Read about this great victory for
religious freedom and the rights of students.
There is a policy change in a
California school district which now allows an after-school Bible study group
to distribute flyers to students.
In 2012, a local church in
California contacted the American Center
for Law and Justice (ACLJ)
regarding a local school district policy which unfairly discriminated against
religious groups. The school district's policy allowed distribution of
material/flyers on school grounds by outside groups, but prohibited
distribution of religious material by religious organizations.
The church runs an after-school program called ‘Release Time’ – providing Bible-based “moral and character building” instruction to students … allowed under California Law. However, the church had limited access to schools in order to distribute invitation flyers to students.
The church runs an after-school program called ‘Release Time’ – providing Bible-based “moral and character building” instruction to students … allowed under California Law. However, the church had limited access to schools in order to distribute invitation flyers to students.
In September 2012, the ACLJ provided the church with an
informational letter, informing the church about its rights under the 1st
Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The church’s pastor met with the school superintendent
and gave him a copy of the letter. The superintendent agreed to consult with
the school district's attorneys and revisit the policy. In October 2012, the
ACLJ were informed that the school district agreed to change the policy.
As of February 2013, the school
district policy was changed, removing the discriminatory prohibition on
religious organizations and now allows school principals to use their
discretion to allow flyers to be passed out if they are seen as beneficial to
students.
In September 2013, the church
delivered over 3,000 flyers to Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth grade students,
inviting them to participate in their ‘Release Time’ religious and moral instruction
program.
Christians need to heed and take
heart in the spiritual battle for today’s youth in public schools. Don’t let
the intimidations of ACLU have
victory without even a fight. Call on
the likes of the ACLJ.
Rev.
Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.
Chaplain
(Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army
Pastor,
Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel
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