Last week, in a South Carolina case, a federal appeals court ruled unanimously for a public student’s right to receive academic credit for outside religion courses, including those that espouse a particular religious viewpoint.
The decision, from the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia, upheld a South Carolina program which allows students to gain elective school credit for religion courses taken off-campus during school hours.
In 2009, the Freedom From Religion Foundation sued Spartanburg School District 7 on behalf of two students (one atheist, one Jewish) over the Christian-focused program, claiming it was a violation of the establishment clause. The foundation also was behind a recent suit in the Midlands when a student at Irmo High School complained of being subjected to a prayer at the school's commencement exercises.
“[T]he program properly accommodates religion without establishing it, in accordance with the First Amendment,” the court’s opinion stated. “[The program] accommodates the ‘genuine and independent choices’ of parents and students to pursue [religious] instruction.”
The court basically ruled the program and its classes constitutional since it was held off-site and because students were not required to take them and were purely elective and met the district's and the state's academic requirements. The fact that the classes were Christian-focused and evangelical in nature was moot, the court declared.
“This is a big win for public school students and for religious education,” said Lori Windham, Senior Counsel with the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, which represented the school district, along with Spartanburg firm Lyles, Darr & Clark, LLP. “The court’s opinion shows that public schools can make room for student religious exercise.”
For more than 50 years, courts have routinely held that off-campus released time programs do not violate the Constitution by promoting religion, but merely accommodate the wishes of students and parents, according to the Beckett Fund.
Nationwide, more than 250,000 children in 32 states participate in released time programs each year. In South Carolina alone, more than 12,000 students attend released time classes each week, according to the Beckett Fund.
"We are very pleased by the outcome," said school district superintendent Russell Booker. "We are especially pleased that the Court recognized that the District has conscientiously complied with the Constitution in carrying out its mission of educating Spartanburg’s children."
What's your opinion? Should tax-supported, public school students be allowed to receive academic credits for private religious instruction? Take our poll below.
Ken
3:25 pm on Friday, July 6, 2012
As long as the class is an elective class and no student is required to take part in the class I see no problem with it.
Sam Henline
1:30 pm on Tuesday, July 10, 2012
I see no problem with it if atheists will get credit for going to atheist meetups or scientific lectures/seminars, and those who are theologically agnostic will get credit for well...nothing. Oh the stupidity of this makes my head hurt...
stanley seigler
2:37 pm on Tuesday, July 10, 2012
@Sam Henline: "...agnostic will get credit for nothing. Oh the stupidity of this makes my head hurt..."
if stupidity makes yo head hurt...you must be in constant, excruciating, pain...
Bobby Gillespie
8:30 pm on Friday, July 6, 2012
Talk about poisoning our youth with superstition.
Gretchen
2:38 pm on Saturday, July 7, 2012
Beats the hell out of what they are being POISONED with NOW ! ! ! I do not think they should get credit for studying religion...but I think every KID should be required to study it. Maybe we would have a kinder populace.
stanley seigler
4:21 pm on Saturday, July 7, 2012
@Gretchen: 'Maybe we would have a kinder populace...'
or maybe an inquisition or pogroms...all seriousness aside...teach deism and Gandhi's tenets...ie/eg, all religions are spokes on the same wheel.
stanley seigler
11:55 pm on Friday, July 6, 2012
re: What's your opinion?
need more information...eg, do they get credit for courses that teach the earth is 4500 years old...OTOH do they get credit for courses that teach most of our founders were deists...NOT christians...
what about muslim schools...can they get credit here...if someone opens a school for atheists will they get credit for courses taught at this school...
what about courses in satanism...
all rhetorical's...answers not expected.
Ronin Toups
12:55 pm on Monday, July 9, 2012
Answers should be expected. No religion should receive state or federal funds in any way, shape, or form. The fact that they are all Tax Exempt (Except for Satanism) and the fact that most religions in the USA violate the 501(c) IRS Non-Profit code by openly supporting various political candidates, just proves how biased things truly are.
Robert Kelly
7:36 am on Saturday, July 7, 2012
Kids need to fulfill a core requirement of math, english, etc. to graduate, but there is room for electives. Maybe using off-campus resources is not such a horrible idea. It is not appropriate for public school teachers to be teaching religion, but is there really any harm in kids going to a church, synagogue, mosque, temple, etc. voluntarily? So they get credit, who is harmed? Maybe an art museum or state park could also get in on the concept and really broaden the opportunities for kids to learn things the school district can't, or won't, offer. They will still need to cover their core curriculum requirements to graduate.
Pete Swager
2:56 pm on Monday, July 9, 2012
Maya, thats why he suggested museums and state parks for people who dont practice religion. If its fair for everyone I dont have a problem with them getting school credits for LEARNING. First of all, I agree with you Robert that if they want to try and recieve ELECTIVE credits for going to church off school grounds then thats fine as long as my kid can get credit for going to the museum, planetarium, aquarium or any other educational opportunities. The whole point is to get kids to want to learn and to get involved, RIGHT?
Robert Kelly
10:34 pm on Monday, July 9, 2012
Maya, I think there is a lot that can be learned outside of school. I am not advocating religious education, I am simply asserting it can be one of many choices. Example, my daughter spent a day with our family doctor, following her around and actually sitting in on some pediatric visits (with the parents' approval of course). She did this on a school day with the high school's approval, and wrote a report on it. There should be lots of things kids can do that broaden their knowledge and horizons. Why not consider religion one of those things? This does not cost the school anything, it does not demand students must participate, and it does not penalize anyone! Your comment that the non-religious kids are harmed because they can't do this is no more valid than saying the less athletic kids are harmed because they can't earn a high school letter for playing varsity sports. Anyone who wants to try an find something out of the ordinary to do, and I think we ought to encourage it.
Thanks, Pete, for clarifying the point.
maizenbluedoc
7:53 am on Saturday, July 7, 2012
At last count, I believe Summerville has many more churches than schools, so why can't the churches be used for religious education? If this istarted for one faith, it must be done for all. Be careful what you wish for.
Stephanie
9:37 am on Saturday, July 7, 2012
Ha! Do you really think our school system is so superior we can afford to have electives in religion?! And I'm assuming you're referring to Christianity when you say "religion" and there's no place else a student can receive religious instruction for free in the state of South Carolina. Except church. And bible school. And the Good News Club. And the YMCA. And Upwards sports. And home.
Robert Kelly
9:49 am on Saturday, July 7, 2012
I don't know why you are assuming Christianity; no one indicated that. Maybe outside sources are a good thing. It is kind of unnatural to physically confine children to a desk for 6-8 hours and assume that is the best way to learn. I also think there is a reason why traditional higher education at the most prestigious institutions was historically a liberal arts education with all sorts of topics covered. Is our current focus on desks and chairs in a classroom focusing on the Basic Skills Assessment tests really an improvement?
Robert Kelly
9:56 am on Saturday, July 7, 2012
And to go on even longer...then I should shut up...
Too many kids hate school! That is bizarre! Kids are naturally curious and love to learn new stuff. They also like to spend time with their friends. School should be a natural! So why don't they like it? Maybe because it is so regimented and narrow? Maybe the problem is not "the kids of today", maybe the problem is forcing kids into an unnatural environment that runs counter to the way they function when they are running on all cylinders. If getting out of the school to learn stuff from local subject matter experts can be incorporated, I suspect they will end up knowing more, not less. And religion can be one of those areas...all kinds of religion.
stanley seigler
2:06 pm on Saturday, July 7, 2012
@Robert Kelly: "... And religion can be one of those areas...all kinds of religion."
of course students should be exposed to all areas they can handle.
the question here: 'Should Public School Students Receive Credits for Religious Instruction'
and the answer is NO if these extracurricular credits count towards graduation requirements (acedemic, elective, credit)...any/all pertinent courses/activities can be noted in students record...eg, lettered in football, completed catholic catechism classes, etcetc...
Robert Kelly
7:12 pm on Saturday, July 7, 2012
Stanley,
I really appreciate your comments, and more often than not agree with them, but on this topic I have to say I would lean toward the less structured and incorporate topics which the students find interesting or challenging...and count them as electives. If I were still in the business of hiring people, I would look at a student who decided to take an elective to learn about some religion (not necessarily his/her own) as a positive trait. I am not suggesting we drop the core requirements, just that we bring in some areas which the schools cannot provide and give them credit for it. I know my opinion has no impact and I wouldn't even know where to start to get involved in making public policy, but I enjoy these discussions.
stanley seigler
10:37 pm on Sunday, July 8, 2012
@Robert Kelly
agree...my thinking was a little too 'structured'...also know my opine has no impact as well...but it keeps my mind occupied...
Trey Rhodes
10:43 pm on Saturday, July 7, 2012
Your percentages are wrong. 31 of 111 is 28%. 20 of 111 is 18%. Etc...
Trey Rhodes
10:45 pm on Saturday, July 7, 2012
Oops, posted too soon...just thought you'd want to fix your program. I'm sure it's done automatically. Thanks for all the interesting articles.
Trish K.
12:55 pm on Monday, July 9, 2012
I'm with Stephanie, I say NO. Too many kids are failing basic required classes. This has no place in secular public schools.
Micayla Milne
1:00 pm on Monday, July 9, 2012
Absolutely not!!
Reyes
1:20 pm on Monday, July 9, 2012
Sure, why not? It is a brilliant idea provided they also get credit for getting instruction in astrology, tarot card reading, clearvoyance, dowsing, alchemy, and most importantly, how to prepare for the zombie apocalypse.
adam mcgrath
1:47 pm on Monday, July 9, 2012
i am agnostic an i give my kids the option of attending r.e , they choose to go which is great for them as religion has a lot to do with our history and history is important and very interesting as religion is interesting , this said i truly believe that religion should only be taught/studied as a broad subject covering majourity of religions christianity , muslim , buddhist etc as a chosen subject at secondary or tertiary levels.....church and religions dont create or guarantee good people , good people Are a product of there environment .
Tony
1:54 pm on Monday, July 9, 2012
If religion is allowed in school it should be in a mythology class not a science class.
Xavier Mouser
4:01 pm on Monday, July 9, 2012
The problem is...elective or not...you ARE required to attend...failure to do so is social suicide. They start this crap in 3ed grade around here. If your child doesn't attend...you might as well paint a huge bulls eye on his back. He will become everyones target for anything...so no...it is NOT an elective...and should have no place in school
Lawrence S. Lerner
4:52 pm on Monday, July 9, 2012
It is an outrage and an admission by the local churches that they need the coercive power of compulsory school attendance to get kids to come to their churches. The court's decision is almost certain to be reversed at a higher level. There is precedent for released time for religious indoctrination, but never before has academic credit been granted for it.
Obstruction of Injustice
6:45 pm on Monday, July 9, 2012
Looks like someone with too much time on their hands has spammed the "unscientific poll" to slant the results to suit his or her viewpoint. What's wrong, can't face the fact that your opinion doesn't hold merit on its own, so you decide to vote multiple times via a proxy server? Grow up.
Kids and their parents should have a choice in their electives, religion included.
MM
12:39 pm on Tuesday, July 10, 2012
The only exception I would make, would be for comparative religion classes for purposes of cultural studies and anthropology.
JoSCh
12:22 pm on Thursday, July 12, 2012
The questions weren't very good for this poll.
No. Teach it at home or in church. That's not what I pay taxes for. - This implies that tax dollars are going to pay for these outside of the building classes. I suspect they aren't.
Yes. So long as students have a choice not to take such classes, and they do not promote a particular faith. - What does "promote" a particular faith mean? If it talks about a particular faith in a good light does that mean "promote?" If it attacks a faith should it be allowed?
FWIW, I don't have a problem teaching about religion right in school, it's just philosophy. I do see how it can become a slippery slope quickly, one way or the other. Acting like it's not a part of life won't change that, and teaching about life is the point of school.
dana lee wichmann
12:42 pm on Wednesday, October 3, 2012
No. In my history classes it was mentioned enough. It seemed to me at the time that religon was always present when bad things would happen. Even as a third grader I saw that religons are power grabs and the ignorant follow because they want to fit into the "club" that has the biggest club. I think that most join out of fear. That's why I'm an atheist.