Poll: Most Americans OK With Religious Groups in Public Schools

Religion Today | Updated: Dec 07, 2012

Poll: Most Americans OK With Religious Groups in Public Schools

February 6, 2012

As the New York Department of Education prepares to evict more than 160 religious organizations from public schools on Feb. 12 to comply with a ban on churches in schools, a new LifeWay Research study shows that two-thirds of Americans are in favor of renting public school space to churches and other community groups, WORLD New York reports. However, in New York, 49 percent believed schools should rent to churches and organizations. Twenty-seven percent were okay with schools renting to community groups but not churches, and almost 20 percent said schools should not rent to any organizations. LifeWay Research president Ed Stetzer said the new New York City ban had considerable implications for churches in urban areas. "Historically, schools have been welcoming locations to churches, especially in larger urban centers where schools are in the heart of the community," he said. "A trend of banning church use of public schools could have significant implications."



Poll: Most Americans OK With Religious Groups in Public Schools