Bible Quotes And Prayer At Public School Sponsored Event

[oclfdot]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? California

My son is a student at a public high school. He went on a field trip for a business class to a "team building" camp. This was with his class and paid for through the high school. At the camp the Bible was used in group instruction, and prayers were led at lunch by the group leader.

I was unaware instruction and prayer would be offered, and there was no opt out given to the students. I would not have given permission had I known.

Is the school responsible for seeing that either instruction and prayer were not offered, or that I was notified, or that my son had the opportunity to opt out?

 

[Ohiogal]

File a complaint if you are unhappy.

 

[xylene]

My son is a student at a public high school.

Your son is in HIGH SCHOOL.

I was able to judge for myself at AGE 4 that the bible was a fictional work.

I'm sure he'll be fine.

 

[ErinGoBragh]

Your son is in HIGH SCHOOL.

I was able to judge for myself at AGE 4 that the bible was a fictional work.

I'm sure he'll be fine.

I myself would find that sort of thing offensive considering it was a public school, but certainly not grounds for lawsuit.

OP, as OG said, file a complaint. It's not the end of the world.

 

[CdwJava]

I am sure he will be oh so horribly harmed by a Bible reading.

As was stated, you can complain to the school if you wish. I suspect that if this came as a surprise, the school may reconsider this activity in the future.

If i complained about activity that I felt was offensive to my evangelical Christian beliefs, I would be having almost weekly visits with the principals at a grade school, intermediate school, and high school where I have children attending. So, unless there was some great harm done, it may not be worth more than a phone call to the school.

But, it's your call.

- Carl

 

[nextwife]

Sectarian prayer of any kind has no place in a public school function.

 

[HomeGuru]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? California

My son is a student at a public high school. He went on a field trip for a business class to a "team building" camp. This was with his class and paid for through the high school. At the camp the Bible was used in group instruction, and prayers were led at lunch by the group leader.

I was unaware instruction and prayer would be offered, and there was no opt out given to the students. I would not have given permission had I known.

Is the school responsible for seeing that either instruction and prayer were not offered, or that I was notified, or that my son had the opportunity to opt out?

**A: I see "In God We Trust" on our money. Stop using the money if it's a problem.

 

[TheGeekess]

Sectarian prayer of any kind has no place in a public school function.

Oh, why not? Come on, people, as long as they're not sacrificing virgins in the end zones, who gives a rip if some "Praise the Lard, Amen Crisco" dude says a few words to his Lard? Does it hurt us to tell our children that there are people who believe differently all over this great land of ours and we should at least respect their beliefs? Nobody says you have to believe in it. It's ritualistic noise, just like '2 bits, 4 bits' (the cheer....)

 

[cyjeff]

Anyone who questions prayer in school shouldn't take Mrs. Williams AP Senior British Literature class.

God... I can STILL quote Macbeth.

Did I say God? Oh hell, I said it again. Did I say hell, damn... ohhhhhh

 

[TheGeekess]

Anyone who questions prayer in school shouldn't take Mrs. Williams AP Senior British Literature class.

God... I can STILL quote Macbeth.

Did I say God? Oh hell, I said it again. Did I say hell, damn... ohhhhhh

My senior College Prep English Lit/Grammar teacher Margaret Scott was such a woman. Formidable in her molding of young Bama minds! She taught at the HS for literally generations.

 

[CdwJava]

And to this day, what are among the most common songs sung by school choirs everywhere? Hymns. And in December, what do we hear at "Winter" concerts? Christmas music.

The law provides for freedom OF religion, not freedom FROM religion.

My local public school's don't have classes with prayer readings, and no field trips where that occurs that I am aware of either. If they did, no biggie. If they did to another faith, also no biggie ... unless it was Satanism or something I might find reprehensible. But, if I did object, I have a right to complain and I even have a right to put my child in home school or a private school.

- Carl

 

[TheGeekess]

And to this day, what are among the most common songs sung by school choirs everywhere? Hymns. And in December, what do we hear at "Winter" concerts? Christmas music.

The law provides for freedom OF religion, not freedom FROM religion.

My local public school's don't have classes with prayer readings, and no field trips where that occurs that I am aware of either. If they did, no biggie. If they did to another faith, also no biggie ... unless it was Satanism or something I might find reprehensible. But, if I did object, I have a right to complain and I even have a right to put my child in home school or a private school.

- Carl

It's like the holiday brouhaha going on over in Great Britian.
"Can't call it Christmas because you might offend someone!"
Those who might be offended: "Huh? No, cool, call it Fred if you like. It's your holiday. "

 

[stealth2]

**A: I see "In God We Trust" on our money. Stop using the money if it's a problem.

I hereby volunteer to manage and appropriately dispose of any such money. Please be advised that no animals will be harmed in the process. Well.... except for maybe the cow that Ruth's Chris steak comes from! But that's it. I swear. To.... whatever force you would prefer to insert here.

 

[ecmst12]

You all don't get it. This isn't the bible being taught as literature, it's not about merely using the word 'god' or talking ABOUT religion. This is an official school sponsored activity which is sanctioning, supporting, and encouraging the participation in the prayers and rituals of a SPECIFIC, PARTICULAR religion. This is the school telling the students 'this is what we think is right.' And that is NOT the school's job or their place in any way shape or form.

I happen to be Jewish. I was very lucky to grow up in a very diverse district with lots of other Jews. We talked about Christmas and Hannukah in school, when we did art projects for the holidays, we used the holiday that was important to us. If I at ANY point in my education had been subjected to an authority figure mandating a religious (as opposed to literary) reading of the Christian bible, or trying to lead me in a Christian prayer, I would have been FURIOUS. It's not about being exposed to other views or being around people who believe differently. It's about being TOLD to PRACTICE someone else's religion! And in a public school that's supposed to be accepting and tolerant of all faiths, that's supposed to be providing a secular education and leave the god-mongering at home where it belongs, it is WRONG.

No, I don't think it deserves a lawsuit. There were no financial damages and the psychological impact is minor. But it certainly deserves a complaint to the school board, a discussion with the principal and the teacher who sponsored the trip, and probably a couple of scathing letters to the local papers just for good measure. And if those measures didn't stop the problem, you can bet I'd be calling the ACLU to intervene.

The only reason I could imagine you guys don't think this is a big deal is because you fail to conceive of the fact that there are people in the world that are not the same religion as you. What if your child was taken on a school retreat, and upon return he told you that he was told to participate in Muslim prayers, or worship Hindu idols, or knock on doors to talk to people about Mormonism? How would you feel then?

 

[CdwJava]

What if your child was taken on a school retreat, and upon return he told you that he was told to participate in Muslim prayers, or worship Hindu idols, or knock on doors to talk to people about Mormonism? How would you feel then?

I would feel the same way I previously said - I would make my objection known to the school.

However, being told that you must participate in prayers or worship is a far cry from being led in what I assume was voluntary prayer. If someone was punished because they did not say the "Our Father ..." I would object to that vehemently as that would be crossing that line. i would similarly object if a teacher began each day of school with a prayer. A moment of silence for individuals to do, think, or pray silently as they wish - fine. But being compelled to pray as the teacher said, no.

A leader led them in (voluntary) prayer and read from the Bible. What other books should they be unable to read from in school or school related functions?

I remember when my oldest son won the right to read from his favorite book for 15 minutes in class when he was in 1st grade. He told the teacher he wanted to read from his Bible. The teacher reacted as if he was talking about performing a human sacrifice in the classroom! It was not until I found out and had a chat with the principal that the teacher was set straight that the act of his reading was neither inappropriate or unlawful, and did not constitute an endorsement of religion. He read his 15 minutes and all was done.

Students and even faculty do not have to check their faith at the door. They sometimes have to walk a fine line, and far too often the courts seem to read the word "from" where it actually says "of", but that's the way it goes.

I'm still waiting for the day I get a complaint from a prisoner stuck in the back seat of my patrol car and subject to K-LOVE Christian music!

- Carl