Comments on: Clergy on Campus

By: Liesl

Liesl — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 15:24:46 +0000

I’d like to see the atheist kids have atheist leaders visiting them at lunch. I can imagine the outcry they’d hear all the way to Oklahoma.

By: bobs mom

bobs mom — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 11:33:36 +0000

I don’t think religious leaders should be there, visiting kids in a public school, unless they are their own children. It’s allowed just because they are supposed ministers or whatever, but we wouldn’t allow any other strange adult to do it. I agree, it’s creepy. Keep them out and they can visit them every other place they want to.

If these had not been Christian ministers, in this neighborhood, everyone would have been freaking. Can you imagine a rabbi walking around the middle school? 10 moms would call the police and they’d probably have him arrested. At Bradfield a couple years ago, the PPPC class made some sweet menorahs in December and some jerky mother complained and had them taken down. Meanwhile, there were Christian symbols up on the walls everywhere and my own daughter was playing a shephard or sheep or in her 4th grade re-creation of the Nativity. Completely wack!

By: Dads Mean Well. I think. « Park Cities People

Dads Mean Well. I think. « Park Cities People — Tue, 11 May 2010 20:11:26 +0000

[...] Nice of the Dad’s Club to want to help but, a) might they be better utilized elsewhere? and, b) if they do serve as greeters, I would want to be sure that these dads do not mention anything about God. That’s right. God. Because having greeters welcome students once a week sounds a lot like church, and since the Dad’s Club president also happens to be the Pastor at Watermark Church, I want to be sure that there’s no recruiting going on. [...]

By: Rev. Kraig Kelly

Rev. Kraig Kelly — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 19:18:45 +0000

This moment in the history of the US is ironic indeed. When the framers of the U.S. Constitution were crafting our laws, schools frequently met in churches. Often, municipalities or citizens of a township paid rent to churches to be educated in their facilities!

The “Establishment Clause” of the Constitution simply means the US Govt. is restricted from declaring or establishing a religion.

Essentially, the law made it unlawful for Gov’t to inteferre w/ religion or religious movements.

It’s crafted purpose was to create an environment where religion and pluralism could exist freely w/out a threat of Govt censoring, stepping in, or arresting people or killing people because they hold to a certain and especially different religious belief than the Govt or the masses of the people it represents.

In the historical context, this constitutional law was a response to the frequent attempts of European Govts/empires to squeelch “un-official” or religious movements different from the Govt’s or Royal families. For example, many of the early founders/followers of the Methodist movement (even a popular religious expression of Park Cities people today), which began in England were killed or run off by British and Anglican officials and/or followers.

Any judicial or municipal action beyond this is sustained at best through “judicial” law and goes way beyond the Constitutional intent of the Establishment Clause.

We are living in a time where religious discussion is more important in our country than ever before. Americans need to re-learn to be courageous and bold. As I right this, I have people of various religions from all over the world telling me their beliefs in God. If anything, Americans and especially schools supported by American tax-payers should be training/educating their children on how to have meaningful dialogues with people of different faiths. We should be the world model on how to do pluralism well. I assure you, censorship is not the way or our hope!

By: Chanteuse

Chanteuse — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 05:33:06 +0000

Lawyermam2- The Establishment clause states that the government cannot establish a religion, as in a national “state” religion. In a school setting, it means a teacher (an employee of the state) cannot try to convert or influence a student toward a particular religion. It does not mean school campuses are religion-free. We enjoy freedom “of” religion here in America, not freedom “from” religion. You, of course, have the choice to be as free from religion as you want.

The clergy visiting the school are not employees of the state, they are not trying to convert kids, and they have been screened; not just “random priests” milling around the campus, you should know better than that, Kmom. The visitors are screened and informed of campus policies.

I think all this anger under the guise of “protecting our children” is really a cover for some bitter feelings toward organized religion.

By: mh

mh — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 00:05:10 +0000

I’m a student at HPMS and am just going to say that everyone loves it when the youth leaders come to visit at lunch. They are all so nice and kids look up to them. They aren’t trying to convert people, they are just visiting. I understand where some of the adults are coming from, but from a kids stand point I think it is fine.

By: Eric

Eric — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 21:09:26 +0000

@Lawyermam2 -”…as a well-educated adult I am sure you know that public school is legally required to be religion-free.”
Yes as a well educated adult I know that the anti-establishment clause of the US Constitution was hijacked by the Left and misapplied by activist courts. Its a pretty fundamental and well-known concept.

By: laurie

laurie — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 17:08:37 +0000

According to Mr. Bohac, our school is an “open campus,” meaning we have to allow them access to the kids. Didn’t make sense to me when he explained it and still doesn’t.

By: lawyermom2

lawyermom2 — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 15:13:10 +0000

@Lars, I don’t question your intentions at all, but as a well-educated adult I am sure you know that public school is legally required to be religion-free. I would think they would teach you that in seminary – it’s a pretty fundamental and well-known concept. At any rate, there are other venues where you can say hi to your parishoners – their soccer games, at their homes, etc. without coming into the schools, where other families may be uncomfortable with it. Think about it from their perspective.

By: upmom

upmom — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 14:43:40 +0000

Lunch time is for students. Period. Youth group leaders can meet with their flock before school, after school, and on the weekends. It is the kids’ one class period where they get to socialize and relax during the school day. If these youth group leaders want to spend time in the school, have them roll up their sleeves and serve lunch in the cafeteria or work a shift in the library. I wish the school would end this policy of clergy visitation at lunch. It’s just crossing the line.