Bible in Public Schools?

So, as some of you know, I'm living in Virginia right now, in a rural area about 2 hours southwest of DC.

I'm also in Grad School to be a teacher - and have had several experiences in the schools around the area.

In most of the counties/cities in the surrounding area students go to WRE - or Weekly Religious Education, once a week. It is off the school property, and it is not mandetory, but children whos parents choose not to send them sit in the classroom for 45 minutes doing nothing. Teachers are not supposed to give additional help since it would be unfair to the other students.

My first reaction to this was 'How is this legal?' but the thought around here is that if no one makes a big stink, they'll keep on doing it (One of the city districts, which is much more diverse than the others, recently stopped WRE because of complaints from the growing diversity in religions).

The area is majority Christian, so there is not much complaining - usually a teacher will have a student every few years that does not participate.

So, I was wondering, what do you think of this practice? If you were to move into a district with a similar situation, what would you do? Would you send your child, choose not to send the and keep your mouth shut, or forge a complaint against the system?

Just curious to see other's points of view

As a NYC school student, most of my classmates left early for CCD (I have no idea what it stood for), which was basically Christian religious classes. It never bothered me, b/c it gave me extra time to catch up on work, or read a book or something. I wasn't just sitting there. I honestly wouldn't move to a district where my child was just sitting there, b/c it's important for me to live in an area with a decent Jewish population. However, if I did move there, I would demand that my child at least be given something intellectually stimulating to do during that time.


I went to Hebrew school until age 13. It was after school, 2 afternoons a week. I never understood why my Christian classmates got to leave during the school day, and I had to go to extra classes from 4-6:30, then first get home and do my regular school HW!

---

Posted by btrflygrl

is the WRE only Christian based? ARe there other religions offered? I think that would make a difference in my opinion.

---

nope, only a generic Christian Bible class, and it's in the middle of the day.

---

Posted by heidla

My child would not be attending such classes and I would expect for them to still be taught during this time. I don't think that religion is something to be taught in public schools. If I want my child to have a religious education I will either send to them private school or take it upon myself to find an appropriate envioirment for such teachings. I would hate to be the only child left in the room because my religion was different from the majority. I am a parent that would cause a fuss.

---

i have to say i agree!
I do not think it is appropriate to have this kind of program....NOR do i think it is ok to have the children whos parents chose not to send them to such programs be left to sit in a classroom...

Religion can be discussed in the broad aspect and how it relates to our society and education but not taught specifically..in any forum!

In NYC this is incredibly common. We'd leave at 2pm for CCD and basically everyone else would play games for an hour. In 6th grade my church switched the classes to evenings for older kids, so I was in my regukar school for this hour. It was a lot of fun. We all played games for an hour, but they were all educational in nature. I was in a gifted school, so we played a lot of brain challenging games as part of our curriculum. Also, you could use the time to catch up on your math or reading cards.

I guess I agree with not hvaing lessons at that time since it's such a large portion of the students, but I think if the kids can't even ask for extra help during that time that's really sort of messed up.

but honestly I wouldn't even think twice to care about it, unless it was my kid asking for help and s/he was denied it by the teacher



ETA: If they were literally sitting in the clasroom doing nothing I would try to get othr parents to join together and suggest some kind fo constructiv activiyt==ty like learning games, class seplling bees or sustained silent reading. Children need directed activities. They shouldn;t just be sitting there. Are you sure there are no activites planned for the kids during this time period?

---

Posted by marymoon

In NYC this is incredibly common. We'd leave at 2pm for CCD and basically everyone else would play games for an hour. In 6th grade my church switched the classes to evenings for older kids, so I was in my regukar school for this hour. It was a lot of fun. We all played games for an hour, but they were all educational in nature. I was in a gifted school, so we played a lot of brain challenging games as part of our curriculum. Also, you could use the time to catch up on your math or reading cards.

I guess I agree with not hvaing lessons at that time since it's such a large portion of the students, but I think if the kids can't even ask for extra help during that time that's really sort of messed up.

but honestly I wouldn't even think twice to care about it, unless it was my kid asking for help and s/he was denied it by the teacher



ETA: If they were literally sitting in the clasroom doing nothing I would try to get othr parents to join together and suggest some kind fo constructiv activiyt==ty like learning games, class seplling bees or sustained silent reading. Children need directed activities. They shouldn;t just be sitting there. Are you sure there are no activites planned for the kids during this time period?

---

Nothing. they read i think, or do homework.

i went to catholic school so i dont knwo where i stand

i do know that the ccd kids would come after school to attend classes and then they woudl learn the same we did while in school regarding communion and confirmation

it should be an after school elective

---

Posted by heidla

My child would not be attending such classes and I would expect for them to still be taught during this time. I don't think that religion is something to be taught in public schools. If I want my child to have a religious education I will either send to them private school or take it upon myself to find an appropriate envioirment for such teachings. I would hate to be the only child left in the room because my religion was different from the majority. I am a parent that would cause a fuss.

---

I agree also. I went to catholic schools for most of my schooling but when I didn't, I was sent to 'sunday school'. Religious classes should not be taking place during the regular school day. They are taking time out of the regular school day, when non-religious subjects are taught, and using it for religion. It just as good as teaching religion in public school.

I want my child to go to school and learn the basic subjects, if I want him to learn a particular religion - I'LL decide when, where, and who will teach him that!

---

Posted by JimmysBride

I agree also. I went to catholic schools for most of my schooling but when I didn't, I was sent to 'sunday school'. Religious classes should not be taking place during the regular school day. They are taking time out of the regular school day, when non-religious subjects are taught, and using it for religion. It just as good as teaching religion in public school.

I want my child to go to school and learn the basic subjects, if I want him to learn a particular religion - I'LL decide when, where, and who will teach him that!

---

I agree 100%. The only way I'd agree to religious instruction during school hours would be if they would teach all of the children about ALL religions, not just one.

I do find the situation Debra described very odd because it was not done in my school district (in NJ) when I was growing up. My town did have a diverse religious population, though.