I can't believe there are still places that do this. This is something for the parents to handle, not the schools.
trumpf?? where are you??
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) — A kindergartner's mother sued her public school system in West Virginia, saying a 75-year practice of putting kids in Bible classes violates the U.S. and state constitutions.
The woman, identified as "Jane Doe" in the federal lawsuit backed by the Freedom From Religion Foundation, said her child will be forced either to take these weekly classes at her Mercer County elementary school or face ostracism as one of the few children who don't.
"This program advances and endorses one religion, improperly entangles public schools in religious affairs, and violates the personal consciences of nonreligious and non-Christian parents and students," the suit said.
The school district said the courses are voluntary electives.
According to the lawsuit, 19 elementary and middle schools in the county system offer the course, which was revised in 1986 after the parents of eight students filed complaints. Then-state Attorney General Tom McNeel issued guidelines, saying Bible instruction could be given in public schools subject to certain guidelines. Since then, the county Board of Education has administered it with standard curriculum that includes teaching creationism.
Attorney Marcus Schneider, who filed the suit this week, said Friday he wasn't immediately aware of similar classes in other West Virginia counties. He said the irony is that there will be criticism of the suit for defending the same First Amendment principle that protects the religious freedom of Christians.
The foundation currently has a dozen lawsuits in other states over issues such as prayer in school, and won a somewhat similar suit about Bible classes filed in 2002 against one Tennessee county's schools, staff attorney Patrick Eliot said. "Something like this is extremely rare. It's not something most school districts do," he said.
Teresa Russell, an administrator for Mercer County Public Schools, said the Bible courses are voluntary and they haven't yet been officially notified about the suit. Data showing the number of schools and students participating hasn't yet been calculated for this year, she said.
"I can verify that we do have a Bible in the Schools program. I can verify that we do supervise that particular program," Russell said. "It is an elective course that students opt to take."
West Virginia's county school systems can establish the electives they choose, and Mercer County created this one, according to the state Department of Education.
"For that reason, we do not know if any other school or county offers a course similar to the Mercer County course because it is a local decision," spokeswoman Kristin Anderson said.
"There is no question former President Trump bears moral responsibility. His supporters stormed the Capitol because of the unhinged falsehoods he shouted into the world’s largest megaphone," McConnell wrote. "His behavior during and after the chaos was also unconscionable, from attacking Vice President Mike Pence during the riot to praising the criminals after it ended."
I can't believe there are still places that do this. This is something for the parents to handle, not the schools.
Jarod (01-24-2017)
Hasn't been a problem till today?
Does the ACLU not know where WVA is ?
"Those who vote decide nothing. Those who count the vote decide everything." Joseph Stalin
The USA has lost WWIV to China with no other weapons but China Virus and some cash to buy democrats.
Darth Omar (01-21-2017)
Who wants to bet Koran study would have slipped under the radar?
Coup has started. First of many steps. Impeachment will follow ultimately~WB attorney Mark Zaid, January 2017
Rune (01-21-2017)
Do the Muslim children need to take bible classes as well?
From the OP, the girl could opt-out, but the mother fears she'll be ostracized. I wonder how much ostracism this lawsuit will generate, seeing as how the community now knows the mother is a leftist?
"It [the draft] is duty rather than slavery. I part with the author on the caviler idea that individual freedom (whatever that may be to the person) leads to nirvana, anyone older that 12 knows that is BS."
-(Midcan5)
"Allow me to masturbate my patriotism furiously and publicly at this opportunity."
-(Ib1yysguy)
"There is no 'equal opportunity' today unless the government makes it so."
-(apple0154 )
"abortion is not killing Its birth control"
-(Desh)
blacknwhite321 (01-20-2017), cawacko (01-20-2017)
...The school district said the courses are voluntary electives.
domer76 (01-21-2017)
"It [the draft] is duty rather than slavery. I part with the author on the caviler idea that individual freedom (whatever that may be to the person) leads to nirvana, anyone older that 12 knows that is BS."
-(Midcan5)
"Allow me to masturbate my patriotism furiously and publicly at this opportunity."
-(Ib1yysguy)
"There is no 'equal opportunity' today unless the government makes it so."
-(apple0154 )
"abortion is not killing Its birth control"
-(Desh)
"It [the draft] is duty rather than slavery. I part with the author on the caviler idea that individual freedom (whatever that may be to the person) leads to nirvana, anyone older that 12 knows that is BS."
-(Midcan5)
"Allow me to masturbate my patriotism furiously and publicly at this opportunity."
-(Ib1yysguy)
"There is no 'equal opportunity' today unless the government makes it so."
-(apple0154 )
"abortion is not killing Its birth control"
-(Desh)
I read other stories about this. The district is saying it's not their program because they're not paying for it. The plaintiff is saying the program, even though privately funded, is granted legitimacy it doesn't in her opinion deserve due to the involvement and administration of the district.
why shouldn't atheists be ostracized?......they should thrive on it......
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