By Andrew Selley, Founder & CEO of Freedom of Religion South Africa (FOR SA)
This week in national media, news broke of legal proceedings instituted in the Johannesburg High Court against six public schools (two in the Cape, and four in Gauteng), all of who hold to a Christian ethos and Christian values.
The Court is effectively being asked to order that Christianity be removed and banned from the schools.
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The case, which is a watershed case for religious freedom in South Africa, will in all probability end up in the Constitutional Court.
The facts
Organisasie vir Godsdienste-Onderrig en Demokrasie (OGOD) is an organisation working to eradicate Christianity from schools. In this particular case the schools that OGOD has targeted, are Laerskool Randhart (Alberton), Laerskool Baanbreker (Boksburg), Laerskool Garsfontein (Pretoria), Hoërskool Linden (Johannesburg), Hoërskool Oudtshoorn and Langenhoven Gimnasium (both in Oudtshoorn).
In terms of the admission policy of all of the above schools, learners of all religions and belief systems (including Muslim, Jewish, Jehovah Witnesses, Christian and atheist) are welcome to enrol at those schools. Should learners (or their parents) of their own free will choose to enrol at those schools however, they do so with the knowledge and understanding (and by implication, agreement) that the schools hold to a Christian ethos and Christian values, as determined by the school governing bodies of those schools..
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At all times, participation in any Christian practices or activities (including attendance of sermons, prayer, VSCV activities, evangelism opportunities, etc) are completely free and voluntary. No learner is ever forced to participate in such practices against his/her will.
In its court papers, OGOD alleges that the schools in question are breaching a number of constitutional rights, including the right (of non-Christians) not to be discriminated against on the basis of conscience, religion and/or belief. OGOD is asking the Court to grant an order effectively removing and banning any form of Christianity from the schools.
The schools, who have been given a number of days to reply to OGOD’s court papers, are meeting with the Federation of School Governing Bodies of South African Schools (FEDSAS) today (Friday, September 5) to consider their position and approach to the case.
The potential ramifications
This case could potentially have severe ramifications for religious freedom and ultimately for the spreading of the Gospel, in South Africa.
Should OGOD be successful, the effect will be that teachers and learners will be silenced from speaking or testifying about God in a school context. They will not be allowed to read the Bible or pray (either individually, or together with other Christians) at school. Creationism, as a biblical teaching, will be banned from schools.Learners will not be allowed to participate in VCSV or other Christian activities at school. And doors will be shut to pastors and Christian ministries working into schools. In a nutshell, our schools will become sterile environments to the seed of the Gospel – this, when statistics have shown, that between 80 – 85% of people make a commitment to Jesus Christ before the age of 18!
Although the outcome of the case could potentially affect the religious freedom of other faiths as well, it is blatantly obvious that this case is a direct attack on Christianity. Why else would only “Christian schools” have been cited as parties to the case? There can also be no doubt that the aim is to remove one belief system (Christianity) and replace it with another (atheism). This is evident from the court order that OGOD is asking, namely a prohibition on any form of Christianity in the schools.
A Christian response
Freedom of Religion South Africa (FOR SA) has been warning for some time that the freedom of Christians in South Africa to believe, preach and live their lives according to the Word of God, is under threat.
In the last few months, we have told the stories of pastors, Christian ministries and Christian business people who have been victimised by activist lobbying groups driving a secular / humanist agenda, and who have had to defend their freedom of conscience, religion and belief before the Human Rights Commission, Gender Equality Commission and Courts. This time, the attack is on our most precious and most vulnerable – our children and our youth, the future of our nation.
As an organisation that works to protect and promote religious freedom and the autonomy of the Church in South Africa, FOR SA has already been in touch with FEDSAS and a number of the headmasters involved, to offer our support and assistance in defending the case. In addition to FOR SA, a few political parties and other organisations (including Afriforum who is reported to have made a significant contribution towards the legal costs involved in defending the case) have also already given the schools their show of support. The African Christian Democratic Party says it will oppose attempts to stop Christian values from being taught in schools “as our Constitution promotes the freedom of religion and not freedom from religion”.
As Christians, we cannot afford to sit idly by as our freedom to believe, teach and live our lives according to the Word of God, is being eroded one by one. We have to take a united stand – for the sake of religious freedom and for the sake of keeping the Gospel “free” in our country (and in this instance, in our schools)!
Against this background, FOR SA urges pastors and Christian leaders to give us their signed support, so that we can speak as a loud and united voice on issues affecting our religious freedom. On a previous issue relating to religious freedom, FOR SA was able to rally the signed support of leaders representing 12 million people in South Africa.
Since the beginning of the year, pastors and leaders representing many millions of Christians have rallied behind FOR SA as an organisation. As a result, we have been able to “push back” on a number of issues that, if left unchallenged, could have dealt a serious blow to religious freedom and the autonomy of the Church. (To join FOR SA and/or sign up for our newsletter (both at no cost), visit our website at www.forsa.org.za).
In addition, FOR SA would appreciate any financial contributions towards our work to keep our faith “free” in South Africa. While a large number of people have offered their time and skill to FOR SA as volunteers, having finances at our disposal will enable to us to do so much more and to rally even more churches around the principle of religious freedom irrespective of our doctrinal differences.
Finally, we encourage all Christians to pray! James 5 v 16 tells us that “[t]he earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” Let’s keep bringing these matters before our Lord, and trust Him to grant us wisdom and grace and lead us in victory – for the sake of our country and ultimately, for His glory!
Can anyone indicate if there is a primary school in all of Alberton (where Randhart is) that does not integrate religious studies into their curriculum?
For the actual facts please see this press release.
http://www.ogod.org.za/press-releases/ogod-litigation-press-release-aug2014.pdf
Mr Selley is shamelessly not telling the truth. Christianity is not under attack.
He says: “In addition, FOR SA would appreciate any financial contributions towards our work to keep our faith “free” in South Africa” – Faith is FREE in SA because it is protected under our Constitution.
What Selley is asking is for forced evangelisation at the expense of the religious freedom of other religions.
I am 7th Day Adventist so I would not like my child to be exposed to a teacher forcing the doctrines of Andrew Selley on my child. That is my purpose as a parent and we raise our children with God in our home and church.
David, the OGOD press release that you refer to, in my opinion confirms the assertion in the Gateway News article that this organisation is attempting to remove Christianity from schools. Your unfounded remark about ‘forced evangelisation’ at best suggests that you misread the article.
It is forced evangelisation, in a passive aggressive way. Saying that all religious activities are voluntary does not change the fact that if you put any child of a different religion or of no religion into a school that actively promotes Christianity and with a majority Christian student body, that child will be ostracised by their fellow students for not participating in those religious activities, and ultimately that child will feel pressured into participating. The only way to truly promote freedom of religion is to remove religion from the public space and let families practice their religion at home and at their places of worship. We do have separation of Church and State in our constitution for exactly this reason.
I agree with you, David, that every parent “would not like my child to be exposed to a teacher forcing the doctrines of anyone else on my child.”
That is exactly why we need to respect each others differences of faiths and doctrines and allow schools to practice and implement the vision of their founding fathers.
If non-faith people (which is also a faith), other faith people (muslims etc) or other doctrine people (such as yourself) are not happy with a school that was founded upon a certain Christian ethos, don’t complain or try to change the school – either find a school that holds to your values and beliefs, or if none exist, be like the founding fathers of that Christian school and start a school that does hold to those values and beliefs.
Then everyone can be happy with no-one having anything forced on them.
The only thing is that this is easier said than done. There are not a host of schools to choose from for the majority in our country. Govt schools are very zone restrictive and many cannot afford private schooling. It’s a great idea in concept.
I think you suffer from a severe case of the pot calling the kettle black. I live in Somerset West. Home to Helderberg College a 7th day Adventist campus. By your reasoning they will then have to completely change there school too. starting with the closure of that “wicked” Saturday church that operates on the campus grounds. Remember what’s good for the goose is good for the gander.
Andre – thanks for you reply.
Regarding your statement around the OGOD press release, can you maybe clarify which portions makes you think so? I might have misread something and be keen to reassess.
With regards to my remark – per chance I listened to Radio Tygerberg yesterday morning where Adv. Nadene Badenhorst spoke around the issue. She clearly stated that it is FOR SA’s aim and wish to have unrestricted access to schools to evangelise. I cannot be blamed to assume that she is speaking of the church she and Andrew Selley represents. It is very different to my beliefs on many doctrinal points.
7th Day Adventist where treated, in schools as well, with disdain and discrimination in the pre-1994 era. A practice that has not changed in schools who enforces participation in either NG Kerk style or Evangelical style activities. I speak from experience. My child is segregated and discriminated against. On many occasions she was victimised by her teachers (and of course children follow suit) and our objections fell on hostile ears.
We, as Christians, needs some introspection on this issue. I politely ask you review the comment sections on various newspapers / FB groups who carried this story. The infighting and naked hostility does our cause no good.
David, this is a Christian website and protracted debating is discouraged (see Commenting Guidelines). Thanks for sharing you opinions. I do hope that in the face of the current legal bid to get any form of Christian expression prohibited at schools, Christians will see the bigger picture and will heed the call to rally around the principle of defending religious freedom — and refrain from counter-productive infighting.
Thanks Andre for a well constructed reply When will people grasp Jesus is bigger than anything
Public funds should never be used to promote any religious agenda, or they should promote them all, along with the lack of faith, equally.
This aricle is being disingenious – no where does it state that the organisation is atheist.
Noted and amended…It seems a reasonable inference but cannot be categorically stated.. (Editor)
Pieta van den Heever from Oudtshoorn, is a self confessing atheist and he is part of the group OGOD. (Isn’t it strange that the acronym is OGOD?! O GOD!). So in effect it is not wrong to think or say that the group has atheist ideas and propoganda.
If Christianity is not allowed to be practiced in Christian based schools than the other religions must get the same treatment what counts for one counts for ALL.
@J.B.M – which is exactly what the ‘anti-faith’ movement is bargaining on. By reaching a point where ‘no faith’ is allowed, atheism – which can be classified as a faith grouping in itself – wins the day. We need to be aware that certain schools – representing majority groupings around those schools – have the right to state their view on this matter if we want to pursue democracy properly. The parent will then either accept or find another school. If I were to send my child to an islam dominated school, that would be the position. And as far as evangelising goes – no-one is forced into anything as far as I can see David Dawson.
But people may have to learn a thing or two about discrimination.
THAT IS JUST EXACTLY MY POINT IF WE ASK OTHER RELIGIONS TO BE TREATED THE SAME WAY AS PEOPLE TREAT CHRISTIANITY DO YOU THINK THIS ISSUE WOULD ARISE. IF 7 OR 8 OTHER RELIGIONS WERE TARGETED ALONGSIDE CHRISTIANITY WHAT WOULD THE OUTCOME BE? AND I DO AGREE THEY ARE DISCRIMINATING AGAINST CHRISTIANITY.
If the school says Christian school then why do Muslims and the other religious apply there, i don’t believe that this is because of the freedom of other religious but i think that it is just the first step of removing Christianity. Im a school child and knowing the bill of rights i believe it says that everyone has the right choose whatever religion they wish to bt also respecting other religious, Christianity has never tried to remove other religious but they try to remove us. Let us unite and stop this in prayer.
In all of my 6 years of teaching Christianity in the PE schools, I have never “forced” a child of another religion to participate in my class. I have, however, had plenty of students from other religions that have chosen to stay in the class and to listen to my teaching, not because they have to, but because they want to!
Five years ago I had a student tell me at the beginning of the year that he is an atheist, but chooses to stay in the class, so long as I leave him alone, he will leave me alone! Over the period of that year, he heard the Good News and began to understand that God does not force Himself on us and is a LOVING God. Before the end of the year, he voluntarily accepted Jesus as his Lord and Saviour. He had heard the TRUTH (important word here) and the TRUTH had set him free.
Let us lift up those who have been blinded to the truth in prayer- may God reveal Himself to them! After all, it is the LOVE of God that brings us to repentance!
Let us speak blessing and not curse!
The battle is the Lord’s and the victory is ours- may we not forget this. Gen 12 says:…and I (God) will curse those that curse you! Almighty God has already won this battle- Hallelujah!
I was shocked,as I heard the news..told my wife,this is just the beginning of the end(times) may the true followers of Christ stand together and pray,and fight if needed!!!Lord Jesus, I pray for those on the battlefield of this ,Amen
Are we going to have a minority force their will on the majority within a democratic society? These schools have made a democratic decision to have a Christian ethos, live with it!
Religion must have public expression especially in the conscience of the nations leaders and the formation of the character of the next generation of leaders. It’s out tax money and we must have it spent the way we want, be that in education or the law. If a minority want religion to only be expressed in the home then they are wanting to prevent the majority from exercising their faith in a meaningful public way. We must not let them.
Why do atheists even bother about a God they don’t believe exists? The answer, they believe He exists and they are fearful of judgement! There is one God, and He is the God of all creation, omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent. Praise His Name!
Rev Ian, as an atheist I bother because real people exist whose beliefs lead to actions that lead to bad consequences for others. It has nothing to do with a make-believe god or gods, and everything to do with the hatred that flows out of certain religious believers.
“I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for it is the power of God … unto salvation first for the Jew and then for the Gentile” Rom 1:16 – Having said that: God is not dependent on the Gospel being presented in schools – or anywhere else – He knows His own and will reach them one way or another like in North Africa and the Middle East where He is appearing to people in dreams and visions. ~ One thing though: if we take God out of the public equation in this country, we will (SHALL) com under His discipline. Not a good idea for His Word says : “EVERY knee shall bow and EVERY tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord” (Rom 14:11). Our choice is whether we want to do it the easy way or the hard way ?
“As for me and my household: we will serve the Lord.”
If all else fails, consult the Instruction Manual/Bible
Amen, i agree with you i believe that God has a plan for all of us (Jeremiah 29v11)no one can stop Him from what he has planned to do. One way or another his will will be done and i choose to stand with Him.
What is so toxic about the core values of the Gospelof Christ that underlie it : love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,faithfulness, gentleness and self control? God knows these values are sorely needed in our society today.Hard to understand the resistance to these unless they are inspired from the kingdom of darkness.
Just some points from someone who supports this court action:
There is a fundamental misunderstanding about what is actually secularism, but being labelled atheism in this article. Secularism is the neutral position, and is not an alternative religion despite efforts to label it as such and should be the default at all state schools no matter what the majority religion is. In a society such as ours with our chequered history we cannot expect to accommodate all opinions and beliefs so there has to be at least a strive for neutrality. What we have at this stage is openly favouring one particular set of beliefs and values over others.
Children who do not belong to the school-sponsored religion are being separated and made to feel different, less worthy perhaps, and in some instances ostracized and bullied merely for the accident of being born into a family not of the ‘right’ religion.
The opt-out options do not work because of the pressure to conform and there are no doubt many more children taking part in these activities against their or their parent’s wishes than should be, purely for appearances and not wanting to paint a target on themselves.
To those saying that we are not forced to use religiously affiliated schools: the thing is, many *are* forced due to lack of finance or transport or whatever other reason preventing them the luxury of choice.
The evangelical programs targeted specifically at young children is precisely the reason many non-faith parents do not approve of them as they attempt to convert and indoctrinate those that are too young and too inexperienced to make informed decisions on their own.
Folks!
You are arguing over something that is silly. I am a christian, I professed faith on November 17th 2012. I mean yes, christianity should be taught at home and at church, but you don’t want a “DICTATOR” teacher telling students, they can’t pray to an almighty God! You should really think about your Christian Testimony, when you argue over things like this!
Please read the following letter with an open mind, from a non-believing mother and her experiences at a ‘Christian State School’:
“Dear Christian Principals, Teachers and Parents at public schools.
With astonishment that has sometimes verged on sheer horror, I’ve read the vitriol that’s flooded the papers and the web in response to Beeld’s article on OGOD’c court challenge. I’ve read threats so overtly violent that they compete with the worst that extreme and violent terrorist organisations have to offer. All because I and others support the idea of a learning environment in state schools that values each and every learner equally and encourages every child to be the best they can be. While I recognise that much of this vitriol is from a vociferous and irate minority, I nevertheless ask you to pause and consider what I write here.
I’d like to tell you about how my child, who is not a Christian, experiences life in a public school that holds itself up to represent Christian values. I feel I have to do this anonymously because the threats I’ve read genuinely concern me, and as a mother I have to consider my family’s safety above all else.
My son goes to a public school that is funded by the state, which is another way of saying that all tax-paying companies and citizens contribute to its very existence, including our business and ourselves. Those taxes come from people who hold all manner of beliefs, including none at all. So do the school fees. Despite this, the school only makes an effort to ensure that Christian children feel part of the system. This discrimination, which is contrary to our Constitution and to the South African School Act, deeply saddens me – firstly because of the direct impact on my son and secondly because it is robbing so many children of the opportunity to really understand the multi-cultural and multi-faith world in which they will grow up and live in.
The principal and teachers at the school are committed, dedicated people, people with good hearts who care deeply about the children in their classrooms. Because I know this to be true, I struggle to reconcile how a teacher, who has dedicated her life to growing and shaping young minds, can be comfortable in a classroom where my child is singled out and excluded from the group when it comes to morning Bible Study. The Christian children gather on the carpet while he sits at his desk in the corner. Surely, surely, the teacher must know how damaging this can be to the psyche of an eight-year old? My heart hurts for my son, and for the countless other children who experience this on any given school day.
I’m bringing up my son to recognise and welcome diversity and difference in people. I encourage him to understand others, their values, their motivations and their world views. I guide him to respect the rights of others to hold their beliefs, whilst not necessarily sharing them. I show him that his own actions should never harm others, both physically and mentally. This is what I teach my son. However, on a daily basis, the learning environment in which he finds himself sends a very different message. This message is quite simply: “If you’re not like us and a Christian, then you are not worth much at all.” On Ascension Day, all the Christian children were encouraged to wear white shirts to school. They all went out onto the rugby field, let some balloons loose into the sky and celebrated. Lots of fun. But only if you were a Christian. The rest, a minority clad in their school uniforms, were instructed to sit in a class where they were told to keep quiet and behave themselves and then left without invigilation. They were “The Others” and they simply didn’t count. In allowing activities such as these, the school encourages in-group loyalty and out-group prejudice. I ask myself, how can a good principal be comfortable with encouraging such a divisive ethos? How can he be comfortable with the psychological harm he is potentially inflicting on the non-Christian children in his school?
Schools are supposed to be places that allow children to feel safe, feel valued and that they belong. Aren’t these the basics of a sound learning environment? A child who is happy at school is better placed to participate in activities, get better marks and contribute to the school’s overall performance. What I see is a school whose exclusionary, prejudicial and discriminatory religious activities isolate my child, make him feel excluded and cause him to feel like he’s ‘other’. Surely anyone, but especially principals and teachers who have the responsibility of shaping our children’s minds, can recognise how these exclusionary practices can cause tremendous psychological damage to young and impressionable minds?
Because of my son’s enforced ‘difference’, children see him as an outsider and an oddity. During breaks he has been approached, sometimes aggressively, by other kids, including prefects, about his lack of participation in Christian activities. These children feel entitled to do so, and are empowered to do so, by the school system that explicitly reinforces the notion that they are superior because of their Christian views. They don’t see the child who wants to be a scientist so that he can develop medicines to help cure the world of disease, the child who asks me to travel with bread and juice in the car so that we can give it to those in need at intersections or the child who wants to take gifts to orphanages at Christmas time. They see the child who is not the same as them because he doesn’t sing hymns or say amen during assembly. And for this he is less worthy of respect and dignity and must be distrusted and maybe even avoided.
Our state schools should be places where diversity is valued and tolerance of different views is encouraged. They are the melting potjie of South African society, the place where the future of our country and our youth is being nurtured. In a world drowning in conflict, schools should be encouraging mutual understanding, acceptance and respect. Why then are schools reinforcing divisions and notions of differences and otherness? I fully recognise the right of privately funded schools to teach the values they so choose, but state schools are duty bound to adhere to different rules. Public schools and the people who staff them have a bigger societal responsibility.
We as a family dedicate a huge amount of time and energy to the school to contribute to making it a better place for all the staff and learners there, irrespective of their culture or beliefs. We do this because we believe in doing our best to make sure all the children, no matter what church they go to or don’t go to, have the best educational opportunities. Don’t all children deserve the chance to succeed? Is it too much to expect that the management and staff show the same kind of moral fortitude and encourage a non-discriminatory environment that promotes the growth and development and inclusion of all the learners in their care, not just the Christian ones?
I sometimes quietly weep for my child and the indirect discrimination he faces at school. Integrity is, however, one of our core family values and I’m proud of my young son for the way he stoically stands by his principles instead of capitulating and pretending to be a Christian in order to be accepted and fit in. The Constitution (15/2) and the South African Schools Act (Section 7) says I shouldn’t have to weep, and that my young impressionable son shouldn’t have to sacrifice a part of his growth potential because the school environment doesn’t fully support him. Sadly I see that thousands of Christian principals, teachers and parents out there don’t share my values of empathy, compassion and tolerance and instead vociferously and viciously hammer away at their keyboards, defending their right to discriminate and prejudice, and teaching their children to do the same. If my son were to take on such aggressive, intolerant and bullying tactics, I would tell him to hang his head in shame.
The current debate is not about non-Christians challenging Christian faith, it is about ensuring equal levels of care and respect and growth and support for children of all (and no) religions in public schools, and in the process, South African society showing it cares about the rights of all that are so clearly espoused in our legal framework. Where faith is important to one, surely there are many opportunities to share and grow it in a way that does not negatively affect the rights and development of others. As a principal, teacher or parent yourself, I hope you are able see that what I want for my child, and in fact all children, is equality in the educational environment and that it’s not such an unreasonable request.
Yours sincerely
A Mother”
Tim, thank you for opening our eyes to see the situation from a non-Christian’s viewpoint. That Mother’s letter moved me deeply. That’s how I would feel if I was a Christian parent who sent my child to a State School where Islam was favoured (as Christianity is favoured in many SA schools at present). Jesus taught we must do to others as we would have them do to us (Matthew 7:12). As a Christian committed to Jesus and His Scriptures, I have long argued that, IF a State School favours Christianity, it does a serious dis-service to Jesus Christ. That Mother and her child are put off Christianity because of Christians’ UnChristian behaviour in ‘Christian State Schools’. God is not pleased. When God urges Israel to choose to follow Him, He offers “freedom of religion” even to His own chosen people. Joshua 24:15 gives them three religious options. That is true ‘religious freedom’.
I sense an arrogance in some of the ‘Christian’ comments. Rather I plead for humility and wisdom. Yes, “Secular Humanism” will fill the gap left when Christianity is not propagated. Secular Humanism is categorised in the Schools Policy as a ‘religion’. Secular Humanism is built of the foundation of Evolution. So let us then humbly demand that Creationism be given equal space to Evolution. Not on religious grounds, but on scientific grounds. Once Creation is an equal option, wise Christians will extrapolate “Intelligent Design”, and then “God” and then “objective moral laws”, then “accountability”. Informal extra-curricula evangelism will be so much more effective, and Christian organisations (e.g. Scripture Union, Christian Students’ Organisation) will become out-of-hours discipling opportunities. Historically, Church and State mergers are disastrous in the long term. Christianity has always flourished best when freed from State involvement.
Read john 10:10
Know satan’s plan
Some people just must and have to force us down the same route the rest of the western world has gone. With the end result being a godless directionless society losing it’s culture and unable to cope with things like Islam, lack of moral standpoints and a whole host of other degenerate worldviews. You try with all your might to push your evil here.
BUT this is South Africa the last bastion of the God fearing man and his Spirit runs strong in us and we will fight you to our dying breath Satan, you and your brain dead minions.
I would like to know what the non-believing mother actually expects or wants the teacher to do with her child who sits in his desk while the children gather on the carpet for prayers?
Why does she think this makes her child feel ostracized. ..she obviously has instructed him not to take part and how can the teacher see to her/his class and still instruct him at the same time?
I understand non-christian being kept apart from the Ascension day celebrations and totally agree that they should not be left unattended but honestly. …what else can the school do if she has given instructions for her child not to take part?
It is a bit like admitting your child to a Jewish school and then being highly annoyed that he needs to sit outside during Jewish studies because he is unattended?
I have taught at a Jewish Private school where quite a few Christian children attended.These children just took part in everything as that was the school ethos.
They remained committed Christians but realised they just had to do the same as rhe others as their oarents chose the school due to it’s exclusivity…. ?
It is SO SAD to see Christians arguing on a site FOR God’s word to prevail in schools!
Aren’t we as Christians TAUGHT to be humble, kind, , understanding and forgiving?
Shame on some of you so called “Christians”!
The point being that as a state school (and as such is legally required to be secular) there should not be any religious instruction in the first place. This seems to be a point that so many on the religious side have great difficulty in understanding. Religious private schools, on the other hand, have free reign in this regard.
Those who want to remove Christianity (or whatever religious belief) from all schools are thus insisting that their ungodly secular humanist worldview will be forced upon our children. Humanistic totalitarianism?