First Liberty




First Liberty just filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of two New Jersey
churches, the Mendham Methodist Church and The Zion Lutheran Church
Long Valley. They are being excluded from a public grant program
created to preserve and restore historic landmarks.

For years, Morris County granted historic preservation funds to
churches, totaling $4.6 million in public aid. Funds went toward
repairing historic buildings-from roofs to bell towers,
stained-glass windows and ventilation systems.

In 2018, however, the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled that the state
constitution prohibits using taxpayer dollars to restore historic
church buildings. Even though the county wanted to continue this
long-standing practice of providing aid to churches, that ruling
prevented it from allocating the funds.

While centuries-old churches are excluded from the program, grant
recipients have included a theater, a Masonic lodge and a restaurant.

This is unconstitutional. "The Supreme Court has made it
abundantly clear that religious institutions cannot be excluded from
public funding programs like preservation grants simply because of
their religious character or religious activities," said First
Liberty Senior Counsel Jeremy Dys.

Houses of worship should not be treated more harshly than their
secular counterparts. The Constitution and our federal laws prohibit
such discrimination. Discriminating against historic churches and
denying them the opportunity to participate in a public program
isn't just unconstitutional, but also harms the community. The
architecture of historic houses of worship are seen by all citizens
and residents. Restoring and preserving historic churches enriches
everyone.

The battle to secure religious freedom for houses of worship in
America is far from over. Churches, temples and synagogues continue to
confront violations of their rights and freedoms. Please support First
Liberty today, so we can keep fighting-and winning-for
houses of worship across our country.



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