wfn.org | United Methodist board joins brief in religious freedom case

[NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG]

Dec. 5, 2000   News media contact: Joretta Purdue ·(202) 546-8722·Washington
10-21-71B{544}

WASHINGTON (UMNS) - The head of the advocacy unit of the United Methodist
Church has joined other religious organizations in filing a "friend of the
court" brief in a U.S. Supreme Court case related to religious freedom.

James Winkler, top executive of the church's Board of Church and Society,
said the agency joined the amicus brief in the case of the Good News Club v.
Milford Central School because of a long-standing United Methodist tradition
supporting freedom of religion. 

The Good News Club has appealed a verdict of the Second Circuit Court of
Appeals in New York that supported Milford Central School in denying use of
its facilities for after-school meetings and Bible study, Winkler explained.
The Supreme Court is expected to hear the case this term. 

"The decision of the Milford Central School to deny access to a religious
group based solely on the basis of the group's religious character is
discriminatory and contrary to our country's best ideals of free speech and
free assembly, and contrary to United Methodist thought," Winkler said.

He cited the denomination's Social Principles - the church's official
positions on such issues - which "urge policies and practices that ensure
the right of every religious group to exercise its faith free from legal,
political or economic restrictions." The Social Principles also maintain
that the state "should not use its authority to promote particular religious
beliefs (including atheism)," he added.

"We believe that access to a public school facility by a religious group
should be based on a policy that treats every civic group in the community
equally," Winkler said. 

Society is encouraging religious involvement and support for public schools,
and the circuit court action could be seen as a possible rejection of such
efforts, he said.

"Religion is an integral part of civil society," Winkler said. "We are not
looking for preferred treatment, only equal access to otherwise publicly
available facilities."

Also joining the brief were the Baptist Joint Committee's office of public
legislation, the National Council of Churches of Christ, the American Muslim
Council, the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, the General Assembly
of the Presbyterian Church in America and others.   

# # #

The full text of the statement by James Winkler, Board of Church and Society
executive, follows:

December 4, 2000
General Board of Church and Society Files Amicus Brief
In Support of Freedom of Religion

This is a statement of GBCS General Secretary James Winkler.

The General Board of Church and Society of The United Methodist Church has
joined a friend of the court brief filed with the Supreme Court in the case
of the Good News Club v. Milford Central School. Our action has been
inspired by the long-standing United Methodist tradition that supports
religious freedom. 

The U.S. Supreme Court will hear the case this judicial session. The Good
News Club is appealing a decision of the Second Circuit Court of Appeals in
New York which allowed the Milford Central School to deny access to the Club
to use the school for after hours meetings and Bible study.  

The decision of the Milford Central School to deny access to a religious
group based solely on the basis of the group's religious character is
discriminatory and contrary to our country's best ideals of free speech and
free assembly and contrary to United Methodist thought. 

The Social Principles of The United Methodist Church - the church's official
positions on social issues - "urge policies and practices that ensure the
right of every religious group to exercise its faith free from legal,
political, or economic restrictions." (Para. 66B) Further, it states that
"The state should not use its authority to promote particular religious
beliefs (including atheism)." (Para 68D)

Many United Methodist Churches use public school facilities for worship,
teaching, and to provide other services. These churches would be adversely
affected if they were denied access to school facilities. We believe that
access to a public school facility by a religious group should be based on a
policy that treats every civic group in the community equally.

In a time when society is promoting a more active involvement and support of
religious groups for public schools, this court action comes as a possible
rejection of this effort. Religion is an integral part of civil society. We
are not looking for preferred treatment, only equal access to otherwise
publicly available facilities.

# # #

Only the General Conference speaks for The United Methodist Church. The
General Board of Church and Society is the international public policy and
social action agency of The United Methodist Church.

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United Methodist News Service
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