Posted on 08/15/2007 7:36:28 AM PDT by Between the Lines
SUGAR LAND — Student Natasha Gualy was all smiles Tuesday knowing that when she shares her Christian faith at school, she will not be reprimanded or humiliated.
Gov. Rick Perry conducted a ceremonial signing of House Bill 3678 aimed at reaffirming students' rights to express religious viewpoints. Perry officially signed the bill, also known as the Religious Viewpoints Anti-Discrimination Act, in June.
Surrounded by schoolchildren at the Clements High School library, Perry signed the bill sponsored by state Rep. Charlie Howard, R-Sugar Land.
The bill does not create a new law but rather provides a model policy that school districts can adopt.
"What it does is create a win-win situation for the schoolchildren, school administrators and the taxpayers of the state of Texas," Howard said. Many school districts across the state, he said, have been sued by parents after children were prohibited from talking about their faith, saying "Merry Christmas" or handing out religious Valentine's Day cards.
'Not the Texas way' Using case law and U.S. Supreme Court decisions, the bill lays out what is admissible in Texas schools. The Supreme Court has ruled that religious discussion in schools is legal, he said.
"For years, our children have not been able to share their faith and beliefs for fear that they'll end up in the principal's office. That's sure not the American way and that's sure not the Texas way," Perry said to a round of applause from those in attendance.
Some school districts have misapplied the law by stifling religious expression when it should be permissible, leading to lawsuits filed by parents, Howard said.
Now entering eighth grade at McMeans Junior High in the Katy school district, Natasha said she vividly remembers the humiliation she encountered in third grade when an assistant principal made her retrieve faith bracelets she had given friends during recess.
Federal lawsuit pends "I made them myself because I wanted to share the love of God," the 13-year-old recounted Tuesday after Perry signed the bill. Natasha said at the time she was really confused because her Sunday school class focused on sharing and a person of authority at her school was telling her not to share.
"I was trying to figure out who was right. I still remember that," she said.
Natasha was one of many students who testified before state lawmakers this spring in support of the bill. Her mother, Cynthia Gualy, said the law was necessary to keep parents like her from having to file a lawsuit against school districts.
Gualy is a plaintiff in a lawsuit against the Katy school district that is pending in federal court over her children's rights to religious expressions.
Her daughter, she said, "felt very ashamed and publicly humiliated" after the youngster was made to take back the bracelets she gave her friends. Gualy said it was wrong for children to have to keep quiet about their Christian beliefs at school.
Limited public forum The bill will require school districts to adopt and implement a policy establishing a limited public forum for student speakers at school events and ensures other protections for students expressing their religious viewpoint.
The model that school districts can adopt offers protection for a student's expression of religious viewpoint; guidelines for student speakers at graduation ceremonies and other events; protection of religious expression in class assignments; and freedom to organize religious groups and activities.
Gualy and other parents obtained a restraining order in February 2006 preventing the Katy school district from interfering with pupils handing out valentines with religious themes. The school district has denied such interference.
I hope there’s language in there making it specifically for Christian expression. We don’t want CAIR using it so Muslim students can incite trouble.
Hm. Well it may not be p.c. to say so but that’s trouble.
If Gov. Goodhair signed it....it’s cr@p.
If Gov. Goodhair signed it....it’s cr@p.”
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No, actually it’s a move in the right direction.
I too say its a good start. As in “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD.” (Psalm 33:12)
I’m so glad the Gov. did this bill. It reminds me of “There is no greater coward than he that knows to do right, and does not do it.” My prayers are for, and with Gov. Perry.
The muzzi’s will now make demands for prayer rugs, footbaths and classroom facing Mecca within a month.
Beheadings will probably remain off limits for reasons other than that they are a favorite expression of faith by the ROP.
They already do that, so apparently, this isn't changing anything for them.
Generally, he's been good on the social issues. It's when it comes to selling out to big drug companies or foreign road builders he goes astray.
I don't need the state to take care of my "social" issues.... God, abortion etc....
I need the state to insure my freedom, pave my roads, get my garbage cleaned and keep criminals away from my family. All this while allowing my the right to earn a living at my craft in the way I see fit.
I also don't need him ordering my daughters to get a vaccine that hasn't been fully tested but will allow him to line his pockets....
gov. Goodhair is an idiot. He's the worst type of RINO. He's so stupid he doesn't even know he's a RINO, while he tries to line his pockets with money for our roads and our daughters lives.
When did his daughter get the vaccine? Why aren't boys mandated to get the vaccine since they are the vectors of the virus?
Social issues are cr@p to the single issue voter. I'm a single issue voter, "Constitutional based rule of law"...Freedom.
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