April 2002

Isn't It About Time You Heard Some Good News?
by Mathew D. Staver

We often read and hear of so much bad news. So many of our liberties are under attack. In the midst of all this bad news, there is some very good news.

I'm referring to the Supreme Court decision known as Good News Club v. Milford Central School District. In that case, a New York school district banned the Good News Club from meeting on an elementary school campus after the school day solely because of the Club's religious instruction. The High Court ruled that since the district allowed other after-school meetings, such as the Scouts, the school could not ban the Good News Club solely because of its religious viewpoint. This ruling now means that Good News Clubs and other groups can begin meeting on campus immediately after the last bell for the purpose of teaching the Bible, sharing the gospel of Christ, and instructing students in morals and character development. I can't overemphasize the impact of this case.

Despite the clear message that discrimination against religious viewpoints is unconstitutional, some government officials still have not understood the impact of this case. Liberty Counsel's lawsuit against the Los Angeles Unified School District illustrates both the continuing ignorance of the Good News Club case, and at the same time, the opportunities presented by this case.

Recently Liberty Counsel filed suit against the Los Angeles Unified School District on behalf of Child Evangelism Fellowship, which sponsors the Good News Club. The district Policy, which mirrors California state law, provides that school district facilities are open to the community for after-school meetings. The Policy provides free access to groups like the Scouts, whose meetings are geared toward the students attending the school. The Policy also provides a fee schedule for other types of uses.

Last year, Nancy Thomason approached the school district to set up an after-school Good News Club meeting at one of the district's 426 elementary schools. Her request to use the facilities at no charge was denied. Officials pointed to the Policy, which stated that religious groups must pay a fee. Believing that the Supreme Court already addressed this discriminatory practice, Nancy provided the district with information about the Good News Club case. School officials still refused to allow her access. Nancy was told that her only possibility of meeting on campus would be to apply with the Real Estate Branch.

Although convinced that she had the right to use the facilities on the same basis as the Scouts, Nancy did go to the Real Estate Branch, paid the fee, and has been waiting for months for approval. From November until the present, school officials have told Nancy each week that her application is under review and she still cannot use the facilities. One school official stated that if Nancy did not like the delay, she should get her own lawyer. That's when she called Liberty Counsel and we filed suit.

Despite the Supreme Court's ruling that persons and groups with religious viewpoints may not be banned from public facilities open for secular meetings, some government officials have taken the position that discriminatory fees may be charged for religious uses. Whether a total ban on accessing the facilities or a discriminatory fee scale, both are unconstitutional. Both are discriminatory and both are banned. Government officials may no more charge higher fees for using public facilities because of the religious viewpoint espoused, than they may ban the use of the same facilities to religious groups. Based on the Good News Club case, I am confident that we will win and open the door for the gospel in the Los Angeles School District.

Think about the possibilities of applying the Good News Club case around the country. To better understand these possibilities, it's important to understand the Good News Club, and then the possibilities can be illustrated in this Los Angeles case. Good News Clubs are designed for elementary-age children from 5-12. These Clubs are great after-school programs. As soon as the last bell rings, a Good News Club may begin meeting in the same public school building, just like the Scouts or any other after-school program. In these meetings, children learn from the Bible, sing Christian songs and memorize scripture. Stories of biblical characters or Christian heroes are presented in a way that attracts the students' attention. Child Evangelism Fellowship knows how to prepare information to meet the elementary children on their level. The flannel boards, the story books with colorful pictures, and the skits are already designed.

Child Evangelism Fellowship has been around for over 60 years, is located in all 50 states, and more than 140 countries. Not only do the young children learn the Bible, but they are also invited to accept Jesus Christ into their lives, and they are taught about morals and character development.

In preparing for the lawsuit against Los Angeles, I had the opportunity to speak to many people who have experience with Good News Clubs. One principal, who did not identify himself as a Christian, stated that when he first encountered the Good News Club on his elementary school campus, he saw a positive difference in the attitudes of the students who attended the Club. When he relocated to a new school, he personally requested that a Good News Club be established there, because he stated many of these kids are never taught about right and wrong. One mother, who admitted she rarely attended church, stated that prior to her son attending the Good News Club, he had a bad attitude and would not respect her. Now that he attends, he has a positive attitude and he now respects his mom. He also comes home and shares the gospel with her.

I have heard story after story of young lives destined for misery who have been touched by the gospel of Christ through the Good News Club. Sometimes we debate whether teachers can talk "about" religion in public school, but understand that a Good News Club doesn't just talk "about" religion – the adult teachers can introduce the young children to Jesus Christ and instruct the kids about right and wrong, morals, and character. Liberal groups opposed to these Clubs argued that allowing this kind of evangelization on a public school elementary campus established a religion. The Supreme Court rejected this argument, relying on the fact that these elementary school kids must first receive parental consent. Thus, it is the parents' choice to allow their children to attend these Clubs.

The Los Angeles School District is the second largest in the country. There are approximately 370,000 public elementary school students in the district. These children exceed the population of the city of Miami, Florida, Witchita, Colorado Springs, Birmingham, Montgomery, or Macon, Georgia. The elementary students comprise more than half the size of the state of South Dakota or Vermont. There are 426 elementary schools in the district. These kids represent a huge mission field. Most conversions to Christ occur between the ages of 5 and 12.

I wonder why every church in America does not adopt their local elementary school to start a Good News Club. These kids are a mission field in the backyard of every church. There is no reason why every elementary school in the country should not have a Good News Club. You don't have to reinvent the wheel. The materials have already been prepared by Child Evangelism Fellowship. Training is also available. For information on how you can start a Good News Club in your area, I encourage you to call Child Evangelism Fellowship at 1-800-300- 4033.

We often whine and complain about the loss of our liberties. Yet, we have a tremendous opportunity to start Good News Clubs at every elementary school. If every school had an ongoing Club, we could positively change the future of America through one of two generations. Yes, you might find some resistance from school officials, like Nancy found in Los Angeles. However, I am confident we will win her case and open the door to present the gospel to hundreds of thousands of young people. The Good News Club case has now given us the high ground, and we should seize the opportunity.