I found a very interesting article, and decided to share it.
This isn't really a debate, but I would like to know what you think.
Basically, the administrators of a high school in Orange County have been told that they can no longer ban the school's "Bible Club" to meet on school grounds. They also have to be featured in the yearbook and recognized on the school website with their picture and names.
The superintendent, Dennis Smith, says that the school has always not allowed non-curricular based clubs. Suggestions such as the rock-climbing club and community service groups have been denied in the past. He doesn't think this should be an exception.
On the other hand, U.S. district Judge Cormac J. Carney, says that "schools must provide a microcosm of society, along with the freedom for students to be exposed to diverse and challenging views and choose between them. The district's objections seem to be based, at least partially, on a paternalistic desire to control the views and outlets available to students during the day."
What do you guys think?
Read more on this story: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-bible4-2008sep04,0,6208549.story
Either go with a policy that has been with the school all along but is controversial, or go with something that offers the school a chance to be diverse but doesn't allign with any school curiculum.
Please comment away!
-Steph
Skittles!_4321
16 comments:
And no one comments...:(
Ohhh! I'm commenting right....now.
Haha. You know I'm too busy to do anything right now! Except randomly checking things on the internet without commenting...
Ok so aren't you gonna tell us your opinion lessay?
There is FAR too much legislation in the country right now attempting to stop the word of God! It can't be done! China tried to do it and it drove the church "underground". If what I understand is true, there are more Christians in China than in the US. I applaud U.S. district Judge Cormac J. Carney, who said "schools must provide a microcosm of society, along with the freedom for students to be exposed to diverse and challenging views and choose between them. The district's objections seem to be based, at least partially, on a paternalistic desire to control the views and outlets available to students during the day." One does not hear many judges standing up for religious freedom! May God Bless Him!
I agree anonymous!
Thank you for commenting.
If the school never allowed non-curricular activities before, why should this be an exception? It's not an attack on religion, nor is it restricting the freedom of religion. But if the school was denying the right to a rock climbing club, would we be having this discussion?
We have the right to rock climb whenever we choose, but it has nothing to do with school, therefore, the school won't allow it to be a club.
The same goes for religion. From what I read, the school isn't limiting how students can choose to express their religion. The "Bible Club" has nothing to do with school, so of course the school has every right not to allow it. Once again, it's not the fact that it's about the Bible, it's the fact that it's NOT about school.
Think about it. If you're a member of a Church club, would you discuss things that don't pertain to your religion? Would you have a mathmatics club? Or a history club? Of course not! It's a church based club, so it's going to be about church and religion, not education or school.
It's the same concept.
Yes, but don't you think that religion is something diverse that students can learn about? Why not link together the Christians in the school so that they can make new friends with kids that are like them? And though the bible might not be a part of the school's ciriculum, religion is something that can be a learning experience.
Perhaps there are indeed kids (of which I was one ONCE) who are interested in their eternal destiny. In 2Corinthians4, it talks about not looking at the seen which is temporary but the unseen which is eternal! I am not saying that a rock climbing club is a bad thing. Rock climbing is a VERY cool thing but would you not rather have your life BUILT upon the rock rather then climbing on the rock? (see Matthew 7:24 and 16:18)If school is supposed to be a place of growth, it would be wise of the administrators to listen to some of the kids out there. The kids just may have some pretty wonderful ideas! (PS- BRING ON THE ROCK CLIMBING CLUB AS WELL!) Have a great day everyone!
Okay. Do I think that rock climbing clubs or Bible clubs are bad ideas? No. They're great for a school that doesn't have the specific guidelines that this school has.
However, the school has never allowed non-curricular clubs before. Why should they make an exception?
They should make exceptions to improve the school. To broaden the education of kids that are interested in joining the club. And rock climbing and community service are great ideas too. There is really no reason - except that they're being stubborn - that these club requests should be denied.
well i think that the bible club is a great idea for the children to learn about it. i just started reading it, the real thing, not the toddler's version that i usually read, and it's soooooo interesting! i wish i would have read it so much earlier. but still the fact that they don't allow non curricular clubs is bad because kids need to get involved like my grade is soooooo uninvolved. anyway...
Ok. What I think the judge should make the school do, is to not just allow the bible club, but to allow other non-curricular activites as well. As long as the clubs don't infringe on the school's budget and have the appropiate amount of people in response, then there is no good reason for not allowing these clubs. You make rules for these clubs, you only allow them to meet afterschool, and there is no problem. The school was acting innappropriatly to not allow any clubs that could benefit the students (forbidding a community service club? If the kids want to help out their community, it's awful for the school to stand in the way!).
I havent been on here in a million years! Why aren't there any new poasts since Septemeber? I checked here over the summer and there wernt any new poasts so I thought the blog died. I hope you guys keep this up! It is a great blog and I am looking forward to debating and sharing my opinon!
I just want to add my opinon on this topic also. Having a bible club ist going to hurt anybody. After school activites do not have to be about school. No one is forcing you to join the club. If they were that would be a different story. I dont see why it would be a problem. It is an optional activity. I think any club that is apropriate and does not dicriminate against anything should be allowed.
I remember when I was in high school (back in the 1970s!) and our Christian Club could meet, and could put a notice of the meeting in the daily announcements, but teachers who objected could skip the announcement.
I don't think Christians should receive preference, and I don't think it's biblical to seek preferential treatment, but I also don't think that religious clubs should be singled out for rejection.
I think it's fair if clubs of any sort are allowed, or if no clubs are allowed. I think it's sad, though, not to have extracurricular clubs. Teenagers are trying out life, and being exposed to new things can be a great, healthy way for them to expand their experiences. I think it's kind of sad for a school not to allow any clubs at all.
Hi,
My name is Rev Robert Wright, Editor for Christian.com, a social network made specifically for Christians, by Christians. We embarked on this endeavor to offer the entire Christian community an outlet to join together and better spread the good word of Christianity. Christian.com has many great features like Christian TV, prayer requests, finding a church, receiving church updates and advice. We have emailed you to collaborate with you and your blog to help spread the good word of Christianity. I look forward to your response regarding this matter. Thanks!
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