True or False:

A. A Sikh student can wear a ceremonial daggar to school.

B. A Catholic student can give a talk in class on how she learned to pray the rosary.

C. A Jewish boy can come to school wearing a yarmulke.

D. A teacher can come to school wearing a T-shirt that says: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whosever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

According to an expert in First Amendment rights, except item D, all are true.

Oliver "Buzz" Thomas, a lawyer, Baptist minister, and former school board chairman from Greenville, TN, spoke recently to educators of the Midwest City/ Del City and Norman school district telling them that students do not have to leave their religion at the door when they arrive at school.

"Teachers and administrators, however, must avoid promoting a religious viewpoint or making students feel coerced into joining a religious activity at school," Thomas said.

"Students are a captive audience," said Thomas, who is affiliated with the First Amendment Center of Nashville, TN. "That's why the Gideons can't come in and hand out Bibles to everybody."

However, students are free to bring their own Bibles to school, free to pray together, and can set religious pamphlets on a table for other students to pick up.I just want it to end. We both deserve one last chance to get it right.

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Comments:

As far as "religious" dressing. I feel they should be able (the kids). It's their faith, and should be able to show it. I feel they should be able to bring the "Bible" Koran, or whatever other religious book. I am for "freedom". But also, (and I am Christian) I don't think a "Christian teacher or whatever" (Who they listen to all day) should be able to impose their beliefs (which happens when one is in authority). They shouldn't wear "Bible T-shirts". I wouldn't want my kids in a school if I knew the teacher wore a "praise Allah T". The "teacher" is a teacher. But not there for "religious purposes". As far as the "kids". They should be able to have "Bible Study groups", or "Allah study groups". Like at lunch, but not in class. That's them "growing up" and learning about eachother.

comment by coincutter on June 24, 2009 10:22 PM ()

Let them learn about each other outside the classroom.
In school, learning is their one job. Form study groups.
Once they pass ALL their classes, then they can socialize about whatever they want. Research shows that we all have one auditory channel. Kids who listen to radio and chat or text or watch television while they study are being deprived of the opportunity to actually learn. What person looks at their newborn baby and says, "I want her to grow up stupid." Failure to set limits during homework period is a form of neglect.

Challenging classes prepare kids to meet the real world.
I want EVERY teacher to correct for grammar, spelling and punctuation.
Our kids will all wind up working for someone who learned the importance of education, and stuck to their work.
We are becoming a nation of illiterates, and the whole world is laughing.
It's NOT funny.

reply by thestephymore on July 7, 2009 10:47 PM ()