SEATTLE (AP) -- An evangelical organization that seeks to convert children to Christianity said they will again offer after-school Bible clubs as part of its outreach push in Washington state.
Child Evangelism Fellowship plans to focus its Good News Clubs in King County, starting with Loyal Heights and Whittier elementary schools in Seattle, the Seattle Times reported. The group's mission is to covert children to Christianity, according to its Web site.
Group officials estimate they reach about 5 percent of children between the ages of 5 and 12 but by next year, they hope to reach 10 percent with the clubs.
Despite objections from parents to use school grounds to teach Christianity, the newspaper reports that a 2001 U.S. Supreme Court decision ruled that religious organizations can be allowed on public school grounds.
Last year, at Loyal Heights Elementary some parents formed a group called Seattle Schools Free from Proselytizing to assure the Bible teachings didn't spill over into the school day.
"Our primary goal is to make sure that the school and district do everything they can do to make it clear ... that this activity is not endorsed or supported by the school or the district," said John Lederer, a member of that group.
Still, the Child Evangelism Network recently won court cases in Los Angeles and Boise, Idaho, to open the Bible clubs.
Jeff Kiser, the evangelical group's Washington director, said the fellowship runs about 100 such clubs in public schools in the state.
Kiser said that because of the Supreme Court's decision, "we are able to go where a lot of the children are."
The Good News Clubs, Kiser said, are very similar to Sunday church school with kids singing songs and reciting Bible verses.
He said he understands concerns from parents, adding that the club is solely voluntary.
"If you do want your child to attend our club, that's fine," he said. "If you don't, don't sign the permission slip."
