‘It is perfectly acceptable that students learn about the role of religion in our nation’s history and how the Bible and Christianity contributed to the world.’
Eric Buehrer founded Gateways to Better Education in an effort to equip parents to help their children navigate successfully through the public school system. Most recently, he’s published a group Bible study and DVD teaching series called Keeping the Faith in Public Schools: How to Help Your Children Graduate with Their Faith and Values Intact. We spoke with Eric about the upcoming Religious Freedom Sunday.
1. Religious Freedom Sunday is coming up in January. Tell our readers about the event.
Religious Freedom Sunday is a national event (as part of the National Free to Speak Campaign) in which churches honor the educators within their congregations and inform their congregations about the freedom of religious expression students from kindergarten through 12th grade have at school. The theme for Religious Freedom Sunday comes from the Bible verse quoted on the Liberty Bell—’proclaim liberty throughout the land’ (Leviticus 25:10). It is in preparation for the President’s annual proclamation of Religious Freedom Day (January 16) which began in 1993.
2. What can churches do to get involved?
Here are three easy ideas your church can incorporate in your January 10th services:
- Honor the educators in your congregation and offer a prayer of thanks and blessing for them.
- Make a brief announcement explaining Religious Freedom Sunday.
- Have the Sunday school teachers and youth leaders distribute information about Religious Freedom Sunday for kids to share with friends and teachers during the week leading up to Religious Freedom Day (January 16). In this way, many classrooms will gain clarity on freedom of religious expression!
3. What if parents find their child in a situation where religious freedom has been violated?
The parents should meet with the teacher and discuss the liberties that have been violated by the teacher. If the teacher doesn’t recognize her error, meet with the school principal and go through the same procedure. If that doesn’t work, contact ADF at www.telladf.org.
4. What about teachers? Do they have to keep their faith to themselves in the public schools?
The six-page letter that ADF sends to the school official of your choice, as part of the National Free to Speak Campaign (and Religious Freedom Sunday) outlines religious liberties of teachers. Their rights include such things as: addressing (historical) religious topics in their lessons, having students sing traditional Christmas carols, meeting with other teachers for prayer and Bible study, sponsoring student Bible clubs and leading after-school religious clubs.
5. What about holidays and religious history?
It is perfectly acceptable and—in some states such as California—it is expected that students learn about the role of religion in our nation’s history and how the Bible and Christianity contributed to the world. For example, in California this year, students are expected to “Note the origins of Christianity in the Jewish Messianic prophecies, the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as described in the New Testament, and the contribution of St. Paul the Apostle to the definition and spread of Christian beliefs (e.g., belief in the Trinity, resurrection, salvation).” Colorado state standards instruct educators that “Omission of facts about religion can give students the false impression that the religious life of humankind is insignificant or unimportant.” Even Massachusetts state academic standards expect students to “learn the lives and teachings of Jesus and Saint Paul.”
At a minimum, that would mean teaching about the birth of Jesus during the Christmas season. Schools can also have students sing traditional Christmas carols. This fact is recognized by the National PTA and encouraged by the National Association for Music Education (the largest professional music teachers group).
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Learn more about Religious Freedom Sunday.
NOTE: Referral to Web sites not produced by Focus on the Family Action is for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute an endorsement of the sites’ content.)
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