NYC Churches allowed back in NYC Schools... for now

Huff Post has an article today stating that Churches can have access to public schools in order to hold religious services.  Churches have long rented space in public schools, just like a number of other organizations including Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, music groups, civic societies, and others.  New York City has singled out religious groups, however, and tried to state that they were not allowed because it violates the First Amendment's Establishment Clause, which prohibits the government to endorse a particular religion.

The Judge ruled in favor of the Churches, stating "... losing one's right to exercise freely and fully his or her religious beliefs is a greater threat to our democratic society than a misperceived violation of the Establishment Clause."  In other words, this isn't a violation of the EC, and the City instead is unlawfully restricting the free and full exercise of religious freedom.

Well said, Judge.  It's not like the Churches are getting any favoritism over other groups, and it's not like only a single denomination or a single religion are the only ones able to use the schools for their activities.  The schools are clearly not endorsing any one particular group simply by renting the space to them on the weekend.

Of course, NYC has said they will appeal the decision.