Schools must open doors for the organization.
A Christian youth organization has won the right to conduct meetings at all public schools in Hawaii, marking a significant step in ensuring equal access for faith-based groups on school campuses. Liberty Counsel, a Christian legal organization, announced a permanent statewide injunction granting the Good News Club, an outreach of Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF), equal access to public school facilities across the state. Acting CEF Vice President of Administration Fred Pry celebrated the ruling, emphasizing that the Constitution protects against discrimination based on religion or free speech. Pry affirmed the organization’s commitment to providing children with opportunities to learn about the Gospel.
The Good News Club is an after-school program designed to teach children about Christianity in a manner accessible to them within their school environment. The legal battle in Hawaii began when Liberty Counsel filed a lawsuit in January, claiming that four school districts unlawfully barred Good News Clubs from using school facilities while allowing secular organizations the same privilege. This, they argued, violated the First and Fourteenth Amendments. A preliminary injunction in May required Hawaii’s Department of Education and six schools to grant the club access, and a broader permanent injunction issued in November secured their rights statewide.
The case builds on a landmark 2001 Supreme Court decision, Good News Club v. Milford Central School, which ruled that denying the club access to public school facilities violated its free speech rights. The Court rejected the argument that allowing religious groups on campus would breach the Establishment Clause, which prohibits government endorsement of religion. This ruling set a precedent for similar cases involving religious organizations and public schools.
Litigation over Good News Clubs’ access to public schools has persisted for decades, with cases extending beyond Hawaii. Liberty Counsel revealed plans to file a new lawsuit against a California school district that allegedly excludes Christian clubs while accommodating other groups. The legal organization, which has consistently won such cases, reiterated its dedication to ensuring faith-based groups receive the same treatment as secular organizations in the public sphere.