Separation of church and state?

[gingele]

Originally Posted by dartay

In my town, we have a church that takes over an elementary school every weekend. It puts up a sign, before services, over the existing school sign and takes it down afterwards.

This is sanctioned by the city and the school district.

What are your thoughts?

The real issue isn't whether the group pays rent, it's whether or not the school permits use of its facilities in an equal fashion to all organizations.

[MWC]

Originally Posted by gingele

The real issue isn't whether the group pays rent, it's whether or not the school permits use of its facilities in an equal fashion to all organizations.

Not true, at least in Connecticut. The issue is whether or not taxpayer monies are going to support religiousness. Equal access for all organizations to buildings still means that taxpayers are, ultimately, footing the bill for worship. If the religious entity pays rent or cleaning fee or usage fee -- at least the argument could be made that the access to the buiding is not at taxpayers' expense.

[gingele]

Originally Posted by MWC

Not true, at least in Connecticut. The issue is whether or not taxpayer monies are going to support religiousness. Equal access for all organizations to buildings still means that taxpayers are, ultimately, footing the bill for worship. If the religious entity pays rent or cleaning fee or usage fee -- at least the argument could be made that the access to the buiding is not at taxpayers' expense.

Interesting. As far as I knew the Supreme Court only ruled that after school hours, religious groups may meet at a public school only if the school permits other outside clubs and organizations to meet at the same time and does not endorse the club's religious activity. I suppose there must be some case law in that defines not charging rent as "endorsement" - so that the school must charge rent?