Bebold

Religious speach is protected by the first ammendment. Too bad u impose your non belief on the rest of your school. Yes, Bible clubs are allowed in public schools, thank God!

The Resistance

Even as a teacher, I think she is still technically in the right. She can wear a cross on a necklace and leave in plain view, can't she?

As long as the religious expression isn't forced on anyone else and non-Christian religious expressions are allowed, I still don't see the problem.

Jamie_L

Alright. Let's say this all together:

Secularism is not atheism.

If a teacher does not have a sign on her door that says "God Bless America", that's secularism.

If a teacher has a sign on her door that says "There is no God." That's atheism.

Got it?

Which brings up an interesting point. If an atheist did post something on his door that said "America needs no God," or something similar, would Christians be so supportive of that kind of speach? If an atheist teacher occasionally commented that kids shouldn't be going to church, or that it's a shame that Europe has historically been under the grip of fairy-tale religion, would that be so benign?

Promotion of both religion and atheism in schools is not allowed. Secularism is neither, and it's the law.

Of course religious speech is protected. Of course a teacher can where a cross. Of course there can be religious clubs in schools - if they abide by certain rules. But if a teacher uses her position to promote religion to students who are required by law to be in her class, that's not allowed.

Jamie

Amulet

Very good point on the difference between secularism and atheism. I don't think Christians will take note, though.

They'd rip it down! Christians only think free speech is for them.

fromtheright

Amulet,

No, we'll let y'all talk too, just not out loud.

The Resistance

Isn't the basic test, "you can either accomendate all, or you can't accomendate any." If you can accomendate them all, then you should, but often it's very impracticle.

SaguaroJen

Our school district has *chosen* to not use GBA and instead puts United We Stand on every bare wall. Other districts around here have chosen otherwise.

A few years back a coworker was made to remove her cute-baby-in-a-manger bulletin board. "Non-curricular" apparently. We also have yearly reminders to be secular in class.

Yet they've been enforcing the Pledge & moment the past 6 months...

While we wobble on specifics there is at least an effort to be secular.

Jen (who edited as a weak attempt at clarity)

[ March 14, 2002: Message edited by: SaguaroJen ]</p>

Jamie_L

You know, I've got no problem with a teacher putting some small religious plaque on her desk, facing her, as a means of personal inspiration. But items posted to make a statement to the captive audience of students, I take issue with.

Likewise, if a legal bible club exists, it should be free to advertise its existence to the extent that any other clubs are allowed to do so. But excessive use of such adds to protheletize would get my goat.

If a teacher wants to bow her head and say a prayer at some point during the day, the Constitution protects her right to do that. If she wants to lead her students in prayer, or say her prayer out loud while they are forced to listen, the Consitution protects her students from that.

Of course people can be religious. Kids can pray in school whenever they want. But people acting in an official capacity as representatives of the government should to be using that position to force their religion on those who come to that insitution - and especially not on those legally required to be there.

Jamie