Written by Don Byrd
Updating a post from last week, the Rowan-Salisbury Board of Education in North Carolina has voted to keep a controversial elementary Bible school curriculum in place, but to “evaluate and adjust” it as necessary, following complaints that the classes improperly incorporate religion. The Freedom From Religion Foundation argued the courses are aimed at children too young to understand the distinction between the Bible as religious text and the Bible as literature or historical artifact. They also claim that allowing objecting parents to merely segregate their children from the class is inadequate protection, and stigmatizes children unlawfully.
Sounds like important questions that require a thoughtful response, right?
Unfortunately, public debate was pretty one-sided, with many citizens and officials wondering out loud why they even have to answer to such concerns.
From the Salisbury Post:
Tara Ludwick, who attended the meeting, said she thought the board’s decision was “great.”
“When you take God out of school, you have a big problem. Can I get an ‘amen?’” she said.
…
County Commissioner Mike Caskey wasn’t as thrilled, however.
“I don’t really understand it,” he said, adding that he thought they should have said the curriculum was fine the way it is and fight it if sued.
…
“I am sick and tired of being told by the minority what’s best for the majority,” said Chairman of the Rowan County Board of Commissioners Jim Sides.
Of course, the First Amendment protects everyone, and means religious freedom issues are not up for a majority vote. School officials should understand that including sacred texts in the curriculum should be undertaken only with the utmost care and attention to obvious church-state dangers. Protecting the minority is important, and kind of the point. Protecting the rights of all now will help ensure that your rights are protected when/if you ever find yourself in the minority.
For more on addressing this issue, see the BJC’s resource page on religion in public schools here!
