U.S. Supreme Court Ruling
Good News Club v. Milford Central School District
June 11, 2001
It is legal to allow Good News Club® to meet in school facilities.
On June 11, 2001, the U. S. Supreme Court ruled that Child Evangelism Fellowship® could have access to public school facilities to conduct Good News Clubs. The decision stated that Bible clubs such as the Good News Club must be given the same access to school facilities accorded any other non-school-related outside group.
In Good News Club v. Milford Central School District, the United States Supreme Court ruled that a public school which allows use of its facilities to secular groups may not discriminate against religious groups. The Good News Club case involved an adult-initiated and adult-led after-school religious club sponsored by Child Evangelism Fellowship.
The landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision in June 2001 confirms equal access to public schools. In the decision the Court ruled:
- Free speech rights had been violated because of our religious viewpoint.
- Restrictions must not discriminate against speech based on viewpoint.
- Permitting Good News Club to meet on school premises does not violate the Establishment clause.
- The danger that children would believe the school to be endorsing religion is no greater than the danger that they would perceive hostility towards religion if the club were excluded from this public forum.
NOTE: much of this information was provided by the national / international CEF website found here. Any changes or corrections on the official CEF national / international website (cefonline.com) take precedence over information found here.