Religious exhibit has schools’ blessing

Henderson County School Board policy does not prevent an Oklahoma-based organization from setting up a religious exhibit on school property, according to the district’s assistant superintendent.

Messiah’s Mansion raised several tents this week at the corner of Ashemore Avenue and Asheville Highway and is promoting its replica of Moses’s sanctuary.

Several residents have expressed concerns about a religious organization using school property.

“We wouldn’t be here if we didn’t have permission,” said Clayton Leinneweber, who runs the traveling exhibit.

George Beute, Hendersonville Seventh-day Adventist associate pastor, said he invited the group and received permission from the school district. The church rented the space for around $1,500.

“We went through all the proper channels,” Beute said. Assistant Superintendent David Jones said Messiah’s Mansion is not violating any school district rules. He said the School Board allows nonprofits to rent space from the school district.

Jones was not aware of any laws that prevent a religious organization from renting the property.

Jeremy Gunn, American Civil Liberties director of program on Freedom of Religion and Belief, said the school district can rent the property to the group, but cannot give preferential treatment.

He said if the school district opens its property to one group, it must make space available to any group that expresses interest.

It cannot discriminate based on any group’s beliefs, he said.

“If the property is available to all groups, it is OK,” Gunn said. Leinneweber said the group travels around the country and that it is common for the group to use school property. He added he was “not sure why there would be a problem.”

The group is associated with the Oklahoma Academy, a Christian school in Harrah, Okla. Leinneweber said he takes about a dozen students from around the country each summer. They help set up the display and take people through the exhibit.

He said the tent contains a replica of Moses’s sanctuary. The group teaches people about the historical relevance of the Old Testament. People often discount the Old Testament and focus on the New Testament, Leinneweber said.

The group has brought 2,000 people through the display and expects 4,000 people by Sunday. They came to Hendersonville last Sunday and will leave early next week.