I don't typically blog. My thoughts worth sharing are usually simple enough to fit into a 140 character limit. However, recent events have inspired me to share what is on my mind and heart in a more complete way.
I have cried at some point every day since last Friday. I have cried as a teacher, as a soon-to-be parent, as an American, and as a Christian. I have heard all the arguments for gun control, against gun control, for more mental health care, for more video game regulation....everything that we have discussed to try to make sense of a senseless act. I have opinions (just ask my husband!), but I value my friendships too much to share them and alienate people I care very much about.
But there is one talking point on which I cannot, and should not, keep silent.
There is a cartoon that circulated on facebook (and I've seen it before) that says something like "God, why do you allow so much violence in schools?" and God replies something like, "I don't want to, but I'm not allowed in schools anymore."
That cartoon makes my skin crawl.
Because it is a lie.
First, I have to argue this from the theological side. We believe God is Omniscient, Omnipotent, and Omnipresent. That means he is all-knowing, all-powerful, and present everywhere. "Everywhere" means all places at all times. We simply cannot say that just because there is no formal "faith declaration" at a place, God does not still dwell in said place. That would go against the very nature of God.
You absolutely, positively cannot "banish" God from anywhere. It is impossible. For the love of all sanity, can we PLEASE stop spreading this lie to our children?
Instead, we must teach our children that since God is everywhere, they have the freedom to practice their faith anywhere. Yes, they can bring their Bible to school. Yes, they can pray before a test or before lunch. Yes, they can share their faith with their friends. Yes, they can start a Bible club. Yes, they can model Christlike behavior to their teachers, friends, and especially to those who are bullies or outcasts.
In fact, here's a direct copy/paste from the ACLU's "Religion in Schools" briefer:
Free Exercise of Religion
The ACLU has always defended students’ right to pray individually and voluntarily in school as long as they do not disrupt regular school activities. For example, students may be allowed to read their Bibles on the school bus or pray together before lunch; however, they may not force other students to read along or listen. We also have defended the Free Exercise rights of students of many faiths when government officials have interfered with their religious freedom. To cite just a few examples, the ACLU has defended: a high school basketball player in Alabama kicked off the team because he missed Sunday practice in order to attend church; an eighth grader in California barred from wearing a shirt that read “Real Women Love Jesus;” and a Vermont family who refused to provide their child’s Social Security Number to school authorities because of their fundamentalist Christian beliefs.
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This leaves parents with a huge (and biblical) mandate: teach your kids your faith, and teach them to be strong in that faith. Just like any teacher will tell you that it is absolutely vital to practice schoolwork at home, it is absolutely vital to instruct and train your children in their faith at home. Biblical instruction is not reserved for Sundays from 9:30-10:30am...if they don't have a ball game...or friends over....or were out late Saturday.....or its a beautiful day....or mom and dad have a lot of work to do on the house.....
Biblical education and teaching your children about the Lord is a 24/7/365 job. And it is Priority Number One. It is the foundation for all other lessons you will teach them on responsibility, ethics, and just being a decent human being.
Could you imagine if every Christian parent taught this to their children? Could you imagine if every Christian parent taught their child they can pray at school? Could you imagine if every Christian parent instilled a love for the Bible in their children so that they wanted to take it and read it at school every day?
I have students who do this. I have students who pray, bring their Bibles, and discuss their faith at school. And you know what? You can tell a HUGE difference in these students, and you can see the impact they have among their peers.
So, to sum this all up--- I am at a public school every day. Many teachers, myself included, pray for their students daily in that school building. God is there, and He's not going anywhere.
Oh, and P.S. Yes, the Bible can still be taught in schools legally.
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