Satan, the Bible, the Constitution, and Craig County Schools

According to an article in OurValley.org, the Craig County School Board has approved an elective course in Bible study for the 2008-09 school year. The action has prompted the ACLU to ask for information.

Before the School Board voted to add the course entitled "The Bible in History and Literature," there was a short video presentation featuring actor Chuck Norris (you may recall he was a visible supporter of Mike Huckabee) and several county residents spoke about the need to have God in school. “Satan is here in Craig County High School,” said former Craig County School Board member Fay Powers. She added, “We fight Satan every day."

Several pastors spoke in favor of the new class.  "We can teach the philosophy of evolution, but not the Bible” in school, said the Rev. Morris. Retired pastor Jerry King said he “would be surprised if this county turned it [the class] down, when we know the end is near.”

About a half dozen students also spoke in favor of a Bible class. Freshman Cody Rader spoke with emotion, "The law says we can do this," he said, and he complained about having to listen to the theory of evolution, while not believing it.

At least one school board member urged caution. Dawna McDowel pointed out that the Bible class “content is different than what is being hoped for.” She continued, “If we’re going to institute a course, we need to be very careful not to cross the line, and I mean VERY careful . . . forcing religion on others is against the Constitution.”

The course being offered is believed to be one promoted by the National Council on Bible Curriculum in Public Schools. It claims to have its curriculum in 1,800 high schools in nearly 450 school districts in 37 states.

The People for the American Way charges that ". . . the National Council on Bible Curriculum in Public Schools (NCBCPS) have attempted (sometimes successfully) to introduce Bible classes in public schools under the guise of improving students’ understanding of literature and history. But, more often, the real intent of the organization is to promote a religious, primarily Christian doctrine . . ."

According to a press release, the ACLU of Virginia has filed a Freedom of Information Act inquiry. The ACLU noted that a NCBCPS course in a Texas school district was dropped after parents filed suit. The school board opted for another course consistent with the United States Constitution. “Public schools in Craig County may teach students about religion and they can offer courses that include studying the Bible,” said ACLU of Virginia Legal Director Rebecca Glenberg. “But there’s a legal line between teaching about religion in public schools and promoting particular religious viewpoints. If Craig County’s teachers will be following the NCBCPS course recommendations, they will certainly be crossing that line.”

Some school divisions, notably in the Rockingham and Augusta counties, have "released time" programs where elementary students leave school (with parents' permission) for Bible classes taught just off the premises (sometimes a mobil classroom literally inches over the line). This arrangement was upheld in Zorach v. Clauson because the instruction was off school grounds and did not involve public funds.

Although legal, released time programs' entanglement with public schools' daily routines sometimes run afoul of the Constitution. For example, there have been a few cases of teachers inappropriately "bribing" students (who didn't want to go) with treats to go to the Bible class. In other schools, parents have felt community pressure to grant permission. In others, the Bible class has been treated and seen as part of the school curriculum.

Although not a legal issue, released time programs have recently come under fire as schools try to maximize instructional time for the Standards of Learning. When time for the arts or PE is cut back for more teaching to the high stakes tests, it is hard to justify time out of the school day for Bible study.

If Craig County HS goes forward with "The Bible in History and Literature" course, everyone from the superintendent to the teacher will be walking a fine legal line. Teaching about religion is okay. But, when it becomes preaching, even to a minor degree, it violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. The ACLU and others will be watching!

Craig County bails on controversial Bible class

You may recall that last spring Craig County Public Schools approved a new class, "The Bible in History and Literature" that many believed crossed the line between separation of church and state. When the Craig County School Board approved the course, the ACLU of Virginia began an investigation into the board's motives and the details of the curriculum.

Recently, the Craig County superintendent notified the ACLU of Virginia that the School Board had reversed the decision to offer the controversial course. Instead, the board approved another course, "The Bible and Its Influence," which is promoted by The Bible Literacy Project. Most observers feel like the new course teaches, while the former course crossed the line into preaching. 

“The new course adopted by the Craig County School Board is an improvement over the one chosen earlier this year,” said ACLU of Virginia Executive Director Kent Willis. “But all religion courses in public schools require close monitoring to make certain that they are not used to proselytize students or as a means for the government to promote some religions over others.”

Congratulations to the Craig County School Board for rejecting the religious crazies, for seeing the truth, and for understanding the legal realities. And, kudos to the ACLU of Virginia for investigating and pushing the board to take a more reasonable, and legal, course of action.

For more information, visit the ACLU of Virginia.

GOP worries in the Shenandoah Valley

While the national Republicans seem to be imploding with each passing day, there is new evidence they are increasingly worried about what for years has been considered safe turf - the Shenandoah Valley. Craig Orndorff, a 22 year old native of Shenandoah County, has been hired by the RNC to be the party's Shenandoah Valley field representative for the 2009 elections. He'll have an office in Harrisonburg and presumably a budget. The job description, according to his blog, 

In my capacity I’ll be doing alot of work in the field, and via the written word, photos, and video, I hope to bring you a glimpse of the campaign that is often underreported in the media–the grassroots.

Orndorff's credentials include being legislative assistant for Delegate Todd Gilbert and working for various other Republicans and activities in the Shenandoah Co. Republican Committee.

From a Democratic perspective, this is great news! The very fact that the RNC has to cover their ass in this region speaks volumes about the progress the Democratic Party has made in the past several years. In nearly every locality, Barack Obama did far better than Democratic presidential candidates have done in many cycles. Mark Warner carried nearly every area and even where he didn't win, came very close. Democrats have picked up local offices, especially in the cities. And, all of the local Democratic committees are active, engaged, with growing membership!

Plus, if the GOP spends more money and resources here, that's less for them to utilize in other parts of the state. The prospects for a Democratic majority in the House of Delegates are looking brighter!

Meanwhile some local GOP committees and the RPV are bickering among themselves. Maybe Craig's first mission is to break out a peace pipe?

What probably got the RNC's attention is the blue tide that is risin' all over the Valley in '09. Democrats have strong candidates in every House of Delegates district. While they've been working to find solutions, the Party of NO is back on their heels after turning their backs on Virginia's unemployed.

Orndorff's post is titled "Change is a-comin'." Craig, maybe you missed the message: change is already here and we're moving forward.