Following a discussion on what’s allowed—and required—under the First Amendment, Fusion Community Church will be using Cobleskill’s Teen Town for a 10-week film series for sixth-12th graders beginning July 12.
Fusion is one of a handful of groups interested in seeing Teen Town in the Village of Cobleskill’s Golding Park better utilized; budget cuts have eliminated village-run youth recreation efforts there.
Concerned that Fusion would be teaching religion, and that it might be something the village shouldn’t be endorsing under the separation of church and state, Mayor Linda Holmes asked Youth Director Pauline Ebert to talk about their request at last Tuesday’s village meeting.
But legally, there’s no cause for concern, said Village Attorney Shawn Smith.
What’s more, legally, if the village allows say, members of a tractor group, to meet at Teen Town and share their views, it has to let anyone else do the same.
“You can’t deny it just because it has a religious component,” Mr. Smith said.
“Under the First Amendment, they can share their beliefs with anyone who wants to listen. They’re within their rights to discuss and share. If you allow others…you have to allow them too.”
Ms. Ebert said the program, based on the Alpha Youth film series, will be free and open to any teen who stops by; their interest in Teen Town, she said is because of its access to the outdoors and other free activities.
The series, she said, is designed to offer teens moral guidance as well as a chance to share opinions on anything in a safe place and even to ask, “What is this faith stuff?”
According to the Alpha Youth website, it’s an “interactive series exploring the basics of Christianity” and, “We believe that everyone should have the chance to explore the Christian faith, ask questions and share their point of view; wherever they are in the world.”
Fusion member Bill Haley of Middleburgh pointed to the Fireman’s Oath on the wall of the village’s meeting space at the firehouse—it begins with “I’ll never lose faith”—and said “That’s really what we’re about.
“We want to introduce the youth of community to this Jesus Christ…this is the one whose birthday we celebrate every December 25. We believe very strongly and we believe we can affect the children of the community.”
Ms. Ebert said the ability to respectfully share differences of opinions has been lost in schools and that’s something Fusion hopes the series will encourage.
Mayor Holmes and trustees said they’re not necessarily concerned about Fusion’s goals, but they are worried about opening the door to other organizations.
Like white supremacists or the KKK, Mayor Holmes said.
There are other ways to address groups like that, Mr. Smith said, including concerns over safety or inciting a riot.
The Fusion series will run Thursdays, 5-8pm, July 12-September 13 with a community clean-up at Teen Town set for July 14.
Also at Teen Town:
• The Communities That Care Coalition, working through the Schoharie County Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, is interested in providing the $12,500 “match” for a grant the village would need to write for up to $50,000 through State Parks & Rec .
There would be no cost to the village.
• About 30 women are involved in a Cobleskill Heart Strong free exercise program at Teen Town Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5-6pm.
The program was originally created through Bassett Hospital and has given Teen Town a free smart TV, Mayor Holmes said.
• The village approved a request from local volleyball enthusiasts to use the volleyball courts Wednesday and Thursday evenings.