KPLU Local News
(2009-06-29)
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SEATTLE, WA
(KPLU) -
A lawsuit pitting the Kent School District against a Christian student group will not go before the U-S Supreme Court. But emotions still run deep over the issues involved.
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Back in 2001, two students wanted to form a group called the Truth Bible Club at Kentridge High School. The club's founders required members sign a statement of allegiance to Jesus Christ and the Bible as the 'infallible Word of God.' The school's Associated Student Body, or ASB, said the membership rule was discriminatory, and did not grant the club a charter. The Bible club sued, saying their free speech rights had been violated. The Supreme Court's decision NOT to hear the case means an earlier ruling stands: that Kent schools did not violate the club's First Amendment rights. Bible club attorney Tim Chandler is disappointed. "All religious student groups should have the right to define their membership based on their religious beliefs and their religious values just like every other club does."
But an attorney for the Kent School District says other clubs at the school, including religious ones, don't make members sign an oath. "This group wanted to receive public funds, wanted to be an ASB club. To be an ASB club, your membership must be open to all students," says Kent Schools general counsel Chuck Lind.
The Truth Bible Club's attorney says he believes those rules have not been applied to all clubs equally. A district court will be ruling on that issue in the coming months. Gary Davis, KPLU News, Seattle.
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