Free Resources for Academic Biblical Literacy

Strengthening Education

The abundance of knowledge set before us concerning our 1st Amendment rights can be used to strengthen the foundation of public education. In 1995, the clarification guidelines for religious expression in public schools were sent to superintendents and principals across the country for the express purpose of correcting and eradicating the misunderstandings, innuendos, confusion, chaos, and ignorance related to religious issues in public education. Administrators, teachers, parents, students, and community stakeholders must recognize the significance of exercising our 1st Amendment right to religious liberty. Then, we must be willing to work diligently to dispel the myths and ignorance surrounding “separation of church and state” issues by participating in well-planned and legally sound academic initiatives that will enlighten our misinformed society about their religious liberties guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. Such steps may include: accessing reliable online sources, written and oral communications to national and state legislators, professional and community workshops/newsletters/seminars, along with intensive college training for student teachers. This invaluable information is available for us to use for the betterment of education, and, in turn, for the good of our world.

However, if we continue to ignore such an important documents that were placed into the hands of public school administrators since more than twenty years ago, how can we blame anyone except ourselves for the future consequences of allowing such a void in our children’s education? Ignorance of the “law” is no longer an excuse for any of us! We must summon the strength needed to rebuild the educational foundation upon which our country was founded! The Internet abounds with reliable resources that may be referenced when one has questions about the legalities surrounding religion and public schools. (See AIBL site resources.)

References:

www.2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/religionand schools/prayer.guidance.html

https://www.aclu.org/joint-statement-current-law-religion-public-schools

www.firstadmentcenter.org

https://www.aarweb.org/sites/default/files/pdfs/Publications/epublications/AARK-12CurriculumGuidelines.pdf

2019 Senate Session

SB 1502 Public schools; electives on the Hebrew Scriptures/Old Testament and the New Testament.

Floor: 02/04/19 Senate: Passed Senate (22-Y 18-N)

YEAS - Black, Carrico, Chafin, Chase, Cosgrove, DeSteph, Dunnavant, Hanger, McDougle, Newman, Norment, Obenshain, Peake, Reeves, Ruff, Spruill, Stanley, Stuart, Sturtevant, Suetterlein, Vogel, Wagner--22.

NAYS - Barker, Boysko, Dance, Deeds, Ebbin, Edwards, Favola, Howell, Lewis, Locke, Lucas, Marsden, Mason, McClellan, McPike, Petersen, Saslaw, Surovell--18.

RULE 36--0.

NOT VOTING--0.