Jesus in the classroom
THIS WEEK: Bibles at School
“Don’t forget your bible.”
That may be the new morning reminder for a slew of public school parents with children in certain states, as getting bible instruction in schools has become an increasingly popular item on the Christian Nationalist to-do list. In many places, local Republicans have been happy to support the addition.
Here are some examples
Some Tips on Covering Religion in Schools
EXPLAIN THE LEGAL RAMIFICATIONS
Most all initiatives are being contested, like in Oklahoma
DON’T ADOPT PARTISAN FRAMING DEVELOPED BY A PR FIRM
Many of the supporters of bible study in schools are framing bible study as a literacy enrichment issue. In other words, they insist they are offering something missing, not imposing something controversial and unconstitutional. Instead of repeating the framing as if it were fact, report on how the framing is — or is not — working and how opponents are framing the issue.
UNDERSTAND AND REPORT ON FIRST AMENDMENT AND THE ESTABLISHMENT CLAUSE
Critics see the above framing as just a way to get around regulations that relate to separation of church and state. Unpacking this is important.
TELL STORIES THAT EXPLORE HOW ACTIVISTS ARE PUSHING BACK
Like THIS.
OFFER CONTEXT
Efforts to get bibles in public schools are overlapping with a push to get religious schools included in state education funding programs. They also coincide with efforts among Christian Nationalists to take over school districts. Inform your audiences about the larger efforts among ultra-conservative Christians to push Christianity onto American students, at the taxpayer’s expense.
ASK ABOUT OTHER RELIGIONS
Folks who are pushing bibles into schools are often the same ones pushing for more of their conservative Christianity into many other facets of daily life. Be mindful of the number of other religions in America; and what it means to favor one. SEE: The Tyranny of the Majority
A guide for covering religion in schools
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We’re Watching:
Jesus Camp
Comic Relief
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Isaac Kamola, associate professor of political science at Trinity College, founder of Faculty First Responders and co-author of Free Speech and Koch Money, Manufacturing a Campus Culture War
Nancy MacLean, William H. Chafe distinguished professor of history and public policy at Duke University and author of Democracy in Chains: The Deep History of the Radical Right’s Stealth Plan for America
Ralph Wilson, founder of the Corporate Genome Project and co-author of Free Speech and Koch Money, Manufacturing a Campus Culture War
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