Post by Cindy on May 9, 2015 9:30:20 GMT -5
Our Christian Rights At Public Schools (excerpts)
(compiled from court rulings, law, and government directives)
1. The following issues have all been established as legal rights by the courts and government.
The phrases "God Bless America" and "In God We Trust" (Our National motto) are legal and protected right of free speech (by the courts).
2. Religious based organizations can use school facilities after hours if other groups have that privilege (Equal Access Act), EAA, 20 USC 4071, 1984.
3. Student led and initiated prayer is legal at football games if done impromptu, not over P.A. system, and not led or assigned by faculty or administrators.
4. A Bible or Christian group can advertise and make announcements at school if other groups and clubs are allowed.
5. High school Christians can wear Christian messages on their clothes, share their faith at non-instructional times, pass out tracts; junior high students have the right to pray and have religious discussions on their campus, distribute literature with some restrictions, can wear religious t-shirts to school, form religious clubs to the extent that students may express themselves through the same means on other topics and in forming clubs and organizations. In other words, the school may impose reasonable restrictions on when, where and so on, provided it is done equally to all, and Christians are not singled out for adverse treatment. The same is true of Christians passing out holiday and religious cards and wearing symbols and the like.
6. Valedictorians, salutatorians, honorary student speakers can give speeches on religious subjects, including reading from the Bible; baccalaureate services are permitted and if the school facilities are available to other groups then they most be made available for baccalaureate services.
7. Students are free to observe religious holidays and express their beliefs and convictions as they apply to a particular holiday; they have the right to distribute Christmas cards or religious tracts on the "true meaning of Christmas" during non-instructional times.
8. Students may express their beliefs during classroom discussions, as well as in the context of appropriate classroom assignments; they may draw a picture, write a poem, prepare an essay on any topic of choice ( the birth of Christ etc.) or any religious subject the student wishes. School officials cannot discriminate against a student's work simply because of its religious nature.
9. Students may opt out of a class for objectionable religious reasons. The Hatch Amendment passed in 1984 allowed parents the right to opt out their children if the school made use of experimental or values-related classes that depart from academics. The Hatch Amendment stated that the parents have the right to examine and inspect all instructional material, including that used in experimental or testing programs. Unless parental consent is given, no student shall be required to submit to any kind of test designed to reveal information of a non-academic nature. Know what your child is being exposed to in school! (This does vary as to magnitude and dimension of opt-out and on what issues from state to state- check on your state laws also). Click here to obtain a letter to your School Principal enforcing YOUR childs rights as a student based on Hatch Amendment - this is extremely important.
10. "Music, art, literature and drama having religious themes or basis are permitted as part of curriculum for school-sponsored activities and programs if presented in a prudent and objective manner and as a traditional part of cultural and religious heritage of the particular holiday"; reference The Supreme Court in the case Florey vs. Sioux Falls School District 1980.
11. The Supreme Court has indicated many times that teaching about religion, as distinguished from religious indoctrination, is an important part of a complete education.
More
Bill of Rights
(compiled from court rulings, law, and government directives)
1. The following issues have all been established as legal rights by the courts and government.
The phrases "God Bless America" and "In God We Trust" (Our National motto) are legal and protected right of free speech (by the courts).
- In the Pledge of Allegiance, "under God", is legal free speech (by the courts).
- A "Moment of Silence" (and now in many states also "or prayer" - check with your state) is legal ( this is conditional, that is, it is permitted when done in accordance with the guidelines approved by prior court decisions. (Cf. Brown v. Gilmore, 533 U.S. 1301 (2001) (Rehnquist, C.J., denying application for injunction against Virginia moment of silence statute).
- Elective Bible courses are legal (approved Bible curriculum has been developed and is being taught already in many school districts in 33 states) - we cannot however evangelize or have teacher led prayer; reference Supreme Court cases "Stone vs. Graham", "Edwards vs. Aguillard", "Zorach vs. Clausen", Federal District Court case "Wiley vs. Franklin." The National Council on Bible Curriculum in Public Schools is the oldest and largest organization offering a curriculum meeting constitutional guidelines. Their website is www.bibleinschools.org
- Teaching of U.S. history and the facts of our Christian Heritage is legal and should be taught whenever possible. We were founded a Christian nation and a great many of our founding documents reflect that fact -to deny it or not teach it would be a gross error as to our heritage and history. We cannot however, evangelize; that is attempt to convince someone to turn their life over to Christ in the classroom
- Bible clubs and Christian clubs are legal and upheld by the courts at schools as long as there are other secular clubs. If the secular clubs can meet after school instruction hours then Christian based clubs have the same rights.
2. Religious based organizations can use school facilities after hours if other groups have that privilege (Equal Access Act), EAA, 20 USC 4071, 1984.
3. Student led and initiated prayer is legal at football games if done impromptu, not over P.A. system, and not led or assigned by faculty or administrators.
4. A Bible or Christian group can advertise and make announcements at school if other groups and clubs are allowed.
5. High school Christians can wear Christian messages on their clothes, share their faith at non-instructional times, pass out tracts; junior high students have the right to pray and have religious discussions on their campus, distribute literature with some restrictions, can wear religious t-shirts to school, form religious clubs to the extent that students may express themselves through the same means on other topics and in forming clubs and organizations. In other words, the school may impose reasonable restrictions on when, where and so on, provided it is done equally to all, and Christians are not singled out for adverse treatment. The same is true of Christians passing out holiday and religious cards and wearing symbols and the like.
6. Valedictorians, salutatorians, honorary student speakers can give speeches on religious subjects, including reading from the Bible; baccalaureate services are permitted and if the school facilities are available to other groups then they most be made available for baccalaureate services.
7. Students are free to observe religious holidays and express their beliefs and convictions as they apply to a particular holiday; they have the right to distribute Christmas cards or religious tracts on the "true meaning of Christmas" during non-instructional times.
8. Students may express their beliefs during classroom discussions, as well as in the context of appropriate classroom assignments; they may draw a picture, write a poem, prepare an essay on any topic of choice ( the birth of Christ etc.) or any religious subject the student wishes. School officials cannot discriminate against a student's work simply because of its religious nature.
9. Students may opt out of a class for objectionable religious reasons. The Hatch Amendment passed in 1984 allowed parents the right to opt out their children if the school made use of experimental or values-related classes that depart from academics. The Hatch Amendment stated that the parents have the right to examine and inspect all instructional material, including that used in experimental or testing programs. Unless parental consent is given, no student shall be required to submit to any kind of test designed to reveal information of a non-academic nature. Know what your child is being exposed to in school! (This does vary as to magnitude and dimension of opt-out and on what issues from state to state- check on your state laws also). Click here to obtain a letter to your School Principal enforcing YOUR childs rights as a student based on Hatch Amendment - this is extremely important.
10. "Music, art, literature and drama having religious themes or basis are permitted as part of curriculum for school-sponsored activities and programs if presented in a prudent and objective manner and as a traditional part of cultural and religious heritage of the particular holiday"; reference The Supreme Court in the case Florey vs. Sioux Falls School District 1980.
11. The Supreme Court has indicated many times that teaching about religion, as distinguished from religious indoctrination, is an important part of a complete education.
More
Bill of Rights
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