Halt to Church Services Questioned
Questions are being raised about halting church services for a public housing apartment complex in Dallas.
Lake Highland United Methodist Church has provided church services at Audelia Manor for 14 years, serving a largely elderly group of residents. But last week the Dallas Housing Authority ordered the church to stop over separation of church and state issues.
Matthew Krause of Liberty Counsel notes that the Housing Authority’s actions are contrary to the policies of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development — its national office.
“It’s funny. Not only does Washington, DC, disagree with them, but even Americans United for Separation of Church and state has agreed that the worship services should not be objectionable,” says the attorney — who adds it is rare that those parties are in agreement on an issue.
One housing official likened the situation in Dallas to removing prayer from schools, but Krause says the comparison is wrong because elderly residents are not required to attend the church services. It is strictly voluntary.
“Liberty Counsel has offered to represent the church and at least one of the residents who attend church at this housing complex if the Housing Authority maintains its position that it’s illegal for them to meet there,” the attorney states.
Krause also says if the Housing Authority does not get the point that the church services are legal, further action could be taken. The case involves elderly who cannot otherwise attend church.
(Source: OneNewsNow.com)
