Bringing the Bible Back in Public Schools-Part I

Bible in Public Schools
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Bible in Public Schools The average citizen, school superintendant or teacher knows that in the United States of America there is something referred to as the “separation of church and state”. Where did this come from? What does it mean? And, how is it affecting us today?

 

The First Amendment in the Bill of Rights states: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

 

Thomas Jefferson referenced the First Amendment when writing to the Danbury Baptist Association in 1802. His purpose was to assure the Baptists they should have no fear of government interference with their religious worship.

 

Jefferson stated: Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between Man & his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, & not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should ‘make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,’ thus building a wall of separation between Church and State.

 

Although the phrase, separation between Church and State, never appears in the United States Constitution or the Bill of Rights, it has been presented repeatedly as the foundation for religious freedom in the U.S. because of Jefferson’s famous letter. In 1948, the Supreme Court used the “Separation of Church and State to outlaw formal school prayer.  In 1962, the Supreme Court again declared that prayer in school was unconstitutional.  In 1963, the Warren Court stopped schools from allowing Bible reading in classes.  In 1980, the Supreme Court declared that posting the Ten Commandments in a school classroom violated the Constitution of the United States.  

 

On the other hand, this past December, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission found the Phillipsburg School District in New Jersey to be in violation of the law when it fired middle school teacher,Walter Tutka, for giving a Bible to a student. They believed that religious discrimination and retaliation was at play with his firing.

 

The student kept asking Tutka questions about a biblical phrase which was randomly used by Tutka in conversation. The boy showed so much curiosity that Tutka gave the boy his Bible. The Bible was then confiscated as “contraband”. It was found that the Bible was given for purely “academic” purposes and that no “preaching” was involved, showing that no law had been broken.

 

Similarly, there is the recent story of a 12-year-old in Bueker Middle School in Marshall, Missouri. He was asked to put his Bible away, which he was reading during recess. This student was told that the Bible is not permitted in the classroom. His parents are claiming that the boy’s right to freedom of religion and speech have been violated. The principal states that it was all a “misunderstanding”.

 

The situation is in stark contrast to a situation in Bartow County, Georgia, last month. There, representatives from Gideons International were permitted to distribute Bibles to children at Cloverleaf Elementary School. Although, it seems that children could “voluntarily” accept the Bible, students who did not want one were teased and ostracized.

 

 Freedom From Religion Foundation has threatened to file a lawsuit if the practice did not stop. They believe that the law is very clear and strong. Religion has no place in the public school system.

 

Next week we will further explore this hot and controversial subject. In the meantime, what are your feelings about Bible distribution or reading in public school? Is the separation of church and state taken too seriously or are the lines blurring? What do you think about bringing the Bible back in Public Schools? We’d like to hear from you.

 

 

8 Responses to Bringing the Bible Back in Public Schools-Part I

  1. David Siaw says:

    The presentation of Bibles to students, I think has not violated any law. Should it have violated any law if it were a science book? The Bible, had it been used for the classes’ religious purposes, would have violated freedom of religion.Even if the teacher quote for learning purposes, should not be classified as a violation. After all we all quote ” judge not” from the Bible. If Americans just want to ban Christianity, they should go ahead and do it. America should stop the persecution of Christianity. It shall come back to haunt them.

    • Tsivya Fox says:

      Dear David:

      Thank you for sharing your thoughts. This is a hot topic with a wide range of view points. Please stay posted for Part 2 of this article.

  2. Sam Rothe says:

    To refuse to allow bibles is blatant persecution.

    How can there be any harmony if people refuse to listen to opposing views?

    If people are asking big questions, why limit their search for answers?
    People need to open their hearts!

    • Tsivya Fox says:

      Opening our hearts is important as is being able to listen to opposing views with respect. The question becomes, “When does the fine line get crossed between presenting views and presenting religion? I’ll explore this more next week.

  3. Steven says:

    Today school reformers discuss the importance of critical thinking, gathering information from multiple sources, collaboration, tolerance of ideas and beliefs, and open debate as skills and activities necessary for survival and success in a global society. Unfortunately, far too many of these very same people pull back when it means applying these essential learning elements to anything remotely associated to what is written in the Bible.

    • Tsivya Fox says:

      Thank you for sharing your insightful take on the situation today. I tend to agree. Many talk the talk but do not walk the walk.

  4. Carol Arnquist says:

    There is a difference between freedom of religion and freedom from religion. While I don’t believe that a particular religion should be espoused as the only true religion unless it is in a parochial school, I believe that the pledge of allegiance can be recited,classical music like Handel’s Messiah and Christmas music can be sung, the Bible as literature and comparative religions can be taught. I also believe it is OK to allow material from other religions to be used in the same way as long as equal opportunities are allowed. I don’t believe that Muslims should be allowed special times and places to pray unless members of other religions are allowed the same privilege and vice versa.

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