The decision of the Milford Central School to deny access to a religious group based solely on the basis of the group's religious character is discriminatory and contrary to our country's best ideals of free speech and free assembly and contrary to United Methodist thought. Many United Methodist Churches use public school facilities for worship, teaching, and to provide other services. These churches would be adversely affected if they were denied access to school facilities. We believe that access to a public school facility by a religious group should be based on a policy that treats every civic group in the community equally. In a time when society is promoting a more active involvement and support of religious groups for public schools, this court action comes as a possible rejection of this effort.
Religion is an integral part of civil society.
We are not looking for preferred treatment, only equal access to otherwise publicly available facilities. The General Board of Church and Society is the international public policy and social action agency of The United Methodist Church.