Opinion ID: 768758
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: As-Applied Challenge to Section 4454

Text: 50 Appellants also argue that, even if not unconstitutional on its face, section 4454 violates the Establishment Clause as applied to Christian Science sanitoria. Appellants contend that section 4454 benefits the Christian Science sect in violation of the second part of the Lemon test because it authorizes direct funding of Christian Science sanitoria, institutions that appellants claim to be pervasively sectarian in nature. An institution is not pervasively sectarian, however, if its primary function is secular and if this function can be effectively separated from the institution's religious activity. See Roemer, 426 U.S. at 755. Because we find that Christian Science sanitoria possess both of these qualities, we conclude that Christian Science sanitoria, like all RNHCIs, are not pervasively sectarian. 51 First, the primary function of Christian Science sanitoria is secular in nature. Christian Science sanitoria predominantly provide physical nursing services to sick individuals. See Ruth Anne Cook Aff. 16 (Christian Science nurses bathe patients, wash and bandage sores, change bed pans, and assist patients in dressing and walking). Although Christian Science nurses administer these services with the hope that they will assist the spiritual healing process, a religious motivation on behalf of a party providing secular services does not transform such services into religious activity. See Bowen, 487 U.S. at 613, 621. Thus, the primary function of Christian Science sanitoria--the provision of physical nursing services--is secular. 52 Second, the physical services provided by Christian Science sanitoria are distinct and separable from any religious activity that may take place within such facilities. Just as the provision of health services in religious schools does not have the primary effect of aiding religion, see Wolman v. Walter, 433 U.S. 229, 242 (1977), no more so does the administering of mundane physical services in Christian Science sanitoria. Accordingly, we reject appellants' as-applied challenge to section 4454.