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Eighth grade students in a New York state school district were allegedly initially denied the right to form an official Bible club. Even if they meet the school’s requirements. After the lawyer and Liberty First Institute (FLI) is involved, the school tells Fox News Digital it will officially form the club next week.
Waterville Jr./Sr. A high school that is part of the Waterville Central School District in central New York state. Elijah Nelson was previously told that he “cannot have a school-sponsored club that is religiously affiliated” and would not “officially recognize”, “fund” or “sponsor” a Bible club like any other club.
in the past two years Nelson asked the district if he could start a Bible club to connect with classmates who shared his beliefs. And while the school initially rejected his request, School leaders later said the club could meet informally over lunch for a while. There are staff to take care of students. The school also gave Nelson the option to apply for outside organizations. This allows him to use the school’s facilities after school.
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But in a statement sent to Fox News Digital, director Dr. Jennifer Spring said Thursday that the Waterville Central School District now plans to formalize a Bible study club during next week’s school board meeting. She described the guidance Nelson received as “incorrect.”
An 8th grade student in a New York public school district reported on his efforts to start a Bible club. (Godong/Universal Photo Group via Getty Images)
“We are committed to providing every student with opportunities to learn, grow, and connect through a variety of activities. including student-run clubs,” she said. “In January 2024, incorrect information was shared with students regarding the ability to form an official Bible study club. and alternatives were offered to the group. There is new interest in starting a club in September 2024 and students begin meeting weekly in The library they have been working on ever since.”
“According to the policy of the district The Board of Education resolved to formalize the Bible Study Club during its December 10 meeting,” she told Fox News Digital. “We appreciate the patience of our students and their families during this process.”
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In the first refusal The school said that officially recognizing the club would “endorse” religion unconstitutionally, but FLI, along with C. Kevin Marshall and Michael Bradley of the law firm Jones Day, Send a letter To officials in the district on Nelson’s behalf. Arguing that denying his request violates civil rights and First Amendment freedoms. This is according to the phone call records cited in the company’s letter.
The school, which is part of the Waterville Central School District in New York, previously told Elijah Nelson that it could not have school-sponsored clubs that were religiously related. But the school district appears to have reversed course. (Istock)
In the letter, the lawyers stated that rejecting Elijah’s request on the grounds that it was not possible “Recognition of a particular religion” is “anachronistic and misplaced,” he said, adding that although recognition was once a feature of the Establishment Clause, This is a provision of the First Amendment. The United States Constitution prohibits the government from establishing religion anymore. Now, the Establishment Clause no longer exists. “It only requires that secondary schools operate with only ‘neutrality’ between religious and non-religious groups.”
“Today, the Establishment Clause has never required and has not allowed the government to discriminate against religious observers and organizations. When providing benefits,” the letter read.
Pastor Daniel Nelson, Elijah’s father, told Fox News Digital that he doesn’t understand why schools treat religious children any differently than others.
“It seems like the school could be more tolerant and welcoming of students who want to come together to read the Bible and pray together,” he said before the apparent change.
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Close-up of a religious cross on a Bible page with the Constitution in the background. (Job Langer)
Keisha Russell, senior adviser at First Liberty, told Fox News Digital that “it is wrong and illegal for schools to circumvent Bible clubs while promoting other clubs.”
When the news came out that the school district announced that they would be starting a club. Russell said “We have not heard directly from the school district but hope they are doing the right thing.”
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