Atheist Group Takes Issue with Teacher Mentioning National ‘Bring Bible to School Day’ to Students
ICC Note: A third grade teacher from Alabama recently received backlash from the Freedom from Religion Foundation (FFRF) after mentioning national “Bring Your Bible to School Day” to her class. Although she reportedly made it clear that students were not required to bring a Bible, the FFRF has asserted that simply mentioning the event is a promotion of religion. The FFRF has since requested an investigation into the matter and called for the teacher to cease future religious discussions.
By Heather Clark
10/30/2016 United States (Christian News Network) – A prominent professing atheist group is taking issue with an Alabama teacher’s recent promotion of national “Bring Your Bible to School Day” to students by telling students about the event.
The Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) says that it was contacted by a parent who advised that Patsy Smithey, a third grade teacher at Vestavia Hill Elementary East, had mentioned the event to students.
Smithey reportedly told the students that it was their choice whether or not they would like to participate and that they should ask for their parents’ permission. “Bring Your Bible to School Day,” observed nationwide on Oct. 6, simply entails students taking their Bibles with them to school.
But FFRF believes that Smithey should not have told students about the event, as they assert that doing so promotes religion and is therefore unconstitutional.
“It is unconstitutional for district staff to plan, promote or participate in religious events,” its letter to Superintendent Sheila Phillips, dated Oct. 2o, read. “When a district teacher promotes her personal religious beliefs to students, she violates not only the Constitution, but also parents’ trust.”
“The promotion of a Christian event alienates those non-Christian students, families, teachers, and members of the public whose religious beliefs are inconsistent with the message being promoted by the school, including the 35 percent of young Americans who are not religious,” it contended.