Tennessee School District Sued Over Ties to Evangelistic Crusade

FOX News via AP | 5/12/03 | Unknown

[Blood of Tyrants]

MAYNARDVILLE, Tenn. — Every year, hundreds of Union County students take a field trip for the soul. Children are excused from class, loaded onto school buses with teachers and sent to a three-day Christian revival.

"I am going to ask you a question," an evangelical leader recently yelled to a sea of students ready for their field trip. "If you are glad to be here, say amen!"

With the ardor of a pep rally, the students shouted back: "AAAA-men!"

Not everyone is so enthusiastic.

Fourteen-year-old India Tracy said she was harassed and attacked by classmates for nearly three years after she declined to attend Baptist Pastor Gary Beeler's annual crusade because of her family's pagan religion.

Her family has filed a federal lawsuit against Union County schools, claiming the crusade, prayers over the loudspeaker, a Christmas nativity play, a Bible handout and other proselytizing activities in the rural school system have become so pervasive they are a threat to safety and religious liberty.

Union County officials say the system is neutral when it comes to religious activities, pointing out that the crusade is voluntary, teachers chaperone on their own time and school buses are operated by private contractors.

"We do not endorse, promote or prohibit it," said school spokesman Wayne Goforth.

District officials say the crusade, now in its sixth year, is like any other field trip, with parental permission required to let the children attend for two hours a day over three days. On the crusade's final day this year, April 30, more than 1,300 of the school system's 3,000 students attended.

"All local boards of education have the authority to allow students to voluntarily attend these types of events," said Christy Ballard, legal counsel to the Tennessee Department of Education.

But, she added, "it is very clear in the statute that they can't harass a student or coerce them to participate ... and, of course, they can't be school-sponsored."

Charles Haynes, a senior scholar at the Freedom Forum's First Amendment Center in Arlington, Va., said school officials and Christian leaders in Union County need a "crash course on the meaning of the First Amendment -- especially the part that separates church from state."

Beeler, 63, who lives and preaches in Union County, said he has been contacted by communities around the country wanting to set up similar crusades, and sees nothing wrong with children getting time off from school to attend them.

"The principals, the teachers, the bus drivers all have told us that they have less behavior problems after this crusade than they do before. So that tells us the positive effect," he said.

India said she was called "Satan worshipper" and accused of eating babies when it was revealed she was a pagan. She said she was taunted, found slurs painted over her locker and was injured when classmates assaulted her and slammed her head into the locker.

The lawsuit said school officials took no disciplinary action. In a May 2 legal response, school officials said they acted appropriately, denied the attacks happened, or said they were unaware of them.

Paganism is an ancient religious tradition that embraces kinship with nature, positive morality and the idea that there is both a female and male side of Deity.

After Christmas break in early 2002, India said three boys chased her down a hall at Horace Maynard Middle School, grabbed her by the neck and said, "You better change your religion or we'll change it for you."

She broke free and fled into the girls' bathroom. A teacher stopped the boys from following her, the lawsuit said.

"That was pretty much the last straw because she was terrified," said India's father, Greg Tracy.

The Tracys took India out of school on Feb. 26, 2002.

A straight-A student, she belonged to the leadership-service organization Beta Club, chess club, and band. She was the only girl on the middle school football team.

Now she takes Internet courses at home and hopes to transfer to a public school in Knoxville, 25 miles away.

"When was it too hard? I don't know," India said. "On a couple of occasions it was too hard and then it got easier and then it started getting bad again and I would come home bawling my eyes out."

[Zavien Doombringer]

Neutrality would of course constitute atheism. Christians will NEVER be happy until EVERYONE is a christian. All other religions be damned. It's their way or the highway, and always has been.

Uh, excuse me...I have been a Born Again Christian Christian since OCtober 15, 1990. I don't know everything about the bible, but I am constantly learning. I do know I have never been happier, and it has nothing to do with anyone else becoming Christian.

As far as other religions be damned, that is a true statment. Jesus said himself..."I am the way, the Truth and the Life. No man comes to the Father but by me." No other "prophet" or religious leader ever made those claims.

Christianity isn't a religion. It is a faith. Jesus didn't come to make a religion.

[AppyPappy]

4) The event is held by a single Christian sect.

Name the sect. We'll wait patiently.

[AppyPappy]

She has as much right to be a Pagan, as Christians do to be Christians. Christians may not like her religion, but it does not give them the right to persecute her because of it.

What gives HER the right to interfere with the religious practices of others? They aren't stopping her from her pagan practices but she IS stopping Christians from their practices.

[Chancellor Palpatine]

I'm not opining about what happened in this community, because it isn't clear whether the school day is involved (although I question the wisdom of the "adults" who would encourage this - feels like a lot of teacher and peer pressure to conform to me, and if I were the preacher, I'd certainly question whether all my attendees were there of their own free will). Speaking strictly for myself as an Christian outside the Southern Free Association mold, I can't say that I'd be real happy with my kids being dragged off on things like this, because it isn't the tradition imparted in my home and at out church - the dogma just isn't even close, and revivals are too personality and emotion-of-the-moment driven for my taste (I say that having actually come from that tradition, but certainly can see where someone may prefer that as a matter of personal taste, and they might not appreciate our hierarchial liturgies). A Catholic family would have a reaction very similar to mine.

As far as I'm concerned, the school day is there to be a school day - not an opportunity for proselytization.

[jimt]

Of course Catholics are Christian. As are Mormons, Baptists, Methodists, Greek Orthodox, Lutherans, Episcopalians...

When this school starts holding events including the religions of ALL students, including the complaining pagan, and the odd atheist or two, they'll be legitimate.

Meanwhile, they're using government to promote religion, which is wrong.

[jimt]

Keep waiting.

[Zavien Doombringer]

As far as I'm concerned, the school day is there to be a school day - not an opportunity for proselytization.

I would agree with you on the premiss that the students were "dragged" to the event. They weren't. It was strictly voluntary. Permission slips and payment by parents, those that didn't object. I don't really see this "feild Trip" any different than going to the local amusement park, which our schools do frequently in our area, during the school day.

1 entry found for proselytization. pros·e·ly·tize ( P ) Pronunciation Key (prs-l-tz) v. pros·e·ly·tized, pros·e·ly·tiz·ing, pros·e·ly·tiz·es v. intr. To induce someone to convert to one's own religious faith. To induce someone to join one's own political party or to espouse one's doctrine. v. tr. To convert (a person) from one belief, doctrine, cause, or faith to another.

As far as the article mentions just a feild trip, I do not suspect Proselytizing is being done here.

[Zavien Doombringer]

Of course Catholics are Christian. As are Mormons, Baptists, Methodists, Greek Orthodox, Lutherans, Episcopalians...

When this school starts holding events including the religions of ALL students, including the complaining pagan, and the odd atheist or two, they'll be legitimate.

Meanwhile, they're using government to promote religion, which is wrong.

The Government wasn't used to promote religion, secondly Christianity isn't a religion, it is a faith. Religions institute dogma and legalistic view that those parrishoners must follow to ensure sanctification! Jesus wasn't legalistic, nor did he induce any dogma (mans traditions) into God's word. He even rebuked the traditional Pharisee.

As far as the Field Trip went, all were invited to go, not all accepted. Just like Jesus said, many are called, few are (have) Chosen....Take it anyway you want. The School isn't in the wrong because 1 person is offended!

[Chancellor Palpatine]

If it involves a permission slip and time out of an instruction day, then it interferes, and becomes officially sanctioned (especially if the kids are getting attendance credit). If the preacher is making comments about souls available to him, then it is proselytization, especially if those kids who are in attendance aren't regular members of his congregation.

And frankly, if he is driving a wedge and driving those children away from their normal congregations and drawing them to his church through peer and authority pressure, then what he is doing is reprehensible.

[Zavien Doombringer]

It is appearant that you have never been to a revival, or a Billy Graham Crusade...There isn't any "Proselytizing". It is ONE KINGDOM under God. I don't kow about "making souls available to him" thing, Revivals I have been to do not promote ones religion, but promotes a faith in Christ. Revivals have all types of denominations attending, and not one is singled out. Again, there is only one Kingdom of God. What wedge are you alledgeing is being driven between churches caused by this revival. You are assuming damage has occured. That is proposterous! Schools are STATE Sponsored, not FEDERALY! The First Admendment applies to Congress! The state can do these things.

[jimt]

As far as the Field Trip went, all were invited to go, not all accepted. Just like Jesus said, many are called, few are (have) Chosen....Take it anyway you want. The School isn't in the wrong because 1 person is offended!

The are none so blind as those that will not see.

When it's the Satanists shutting down schools for sabbats somehow I don't think you'll feel quite the same. Or the Moonies. Or the Hari Krishnas.

Remember when the Hari Krishnas took over that town in Oregon? What if they'd done the same?

[Aric2000]

As I saic Appy, if it was AFTER school, that would be fine with me, but to do this during school hours is unacceptable.

They can do whatever they want AFTER school, but religious gatherings should NOT be done during school hours.

That is a time for learning the 3 r's, not bouncing around and singing to god.

[AppyPappy]

but religious gatherings should NOT be done during school hours.

Sorry but if you allow ANY gatherings, you have to allow religious gatherings. Otherwise, it is discriminatory.

[Aric2000]

Christianity is a religion, yes, it's a faith too, but above all it is a religion.

Christians will not be happy until every one is a christian.

I am glad that it makes you happy, but my answers are not found in your "faith". I have found my answers elsewhere.

To say that your faith has the only answers is the highest form of arrogance that I have ever seen, and the more Christians I talk to, the more arrogance I see.

Just because Christianity has the answers that you seek, does not mean that it has the answers for everyone.

The government should be neutral in regards to religion, The field trips should have been done AFTER school, not during school hours.

Other then that I have no problem with the "crusade" or whatever they call them.

Also, someone should NOT be persecuted by Christians because they do not share your faith, and those people should be protected from that persecution.

Remember, Christians were persecuted for centuries, to have Christians persecuting another is rather sickening.

[PeoplesRep_of_LA]

When it's the Satanists shutting down schools for sabbats somehow I don't think you'll feel quite the same. Or the Moonies. Or the Hari Krishnas.

We're back to the Satanists canard from yesterday.

Sigh.... Hear you nothing that I say? The boy has no patience, I cannot train him.</Master Yoda>

[Aric2000]

Baloney, if it has to do with the interschool activities, such as homecoming, if it has to do with having a politician speak to the student body, if it has anything to do with the working of the school, perhaps an award ceremony for scholarly achievement, but religious activities should NOT be done DURING school hours.

The school should not be paying for religious activities by cutting into the school day for them.

If the parents wish to pull their children out of school, put together this thing themselves, and truck those children off to the crusade themselves, I have no problem with it either.

The school must be NEUTRAL on ALL religious activities, PERIOD, otherwise what's next, you gonna have an earthday celebration? How would you feel if they invited devil worshippers to make it fair, or perhaps Pagans, or Buddhists, or even hindus into speak with the student body during class time.

You'd change your tune in a heartbeat, Well, if it's OK for you to do it as a Christian, then it had better be OK for other religions to do it as well. And then where does it stop?

Yeah, I got your number, it's OK for Christians to do it, but not other religions.

[PeoplesRep_of_LA]

the more Christians I talk to, the more arrogance I see.

No pun intended, but Good Lord!

Can you read this? You accusing the Christians of being arrogant with your excessively arrogant rant? Just because Christianity has the answers that you seek, does not mean that it has the answers for everyone. Are you trying to be ridiculous? When did this born again guy ever say that it was for you, you HAD to be born again, or even imply that you were lesser for not agreeing with his choice? I am glad that it makes you happy, but my answers are not found in your "faith". I have found my answers elsewhere. So unnecessarily defensive, typical. Well whoop-dee-doo, who cares? I'm glad for you too, you get a cookie!

You anti-Christians, and don't waffle-its ok to be anti-Christian but you have to be honest, are the biggest bunch of whiners this side of the Democratic party. Always claiming victimhood and persecution. someone should NOT be persecuted by Christians because they do not share your faith Chill out, Madam Hillary! Everythings going to be all right if you stop being so shrill.

[Aric2000]

You need to get a grip.

Christians are at my doorstep every other day pitching their religion at me, do I feel a little persecuted, your damn right.

The fact of the matter is, I said that the SCHOOL should NOT be involved in religious activities PERIOD!!

And the Pagan girl, SHOULD NOT be persecuted by Christians in her school for having a different faith, Don't think it happened, sorry, I know it happens, so it is NOT that far a stretch for me to believe that it happened to her.

If you want your child involved in Religious sctivities AT and DURING school, then send them to private school.

You are the one that is whining, trying to change the subject AGAIN, I was responding to AppyPappy, NOT you.

Oh, and what about the other religions, what wold you do if the Pagans decided to have a celebration that cut into 2 hours of the day at school, used school busses, and teachers volunteered to go? You'd have a coniption fit, don't deny it, you would, you would have a fit.

Yeah, I find the Christian religion arrogant, just as I find the Muslim religion arrogant. ANY religion that states that it is FOR EVERYBODY, and persecutes those that are not believers, is arrogant in the extreme. Yeah, I have a problem with arrogance in Religion, especially when it's believers are about as fanatical as they come.

Do I believe that the Pagan was chased around and threatened by Christians, yeah, I believe it, I lived it. Although, I was not Pagan.

[AppyPappy]

Yeah, I got your number, it's OK for Christians to do it, but not other religions

You are a liar. I bet you are a libertarian. I can tell because you make up an opinion for someone to hold and then you attack it.

[Aric2000]

Sorry, since it seemed that it was OK for christians to do it, but you never responded to my what if's, then I assumed you wished to ignore that in order not to appear a hypocrite.

My apologies if I was wrong, but I doubt that I am.