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Post by Linda on Oct 31, 2017 14:02:30 GMT
your 5th grader is given a bible at school (yes, public school)...apparently someone was handing them out during school the other day and she was told to take one and say thank you.
I'm debating whether it's worth my time to contact the school...
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Post by missbennet on Oct 31, 2017 14:03:29 GMT
I think it's definitely worth your time.
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Post by Merge on Oct 31, 2017 14:06:29 GMT
Oh Em Gee. I assume the school would also have no problem with someone handing out the Koran?
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Post by Linda on Oct 31, 2017 14:08:56 GMT
Oh Em Gee. I assume the school would also have no problem with someone handing out the Koran? that was DH's response - and I'm pretty sure there would be a different response to the Koran than the Bible unfortunately. However I don't think ANY religious books should be handed out in public school* and I'm reasonably sure that constitutional case law agrees. *exception being a high school level course that deals with comparative religions or uses a religious book as literature (I know AP Lit often does) |
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Post by disneypal on Oct 31, 2017 14:10:52 GMT
It would depend on who was handing it out....was it a student or was it faculty?
If it was a student, I probably wouldn't call but if it was faculty, I would.
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Post by 16joy on Oct 31, 2017 14:16:15 GMT
A government school shouldn't hand out religious material.
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Post by Linda on Oct 31, 2017 14:16:32 GMT
It would depend on who was handing it out....was it a student or was it faculty? If it was a student, I probably wouldn't call but if it was faculty, I would. from what DD said -it appeared to be an outside group (neither student nor faculty) but I will try to clarify that with her after school. |
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pyccku
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Post by pyccku on Oct 31, 2017 14:23:01 GMT
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Post by gracieplusthree on Oct 31, 2017 14:41:47 GMT
It was probably given out by the Gideons, they are also the ones who put bibles in hotel rooms, and I think in waiting rooms in hospitals etc.. I live in Southeast TN so it's just commonplace here, my kids received many of those little bibles. The kids don't have to accept them.
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Post by PolarGreen12 on Oct 31, 2017 14:45:08 GMT
I remember when I was in school there was a group that would be handing out bibles once a year as we were getting out of school for the day. They were always just off campus. Little orange bibles. Anyone know who they were?
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Post by peano on Oct 31, 2017 14:46:29 GMT
Wait. What? These public schools permit strangers to wander in off the street and solicit students during school hours? I wouldn't stand for this no matter what they're handing out.
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schizo319
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Post by schizo319 on Oct 31, 2017 14:47:50 GMT
This was a regular thing at my middle school in Alabama 25+ years ago - dh and I were just discussing it the other day. Some evangelical group would come and stand at the exit doors and handed out tiny new testaments after school once or twice a year. I had no idea that it still occurred - I don't remember the faculty ever instructing us one way or the other regarding the taking of the books though.
I think it's weird that outside groups are allowed to give literature to students, can you imagine the stink if planned parenthood came and handed out pamphlets about birth control/stds? Never mind randomly allowing strangers on campus when these days parents/visitors are usually required to sign in and show ID before being allowed at the school...
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valleyview
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Jun 27, 2014 18:41:26 GMT
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Post by valleyview on Oct 31, 2017 14:49:31 GMT
I think that the Gideons do try to give Bibles to fifth grade students. The teacher probably did not want to make waves because the principal or BOE approved of the visit.
Generally, if you want to complain about that, take it to the higher ups. I once had a principal tell me that if the groups trying to take their messages to students would leave schools alone, that there would be more time for teaching.
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Post by sleepingbooty on Oct 31, 2017 14:56:52 GMT
Reach out to the Freedom From Religion Foundation if the problem persists. This is their specialty. You can also see if the Satanic Church in your region is willing to step in and demand the school allow them to hand out Satanic Bibles. That usually does the trick.  |
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Post by 950nancy on Oct 31, 2017 15:05:35 GMT
Wait. What? These public schools permit strangers to wander in off the street and solicit students during school hours? I wouldn't stand for this no matter what they're handing out. I have to wonder if it wasn't outside of the school (perhaps a parking lot) where the group knew they couldn't get into trouble. I would call the school and at least ask a few questions. Was there anything inside of the Bible that would tell you who passed it out? |
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Post by femalebusiness on Oct 31, 2017 15:11:27 GMT
Just NO! I would be raising holy living hell if someone shoved a bible at my child in a public school.
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Post by Linda on Oct 31, 2017 15:20:30 GMT
I have to wonder if it wasn't outside of the school (perhaps a parking lot) where the group knew they couldn't get into trouble. DD said that they were walking to special area (PE/Tech/Music/Art) from their classroom so during school hours and on school property. I think that the Gideons do try to give Bibles to fifth grade students. The teacher probably did not want to make waves because the principal or BOE approved of the visit. They are Gideon bibles - interesting that they target 5th graders. I would think that they would have to have someone's permission to be ON school property - I have to sign in and show ID to visit the school beyond drop-off/pick-up and I had to be background checked in order to volunteer in the classroom |
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Anita
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Post by Anita on Oct 31, 2017 15:26:25 GMT
Uh yes, totally worth a call. I'd call and ask when I could expect a copy of the Koran and any other religious texts to come home with my child as I expect equal time to be allowed to all religions.
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gina
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Post by gina on Oct 31, 2017 15:26:26 GMT
Wait. What? These public schools permit strangers to wander in off the street and solicit students during school hours? I wouldn't stand for this no matter what they're handing out. yeah this. I don't even care that it was the Bible or if it was some other literature. I am free to toss it. I have more of an issue with strangers on the school grounds soliciting students! That would never fly here. SaveSave |
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Post by 950nancy on Oct 31, 2017 15:34:30 GMT
I have to wonder if it wasn't outside of the school (perhaps a parking lot) where the group knew they couldn't get into trouble.
I think that the Gideons do try to give Bibles to fifth grade students. The teacher probably did not want to make waves because the principal or BOE approved of the visit. They are Gideon bibles - interesting that they target 5th graders. I would think that they would have to have someone's permission to be ON school property - I have to sign in and show ID to visit the school beyond drop-off/pick-up and I had to be background checked in order to volunteer in the classroom Then I would definitely call. I'd also call admin and politely tell them that I do not want it to happen again. I'd also tell my daughter to politely decline. I really have a hard time imaging a public school saying this is okay. I grew up in Nebraska and we never had anything like this happen. |
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LeaP
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Post by LeaP on Oct 31, 2017 15:35:08 GMT
My kid came home with a Bible here is our super diverse corner of California. I did not call the school for that, a later incident prompted my call. The middle school allowed a preacher to host a Christian club during lunch in the auditorium. All of this is to the letter of the law, what is outside the letter of the law is to offer free pizza over the PA system. What middle schooler turns down free pizza? Not to mention the Jesus Warrior video posted on YouTube.
Was your kid required to take the Bible? Was the person who asked faculty or administration? Either one of those conditions would prompt a call from me. If it was just somebody who had a stack of Bibles for a meeting and allowed the kids to take one, I would let it go.
ETA: My kids attend LAUSD which is the most public of public schools. The schools are required to accommodate clubs of almost any kind during non-instructional time. I am fine with this as long as the clubs do not take additional liberties.
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AmandaA
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Post by AmandaA on Oct 31, 2017 15:36:35 GMT
In our small, rural public school... there is a mother (our neighbor) who holds bible study at lunch and in their annual Christmas letter last year she was proclaiming the glory about how many bibles she had handed out and how many of the children has accepted Christ. 😳 That was one of many reasons on the list of why we chose to send our kids to a private school.
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cycworker
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Post by cycworker on Oct 31, 2017 15:45:45 GMT
My kid came home with a Bible here is our super diverse corner of California. I did not call the school for that, a later incident prompted my call. The middle school allowed a preacher to host a Christian club during lunch in the auditorium. All of this is to the letter of the law, what is outside the letter of the law is to offer free pizza over the PA system. What middle schooler turns down free pizza? Not to mention the Jesus Warrior video posted on YouTube. Was your kid required to take the Bible? Was the person who asked faculty or administration? Either one of those conditions would prompt a call from me. If it was just somebody who had a stack of Bibles for a meeting and allowed the kids to take one, I would let it go. ETA: My kids attend LAUSD which is the most public of public schools. The schools are required to accommodate clubs of almost any kind during non-instructional time. I am fine with this as long as the clubs do not take additional liberties. Pretty much this. As long as they aren't making it mandatory they're within the law. And it's just as discrimatory to tell people they can't practice/discuss/learn about faith. The key is it has to be optional such that no kid who does NOT want to be part of it has to take part. You can't make anyone a captive audience. I actuwlly somewhet disagree w you re the club/pizza, though. I think that depends. If they want to say hey come check us out & have a piece of pizza, that's fine - as long as if the kid can leave whenever they want. i was that kid, btw. Didn't want the religion. Pretended to long enough to get my piece of pizza, then bailed. |
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Post by ~Sherri~ on Oct 31, 2017 17:09:24 GMT
We also live in the Bible belt in NE Tennessee. My grand kids go to city schools, not sure if that makes a difference or not. My DGD is in 6th grade at middle school. One day last week when I was picking DGD up, there were several people giving out small New Testament Bibles. Many of the students took one and said thank you, and some said no thank you. Most importantly, almost all of the students were very polite, which made me happy to see. DGD asked for one. She liked it but the print is so tiny, it is hard to read. I have no problem with them giving out a Bible but can see where others may have one. I would not have an issue when another religious group giving out their version of a Bible but it would bother me if it was Satanic based.
Edited to add that this was done on the sidewalk outside of the school. No one forced a student to take one, they were just offered. And if a student declined, the people said thank you and offered it to the next student.
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ginacivey
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Post by ginacivey on Oct 31, 2017 17:14:05 GMT
I'd call and ask when I could expect a copy of the Koran and any other religious texts to come home with my child as I expect equal time to be allowed to all religions. but are other religious groups coming to the schools? maybe the policy is to allow any group to offer and they aren't turning down other religions - they just aren't showing up? they key word up there is 'allow' - how do you know they aren't allowing? gina (and before you all get your knickers in a twist - am completely in tune with the separation of church and state) |
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Post by flanz on Oct 31, 2017 17:14:59 GMT
Oh Em Gee. I assume the school would also have no problem with someone handing out the Koran? EXACTLY! I would be pea livid!!! |
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Post by crimsoncat05 on Oct 31, 2017 17:15:29 GMT
even if it was 'just a student' handing them out, school is NOT the place for that, at ALL. I'd be asking who exactly was giving them out, and I'd be calling. eta: just read the rest of the thread- even if it was just off campus, I'd still be calling. I agree with this: I think it's weird that outside groups are allowed to give literature to students, can you imagine the stink if planned parenthood came and handed out pamphlets about birth control/stds? Never mind randomly allowing strangers on (or near) campus when these days parents/visitors are usually required to sign in and show ID before being allowed at the school... eta2: No one forced a student to take one, they were just offered. ^^^ even if they weren't forced to take one, they might have just felt like they 'should' because they were being offered, so as not to look rude. I don't think handing them out is appropriate at ALL. (but then again, I grew up in the upper Midwest, where things like that just weren't done.) |
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Post by flanz on Oct 31, 2017 17:15:45 GMT
It would depend on who was handing it out....was it a student or was it faculty? If it was a student, I probably wouldn't call but if it was faculty, I would. Nope. STudents should not be allowed to hand them out either! |
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Anita
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Post by Anita on Oct 31, 2017 17:18:33 GMT
I'd call and ask when I could expect a copy of the Koran and any other religious texts to come home with my child as I expect equal time to be allowed to all religions. but are other religious groups coming to the schools? maybe the policy is to allow any group to offer and they aren't turning down other religions - they just aren't showing up? they key word up there is 'allow' - how do you know they aren't allowing? gina (and before you all get your knickers in a twist - am completely in tune with the separation of church and state) I'm ornery enough to go pass those out myself, just to test them. |
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Post by littlemama on Oct 31, 2017 17:18:35 GMT
I would need more information before I got all worked up about it. If you are not Christian, then just discard or donate the Bible.
Honestly, when DS was in elementary school, each December, they were taught about all religious (and other) celebrations except Christmas. They learned about Hannukah, Kwanzaa, Santa Claus, but not Christmas. I always thought that was odd.
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