Written by Don Byrd
A teacher has filed a federal lawsuit in New York over the requirement that she remove Bible quotes, a “prayer box” and posters with religious messages from her classroom. Joelle Silver says her First Amendment rights have been violated.
Silver, who lives in Amherst, is being represented by the American Freedom Law Center, a nonprofit law firm that focuses on religious liberty cases.
Attorney Robert J. Muise maintained that constitutional violations occurred when district officials forced Silver to remove the religious materials. “They essentially want her to cease being a Christian once she enters school district property,” said Muise.
A courageous student first reported to a church-state separation advocate that Silver made religious references during Anatomy lectures, and kept crosses and posters with religious messages on the wall. Teachers are not required to stop being Christian when they enter a school, but they do represent the public, and have an obligation to attend to all students, regardless of their religious beliefs. Shouldn’t a student be able to walk in to a public school classroom without feeling like they are being forced to attend the Sunday School class of some church they (and their parents) did not choose?
Items on her desk are one thing. But on the wall, and in her lectures are something else, sending a clearer message of official endorsement.
It sounds like this case isn’t going away soon. Stay tuned.
