Prayer group allowed to meet in school

JUNE 12, 2001

Reversing a lower court decision, the Supreme Court on Monday ruled that a school in New York cannot prohibit a Christian children's group from meeting on school grounds.

By a vote of 6-3, the Court said the school violated the constitutional rights of the Good News Club. The club encourages children to convert to Christianity.

There are 4,622 Good News Clubs in the nation. About 527 meet in public schools.

Justice Clarence Thomas delivered the opinion of the court, joined by the conservative members of the court. Liberal Justice Stephen G. Breyer wrote his own concurrence, tipping the scales in favor of allowing the club to meet.

Get the Story:
Justices Back Bible Group (The Wasington Post 6/12)
Top Court Gives Religious Clubs Equal Footing in Grade Schools (The New York Times 6/12)
Justices' Ruling Is Good News to Small Town's Pastor (The New York Times 6/12)
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Get Reactions to Ruling:
Civil Rights Group Decries High Court's Ruling On Religious Groups In Public Schools (People For the American Way Foundation 6/11)
National School Boards Association Disappointed in High Court's Decision to Give Religious Clubs Access to Public Schools (National School Boards Association 6/11)