Church Graduations Constitutionally OK
A Washington-based organization is threatening to sue metro Atlanta school boards for using church facilities to host their graduation ceremonies, but one conservative group maintains the schools are not in violation of the Constitution.
In response to the threatening letters Americans United for Separation of Church and State has sent to Atlanta-area school boards, Mat Staver of Liberty Counsel decides the organization is misrepresenting the Constitution. He points out that schools do have the right to choose graduation venues, even if they include religious facilities.
“There is no constitutional problem with regards to having a public school graduation at a church facility, as long as it pays just like anybody else,” he explains. “Obviously, [a school] can get better facilities at a lower cost if it does so.”
Officials maintain that local churches can cost tens of thousands of dollars less than holding commencement ceremonies in a secular hall with similar seating. So since there is no violation of the Constitution, the Liberty Counsel founder says Americans United’s claim is bogus.
“In this particular case, I would encourage the county officials to move forward and make their decision…based upon the best venue at the best price. If that happens to be a church, then let them have the graduation in the church,” Staver suggests. “Liberty Counsel will defend this school or any other school that’s threatened or sued by the Americans United for Separation of Church and State over this issue.”
Meanwhile, Americans United is also attacking school districts in Connecticut and Wisconsin over the same issue.
(Source: OneNewsNow)
