Posted on 05/21/2008 6:01:20 AM PDT by SJackson
Some Plano students who are Jewish say they were pressured or taunted to pick up copies of the New Testament from school display tables during recent weeks.
Their parents have called for changes in district policies that allow outside groups to distribute materials on campus.
"Probably the one I heard the most was, 'If the Bible touched you, like, will you burn or something?' " said Jeffrey Lavine, 16, a sophomore at Vines High School. "I sort of played it down as a joke and everything, which it was, but it was definitely a meaner comment than what we're used to."
Plano officials said they pulled aside some students to talk about respect and tolerance after the recent complaints, but no students have been disciplined.
The New Testaments were part of unmanned displays set up by Gideons International, a nondenominational Christian group that has visited a dozen Plano schools in recent months.
District officials said a judge's order prevents them from excluding groups based on their beliefs.
The ruling stems from a 1999 lawsuit in which parents claimed officials stopped them from handing out information that was critical of a district math program, said Superintendent Doug Otto.
"As long as some people have access to the distribution table, all people have access," Dr. Otto said. "That is the policy, and we're trying our best to make people aware of it. We certainly don't want people to think we endorse one religion over another."
(Excerpt) Read more at dallasnews.com ...
http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Top_News/2008/05/03/jewish_students_allege_taunting/8023/
Published: May 3, 2008 at 7:17 PM Print story Email to a friend Font size:PLANO, Texas, May 3 (UPI) -- Jewish students in a Texas school district say they have been taunted since a display of New Testaments was put up by a Christian group.
Some parents say Plano should change its rules about outside groups distributing literature in the schools, The Dallas Morning News reports. The New Testament display was set up by Gideons International, a non-denominational Christian group.
Jeffrey Lavine, a 16-year-old student, said he was asked several times "If the Bible touched you, like, would you burn or something?"
"I sort of played it down as a joke and everything, which it was, but it was definitely a meaner comment than what we're used to," he added.
Plano school officials say a court decision several years ago forces them to allow the Gideons to display their Bibles. The court case involved a parent group critical of a student math curriculum and resulted in a decision that if one outside group was allowed access to schools all had to be given access.
Oooooohh.....”pressured”. Scary.
I have friends in Iuka, MS who home-school their kids because of religious pressure other students put on their kids. They’re Catholic, though; not Jewish.
“I have friends in Iuka, MS who home-school their kids because of religious pressure other students put on their kids. They’re Catholic, though; not Jewish.”
You keep believing that.
Not sure that flies, distributing an article on a math program isn't the same as distributing religious doctrine. Which imo would be better confined to student clubs or groups.
For those who think it's a good idea, at offer, perhaps to be made at a school near you. Not to worry though, no intimidation.
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That just sounds like some kids being smart-alecky to each other. Kids do that. The story sort of makes it sound like the Gideons were causing it. Wonder what sort of "taunting" goes on to Christian students? We'll never know.
That sounds like something a very ignorant 5 year old would ask! And yet he claims he was asked several times that same kind of question. I dunno, that doesn't sound right to me. There's some thing funny going on here. Surely the maturity level in Texas isn't THAT retarded.
I will. I know from personal experience that there are some Evangelicals who just don’t like Catholics. Not many; but some.
What a crock! If the folks with NT had rated it “R”.. it would be a matter of choice... Jewish wimps with the “PC” virus,I’d say... get a life...
If any of the kids who did the 'taunting' claim to be Christians, however, they definitely have some growing in the Lord to do.
> ‘If the Bible touched you, like, will you burn or something?’
Only if you are a muzzie or any other follower of Satan. /sarc
Jews and Christians have enjoyed a blessed friendship/relationship in America since forever.
Stumbled upon this this morning. Somewhat related.
http://www.faithfreedom.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=55456
I see nothing wrong with a display of New Testaments in a school. Kids act stupid and rag on each other. It would happen regardless of displays or lack thereof.
Hate to break the news to you but there are Christians who think that there way is the only way and are not shy about pointing it out.
Huh? Catholic kids in the South, particularly those who live in small towns or rural areas where there are very few Catholics, actually do get a lot of pressure, depending on how zealous the local Evangelical pastor is. Just take a peek at the anti-Catholic postings on FR to get an idea of the mentality - they’re straight out of Jack Chick comics.
Naturally, Evangelicals as a whole are not this way, nor are they likely to be out saying stupid things to Jewish kids, either. But there is an unfortunate Know-Nothing streak that runs through some groups, and it depends largely on what they are hearing from their pastor, particularly in a small town or somewhat isolated area.
Why is anyone allowed to distribute “outside materials” in the schools?
I don’t care if it’s Pepsi, Mastercard or the Gideons, it doesn’t belong in the school.
Stop the marketing to my kids.
This deal....
“The court case involved a parent group critical of a student math curriculum and resulted in a decision that if one outside group was allowed access to schools all had to be given access.”
What does a math curriculm have to do with “outside access”? Teach the math and stop the other stuff.
>>and are not shy about pointing it out.<<
Yes. And it’s the understatement of the morning.
Check out our own religion forum.
“I know from personal experience that there are some Evangelicals who just don’t like Catholics. Not many; but some.”
I’ve lived in MS my whole life. I’ve lived in North MS, South MS and central MS. I’ve never met one. The biggest and oldest church in my town is the Catholic Cathedral. Most towns and cities in this state celebrate Mardi Gras. Protestants join krewes and take part in all the festivities.
I’m sorry, I believe someone telling you they homeschool because of anti-Catholic bigotry, in this state, is likely as thin-skinned as the Jewish kid in this article, or making stuff up, outright.
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