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ACLU Investigates Complaints Of Texas School Religious Freedom Violations
The ACLU said Thursday its investigating complaints about Texas public school teachers who are displaying crosses and other religious items in classrooms and in one case distributing Gideon Bibles.
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13 Comments 
AUSTIN (June 25, 2009)--The American Civil Liberties Union of Texas is looking into complaints of religious freedom violations in public schools.
The civil rights group filed an open records request Thursday with Navasota Independent School District as part of an ongoing statewide investigation.
ACLU attorney Fleming Terrell says the organization has received complaints about teachers participating in religious extracurricular clubs and displaying crosses, and about Gideon Bibles being distributed in Navasota schools.
“We have received complaints about teachers participating in religious extracurricular clubs, displaying crosses and other religious items on their clothing and in their classrooms, and about distribution of Gideon Bibles in Navasota schools,” said Fleming Terrell, staff attorney of the ACLU of Texas.
"We are very concerned that Navasota ISD is knowingly flouting the First Amendment."
School district officials late Thursday said they took "corrective measures" in response to the allegations that teachers were violating students' religious freedoms.
In an e-mail, Navasota assistant superintendent Rory S. Gesch said several staff in-service training sessions will be held before school starts to ensure that the constitutional rights of students are protected.
Latest Comments
1. The First Amendment contains not only the right to free exercise of religion, but freedom from the establishment of religion as well. That means teachers, who during school time are agents of the school--a governmental entity, can't take actions that would tend to show that the district favors one religion over another. 2. Prayer is certainly allowed in public schools. It just can't be lead by the school or school officials or employees. 3. The pledge of allegiance to the US and Texas flags and a minute of silence for silent meditation or prayer starts every public school day in every classroom in Texas. 4. Under the federal Equal Access Act, if student-led noncurriculum groups are allowed to use school facilities, they must be legitimately student-led. That means employees can't promote, lead, or participate in the meetings of noncurriculum-related student groups.
Evangelism should not be occurring in public schools. I am a Christian but I wouldn't want any fundies evangelizing my children. That being said, the only thing that looks suspect is the distribution of Bibles. Displaying crosses, such as jewelry, or teaching attending voluntary religious clubs doesn't seem that bad.
What about the first amendment rights of the teachers and the children. Just because you are a teacher does not mean you should have to give up your rights. Those teachers have a right to express their beliefs. And by the way, our fore fathers started this country for religous freedom, to worship without interference, hence in GOD WE Trust.
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