Parent sues schools for religious-education course
An Indiana parent is suing her local schools. in federal court on grounds that religious education classes violate the establishment clause of the Constitution.
The complaint filed with the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana on behalf of an unnamed woman and her 8-year-old son asks a federal judge to shut down the program and bar the school district from providing it with any support.
The boy attends Horace Mann Elementary School, which offers third- and fourth-grade students a “release time” program called By the Book Weekday Religious Instruction through the Associated Churches of Huntington.
Huntington’s program is voluntary. Classes meet once a week in mobile trailers near school buildings, and children who don’t participate remain in their classrooms with school staff, according to a brochure for the program filed with the lawsuit. Students who do not participate receive no school programming during the release time.
Begin Rant —
Does this school have a library? What’s wrong with the kid getting a library book and reading it during the time other kinds voluntarily go to this class?
I think too many people are focusing on separating church and state and in doing so they are unraveling the morale fibers that keep our society in a category of lesser crime.
I know many people who aren’t “religious” but see the Bible as a “good book” that teaches us to have morals and values – what’s wrong with a little encouragement when it comes to that?
Especially when the kids are in elementary school while personalities are still being developed?
I think too many parents are just sue happy and judges that allow such lawsuits to proceed should be kicked from the bench or relinquish their pay to help cover the cost stupid crimes have on taxpayers.
Just sayin’
Couldn’t agree more! This is a voluntary program, it’s not being taught in the classroom or shoved down their throats.
Even if you had 2 other clubs or groups during this same time to keep the kids occupied, not all the kids would participate.
Why is it our first instincts as Americans is to sue?? It’s past the point of ridiculous. Step up and find something for your own kid to do rather than taking away a voluntary group that others enjoy.
“I think too many people are focusing on separating church and state and in doing so they are unraveling the morale fibers that keep our society in a category of lesser crime.”
That’s one of the funniest things I’ve heard in a long time! Right right, we’re a country so full of moral fibers all because of the bible. Hilarious!
I’d suggest you read this.
Bring on the separation of church and state! Then we might actually have some moral fiber in this country.
I’m not saying we are a country of moral fibers, I’m saying by practicing and focusing on what’s good in acts of human kindness – living by the 10 commandments – whether you’re a believer or not, they’re good rules to live by – we can at least give our kids a good start to being nice, productive human beings.
I love teaching and showing my kids what random acts of kindness results in. We once left a pregnant waitress a $20 tip on a $10 bill – we knew it made her day -whether we saw her face or not.
By teaching our kids to fight through the courts to get their way on whatever issue, isn’t that teaching them to fight in general?
If we want our kids to grow up more eco conscious, don’t we first have to teach them how to care for the people and animals their eco-actions will impact?
People are sue crazy and parents are teaching their kids to be BULLIES!!!!
Wow. Well, though I would probably not have my kids participate, I think suing is going to do nothing. If it’s’ a voluntary program, then isn’t church and state essentially already separated? My biggest gripe would be that the other kids are losing their learning time…the library would be a great place to do during this time. I agree.
I don’t believe religion belongs anywhere near a school, voluntary or not. Kids are impressionable and may feel pressured to go to something like that. I don’t want my son learning about religion from anyone but his father and I. I don’t know if she has a right to sue, but a right to get the program shut down? Definitely. Do the program after school NOT on school property.
It shouldn’t be held during school hours. Doesn’t matter if it is voluntary or not. If that was offered at my school, I’d fight it.
Is she suing for money or just suing to stop the program? If suing was the only way to stop it, then I’d do it. I wouldn’t look for money out of it, that is a bit far.