Church Members Bless Public School

In Columbus, Ohio last Sunday, 180 members of four local churches surrounded Woodward Park Middle School to bless the building and those who use it. Yesterday's Columbus Dispatch reported on the event. The ACLU of Ohio had sent a letter to the school principal and the district's superintendent, arguing that the event would be perceived as showing favoritism toward particular religious groups. However a school spokesman said that like anyone else, these individuals can walk onto school grounds during the week end. ACLU Litigation Coordinator Gary Daniels warned that "Allowing ministers to bless a public building will open a Pandora's box of other groups that will want to come in and perform similar ceremonies."