We Interrupt This School Day For A Message From Jesus
The public school day stops in some rural Virginia towns, writes Carol Morello, so the students can file over to the church and take bible study. Kids who don't participate do art or "remedial studies." In other words, they've got their fingers up their nose while they're waiting for Jesus time to end.
For 65 years, weekday Bible classes have been part of the fabric of growing up in this town of 24,000 in Augusta County and in a score of other small towns and hamlets in rural Virginia. It is such an accepted tradition that 80 to 85 percent of the first-, second- and third-graders in Staunton participate.But now, the practice is being challenged by a group of parents who have asked the School Board to end or modify weekday religious education. Not only do they fear that their children are stigmatized for not attending, but in a decidedly 21st-century twist, they also argue that interrupting class for Bible study hinders efforts to meet state and national standards for test scores.
"I just think a Christian outreach program doesn't belong in the school day," said Beverly Riddell, one of several parents who protested to the School Board.
It's scary to me that somebody even has to say this. Clearly, bible time should be spent teaching government class -- like that part about church and state being separated that much of the nation seems so completely clueless about.
As a grade schooler in the '60s, my siblings and I had to sit around twiddling out thumbs while the rest of the kids went to "Religious Release." This was in California, not some red state infested with inbred semiliterates. (Then again, the Golden State is exactly bursting with Mensa members.) Yes, I felt left out, but it probably beat getting brainwashed by the teachings of your fictional friend and mine, Baby Jesus.
L
L
Lawaneke at February 14, 2005 11:32 AM
Duh...
I meant "The Golden State *ISN'T* exactly bursting with Mensa members (see above). Sorry about the confusion.
L
Lawaneke at February 14, 2005 11:34 AM
"Religious Release"
-- isn't that a massage technique?
Lena at February 14, 2005 12:27 PM
Beats me.
Yes, pun intended.
Lawaneke at February 14, 2005 3:33 PM
In elementary school in Ventura in the '50s, we had the option of attenting "religious studies" once a week in any of several trailer sort of things parked outside the (public) school -- one for Catholics, one Protestant, one Jewish (more like a station wagon in Ventura in those days).
I went -- forged my mother's signature on notes saying I'd memorized Bible verses (I will ROT IN HELL FOR THAT). I didn't participate so much because I was of a religious bent, as because it was an hour (maybe) out of class. Otherwise, didn't give it much thought.
Don't think I would if my kids (if I had any) were put in the same position today. Whereas I'm really indignant and ashamed, after the fact, over the Boy Scouts of America's position on gays. Can one resign after the fact?
Todd Everett at February 14, 2005 4:07 PM
Don't feel bad about your checkered past with the homophobic Boy Scout cult. Although I was quite a homophobic little boy, I now happily choke on schlongs like they're going out of style.
Lena, of course! at February 14, 2005 6:15 PM
"This was in California, not some red state infested with inbred semiliterates."
Look at your budget. Now, look at me. Sadly, your state isn't mine. But it could be like mine, if you just acted like me. You don't have to be broke because of your silly ideas - like the one about being better than us - A "Red Stater"
Radwaste at April 27, 2011 7:39 PM
Leave a comment