A Growing Threat?
On November 19, 2012, the Bronx Household of Faith was once again before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. The city is seeking to overturn the injunction handed down from the Federal District Court earlier this year. The opening argument from the New York City Department of Education lawyer was extraordinary! Here is a summary of what she said: “Eighty churches are now renting schools. This is a five-fold increase from 2003!”
I’m struggling for the major premise here but it has to be something to the effect that that is a bad thing. The inference, apparently, is obvious (but not to me): if this trend should continue, New York City is surely on the road to degradation.
Neglected Facts
Never mind that the injunction under which we and other churches are renting the schools, applies to all religions not just to Christian churches. Never mind the fact that we pay the same rate to use the school facilities as everyone else, meaning that it is not a subsidy. Never mind the fact that Muslims at Nottingham High School, Syracuse, New York, are conducting Friday Prayers at 2:40PM each week, which is nothing less than the weekly Muslim worship service (The Post-Standard, Wednesday, 14 November 2012). Hmmm. I wonder why the reporter said, “More often than not, the service is led by one of their own.” Student led it must be–but apparently it is not always the case. Who else would lead the prayers if not a student–an Imam?
Now, when Christians worship at a time when the building is most likely to be empty, somehow this is a very dangerous trend and it must be nipped in the bud. Something funny’s going on here.
Check out this letter from Redeemer pastor Tim Keller about the issue:http://www.redeemer.com/news_and_events/newsletter/?aid=321
And follow the case here: http://blog.speakupmovement.org/church/category/equal-access/