Andrew Pauley
11-17-09
3:45pm
The Cheatham County School System has been hit with a lawsuit for promoting religion in the classroom and on the sports field. The families of two current and two former students said it's been a pattern for as long as eight years. They said Bibles have been distributed, there's a cross hanging on a classroom wall and teachers endorse prayer at band and choir practice, graduation and sporting events. Sycamore High School, along with Sycamore and Cheatham middle schools, is accused of violating the constitution by promoting religion. "I've always said the least desirable way to settle something is a fistfight; the next undesirable way is a lawsuit," said George Barrett, ACLU's attorney. The ACLU said that the suit it filed on behalf of former and current students came about as a last resort after six months of negotiations failed to stop apparently longstanding policies. The suit claims since 2001, Gideon Bibles have been distributed in classrooms. It says teachers have endorsed prayer before football games, in band and choir gatherings, at sporting events and at graduation. There's a large cross hanging on the wall in a high school classroom, and, until recently, teachers posted Bible passages and religious messages on their school Web site profiles. "There's just a lot of confusion," said Hedy Weinberg of the ACLU. The ACLU said Bible distribution has happened in a number of schools in Tennessee, not just Cheatham County, and that it's typically in the fifth grade. The group said in any form, it should not happen in a public school.
I think that promoting any specific form of religion as entire school should not be allowed, but promoting people to make their choice and practice the religion of their choice should be. Why not before each sporting event or organizational meeting allow the students to pause for any non-violent religion practice of their choice? My response to this has always been we need to just respect each other and everyone’s personal practice of religion. Can we all just allow non-violent showings of religion to be done without anyone getting upset? If you disagree with someone about the car they drive, do you get mad and say you do not want them driving it through your neighborhood? Why can’t someone practice their religion with the same type of respect and consideration?
http://www.wsmv.com/news/21631723/detail.html
2 comments:
A moment of silence is a great neutral way of allowing people to pray before important events. A prayer said by a teacher or coach makes non-christians feel torn between seeming like a worse person in front of their teacher and respecting their own beliefs. Throughout school when I didn't bow my head and close my eyes for prayer, but just sat silently while the group was prayed over (at graduation, before opening night, being inducted into the honor society) I had people comment on my choice. It can certainly change peoples impressions of you.
I agree with everyone practicing religion because a lot of people are upset over one religion having dominance. When will we ever just truly get along
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