Written by Don Byrd
At this point, I should no longer be surprised that some public schools still operate as if it is the 1950s in terms of their approach to church-state issues. It seems like every year brings at least one news story of a school that openly flouts current church-state law.
Still, I am surprised! It is 2015, after all. More than 50 years have passed since the Supreme Court ruled in 1963 that state-sponsored Bible readings before the start of classes violate the First Amendment. And yet, there are stories like this KSLA news report from yesterday:
Superintendent of White Oak schools Michael Gilbert says they will no longer read scripture during the morning announcements at White Oak High School. This decision comes after a formal complaint was filed with the school by the Freedom From Religion Foundation.
Sam Grover, a staff lawyer with the foundation, says the practice of Biblical readings is not only offensive to non-Christians, but against the law.
…
Gilbert declined interview requests, but gave a brief statement via phone saying, “We will no longer cite chapter or verse from scripture.”
That is good news for sure, and not just for non-Christians as Mr. Grover suggests. Using the public school system to promote Christianity is offensive to Christians too. The Word of God should be shared in voluntary settings with a willing listener, not imposed on others – certainly not children – using the trappings of government. That practice is not only bad religion, but unlawful as well. It has been for some time.
