Religion in public schools (Briar: attorneys, home, school district) - Houston - Texas (TX) - City-Data Forum

Lbjen · 10-01-2013, 06:56 PM

We're still new to Texas but I was under the impression that there are federal laws about religion in schools.

Slowly I'm seeing bits and pieces about my kids elementary school that are starting to concern me. One of them is in the school choir, their first recital is in a few weeks at a local church. Another of my kids came home with some drawing he had done in class, he had been given a sheet with crosses on it to trace, and not just xes but full on crosses. Today I heard something about a weekly prayer meeting that is going on during school hours, on school premises.

Is this normal? Accepted? I don't want to rock the boat at the school but I don't really appreciate my kids being slowly indoctrinated in this way.

xsatyr · 10-01-2013, 07:01 PM

I am not a fan it and never really had any issues in school growing up. I might of had a handful of conversations with teachers about religion and only one was inappropriate.

testmo · 10-01-2013, 08:23 PM

There was always a religious youth group or athletics thing but you didnt have to join. I was able to get through school without having to participate but it is around. I was never pressured but it started me out on a good healthy disdain for religion.

Rip808 · 10-01-2013, 08:36 PM

You can not seriously be so butt hurt about everything. If your going to "pick" at every little "drawing" or "reading" your going to infer what you want. Schools do not teach religion and if they do they talk about all of them and not just one.

Schumacher713 · 10-01-2013, 08:57 PM

I am surprised you have not heard about religion and Texas schools. They are trying to rewrite text books. It is a fight at the Texas Board of Education. If you want to read about it. Google Texas Freedom Network. It is frighting what these people want to teach. They are rewriting science and history books. What school district is this in? I have lots of friends who are teachers and I have never heard of anything like this.

Lbjen · 10-01-2013, 08:59 PM

I've had my kids in public schools for over 5 years and it's only been during the last 6 weeks that I've ever heard talk of religion. It's almost daily, and about one religion, not all of them. I'm not talking about them teaching it in class but bringing it into the school via other avenues.

I have heard about the textbook thing, I assume that there will be a private school that will be able to use real textbooks rather than bibles if this law ever passes.

Weatherguy · 10-01-2013, 10:27 PM

It may or may not be legal, but you'll need to learn what federal and state laws say. If a school is violating the law, then it needs to be brought to the attention of the school administration first. Then, if needed, there are likely attorneys who would work pro bono on such cases, which do occur from time to time. But again, learn the law first.

Dopo · 10-01-2013, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rip808

You can not seriously be so butt hurt about everything. If your going to "pick" at every little "drawing" or "reading" your going to infer what you want. Schools do not teach religion and if they do they talk about all of them and not just one.

All it takes is one teacher to think that is her mission to push her religion on kids to mess everything up.
Most people think that is fine, but just imagine that teachers was another religion (Islam, Buddhist, Jew, etc) and kept on giving religious things to your kid.

Now, I support teaching all of them.

houstonfan · 10-02-2013, 12:31 AM

I agree with you that I hate mixing religion with public education, however, for what it's worth, I don't think you have much to fear. I think that as long as you discuss religion at home and establish a solid foundation in your children, they won't be influenced by the occasional religious school activity. I wen through public school and we had to recite morning prayers every morning, decorate the occasional "cross" and observe Christian holidays. My parents told me to "just go with the flow but don't believe any of it". And really, I don't think it had any sway in my religious beliefs. I would pretend to mumble the prayer every morning eventhough I didn't know the words to it and while everyone bowed the heads and closed their eyes, I would bow my head and steal side glances to see what everyone was doing. And I participated in all the Xmas pageants and colored with zeal my religious Xmas pictures. To me, it's just another school activity.

What I can't really believe is the government here is trying to push creationism into science classes. WTH? That is where I would draw the line because I wouldn't want my kids to be left in the dark ages. And while we're at it, let's not tell the kids that the earth is round

EasilyAmused · 10-02-2013, 05:56 AM

My public school experience involved some religious awareness, but it most certianly didn't teach boo about Christianity. The dreidel song was taught, they drew the menorah, did a little feast of ramandon, dressed colorfully for kwanzaa, there was even discussion on the templars...but hell if they could sing jingle bells or rudolph. Santa claus was completely ban. Amazingly we are all still alive and nor scarred for life.

Briargrove elementry. They did say the pledge and the Texas Pleadge though.