Judge: No rent for church group

NEWPORT NEWS, Va., Aug. 12 (UPI) -- A federal judge has ruled a Virginia school district must stop charging a Christian group rent for meeting on school property while its suit is being heard.

U.S. District Judge Raymond Jackson said Monday the Child Evangelism Fellowship of Virginia is likely to prevail in its claim that the Williamsburg-James City school district has violated its First Amendment rights. The group says the district is unfairly charging it a user fee that is waived for many secular organizations.

Jackson found no evidence that paying the $12.50 user fees is causing great hardship for the fellowship. But he said charging only religious groups is unconstitutional.

The fellowship operates Good News clubs for children that include Bible study and other religious activities.