Parent Concerns in Ohio School Bible Case
Friday May 9, 2008
A few weeks ago, I blogged about the case of teacher John Freshwater, who has a Bible on display (along with the Ten Commandments) in his middle-school classroom. The school district asked him to remove the items, and many kids came to school with Bibles of their own, to show their support for Freshwater. Now, however, some parents are concerned about the divisive learning environment that the case has created. There's some downright "us versus them" hostility going on, and some parents and kids think that "acceptance and religious tolerance is a one-way street for many concerned."
One parent refers to the atmosphere as one of "mob mentality", and says that kids are being harassed and picked on if they're not backing Freshwater. In fact, she says that it's being presented as though those who disagree with the teacher are "anti-Bible." Mom Christine Hamilton summarized the situation, saying, "This is the United States of America. You’re supposed to accept everybody for who they are, and none of this is supposed to matter. That is very frustrating to me. As a Christian, you shouldn’t judge anybody. ... We all believe in different things. I personally might not agree with the way you believe or the way you practice, but we can still be friends.”
One parent refers to the atmosphere as one of "mob mentality", and says that kids are being harassed and picked on if they're not backing Freshwater. In fact, she says that it's being presented as though those who disagree with the teacher are "anti-Bible." Mom Christine Hamilton summarized the situation, saying, "This is the United States of America. You’re supposed to accept everybody for who they are, and none of this is supposed to matter. That is very frustrating to me. As a Christian, you shouldn’t judge anybody. ... We all believe in different things. I personally might not agree with the way you believe or the way you practice, but we can still be friends.”
Comments
I applaud that mom for speaking out the way she did. Too bad not every one sees it as that.
Things like that divided my school too when I was growing up. I was usually on the other side of the “right” line and it sucks. But its good for those kids that stand up for their beliefs and don’t fall into that mob mentality.
Really, I applaud any one of the people, especially students, who brought Bibles or didn’t. No matter which side one of them is on, it shows that they’ve made a decision about faith, which is almost always a good thing.
That said, it is sad that there are people involved who feel like acting like children. Nobody should be ridiculed for being different, especially in the matters of religion, where no one is quite the same.
An hysterical woman said, “This is the United States of America. You’re supposed to accept everybody for who they are, and none of this is supposed to matter.”
This is the United States of America where citizens are free to REJECT anyone for any reason. And religious faith DOES matter.
A Christian Bible Club at public school may lawfully restrict its leadership to only those who share its religious beliefs. That is the glory of the American Constitution.
A Christian ministry may lawfully refuse to hire those whose beliefs or lifestyles are in violation of the beliefs and lifestyles of the potential employees. I thank God for the First Amendment. And I rejoice in the right of churches to lawfully discriminate.
As for personal friendships, a school student is free to pick and choose based upon whatever reasons she wishes. This is as it should be in a free country. For believers in Christ we have always been exclusionary in our faith yet open in our charity and acts of mercy.
Sometimes I am curious why some people choose to read certian blogs..what lead them to it? - especially when it seems to be something they do not have any real interest in…curiouser and curiouser…
Any hoo - it’s a same that this has become about Christians versus non-Christians. I doubt that the teacher who brought his Bible to school was expecting that…who knows though, right?
I hope this community will be able to find a happy medium and move on. Personally, I try to live by “each to their own”.
BB all!!
Friend said:
An hysterical woman said, “This is the United States of America. You’re supposed to accept everybody for who they are, and none of this is supposed to matter.”
And this “hysterical woman” was one of you: a Xian. It just happens that she is far more understanding of the Constitution and rights of citizens than you are, thus you cannibalize your own kind because she thinks differently than yourself. So typically ignorant.
Friend said:
This is the United States of America where citizens are free to REJECT anyone for any reason. And religious faith DOES matter.
To a degree you are correct, but to a greater degree you are wrong. We have the rights as citizens to accept or reject people or ideas at will. We are not, however, permitted to denigrate or compel others to act against their will. Ridiculing others because they refuse to endorse the actions of a teacher who has been asked to comply with system regulations is wrong. As you said, people have the right to reject others - and some students chose to reject that teacher and his ideologies.
We are to presume from your statements that people are allowed to reject non-Xians, but when the opposite rejection is exercised, you find it offensive and wrong? Yours is a one-way street - indicative of your silly religious intolerance.
Friend said:
A Christian Bible Club at public school may lawfully restrict its leadership to only those who share its religious beliefs. That is the glory of the American Constitution.
This is in essence true. It is also irrelevant to the current discussion based simply on the fact that students join a club as a choice. The students in a class are not there by choice (more often than not), they are there by compulsion. Religious messages in a compulsory school setting are not appropriate.
Friend said:
A Christian ministry may lawfully refuse to hire those whose beliefs or lifestyles are in violation of the beliefs and lifestyles of the potential employees. I thank God for the First Amendment. And I rejoice in the right of churches to lawfully discriminate.
But you become inflamed when non-Xians lawfully discriminate. Are you seriously so blind that you cannot see the hypocrisy and contradiction within your own post?
Friend said:
As for personal friendships, a school student is free to pick and choose based upon whatever reasons she wishes. This is as it should be in a free country. For believers in Christ we have always been exclusionary in our faith yet open in our charity and acts of mercy.
I call your bullsh**. Were it up to the Xian sects in this nation, people like myself would have been eradicated from the public arena years ago, and without the mercy you claim exists. More lies have been told by your religious ilk regarding my beliefs than can be enumerated. Persecution exists and persists based on those lies told by a self-serving church whose greatest recruitment tool is fear. Charity and mercy? Faugh! Your faith knows nothing of either.
Why do you troll this site spreading your misunderstanding and half-truths? Have you nothing better to do with yourself? Or do you think Jesus is going to give you a gold star for trying to save the Heathen Wiccans?
I’ve mentioned issues I’ve had in my own school in the past, but suffice it to say here that I lived happily once it all blew over and we found our happy medium again.
Sometimes you put up with things and have to demand your own rights. If you don’t get them, get a little loud just in case anyone missed it.
Kids who are bringing bibles have that right to be supportive. But other kids should fight fire with fire and bring their own religios texts or symbols with them. If everyone wears their heart on their sleeve, maybe no one will be as inclined to hurt others because you can see that religious convictions are all around.
Although that might create a bad environment for Athiests and Agnostics, however in this case it seems that everyone involved has an interest in religious tolerance and therefore has an interest in protecting their own faith.
Scolai wrote this rather bizarre claim: “Were it up to the Xian sects in this nation, people like myself would have been eradicated from the public arena years ago,”
Christians started this country and ran it for scores of years without eradicating anyone from the public arena… a good policy to follow even now, eh?
And speaking of allowing religious free speech in the public arena, did you know that student-initiated, student-led graduation prayers are thoroughly constitutional? Let the ACLU simmer, but that federal courts have shut them down when they tried to censor student prayers at graduations.
Quote: Every year about this time, the American Civil Liberties Union and others threaten to bring lawsuits against any school that allows students to share their faith or pray at graduation.
Mat Staver of Liberty Counsel says:
The ground rules are simple: Any prayer that is student-initiated and student-led is perfectly legal.
Unquote
See legal basis at http://www.lc.org/index.cfm?PID=15643
and especially
http://www.lc.org/media/9980/attachments/Memo_grad_prayer.pdf
And “But you become inflamed when non-Xians lawfully discriminate”
I don’t care if they LAWFULLY discriminate. So do I LAWFULLY.
I gladly accept being excluded from cult meetings and leadership in causes I don’t believe in. These are not goevrnment run. And I respect the civil rights of those private individuals who LAWFULLY exclude me too.
What I oppose is UNlawful discrimination or UNequal treatment by government which is UNlawful. That is power of the First Amendment. You can thank our Christian founding fathers for it.
Geeze Friend….you support the children that ridicule other children. Wouldn’t want to be around your kids.
Another poster made this rather bizarre comment– “Were it up to the Christian sects in this nation, people like myself would have been eradicated from the public arena years ago…”
We believers in Jesus Christ (Christians) founded this country and ran it for centuries without this rather bizarre prediction happening. Methinks perhaps you are seeing boogy men under the bed or imagining bad dreams. I laugh at such foolishness.
It is because of the Christians that we enjoy the First Amendment, religious liberty, and freedom of speech. I celebrate that and sincerely thank God for His direction in the founding and history of America.
LOL…..read your history Friend. Stop fooling yourself.
OK…again…I have to wonder…WHY do people who have no desire but to instigate feel the need to read this blog? Why can’t we just go about OUR business in peace - I highly doubt a lot of Pagans are reading Christian based blogs and slamming them!
Also, I really want to see this conversation with this person end - as it can not come to a mutual respectful ending because they do not respect our choices…but I have to comment on this:
The person in question said : “Christians started this country and ran it for scores of years without eradicating anyone from the public arena… a good policy to follow even now, eh?”
Seriously?? Have you never heard of the Native Americans (who by the way where here first) and what happen to them when the pilgrims (ummm…Christians, correct??) showed up?
OK - I must apologize to PATTI for where this discussion has gone - I just had to say that last little bit.
The best thing we who read this great blog for all the true reasons can do is simply ignore this person who insists on commenting here and causing strife!
Bleesed be to ALL!
Rebecca, no apologies necessary. I agree, you have to sometimes wonder why someone even hangs out in a place where their beliefs are clearly in opposition to the entire purpose of the website.
I should also point out, a few people have emailed me and asked why I haven’t banned Friend from the comment area of this blog. Quite honestly, it’s because even though I disagree with 90% of what she posts, she’s never violated the terms of service. It’s also because I want people of any faith to feel welcome here. Although this is technically a site for information on Paganism and Wicca, everyone, of any faith, is welcome to post here as long as they abide by the rules.
Frankly, I think Friend likes to drop in and make comments that reference the Bible and Christianity, because that’s where her frame of reference is. Think of it as the “dominant religion filter”. She really can’t imagine what life is like from a non-Christian perspective, it’s just outside her personal worldview.
The flip side of things is that no one is obligated to respond to Friend’s posts. Obviously, everyone is welcome to their opinion, but that includes people whose opinion we think is wrong.
patti
You are so right Patti - and I admire your fairness! Any view should be respected for the fact that it is someone’s feelings. Take care!!
I respond because I believe it’s important to not let a religious troll get the last word. That and I enjoy a healthy debate, even if it occurs with someone of Friend’s ilk.
That having been said:
Friend said:
Another poster made this rather bizarre comment– “Were it up to the Christian sects in this nation, people like myself would have been eradicated from the public arena years ago…”
Christians started this country and ran it for scores of years without eradicating anyone from the public arena… a good policy to follow even now, eh?
This is where your Xian blinders are doing their job far too well. Another poster already pointed out a few relevant examples of how Xians decimated populations. I’ll tack onto those comments:
- Native Americans were forced from their lands (Trail of Tears), killed, forced onto reservations, had their children ripped away and sent to boarding schools - all by good Xian people bent on “civilizing” the “savages”.
- Witch Hunts witnessed the deaths of hundreds of women (and men) accused of having relations with the devil. Over the course of world history, potentially millions of people were killed in inquisitions and witch hunts perpetuated by hysterical Xians.
- The current War on Terror has seen Xian America invade sovreign nations and the deaths of tens of thousands of Muslim men, women, and children.
Shall we also discuss Crusades? Templar Knights? Beziers, France? Ku Klux Klan versions of Xianity? Fred Phelps?
Xianity has a habit of killing off or driving away anyone who doesn’t tow their religious line. Which Pope was it who said, “Kill them all. The Lord will know his own”? Innocent III, maybe?
Friend said:
We believers in Jesus Christ (Christians) founded this country and ran it for centuries without this rather bizarre prediction happening. Methinks perhaps you are seeing boogy men under the bed or imagining bad dreams. I laugh at such foolishness.
Methinks you are historically inept. History is replete with examples that underscore my position. There are no boogy-men; only real, live people who wouldn’t hesitate to destroy my livelihood after learning that I’m a Witch.
You also err in saying that the founders were “followers of Jesus.” There is no mention of Jesus in any of our founding documents. The fact that they refer to “Divine Providence” and the “God of Nature” so much would indicate that they were, at most, deists.
Again, you are wrong - decidedly so. The evidence in history overwhelmingly demonstrates this fact. Now, you must stop these uninformed posts. Cleaning up your constant messes is getting to be tedious.
I read about our founding fathers being diests. They wrote it in their personal journals as well.
I wish we had the freedom to enjoy our own blog without persecution. I really enjoy reading these until we get to the oh-so-frequent argument started by “friend”
“friend-
noun 1. a person attached to another by feelings of affection or personal regard.
2. a person who gives assistance; patron; supporter: friends of the Boston Symphony.
3. a person who is on good terms with another; a person who is not hostile: Who goes there? Friend or foe?
4. a member of the same nation, party, etc.
5. (initial capital letter) a member of the Religious Society of Friends; a Quaker.
–verb (used with object) 6. Rare. to befriend.
—Idiom7. make friends with, to enter into friendly relations with; become a friend to. ”
as if.
What I still don’t understand about all the conversations about Freshwater all concentrate on his having a Bible on his desk… behavior I don’t find objectionable. But only rarely is it mentioned that he abused students. He called for volunteers for a science experiment and didn’t tell the students it might hurt and would leave a mark that lasted for weeks… in the shape of a cross, naturally. See the following: http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080423/NEWS01/804230312/1002. If this is accurate, the man is a danger to his students.
it sickens me when I read christians won’t tolerate this and won’t tolerate that. Always shoving their beliefs onto others and if you don’t believe or join them, you are treated extremely badly. (I have had my house egged by christians because I don’t believe)
As for their twisted ways of involving children..that really is sickening. Christians are against Pagans and Witches. I sick and tired of seeing negative tv shows, and movies pertaining witches as evil. not forgetting books as well. so, to all christians instead of smearing everyone else why don’t you take care of your own backyard first which is where all the problems are.
Frankly, A bible has no place in a school - it is a book of lies. burn the lot…just a laughable block of trashy lies
stop doing everything you possibly can to make life hard for those who follow a differnt path. Witches and Pagans are not evil, never have been.
Just remember, Paganism, Witchcraft, which are very peaceful pathways, were well before the onset of christianity and it was Christianity which brutually murdered so many innocent people over a 300 year period.
Christianity wants everyone to think that they were the only ones, that there was nothing prior to them, and no other pathway is right only theirs. Christians are a cruel, selfish, shallow, manipulative, group of liars who love to harm others. wake up and grow up.
and christians are proud of themselves? Yeesh! you disgust me.
So, I know I probably shouldn’t ask but I just have to…
Its acceptable for a teacher to have a bible on his desk, does that also, in all Fairness, make it acceptable for a teacher to have their BOS on their desk?
It’s sad, but I run into many people like “Friend” who have convinced themselves so thoroughly that they are fair-minded, tolerant, etc that they either can’t see the double standards they hold… or they feel they can revel in them shamelessly! Obviously Friend is either incredibly ignorant or wants to get a rise out of everyone.
What’s telling to me about this story is how aggressive, divisive, and combative the christian students got at the slightest provocation. Self-righteous indignation becoming “fighting for the cross”? The military metaphor in the christian mind is a deadly trigger!
Live the best life you can now, and try to keep church and state separate for as long as possible… some day they’ll push the button on us all…
Saul
It was interesting to read the linked article. Harrassment is exactly the word, especialy when it entails physical violence between students. The extent relaited in the article should be dealt with immediately by the school.
Again, obviously, these children have not been taught the actual teachings of Christ.
From the article:
Murdoch said one of Arie’s friends wore a T-shirt to school that read, “I don’t need to wear a special T-shirt to be a Christian.” That individual was reportedly pushed into the lockers and called a “stupid atheist b****.”
“My daughter Arie told me about a Jewish child who brought his Torah to school when other students brought Bibles in support of Freshwater,” she continued. “He thought he was supporting freedom of religious expression, and the other kids just ripped him apart. ‘What are you doing?’ they asked. ‘You can’t support Mr. Freshwater, you’re Jewish.’ So they don’t get it.
First off I think Freshwater was wrong in how he went about things for his science class. He should not have burned a cross into ANY child’s arm! NO religious symbol should have been able to be used…what about a smiley face or something that is not a religious symbol. Not that I like the idea of someone burning a child like that. And that in and of itself would have my “panties in a bunch”.
In a public school there should not be any specific religious symbols, etc. up unless ALL religions of ALL students are represented. That is what a private school is for, the sharing of their specific beliefs, etc. That is why there are Catholic Schools.
Maybe they just need to add a “world religion” class for highschool students to learn about differing religions. If we are lucky then it could possibly lead to young adults with more tolerance of others.
In one article it stated that Freshwater took down his bible verses and bibles from his classroom, but refused to remove a bible from his desk. How hard is it to put the bible in a drawer so you can read it if you need to during the day? And if it is okay for a bible to be out then any religious/spiritual book should be able to be out.
My concern is that he was a SCIENCE TEACHER, and RELIGION just should not be brought up during a SCIENCE CLASS. Now if he was a religion teacher that would be different, or even if it was an after school club, but not during a science class.
Also, according to the story (excerpt below):
“The complaint charges Freshwater used his classroom to advance religion in violation of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. In a recent class, it was charged Freshwater taught the meaning of Good Friday and Easter.”
AND
“According to the district, there also were allegations Freshwater conducted prayers and engaged in a “healing session” as part of a Fellowship of Christian Athletes meeting.”
Source of excerpts:
http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080423/NEWS01/804230312/1002
Now teaching the meaning of Easter and Good Friday is not necessary for Science Class. Again, in a religion class that would be acceptable, even in a public school.
Now what the heck is wrong with a healing at a FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN Athletes Meeting? It says Christian, so if that is offensive, maybe the kid should not be in a “fellowship of christian athletes meeting”.
I think we all forget about tolerance of others more often than we should. Many of us (both sides) have been hurt and have pain and that iw what we are really reacting to. Maybe if we work on our reactions and our pain we will have more tolerance for others.
We need to have enough love of self, others, and the world as a whole, to let others believe in what is right for them. Their “truth” may not be our “truth” but that does not make it wrong or a lie. If we could just let others live their truths, and we live our own… how much divinity and love would there be in the world today….
Every person has a right to their own religious belief and faith path. Be it Xian, Jewish, Atheist, Buddhist, Pagan, Muslim, and/or any other. I was not brought up this way, I had to find that truth on my own.
Yes, Paganism and Wicca are peaceful paths, but so too was Xianity, originally.
I remember quite specifically that Jesus was not accept as the Messiah by some of his time because he was for NON-violence and for tolerance of those seen as “outsiders.” He was not the “warrior king” they thought that they were supposed have. Why ANYONE would rally his “example” as a battle-cry, I know not. This goes for students fighting over who is Xian enough to support an overzealous teacher, medieval knights trying to “save” the supposed Holy Lands, or Modern-day political leaders trying to do the same. It also would include those looking for a fight while hiding behind a name used for those we consider dear and close.
The Pilgrims were Xian, no doubting that, but they were hardly the first ones here. Also, they would not have survived without the help of those they and their future generations would see fit to cajole, decimate and kill off just so they could “build a civilized country.”
Ironically, they did the same thing to the other Earth-centric religious groups they came across (Celts, Druids, Slavs, Romany, etc.), only they did not have the same weapons at that time.
It is amazing how peaceful societies were when they still honored the Great Mother.
Friend and others like her are driven by fear. They are taught that they have the “TRUTH” and that everyone else is wrong. When people like us deliberately reject Friend’s TRUTH they become fearful. How could someone reject the TRUTH? Either we’re agents of Satan and must be destroyed or maybe, and here’s where the fear comes in, it’s not the TRUTH? How can that be?
The doubts drive them crazy. They become fearful. Fear becomes anger. Anger results in striking out in any way possible. So Friend comes to a site like this. Friend thinks that by actively proclaiming her faith, even in a belligerant and untruthful way, she is making points for herself with her god. Maybe she thinks that she’ll convert someone on this board, but that’s a secondary goal. What’s important is that she can tell her friends at church all about her good works, even her minister has to listen. I’m sure she gets a warm glow whenever they smile and tell her what a good job she’s done. And at night, when she prays, that’s another warm glow she gets when she tells her god about it. Those little warm glows help carry her over the doubts she might feel, the little nagging twinges she gets, especially whenever she reads about how membership in non-christian religions keeps growing.
Don’t worry, no matter what is said about her, Friend will be back. She needs that warm glow fix.
Greetings everyone~ What gets me is perhaps not that the ‘middle school’ teacher brought the bible and ten commandments to school and has them on display, but that he is allowing this to continue in the school atmousephere! Kids don’t know what they want at that age and yet, they do want to fit in and belong to ’something’. They also are complete human beings with hearts that react and respond to both love and hate either experienced through action or deed. (Hpe this is making sense so far).
So my point is that the teacher, to me, is not taking responsibility for his school ‘props’ and keeping the discussions of these items in his class….discussing with his students the importance of not expressing ‘ hate ‘ due to his actions! He needs to step up and he needs to step up now! I am VERY glad that my son is not in his class. He is mean and rude to allow this to go on! He has given the children thie perplaxioun without guideance.
Peace~ Rainbowmoon
http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080423/NEWS01/804230312/1002
Wow! This article is amazing! And he is still teaching and near the children. He is a FANATIC ladies and geltlemen. I am so discusted! I can’t even write anything else.
Alright, I read the article on this teachers ’science experiment’. Bottom line~ OUT HIM NOW! He is troubled!
~Looks up & reads~ Ho sad, that it has taken a left turn from the issue.
1. So long as there are tests in school, prayer will be.
2. Religion does not belong in a science class. Anyone burning anything on my child is subject to a lawsuit. Even if my child volenteered.
3.The comments of Christians starting with thier own back yards. Try this one, everyone start in your own heart, then family, then community…you get the picture.
4.This country was founded by people who fled religious persecution. Think on that one for a minute. Over time our country added Amendments, like freedom of speech & no state ordered religioun. ( I have that wrong somewhere, but I think you get my point).
5. I love a good debate, but a debate is with facts. I enjoy a good conversation also, that is where speaking of religion comes into it.
6. Listening is a skill, not much thought of these days. I learn more when I shut my mouth & open my ears, brain & heart to what others are trying to say.
7. I was raised Catholic, when to public & Catholic schools. I made an informed choice as an adult that I am Pagan. My child has been exposed to any religion she had an interest in, she also chooses her own path. We are not in the mainstream religions; but she learned to listen from me. So try to gain an understanding of religions before you attack. It is just good manners.
Blessed be.
If anyone replies to this, I probably won’t see it
‘Tired of it all’ said,
“Frankly, A bible has no place in a school - it is a book of lies. burn the lot…just a laughable block of trashy lies
Just remember, Paganism, Witchcraft, which are very peaceful pathways, were well before the onset of christianity and it was Christianity which brutually murdered so many innocent people over a 300 year period.
Christianity wants everyone to think that they were the only ones, that there was nothing prior to them, and no other pathway is right only theirs. Christians are a cruel, selfish, shallow, manipulative, group of liars who love to harm others. ”
I’ll say I follow my own path. I was raised Methodist and knew as a teenager that it was not for me. That being said, what I really want to do here is comment on the above quote. I don’t think I’m an authority on Christianity, but I *do* remember the teachings.
1) the Bible is not a book of lies - it’s a book of good living (my translation). It tells some great stories and emcompasses basic guidelines for harmonious living - not talking about following Jesus or God or anything like that - just living with other people. The Bible isn’t the only book out there that does that. Compare other religious documents (pick a religion, any religion…) and you’ll find that the similarities are amazing. So that’s what it is to me, a book with some stories and guidelines for harmonious living.
2)As far as Paganism and Witchcraft being “very peaceful pathways”, you’re right, for the most part. Perhaps you’d do well to remember that when you’re sounding so anti-otherreligion, given that you follow one of those paths.
3) He (or she) is correct in the statement that Paganism was around prior to Christianity. Research to your heart’s content…
4) Categorizing every Christian based on your (evidently) limited exposure to them is profiling. Just remember, profilin’ is wrong. I think maybe you need new friends. Don’t stereotype a religion based on a few of its followers’ actions. What you see of Christianity’s past… well, I can’t see things like that happening now. Honestly, could you see the Crusades happening in this day and age? Maybe some radical Christian group might start something but they’d be scooped up by the authorities and the non-senseless Christians would most likely turn them away. Christianity is a peaceful religion, but in times past, when the church had utter control over peoples’ lives and fear was easily instilled in its followers because there WAS no outside influence (i.e., media), the churches’ leaders all got together and THEIR idea was what you described, not the followers’ ideas. The followers did just that - followed.
Imagine for a moment that you completely trusted someone. Let’s say your parents when you were 6 years old. If they suddenly told you that the kid walking down the sidewalk your way was going to kill all of you and if you didn’t attack and destroy him then you would all be dead, you’d probably hesitate a bit in confusion but probably want to do what you were being told. If, at your moment of confusion, 3 other kids ran up and attacked the target, you’d probably be more likely to join in because now your chances of winning are greater. The point here is that mob mentality takes much less influence to cause damage. Once it starts, it’s easy to convince people it’s the ‘right’ thing to do.
Now, however, people (mainly here in the USA, not so sure about other countries), tend to hear something, think about it a little, and many times actually READ about it before jumping on a bandwagon.
Anyway, the one thing I *do* agree with, at least mostly, is that a Bible has no place… wait, I only agree partly… Sure, it has a place - in study groups. Groups students CHOOSE to attend. And if schools choose to allow Bible study groups, they should allow similar groups for other religions, beliefs, and paths - or none at all. I know this has already been covered, so I won’t go on
-Jason