Monday, December 14, 2015

LUTHERAN SCHOOLS: Dispel the Myths About Christianity in Schools!

I keep seeing untruths spread across social media by Christians who don't understand the laws regarding religious freedom and separation of church and state in schools. Please, please, please share this information with your youth, their parents, and the whole congregation. Don't let Christians be the ones who make matters worse and scare kids into believing they have to hide their Christianity at school. They don't! I got this list from the Alliance Defending Freedom (The 12 Myths of Christmas) and the Center for Public Education (Religion and Public Schools).
Remember that the point of the law is to protect your child from being proselytized by teachers or other school leaders or adults who follow beliefs with which you do not agree. It is based on non-descrimination, student leadership, and local control. Young children may not know, but it is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT that your older child know when to speak up if a teacher is religion pushing or religion bashing, especially in high school. It is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT that parents speak to administration when this happens. 

Based on the law, here is the truth. 
  • Since Christmas is a national holiday, the word "Christmas" has not been banned from schools or the general public. Schools may refer to their winter break as Christmas Break. They may also have Christmas trees, wish others a Merry Christmas, and have a Christmas party just as they do a Halloween or Valentine's Day party, if they so desire.
  • Public schools do not have to recognize every holiday because it recognizes Christmas. Christmas is a national holiday
  • Students may wear religious clothing or jewelry as long as it is not offensive and does not cause disruption.
  • Students are allowed to talk about their faith, going to church, etc. to other students and teachers at school.
  • Students are allowed to pray at school. They cannot do so over the PA system or lead a class in prayer. Teachers also may pray in school but may not encourage or discourage prayer in word or deed. 
  • Students are allowed to bring Bibles to school and read them during their free reading period or during free time. 
  • Students are allowed to sing and play religious songs, including Christmas carols in public schools. 
  • Students are allowed to reference their beliefs in projects, papers, and homework assignments. They are allowed to read Christian books or stories. 
  • Teachers are NOT allowed to call a student's religion stupid, make him/her feel uncomfortable in front of the class, or to raise or lower a student's grades if s/he references their beliefs in class discussion or written work. 
  • The Bible (and other religious texts) can be used in classes to provide an historical context or as a form of literature. It must be presented objectively and must be educational and not devotional.

RELIGIOUS CLUBS

Non-discrimination
If a public secondary school has non-curriculum based clubs, students are allowed to have Christian clubs. This may also be true for a middle school, but the law is unclear about that age level. At this time it is being left up to the local administration. Check the policies. Schools do not have to maintain an open forum regarding extracurricular clubs and organizations, but once they do, they may not discriminate. 

If the school allows the Boy Scouts or the Girl Scouts to hand out literature on school grounds during non-school hours, or use the building during non-school hours, they may not discriminate against a religious institution. 

A church may hold religious instruction classes in a school building during non-school hours if...
    • other community groups meet in the school (Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, etc.)
    • students are not required to attend.
    • all students are welcome to attend.
    • participation does not affect academic standing or grades in any way.
Student Leadership
Religious clubs must be student organized and student led. Teachers or school personnel are not allowed to organize or lead them, but if asked by students, they may chaperone them. Schools must give those clubs the same rights and privileges as any other club or organization that meets in the school. 

Religious leaders or other outside adults may attend and speak at religious clubs if they are invited by students and if the school does not have a policy banning all guest speakers from extracurricular club meetings. Non-school personnel may not direct, conduct, control, or regularly attend activities of student groups. 

Local Control
The administration of any school has the authority to limit or ban any group that disrupts the order and discipline of the school or the well-being of students and faculty.



Saturday, December 5, 2015

SERVICE: It's the season of SOCKS!!

Imagine how hard it would be to go through the winter with feet that were constantly cold or wet because you had no socks.

Most of the U.S. is now in the season of cold and wet. Homeless shelters around the country are in dire need of socks. They don't have to be new or even match, but they do need to be clean and in good shape. Holes don't cover soles! At the same time, if you haven't yet, make a connection and build a servant relationship with the shelter in your area.

Every city in the country has a homeless shelter where socks or all sizes are needed. One of my youth director friends told me a young lady visited her church and she couldn't find any socks for her. The best she could provide were plastic bags. Think of how you would feel if your children had to go through the winter with plastic bags for socks. If you work in a church, bring some socks in and leave a couple pair in every office just in case somebody comes in who needs them.

If you're in the Minneapolis area there's an organization called SoleCare for Souls. Their mission is to promote health and hope by providing free medical foot care for people experiencing homelessness or living in under-resourced conditions. If your congregation is in the Minneapolis area and you're looking for a service project for your children or youth, try supporting them. If you're not in the Minneapolis area, see if there's a similar organization near you.

Help warm souls by warming soles!