Religion in the Public Schools

Dear Bill,
This is not meant to offend you or anyone else who has children in government schools. But, my question is: does the government have authority to teach Christian children? And where can you find Scriptural basis for that?

I do not believe the government was ever given authority by God to teach children. The government has the authority to enforce laws, punish evil-doers and reward those who do good. See Romans 13.

Duet 6 gives a beautiful outline on training children on the ways of the Lord. Here a little there a little.

 

It's not that the Bible is not allowed in schools, but teaching or endorsing of religion is not allowed in public schools. However, teaching of religious cultural aspects is allowed.

For example, in a history class, it's appropriate to discuss the Christian faith of the Pilgrims, or of Henry VIII, or the religious aspects of the Inquisition, etc. In greography, it's appropriate to discuss the religious significance of Israel to its inhabitants.

 

It's expensive to home school, and not all christian families have that kind of money. Are they bad christians because of it? Just becasue it might be the right thing for one family does not mean it is the right thing for another family. No where in the bible does it say we can not use public schools, all christian children must be home schooled.

 

Just becasue it might be the right thing for one family does not mean it is the right thing for another family.

Amen!!

 

here in the UK most state schools are religious - I went to the first ecumenical secondary school (sort of like high school) in the UK

Religious Education in this country is a mandatory GSCE (General Certification of Secondary Education) subject (ie you have to study it until you are at least 16 and then take an exam in it) - every school I attended had prayers at the beginning of the day, mass on Friday (although attendance was voluntary).

In First & middle school (until the age of 12) we had at least one religious education lesson a week and in secondary school I had two lessons a week - all this was funded by the state.

I don't think that this is atypical of most people in the UK - yet the UK is one of, if not the most, secular societies in the world.

 

Scarlett,
I am glad to hear that in your particular school Bibles are allowed. That is wonderful that you are leading these children to Jesus. Have you been able to give any salvation messages to them?


Katie,
I have a friend who is going through a divorce. Most people looking on the outside would think there is no way that this woman can homeschool.

But, the Father God in His good kindness has given her a way to do it. She has very, very little money, less than many in two parent families have and she homeschools. She is an inspiration to me.

 

Homeschooling isn't approriate for everyone
Public school isn't appropriate for everyone
Christian school isn't appropriate for everyone

Our church has all three. New Christian school, with a great homeschool support program (parents can enroll their kids in specific subjects that they don't want to or are unable to teach, science, advanced math, music, whatever) Also a large poulation of kids who are in public schools. Plus teachers in all three situations as well. They are all appropriate for certain situations.

Its the Parents and the support of the Church that really make a difference in a kid's life, I had Christian school all my life, and plenty of my friends from there are a mess, as are some homeschool kids I know, plus a few public school kids who now are some of the most committed Christians I know.

It really is a personal issue that depends on the parents, and the opportunities available.

 

As far as homeschooling goes, you need to look at intent, too.
Some parents homeschool their kids for the simple reason that they want to insulate and isolate their kid from the sinful influences of the world. These children usually become socially inept, unable to cope with the outside world.

The parent who has a genuine interest in the child's education will let the child interact with others, and won't completely isolate them from the outside. These are the ones who usually outdo their public school counterparts in SAT scores, and do well in the world.

 

I'm trying to think back to the days when I was in public school. That has been a long time ago, long before the problem developed about Bibles or religion being taught in school.

The first two years, I went to public school in a Catholic town taught by a Catholic Teacher. Did she teach religion? No. At that time, she could have but she didn't. She knew that our parents would take care of our religious education.

Then I can remember that one of my teachers was Church of Christ. Did she teach her religion? No One was a Methodist. One was a Baptist. One was an aethist. Did any of these teach religion, no. It was not part of the curriculum. Our parents were responsible for our religious training.

I am very glad that I went to public school. My parents taught me at home in addition to public school. My family would have found the money to teach me if there had not been public schools, but there were many, many children who would not have had an education if there had not been public schools.

The public schools gave and give the opportunity for an education for the children of families that cannot afford private education.

The only thing I am concerned about in our public schools of today is the safety of the children and teachers.

Some of our youth in our church go to Christian Schools and Public Schools. The youth that attend the two public high schools have Bible Study on their own time at school once a week.

Now, it seems that Homeschoolers are really against Public Education and speak very openly about it. Has it ever occurred to them that there may be Christian parents who are against Homeschooling, but are keeping quiet because they respect the right of a parent to choose?

There is no need for a parent to feel guilty if they are not homeschooling their children. I have said before that I was trained as a teacher and I am a teacher. I taught my daughter how to swim before I knew how, but I did not feel qualified to homeschool my children.

I teach my grandchildren art, music and English grammar, but I supplement what they learn at public school.

Now this is my opinion. I really don't care if you homeschool or not. That is your choice and no one should be made to feel guilty about their choice.

 

Never had a problem taking my Bible to my public schools.

 

My son-in-law, who is a public school teacher,
keeps a Bible on the front corner of his desk. No
problem.

I went to public school, but really, my education is
a sad, sad joke. Had my parents had the
opportunity of home schooling, it would have been
closer to a crime. I'll drop that there, except to say
that some parents are so underqualified to teach
that it is scary, yet some of them do it anyway.

I home schooled for a few months after watching
public schools severely fail my daughter, but as
soon as I found a private school for her, she was
enrolled, as was my son. Years later, in another
state, I watch the private school there fail the same
child, and I removed them from private, placing
them in public.

Some of each are good, and some of each are not.

 

The USA ( I can only speakof it) is really getting lost. All these politically correctness, and now they want to abolish God from the equasion. They do not sing the songs in school anymore, IE: National Anthem and all the other wonderful songs I grew up onin school.
You are not allowed to talk to your peers about God on school property! Now they want to take the word God off our money as not to offend anyones religion. What is this world coming to?
Instead of putting God as the center of it all, they are taking him away from our children.

I have 3 girls in public school, and they have no morals or scruples. OK, I just opened myself up. I teach it at home, but for a long time I was a single mother and worked 2 full time jobs. I was never home. I now have a 2 year old son that I would love to home school, but I have fear that I can not do it, plus we do not have the money to do it.

People need to get right with God. I am so happy we have a saved man running our country right now. It makes me feel better to know that. I was condemned by my doctor for leaving bible tracts in teh office. And one time I was reading my bible while waiting to see the doctor and the receptionist asked me if that was a bible I was reading, I said yes, she snickered and said I would rather read a romance novel. I went on to explain to her that what I was reading was the greatest romance novel ever written, it was also suspense, and horror. But you would get the greatest gift ever givin by reading it. I asked her what profound gift would she get out of Harliquin? Funny how she couldn't answer.

We need God in our schools. And kids should not be afraid to talk about Him.

 

I never went to a school in which such songs were sung anywhere but in a music class or on the football field. I started school in 1980.

Yes, you are.

Actually, that has nothing to do with it. It has to do with the establishment clause and the unconstitutionality of the government's de facto establishment of religion, which it does by having the phrase on the money it prints.

I see what you're getting at, but it is not the school's or government's responsibility - nor should it be - to teach about Christ. Why do we insist otherwise?

 

Here is one reason to be worried about public schools:

http://www.latimes.com/cl-et-book28apr28.htmlstory

 

Dear Laura B,
I too share your concerns with the things that are picked up from others. Our children already have their own sinful nature and are so easily swayed, atleast mine are.

I would encourage you to seek the Lord in this area and I know He will direct your paths. As I said in another post I have a friend who is going through a divorce and has a lot less money than we do and she is still homeschooling. She inspires me. She has made a way to do this and amazingly the Lord in His goodness has provided for her through various means.

 

Kelly,

I agree that it is not the schools responsibility to teach about God, but I don't like the fact that my daughter was sent to the principal and told that she would get suspended because someone over heard her trying to witness to one of her friends. I think since it was God who created all, we should incooporate him in our everyday lives, INCLUDING school.

And as far as the money issue, that is what I read in my local newspapers. Wanting to take God off as not to offend anyones religion.

We sang the songs I mentioned every morning after saying teh pledge of allegiance. From Kindegarten all the way thru to 6th grade. (we had no middle school at that time, 7th was high school) We didn't sing them in High School, but we did the pledge every morning.

 

O course not - I don't like it either! And she can't be suspended for witnessing to a friend, unless she was doing it during classtime, in which case, it's not only inappropriate to witness, it's inappropriate to chat at all, and a detention, at least, might have been in order. But otherwise, the principal is legally wrong, and should be informed of such.