Religion in Public Schools
 Religion in the Classroom

Presenting Religion in the Classroom

Educators, have you wondered lately how you should handle questions and issues of religion in the classroom in an acceptable manner that does not violate anyone's rights?  The following links are intended to give you some direction and tips when kids need answers. 

 Religious Expression 

  Religion in Public Schools

First Amendment Forum

 

Government Policy  

 

 
  
 Links Religious Liberties
  
 Scholastic Books

Scholastic Books
Adapts Homosexual Agenda
Illinois Family Institute
Calls for Boycott

More Info Here
  
 In The News ~ www.CitizenLink.com

 

  (Citizenlink.com - Focus on the Family Action)

Lawsuit Seeks to Keep Bible in Idaho Charter School

 The Alliance Defense Fund has filed a lawsuit on behalf of Nampa Classical Academy, in defense of their use of the Bible as part of its curriculum.  The Idaho Public Charter School Commission has threatened to revoke the school's charter for using religious texts.

Eric Buehrer, founder and president of Gateways to Better Education, said the Bible is a legitimate historical document.

"You can't understand great speeches from people like Martin Luther King, Abraham Lincoln and Shakespeare," he said, "without an understanding of the Bible.  They're really academically handicapping students if they don't give them a good understanding of the Bible."

—Roger Greer-1-09

 

Good News: Tennessee School District Will Allow 'God' on Posters

 

 

 

A school district near Nashville, Tenn., has agreed to allow religious speech on student-made posters, following a federal lawsuit filed by the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF).

In March, ADF sued Wilson County School District after school officials censored the words "God" and "pray" from posters promoting National Day of Prayer and See You at the Pole events. The court issued an injunction in May that halted the censorship while litigation continued.

"We're glad that the school acknowledged the constitutional right of these children and these parents and decided to respect their freedoms to express their views just like anyone else," said Nate Kellum, senior counsel with ADF.

Students and parents affiliated with Lakeview Elementary School in Mt. Juliet had placed posters in the hallways promoting the events. The posters were made on personal time without use of school funds or supplies.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
This year's See You at the Pole event takes place Wednesday, Sept. 23.

The next National Day of Prayer is May 6, 2010.

— Roger Greer

8-24-09

  

Good News: Florida Woman Will Not Be Charged With Contempt Over Prayer

 A federal district judge told Michelle Winkler, a Florida school district clerical assistant, that she would not be held in contempt regarding her husband's prayer at an awards banquet.
 
The decision stems from an American Civil Liberties Union lawsuit filed last year in which the court entered an injunction barring school employees from praying at school activities.  Winkler's husband, who is not a school employee, read a prayer his wife had written at a privately funded event at a nearby Naval base.  The ACLU claimed the event in question was in connection with the public school.
 
Mat Staver, founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel, said it's an important step in protecting freedom of speech.
 
"We don't want to have to go to these contempt hearings," he said.  "We want to make sure that the students, faculty, staff and administrators understand and enjoy their First Amendment right to freedom of speech."
 
Liberty Counsel attorneys will be back in court Sept.17 to defend Principal Frank Lay and Athletic Director Robert Freeman, who are charged with criminal contempt for blessing a meal at a separate luncheon.

—Nima Reza

 

8-19-09

 
(CitizenLink.com - Focus on the Family Action)

Good News: ADF Wins Victory for Church on College Campus

 North Point Church in Binghamton, New York, was prohibited from meeting on the campus of Broome Community College.  Administrators cited a policy prohibiting religious groups from renting its buildings, yet the college allowed other community groups access to the facilities.

Daniel Blomberg, litigation counsel for the Alliance Defense Fund, said after his group stepped in, the college agreed to reverse the policy.

"Christians have the exact same constitutional rights as everybody else," he said.  "We are pleased that Broome Community College now recognizes the constitutional right of churches and other religious groups to meet in public meeting facilities on the same terms as other groups."

—Roger Greer
  

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