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 ...
Amen, brother.
We definitely work to the detriment of our cause when we fight amongst ourselves about who is the most correct.
thanks
They might melt. /sarcasm
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I don’t think “victimhood is the issue.
"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. His reaction
His response
"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."
IMO he handled it just fine. And no students are being disciplined, nor is there any indication anyone has called for that.
The issue revolves around the distribution of religious materials to the student body. Access guaranteed for all religious groups. IMO that’s a bad idea, it should be limited to student groups and clubs.
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I think the kids handled it fine. But imo public schools shouldn't be opening themself up for advocacy of varying religious and lifestyle decisions. Too much of that already, let the parents deal with it.
How about if they pick them up, take them home and make a bonfire? Oops, wrong thread.
:>)
It wasn’t bigotry; it was just constant pressure. Their kids (ages 6 and 4) kept coming home from school with, basically, propaganda from the local church. It was just the non-stop “why don’t you come to our church” that bothered them. They thought it was inappropriate for such small children, especially after they politely refused once.
“They thought it was inappropriate for such small children, especially after they politely refused once.”
I’d agree. I have been exposed to some folks who won’t let up. They don’t mean any harm but, jeez.
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