Long Island School Denies Christian Club For Second Year In A Row

Ward Melville High School, in Suffolk County, New York, has denied a request by students to operate a Christian-based faith group. The reason for the denial is due to a lack of interest, thus not enough members have joined to make the club worthwhile. The nearly 20 students who signed up for the club seem to disagree with the ban and want the denial reversed.

John Raney, a 17-year-old Christian Student at Ward Melville High School feels that he and the club are being targeted for their religious beliefs.

“I feel like they have something against me and my faith. I feel marginalized.”

John is the founder of the Students United in Faith club. He started the club to provide a safe place for students to join together and discuss their faith without interrupting other students who might not share the same beliefs. He feels that his club is unique to any other on Long Island, and that may be why he is being targeted.

John is no stranger to rejection; he started the same club last year, and was denied the ability to congregate on school grounds due to its religious nature. The Liberty Institute, a law firm that specializes in cases with religious content, stepped in and offered to sue on behalf of John and his Christian club. The threat of legal action coerced the school board to investigate the denial, and superintendent Cheryl Pedisich reversed the denial after offering an apology, allowing the club to continue. However, this year, Ward Melville has denied John the ability to continue on with his Christian club again, citing the lack of membership as a reason.

John, feeling this has become bigger than a denial of worship but instead a denial of freedom of speech, reached out to the Liberty Institute for their help again. Attorney Hiram Sasser contacted the school, and received the following message in return.

“The religious club called Students United in Faith was denied because contractual guidelines regarding minimum participation (20 students) in student co–curricular programs was not met, nor did Ward Melville High School have the financial means to fund this program. The district does not have a practice of discrimination of any kind. We embrace our diverse school community and strive to maintain an environment that promotes tolerance, understanding and respect for all.”

Since John’s Christian club received interest from “nearly” 20 students, and not 20 actual students, it appears as though the club may not have the opportunity to meet this year, Hiram Sasser disagrees with the policy, and feels that the club should be allowed if only two students were to join, regardless of the focus of the club. He feels this is not about religion anymore, but a denial of free speech instead.

[Photo Courtesy: Fox News]