Youth Group Services Disguised as Club Meeting at Public School

[aitm]

I respect Kilo's opinion but there are people that will send their little brut of a son to pound some jesus into smaller people. Decepetion is perfectly okay when dealing with a "group" of people who are one step from being a "mob".

[TomFoolery]

Decepetion is perfectly okay when dealing with a "group" of people who are one step from being a "mob".

Especially when you have a catalyst like religion. It doesn't take much for people to start crying, "Burn the witch."

[Bluewind]

Apologies for all you are having to deal with right now. It shouldn't be happening in this day and age and yet, here we are. I hope it has gotten resolved or at least looked into since your last post 2 weeks ago. I know it's hard, but keep us updated on any major developments if you can.

I can't speak for everyone, but I'm proud of what you're trying to accomplish. Children should be free to learn in an environment that's not saturated with religion and not giving them a break to breathe isn't good for them. Even if they stay strong Christians, exposure to different ideas, beliefs, and facts can help them to grown up to be more tolerant of others. If the stubborn theists are allowed to keep going, that place of learning will be more brainwashing cult than school. :(

[marom1963]

Hi,
I'm new to the forums and this is my first post, and the reason I came here.

I'm a Biology teacher who takes the state mandated instruction of Evolution seriously unlike some of my co-workers. One In particular refuses to teach it because she "doesn't believe in it". I am baffled as to how one can earn a BA in Biological Sciences and hold on to a young-earth creationist belief. This person has been trying to kill me with kindness and knows I'm an atheist in need of Jesus. She doesn't preach to me or anything at least.

So the thing about not teaching evolution really bothers me, but whatever. The thing that is happening now is what I feel like reporting to the district. We have a Christian club on campus that she sponsors in her room - across the hall from me. This I have no problem with. I believe in the rights of students to have differing opinions and to have a club that represents their religion as long as the same rules apply to other faiths and nones and as long as no discrimination occurs. For the past year they have been meeting regularly in her room. Not only that, but they have been (I think I was her) inviting a youth pastor to come on campus every single Friday at lunch to speak to them. I was pretty sure there was some legal gray area activities going on, but I decided to just close my door so I wouldn't have to hear his loud "youth pastor" obnoxious voice - you I know the one. But last week the music teacher who is new to teaching and probably came from working in music department of a church, brought some more gospel singers from his church and set up a bunch of loud equipment and they all proceeded to have worship service. Now I know it is illegal for a teacher to be involved in a religious activity at a public school. We are allowed to attend to supervise, but we aren't allowed to                           participate. Also, I discovered since this event occurred that the pastor runs the entire lunch meeting like a youth group service. The students take no part in organizing or conducting club matters on their own. This is also illegal. In order to have a religious club on campus, it has to be run by students and outside visitors are not allowed to come on a regular basis and run meetings.

I am thinking about taking this to the district, but I'm not sure if it's worth it since they will probably figure out it is me since this other teacher knows I'm an atheist. They will just think I'm one of those party-pooper atheists who try to spoil I all the fun! I hate being in this position.

That's why I won't become a teacher w/my degree/s in mathematics. Nope. I'll tutor students as I do now but never become a teacher. Instead, I'll work as a mathematician, consulting on projects, from statistical work to actuarial work. Teaching, sadly, is a fool's game in the United States.

[Deconvert]

Update:

After multiple tries to discuss the matter with the district and no response at all, I finally contacted the FFRF. They responded almost immediately and asked for further information. I did some research and found the smoking gun! A photo of the Christian Club at our school's open house with the pastor featured in the photo and named. The post came from his church's fb page! So his church is advertising for students to visit their pastor at my school during lunch. It even states that he visits every week. Oops!

Anyway, they are looking into it, but now that it's too late, I am having serious doubts as to whether I should have reported it. I am worried my life may be difficult soon at this school, especially since I have to work across the hall from the lady who started this whole thing. I also feel bad for the students in a way because I'm not out to spoil anyone's fun, and I'm sure that's all this meeting is to them. I know they will be disappointed because they look forward to this meeting each week. I'm sure it will dissolve if and when students are told they have to run it themselves (they aren't the motivated type). I am totally feeling like the mean atheist out to ruin the fun! I know I haven't done anything wrong, but I can't help but feel that way. :(

[widdershins]

All you "ruined" was the slimy attempts of a pastor and a teacher to illegally push their religious views on impressionable children.  Sooner or later someone would have complained.  It's better that a responsible adult took that bullet than for a kid to have had to take that responsibility.  Don't think of it in terms of "ruining their fun".  They can have that "fun" at church 7 days a week if they really want to, which is where it belongs.  Instead think of it in terms of the student or students you saved from having to take on this responsibility.

[Baruch]

Deconvert ... gird up your loins .... and cube steaks too!

[Bluewind]

Update:

After multiple tries to discuss the matter with the district and no response at all, I finally contacted the FFRF. They responded almost immediately and asked for further information. I did some research and found the smoking gun! A photo of the Christian Club at our school's open house with the pastor featured in the photo and named. The post came from his church's fb page! So his church is advertising for students to visit their pastor at my school during lunch. It even states that he visits every week. Oops!

Anyway, they are looking into it, but now that it's too late, I am having serious doubts as to whether I should have reported it. I am worried my life may be difficult soon at this school, especially since I have to work across the hall from the lady who started this whole thing. I also feel bad for the students in a way because I'm not out to spoil anyone's fun, and I'm sure that's all this meeting is to them. I know they will be disappointed because they look forward to this meeting each week. I'm sure it will dissolve if and when students are told they have to run it themselves (they aren't the motivated type). I am totally feeling like the mean atheist out to ruin the fun! I know I haven't done anything wrong, but I can't help but feel that way. :(

I'm so sorry that you are having to deal with this hun. It's unfair to you and the kids. Thanks for keeping us posted.

If anyone give you a hard time, make it clear that you are fine with a Christian club as long as the kids run it themselves. That it's the point of the clubs after all and if they really enjoy Bible study and Christian centered discussion, then they will keep the club going. They might even become more creative with it and have a more open dialog with each other since they will no longer have an adult present. Points along those lines will hopefully silence the majority of them.

[Deconvert]

So the FFRF wrote the district a letter! We will see if they respond. :)