rcressl

I was just wondering if anyone could tell me whether or not public schools are allowed to put "God Bless America" signs up...
Our social studies teacher (who always tries to push religion on people already) has a sign on her door that says "God Bless America" and I was just wondering... thanks

Also, had another question... just can't think of it ... will try to post it later...

[ March 08, 2002: Message edited by: trustno1 ]</p>

The Resistance

Arguably, it's her workspace and she can decorate it anyway she wants within limits. AS long as no one is allowed to object to a teacher placing a Buddha statue on their desk, I see no infringement of C&S seperation.

uhcord

I also don't think it violates the C&S seperation.

But, if I was you, I would take it down when no one was around and replace it with sign that says 'E pluribus unum'

*shrug* Then agian I am a hoodlum ....

joedad

Replace the sign with one that says "Good Job America" and see if anyone notices.

I'm another hoodlum....

Maleficus

Mark out the 'b'?

rcressl

lol

I really don't think she'd appreciate any of those suggestions...

Thanks for answering I was just wondering... I still can't think of the other question I was gonna ask... hmmmmmmmmm...

[ March 11, 2002: Message edited by: trustno1 ]</p>

Jamie_L

Technically, I think it is a separation of C/S separation. Although it is her workplace, as a government employee representing a government institution and maintaining an educational environment intended to shape young minds according to government statutes and regulations, she has additional restrictions on her ability to decorate her workplace.

It's like the judge who hangs a 10 Comandments plaque behind his bench. It's his workspace, but it is also a place where the government represents itself to its citizens.

Now, is it a violation worth complaining about? That's another question. If that's the only infraction, it's probably not a big deal. It would, howver, be interesting to see her reaction if the sign was anonymously replaced with an equally tasteful and patriotic "E Puribus Unum" or "United We Stand" poster. If she gets really upset, then that shows you whether her motivations are primarily patriotic or religious.

Jamie

Arrowman

As Jamie_L said, it might be a technical violation but perhaps not worth making a fuss about.
Plenty of people probably put up such signs in perfect innocence, without really intending to "promote religion". However in this case you do say she pushes religion in other ways.

But - the fact that it's "on her door" (I presume you mean on the outside of her door) is to me somewhat of an issue, because there it is a display to the rest of the school, as opposed to a private decoration of her workplace.

Like Jamie said, in itself it may not be such a big issue. Sounds like you need to keep an eye on her, though.

rcressl

Again, thanks I really don't think I'm gonna complain, but I was just kinda curious about it.

She sort of pushes religion in other ways, but it's not as bad as other people... once she told us that it was sad that some of the kids didn't go to church, and she usually fits christianity into any social studies lesson she can, even if what were learning has absolutely nothing to do with *any* religon...

Mecha_Dude

I used to have "teen bible study" posers up in my
public school, the FACULTY PUT THEM UP!! I'd tear them both down every day and eventually they got tired of putting 'em back up so they just took 'em down...