#1
#1 out of 1
politics23h ago
Judge orders Washington school district to loosen limits on off-campus Bible club for public school students
- A federal judge ordered Everett Public Schools to allow LifeWise to join community fairs and display flyers as part of a partial injunction.
- LifeWise alleges district officials restricted access to Bible materials and required concealment in backpacks.
- The ruling references the 1952 Zorach v. Clauson decision and notes off-campus, funded-free programs with parental consent can be constitutional.
- LifeWise operates Bible instruction programs during school hours in several states and characterized the district’s actions as discriminatory toward religion.
- The court did not grant all LifeWise requests, such as year-long permissions or broader access to Peachjar.
- First Liberty Institute and LifeWise said the ruling protects religious activity against discriminatory district policies.
- Everett Public Schools said it is reviewing the order and will follow legal steps as litigation continues.
- LifeWise argues district policies that restricted religious activity breached decades of legal precedent.
- The injunction involves a student release-time program allowed under public funding rules.
- The case centers on access to materials, pickup permissions, and fair treatment of religious groups in schools.
- LifeWise representatives lauded the ruling as halting discrimination toward religious groups.
Vote 0