The
battle cry of conservatives whenever slain children’s bodies hallow hallways, “Put
God Back into Schools” mystifies me. For thirty-five years I’ve worked within
the public-school systems. I’ve stood reverently through daily rituals of
moments of silence and respectfully kept mute as faculty members and staff
openly pray “in Jesus’s name.” I’ve watched students bow their heads before
taking major exams and preach personal beliefs to their friends.
These
people don’t understand that the business of public schools isn’t to
proselytize. That responsibility lies with parents, family, communities—religious
leaders. Many educators’ strong beliefs seep out of their pores. They may not
sermon while in front of the classroom, but their religious agenda pervades and
influences how they approach everything they do. Anyone observing within the public-school
system knows that the students most oppressed are those with no faith.
I feel confused
that anyone’s religion professes that if the Ten Commandments aren’t posted in
the classrooms of public schools, the punishment of an avenging God is a
logical result.
What kind of God
do these people believe in?
