Slevin v. Long Is. Jewish Med. Ctr

In Slevin v. Long Is. Jewish Med. Ctr., 66 Misc 2d 312, the court determined that for zoning purposes the term religious use should be defined as conduct with a religious purpose. The court further found that religious purpose should be broadly interpreted to acknowledge the role of religion not only in leading prayer or worship services but also in teaching religion and morality by bringing youngsters to maturity as healthy, responsible, contributing members of society. A s a consequence, the church's proposed drug counseling program for teenage youth regardless of church affiliation, which relied in part on paid health professionals, constituted a religious use entitled to accommodation if at all possible.