A Christian club organization filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the Hawaii State Department of Education, alleging that education officials have interfered with the operation of after-school clubs in several public school districts.
In 2022 and 2023, Hawaii Children's Evangelism Fellowship sought to enroll Good News Clubs in several schools across the state. The group said it decided to take legal action after HIDOE repeatedly denied its application requests and “expressly or de facto rejected all appeals.” lawsuit.
CEF alleges that HIDOE discriminates against clubs based on their religious affiliation while allowing other similar secular clubs to operate. According to the suit, one school even sent a letter to CEF saying it could not approve the club because it was religious.
“For nearly two years, Defendants have prevented CEF from hosting elementary school Good News Clubs at certain district facilities that are similarly located and open to other secular organizations,” the complaint states. It is being “Defendants' policies of unequal access to CEF's religious messages, pretext denial, and hostility violate the Constitution and provide a free, positive, character-building program that enriches the lives of countless other Hawaii students.” denying some Hawaii elementary school students access to the Good News Club, which helps students in their schools and across the country.
Good News Club is a weekly elementary school Bible club designed to support local “churches that reach lost children and their families with the gospel,” according to CEF. Website.
“Here in Hawaii, by law, all public schools are considered public use facilities after school hours have ended,” CEF said. Flyer Explaining club state. “This essentially means any organization can use space at any public school after school.”
a 2001 Supreme Court decision The CEF added that it declared that “if a school opens its campus after school for any organization, it must open its campus to all organizations.”
a press release A statement from Liberty Counsel, a nonprofit litigation group representing CEF, said that by denying CEF's request to host a club on a public school campus, HIDOE is bound by the First and Fourteenth Amendments, state law, and The school said it violated the school's discrimination policy.
“The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that public schools may not discriminate against Christian viewpoints in the use of school facilities,” said Matt Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel. , provide children with a Bible-based education that includes moral and character development. Good News Clubs should do just that.” It's in every public elementary school, including schools in Hawaii. ”
HIDOE did not respond to requests for comment. Daily Caller News Foundation report.
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