By Dr. Falwell This Christmas, I am wishing for a special gift to the students of faith in our nation's schools. I wish them freedom. You may think that they have the same freedom that other students enjoy, but you'd be very wrong. In fact, many Christian students across our nation have faced persecution on a variety of levels this year. This past week, Christian students at a Reno, Nevada high school saw their religious views officially - and unconstitutionally - censured by school officials. For several years, a Christian student club has passed out candy canes with the message "Jesus Loves You" affixed. But this year, after the principal consulted with district officials, the decision was made to deny the students permission to distribute the candy. This judgment was made because of the "specific content message" that was attached to the candy, and the potential "offense" that could be taken because of it. This has become an almost typical reaction to the activity of Christian students in many public schools nationwide. The "you might offend somebody" excuse is becoming quite popular. In the Reno case, Brad Dacus, president of the Citrus Heights, Calif.-based Pacific Justice Institute, said, "We have pledged to represent these high school students, and will not tolerate such blatant suppression of student religious speech." Mr. Dacus is part of a growing group of religious freedom warriors who defends students and others against blatantly discriminatory rulings and policies. Mr. Dacus' group has written to the school, explaining that under the First Amendment, religious speech is as protected as any other speech. (The ACLU would have you believe otherwise.) In fact, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that the desire to mitigate uneasiness (in this case protecting potentially offended individuals) does not constitute adequate justification for a school or district to engage in viewpoint discrimination or censorship. Let's hope the Reno officials quickly learn this. Earlier this year, students at Florida's Seminole High School faced discrimination of their own. After school officials learned that a school choir was scheduled to appear at September 11 memorial event, they were denied permission to sing. The sole reason? The event was to be held at a local church. In fact, school officials announced that they were permanently banning the choir from singing at any event conducted at a church. Thankfully, there is a happy conclusion to this story. After Mathew Staver of the Orlando-based Liberty Counsel interceded for the choir, the principal announced this week that the school board has had a change of mind. He issued new guidelines that will allow the award-winning Seminole High School Gospel Choir to sing at religious events. Upon hearing the news, members of the predominately black choir erupted in cheers. There are dozens of similar cases. A few examples: Parents of slain students at Columbine High School have been prevented from mounting tiles bearing religious messages; in Albany, N.Y., students and family members have been prevented from utilizing commemorative bricks bearing religious messages; after a four-year court battle, Seattle-area Bible club students have finally won their right to meet at school just like all the other clubs; a Massachusetts student was halted in mid-report from reading a passage on the birth of Jesus simply because the book she utilized was "religious." There are many other instances. Warning Flag On Thursday's episode of "E.R.", a character breathed the words, "Thank you, Jesus," when learning that her son had survived an automobile accident. The words were meant as a warning flag as to this character's menacing and intolerant demeanor. I fear that many school officials in this nation take a similar approach as the "E.R." producers. When they hear that students want to pray, meet together, mention their Savior in a report, or share some literature, they see it as a warning flag. Often times, the students face persecution. And we are the ones portrayed as intolerant! That is why I am praying this year for freedom for these Christian students. Many are literally under attack because of their sincerely-held beliefs. I pray that our schools will extend the "tolerance" they claim to uphold for others. Our Founding Fathers believed that national support of religion was urgently needed. As President George Washington stated in his farewell address, "reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle." Pennsylvanian Benjamin Rush, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, agreed, saying in specific terms, "Where there is no religion, there will be no morals." May the spirit of our Founders return to our public schools so that our Christian students freely live out their faith.
Well Though Out, Scott Scott, I, for one, just being one year out of high school and in currently in college, appreciate your prayers! Fortunately, I went to a high school where we had a yearly "Holiday Season" announcement over the PA system, and our principle freely read from the book of Matthew over the PA system. Now, in college, I can clearly see that Christianity is being oppressed in this atmosphere, and such clubs as "Campus Pride" clubs are being promoted. Thus, I pray that God will help me make a difference, and be a light. :TU:
Glen - That's where it all starts - on the individual level!! Best way to show folks initially, is to lead by example! I don't envy the high school crowd (and college) kids today - as far as what hoops they have to jump thru (politically) and what things they are 'allowed' to say or do.o No: I don't EVER remember having the kinds of censureship, like described above, when I was in school!! And if freedom of speech in public schools isn't enough of a challenge...then they get to add all the other troubles - drugs, guns, etc.ou: It's comforting to hear from someone from your age group, that's WILLING to be that light!!! Keep up the good work!:TU: BTW, what school are you going to?
Kudos to you, Glen With an attitude like the one that you have, you cannot help but make a difference. All one has to do is care about humanity and the difference will take care of itself! I'd take my hat off to you, but it's cold and i just shaved my head again:TU:
