BRONX, N.Y. (BNG) — The United States Supreme Court refused March 30 to hear a case challenging a New York City policy of not allowing churches to worship in public schools. The high court declined without comment to review an April 2014 decision by the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upholding a policy which allows other community groups, but not churches, to meet in public schools after hours. The Bronx Household of Faith originally sued the city claiming the policy violated their free-speech rights by denying them a forum allowed to others because of the religious content of their message. After losing that case in 2011, the church pursued a second claim under the First Amendment guarantee of free exercise of religion. The appeals court, however, said the reason the space is affordable is because of taxpayer subsidies, and the school board is taking reasonable precaution against liability for appearing to unconstitutionally advance a particular religion.
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