunnyside, Queens, for years.

“We’re maintaining a positive faith, because we believe God has a plan for us,” adds Pastor Rick Del Rio of Abounding Grace.

Watch Del Rio, his son, Jeremy, and New York City Councilman Fernando Cabrera discuss the church ban on GBTV this past Friday:

Having essentially exhausted their efforts in the courts (although Jordan Lorence of the Alliance Defense Fund has filed for a new injunction against the policy and may appear in federal court on Tuesday), churches and activists are working with city and state lawmakers to try and overturn the ban. Last Monday, the New York State Senate passed a bill that would rectify the situation. But in order to turn the proposal into law, the Assembly must also pass it and Gov. Andrew Cuomo will need to sign it into law.

The state has not moved fast enough, though, to prevent eviction. Next Sunday, the churches will have nowhere to go for worship. At the moment, each pastor is working fervently to secure alternative locations. In the end, the faith leaders and their congregations will meet anywhere they can — even on the sidewalk if there’s nowhere else for them to come together.

Despite all of the chaos, the Department of Education joins Bloomberg in remaining stuck on its stance.

“Our view is that public school buildings, which are funded by taxpayers’ dollars, should not be used as houses of worship or to subsidize worship,” said spokeswoman Marge Feinberg.

So it seems the ban is now in the hands of state politicians.

Comments (105)

1 2 3
  • jeffile
    Posted on February 13, 2012 at 11:09am

    For seemingly being such an intelligent person the good mayor fails to understand the Constitution does not prohibit a state religion onlythat Congress cannot establish a national religion. Now if only the Catholic Church would announce that they will cease all medical services if the president fails to exempt the Church from the mandated issuing of birth control.

    Report Post »  
    • Some Chicken Some Neck
      Posted on February 13, 2012 at 11:28am

      Since when has the Mayor of NYC behaved like an intelligent person? Was it the (proposed) salt ban? Transfat ban? Supporting the “Ground Zero Mosque”? Nothing I’ve read the Mayor has said on this issue smacks of anything but progressivism.

      Report Post » Some Chicken Some Neck  
    • The_Jerk
      Posted on February 13, 2012 at 11:46am

      Mayor Michael Bloomberg, how much evidence does one require to see that Jews are the anti-Christians in this nation. New York is Jerusalem west. The ACLU’s leadership is reminiscent of a temple board meeting per a rabbi, Daniel Lapin. Better wake up, ’cause if you don’t know the etiology, you will never find the cure.
      They hide behind antisemitism.

      Report Post »  
    • Sirfoldallot
      Posted on February 13, 2012 at 11:59am

      The Blooming idiot is apart of ditroying our Constitution.

      Report Post » Sirfoldallot  
    • JEANNIEMAC
      Posted on February 13, 2012 at 12:38pm

      The Catholic bishops have already announced, “We cannot comply. We will not comply”. If the Congress does not overrule Obama on his breaking the law (1st Amendment), all Catholic hospitals, housing, agencies, etc. will close. The government would have to pick up the cost of providing those services. Taxes would have to go up.Or the government would simply say the Churches are at fault for failing to provide needed services and it is too bad many people will have to go without.

      Report Post »  
    • dumbgrunt33
      Posted on February 13, 2012 at 12:56pm

      So he wants another mosque but God forbid a Christian church pays to use a building….. or should I say Allah forbid? We have a lot to repair in this country

      Report Post »  
    • caleejr
      Posted on February 13, 2012 at 1:04pm

      Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof

      let me get this straight…. if a church pays rent to use the school – that qualifies as congress passing laws to establish religion?

      Report Post » caleejr  
    • qzak491
      Posted on February 13, 2012 at 1:31pm

      .
      That’s exactly what osama wants, to get more people dependent on the state and not on the Church. This whole problem has to do with osama wanting to increase the welfare roles so he will get more votes from people that depend on him and he can controll. If the Church is taking care of these people they don‘t care about osama’s money and he has no controll over them. That’s what he has always wanted a people dependent on him so he can tell them what to do with the state money they get.

      Report Post »  
    • sixdogman
      Posted on February 14, 2012 at 4:13am

      I heard a man say he didn’t want to be governed by a righteous s.o.b., so what’s the alternative? to be governed by an UN-righteous s.o.b.? the founders knew it would not work without GOD and the democrats are proving them right again.

      Report Post »  
    • Wolf
      Posted on February 14, 2012 at 5:51pm

      Bloonybird is defintiely not one to be speaking of the Constitution or what it means when he doesn’t consider the other rights enumerated ing the BoR. And he wants to use taxpayer monies to build a mosque for rhaghaeds. Sure seems to be using his alternate tongue here.
      Yet I wonder how many churches there are in NYC that have room to spare for these people? It surely can’t be that every church buildig in that city is full any day of the week, especially Sundays. IMO, this is another case of the church failing in its mission, dropping the ball and disavowing what Christ commanded His churches to do.

      Report Post »  
  • wvernon1981
    Posted on February 13, 2012 at 11:05am

    Clearly, God doesn’t care if his followers have a meetin place in public schools. If I were a believer, I‘d ask myself why complain about Bloomberg’s policy if God doesn’t care.

    Report Post »  
    • COFemale
      Posted on February 13, 2012 at 11:22am

      Let me put this to you clearly and succinctly – your an idiot like Bloomberg.

      Report Post » COFemale  
    • loganbeare
      Posted on February 13, 2012 at 11:35am

      God gave us this land to worship him… now we have to fight to keep it. The Israelite did and now we do.

      Report Post »  
    • Right_on_the_Left_Coast
      Posted on February 13, 2012 at 11:46am

      God is gracious enough to let Mayor Bloomberg keep his free will even when he’s going to do something stupid…

      It‘s a simple mind that looks at an event like this and draws the conclusion that God either doesn’t care or doesn’t exist. God’s word promises us that we would be ridiculed, hated, and even persecuted for following Jesus. Mayor Bloomberg’s actions (and your smarmy comment) only fulfill that prediction.

      Report Post » Right_on_the_Left_Coast  
  • Miyegombo Bayartsogt
    Posted on February 13, 2012 at 10:58am

    Bloomberg’s idea of supporting a state religion was revealed recently when he went on record for the Ground Zero victory mosque. And who doubts the New York City school system doesn’t make special accommodations for good Muslims on school property when they to break five times a day to face Mecca and bow to Mohammad? The problem with meek and mild Christians is they‘re so easy to shove around it’s fun. No one would say that about the Islamists. And after all is said and done here these people will still vote Democrat every time.

    Report Post »  
  • GrayPanther
    Posted on February 13, 2012 at 10:54am

    Bloomberg is another George Soros when it comes to American values and respect for the U S Constitution. This man is not even a good Jew and he proves it almost every day.

    Report Post » GrayPanther  
    • HorseCrazy
      Posted on February 13, 2012 at 12:52pm

      go figure another billionaire secularist hell bent on destroying our freedoms and creating their idea of a utopian society while the sheeple follow.

      Report Post »  
  • shogun459
    Posted on February 13, 2012 at 10:47am

    So why is the Government now requiring ANY Insurance Co. that insures Christians MUST NOW PROVIDE BIRTH CONTROL FOR FREE. Planned Parenthood and the existing Pro-Choice providers CHARGE for these services. Doesn’t that hurt their business?
    Forcing a group to provide the Your Product for free does what?
    It puts a real financial hardship on your chosen target, you get paid they don’t.
    The Christian Insurer can’t charge the people getting the Abortions for the Abortions.
    They have to raise the rates on the Christians they are insuring to pay for the Abortions.
    So this forces the Christians to pay for Abortions that they believe are Murder.

    The Human Secularists, (since they think they must convert they act like a religious cult),WILL make this about Christians denying Women health care EVEN THOUGH THESE SERVICES ARE ALREADY AVAILABLE FROM PLANNED PARENTHOOD and many others!
    They will succeed at this because the Media is also pushing this agenda for the same ideological reasons.

    This is the start of the Western world turning on Christians in an effort to remove them and what they stand for from public life.
    It won’t take as long as you think, ask the Deutschland Juden.
    Even the American Administration will pressure people of faith. Crippling fines, arrests, imprisonments, and all the while doing it in the name of fairness and equal opportunity.

    They can Not be reasoned with, this will be done with the same systematic fervor and logic of the Spani

    Report Post » shogun459  
  • mike_trivisonno
    Posted on February 13, 2012 at 10:47am

    And yet nothing will be done about the illegal madrassas and mosques being operated in New York City. Not a peep.

    Bloomberg is an agent of Jihad.

    Report Post » mike_trivisonno  
  • kimberlyjesus
    Posted on February 13, 2012 at 10:43am

    Churches find another place to worship and not in the public schools. GOD did not intend for our children to be taught by the devil in these public schools. GOD will soon burn all the public schools to show you this. Our children are to be taught christian values and the word of GOD- the bible.

    Report Post »  
  • ProbIemSoIver
    Posted on February 13, 2012 at 10:42am

    Look people, you have been lied to by the Corporation.

    Bloomberg is just a branch manager of the ‘City of New York’ which is a PRIVATE COMPANY.
    He could care less what the “citizens” think.

    Here is proof:
    http://www.manta.com/c/mmjdyzb/city-of-new-york

    Don’t believe manta? Check Dun & Bradstreets company listings, or any other reputable site.

    Your Federal Government is a Foreign-owned private corporation also.
    http://www.manta.com/mb_41_ALL_09/district_of_columbia?pg=4&search=United+states+Government

    All of your “Governments” are private Companies all the way down to the Local level.

    Bush Signed EO 12803 in 1992. America was bought by “Investors” under the Infrastructure Privatization Act.

    That was the same Year Agenda 21 was introduced. 2 years before NAFTA.

    Here is Allen west confirming the “United States” TM is a Corporation.
    (not a metaphor) Check teamlaw
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IN0PlOXCJLc
    &
    http://www.teamlaw.net/history.htm

    Here is another confirmation:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOixE2ZFYtE

    100% proof your Government thinks it OWNS you and had the RIGHT to PLEDGE YOU as a SLAVE to a PRIVATE BANK:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlCs7u1ihws

    Report Post » ProbIemSoIver  
  • Scott15sb
    Posted on February 13, 2012 at 10:32am

    Romans 8:28. This looks bad for the NYC churches, but is an chance for others to stand up for Jesus. It may not look like it right now, but Good will come from this.

    Report Post » Scott15sb  
  • hauschild
    Posted on February 13, 2012 at 10:31am

    If you can stand it, take a long look at Bloomberg and then tell me his facial features and expressions do not look eerily similar to The Grinch’s.

    Report Post »  
  • vaman
    Posted on February 13, 2012 at 10:30am

    Most church buildings are empty during the week and other than when services are being held are also pretty empty. These churches should be opening their doors to other denominations to hold services. With the endless supply of locations, a public school is not appropriate.

    Report Post »  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on February 13, 2012 at 10:37am

      Actually there are some that do; the lutheran church where I used to volunteer at for their food bank rents out to other church congregations and has space for such groups as the AA, GA, NA, and many others. I will admit, they are one of the few churches that actually for the most part care more about the needs of the community than many larger churches.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • scattersunshine78
      Posted on February 13, 2012 at 11:00am

      It is totally appropriate. It should be used for Worship everyday, a right to assemble and worship is good for the community. Remember the Capitol was built with a room dedicated to worship right off the rotonda. Common Sense and Civility should be a society standard. Property that is Public should be made available to Public, reimbursing any tax dollars, but thats common sense. Politicians want God out of the Community, so they can feel like Hero with food stamps and simular programs.

      Report Post » scattersunshine78  
    • COFemale
      Posted on February 13, 2012 at 11:27am

      Why is not the public school appropriate. They meet on Sunday’s. When was the last time school was open with school children on Sunday? Are you afraid “Christian cooties” will rub off on you?

      Report Post » COFemale  
  • Henrys_Ghost
    Posted on February 13, 2012 at 10:28am

    Where is the Rev. Al Sharpton on this? isn’t a large group of his “congregation” from NYC? Guess his “duties” at MSNBC are far too important to drag him away from them.

    Report Post » Henrys_Ghost  
  • paperpushermj
    Posted on February 13, 2012 at 10:27am

    “Someday the religion that the state picks as the ‘state religion’ might not be yours,” Bloomberg said. “The way to solve that is to not have a state religion.”
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    IDIOT LEFTIST just what Religion does “Christian” Connote
    .

    1 Catholicism
    1.1 Catholic Church
    1.2 Other churches
    2 Eastern Orthodox
    2.1 Eastern Orthodox Church
    2.2 Other churches
    3 Oriental Orthodoxy
    4 Church of the East
    5 Protestantism
    5.1 Pre-Lutheran Protestants
    5.2 Lutheranism
    5.3 Anglicanism
    5.4 Reformed Churches
    5.5 Presbyterianism
    5.6 Congregationalist Churches
    5.7 Anabaptists
    5.8 Brethren
    5.9 Methodists
    5.10 Pietists and Holiness Churches
    5.11 Baptists
    5.12 Apostolic Churches – Irvingites
    5.13 Pentecostalism
    5.14 Charismatics
    5.15 African Initiated Churches
    5.16 United and uniting churches
    5.17 Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
    5.18 Stone-Campbell Restoration Movement
    5.19 Southcottites
    5.20 Millerites and comparable groups
    5.21 British-Israelism
    5.22 Miscellaneous/Other
    5.23 Christian Revival Church
    6 Latter Day Saints
    6.1 Original denomination
    6.2 “Prairie Saint” denominations
    6.3 Rocky Mountains denominations
    6.4 Other denominations
    7 Nontrinitarian groups
    7.1 Oneness Pentecostalism
    7.2 Unitarianism and Universalism
    7.3 Bible Student groups
    7.4 Swedenborgianism
    7.5 Other non-Trinitarians
    8 New Thought
    9 Messianic Judaism / Jewish Christians
    10 Esoteric Christi

    Report Post » paperpushermj  
    • Miyegombo Bayartsogt
      Posted on February 13, 2012 at 10:47am

      Yeah, but only one of those on your list is right and true making the rest a sad parade of false doctrines.

      Report Post »  
    • paperpushermj
      Posted on February 13, 2012 at 11:04am

      I have no comment to someone who thinks that what they believe is the only one way, and everyone else is wrong. I makes no sense to me

      Report Post » paperpushermj  
    • paperpushermj
      Posted on February 13, 2012 at 11:08am

      plus needlessly devise and with a touch of Selfishness

      Report Post » paperpushermj  
    • Miyegombo Bayartsogt
      Posted on February 13, 2012 at 5:15pm

      There are myriad religions with tens of thousands of different gods and worshipped spirits and things, they can’t all be correct. Some people view them all as equally false. Religious people by definition are more picky about these matters to the point they uniquely have a long history of killing each other over what a lay person might consider minor differences.

      Report Post »  
  • DesertRose1960
    Posted on February 13, 2012 at 10:25am

    I used to teach in a public school that was used by a church on Sundays. The school library was vandalized after one of those services. Plants were dumped out of pots, books were strewn on the floor and obscenities were scrawled on the very expensive “smart board”. I do not understand why taxpayers would be okay with allowing a non-tax paying entity to use these facilities. Oh, and if you allow churches to do it, you will have to allow Muslims to use them, too. If a religious community wants to gather, they should find or rent some other space. My husband once belonged to a small Jewish congregation that bought and converted a small house into their temple. That small building was home to that congregation for 30 some years before the community died out or moved away.

    Report Post » DesertRose1960  
    • shogun459
      Posted on February 13, 2012 at 10:50am

      You are so sure that it was the church people that did this and not some very troubled person or just someone that wanted to make it look like the Christians did it.
      But hey who fouls their own nest and ruins a good deal in such a public fashion. Happens all the time.

      Riiiight.

      Report Post » shogun459  
    • GrayPanther
      Posted on February 13, 2012 at 10:51am

      The school damage may well not have had anything to do with the church. Perhaps, an unlicked door or just a gang of thugs were the cause. At any rate, don’t our schools need a little extra money? No doubt the “fee” charged by the school would cover insurance and cleaning. Bloomberg is another George Soros.

      Report Post » GrayPanther  
    • Miyegombo Bayartsogt
      Posted on February 13, 2012 at 11:01am

      Let no door go unlicked.

      Report Post »  
    • scattersunshine78
      Posted on February 13, 2012 at 11:04am

      Vandalism is not the issue. There are laws and jails for that. Schools and Churches get Vandalized everyday. (Probably because there is not Prayer and God, and worship in schools anymore.)

      Report Post » scattersunshine78  
    • COFemale
      Posted on February 13, 2012 at 11:34am

      Wow DesertRose, every time something about Christians or Republicans being somewhere you have a story that puts them in a bad light. You really must get around and I am not saying that in a good way.

      You have no proof and I highly doubt a Christian would damage the school library in that manner. Sounds more like your kind, you know a Liberal Progressive who feels entitled and generally becomes violent when you don’t get your way. Nice try though, but we see through your lies.

      Report Post » COFemale  
  • beekeeper
    Posted on February 13, 2012 at 10:25am

    So, let me get this straight – members of the community form a church, but that church is without a home, so they look to the school building the community funds, which is rented out to other community groups for a price, and decide to rent the school for their church at the going rate.

    Everything’s fine (for years) until someone realizes that‘s a church that’s renting the building, and citing their own mis-interpretation of a letter Thomas Jefferson sent to a congrgation in CT they decide to evict the churches, to no longer rent the school buildings to them.

    If the church got a discount on the rental fee, there’s room for a discussion about the amount of rent paid, but in his zeal to not even have the appearance of “establishing” a religion the City has tipped the scales and is now discriminating against the churches simply because they are religious institutions – they are “impeding the free exercise” of their religion by treating these religious organizations differently than any other organization that rents space in these schools.

    It is simply wrong to punish a relgious group simply for being religious – a lesson I hope a federal judge can explain to Mayor Bloomberg sooner rather than later.

    Report Post » beekeeper  
  • GeorgeWashingtonslept here
    Posted on February 13, 2012 at 10:24am

    Well, well…….you moron’s that keep voting these POS politicians in office like Bloomberg get what YOU deserve………………..too damned bad for you! Go have services in the gutter for all I care. I’m sick and tired of you liberals bitching when it happens to YOU………vote the s.o.b. out of office next time around………and for now STFU.

    Report Post »  
  • jakartaman
    Posted on February 13, 2012 at 10:22am

    You can bet your sweet arse if these were Mosques this unprincipled dope would stay the h-ll out of iy
    But like kalifonia these NY idiots deserve what the get

    Report Post »  
  • banjarmon
    Posted on February 13, 2012 at 10:22am

    This Country is NO LONGER the AMERICA I KNOW….WAKE UP PEOPLE!!!!
    IT IS TIME TO LET THOSE THAT ARE RUINING OUR NATION TO GET THE H- E-L-L OUT!!!!

    WE The PEOPLE ARE LOCKED And LOADED!!!!

    Report Post » banjarmon  
  • Just in time
    Posted on February 13, 2012 at 10:21am

    I would tell Bloomberg, that someday the state will allow free expression of their religion. Instead of persecuting them for it. The state needs to get out the way. And let people enjoy their 1st amendment rights

    Report Post »  
  • Rick300
    Posted on February 13, 2012 at 10:21am

    Amazing when you look back on history that our nation’s Capitol building was used for religious services. I bet you that there was more praying going on in the New York public schools Monday through Friday than there was on the weekends!!!

    Report Post » Rick300  
  • skiz
    Posted on February 13, 2012 at 10:19am

    They are coming at Christians from every direction. The end is near! CHRISTAINS MUST STAND!
    Seperation of church and state is a myth made up by the secularists and the progressives. It is not in the constitution. Dont start quoting the constitution, I know what is SAYS!

    Report Post » skiz  
    • Smokey_Bojangles
      Posted on February 13, 2012 at 10:27am

      I Tell people if they can find the words “Separation of church and state” in the Constitution, I will eat a Turd Sandwich. I have yet had to Partake of that. If Separation of church and state were really followed, billions of our taxes would not be going to AL Gore’s Religion and it would not be taught as fact in our schools. If The Federal Government got out of Al Gore’s religion food prices would drop.Energy prices would drop.Then wages would go further and improve the economy. Seems The only Green jobs created are jobs taking the green from our pockets.

      Report Post » Smokey_Bojangles  
  • I.Gaspar
    Posted on February 13, 2012 at 10:17am

    Bloomberg is a meddling piece of cr^p when it comes to personal choices in the area of smoking, driving, food choices, and the like.
    But now he has come out publicly as an enemy of religion.
    His claim that renting space in school buildings in a city that desparately needs money…violates the concept of “separation of church and state”, a term concocted by the leftists to be used as needed to attack Christians, primarily. He’s just another stooge.
    I‘ve lived in NY for too many years and can’t take it anymore. As soon as I can disconnect from NY I will move to a state/city where people like bloomberg have no power to inflict ill upon me or my family.
    F.U. mike bloomberg.

    Report Post »  
  • oldguy49
    Posted on February 13, 2012 at 10:16am

    socialist state of ny

    Report Post »  
  • progressiveslayer
    Posted on February 13, 2012 at 10:14am

    Mayor Bloomberg says “The way to solve that is to not have a state religion.” Too late Mayor the federal government has been working for over a century to be the state religion and the Marxist currently occupying the white house has accelerated the pace and his quest to create a Marxist utopia where everyone is equally poor.

    Report Post » progressiveslayer  
  • cessna152
    Posted on February 13, 2012 at 10:13am

    Bloomberg, YOU are creating a “state religion” on Atheism and humanism. You are forcing your beliefs on Christians and denying their right to peacefully assemble. We are praying fervently but I am finding it very “difficult” to pray for pure, disingenuous people like yourself.

    Report Post » cessna152  
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