Public elementary school asks students “I love Jesus because ___”

[cleanhippie]

I wanted to share something with my fellow atheists.

I work at an elementary school as an assistant in a small town in western NC. Our school is participating in operation christmas where they send kids in third world countries a box of things they need (school supplies, toothbrushes, etc.) and I am more than excited to help out the less fortunate.

My niece also goes to this school and her first grade class was given this paper to fill out to let the kids who receive the boxes know who she is and where she lives. This is a great idea because they get to track which country their box goes to.

But, here is the issue. The paper that the entire class was given had fill-in-the-blanks. For example,

My name is ___.
I live in ___.
I love Jesus because ______.

This is a public elementary school and is clearly unacceptable. I would take this to the school board but I don’t want to risk losing my job. However, at the same time, I feel like I should not be afraid to speak out. Any thoughts?

http://freethoughtblogs.com/rockbeyondbelief/2011/11/10/public-elementary-school-asks-students-i-love-jesus-because-___/

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On edit: It looks like the FFRF is giving some strong advice on this. The entire story is at the link.

[LiberalArkie]

1. I loved Jesus because : he helped the poor, he fought the money changers

[GreenPartyVoter]

2. I'm not an atheist, but that concerns me. I know it's Operation Christmas, but couldn't

they have come up with a public school-appropriate paper to go in there?

Can you send an anonymous note to the local paper for the editorial section?

[beam me up scottie]

3. If you don't value your job or reputation, contact the ACLU.

This is clearly a violation of the first amendment.

Then again, this is North Carolina we're talking about.

When you live in the buy-bull belt you pick your battles carefully.

[Drale]

4. The first thing that came to my mind when I read that headline was

the scene in Major League when Serrano says, "I like Jesus very much but he no help hit curve-ball." I don't know why that comes to mind but it does.

[MarkCharles]

7. Thats probably the most sensible way of looking at Jesus. n/t

[Jumping John]

5. I love Jesus because he does a great job on my lawn.

I love Jesus because imaginary friends are the best.

[FiveGoodMen]

6. Someone needs to be fired over this.

At least.

[patrice]

8. How about substituting "I believe in love because _____." This should satisfy those who believe in

Jesus, the Lord of Love.

[patrice]

12. . . . and Christmas is a celebration of Love. nt

[cleanhippie]

15. No, that will never satisfy them.

Ever.

[patrice]

16. At least one would then be able to say, "See, you SHOULD be satisfied by this solution, but aren't,

ergo, your argument has nothing to do with the truth and is really more about your claims to power that is not yours to own."

[barbtries]

9. wow.

in first grade, in a public school. call the ACLU.

[MarkCharles]

10. It still amazes me how so many Christians don't really have a clue as to

how what they do with their faith imposes upon so many others who do not share their faith.

Be they Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, non-believers, or others.

The largest (by 3-4 multiples) majority of human beings in the world are NOT Christians.

[AsahinaKimi]

20. My parents would

Have been screaming at someone, had I been given this form as a kid. Especially my mom.. She's fiesty like that.

[thereismore]

11. It's against the law, period. Somebody should pay for this. nt

[HockeyMom]

13. It shouldn't even BE Operation Christmas

Only Christians celebrate Christmas, so Jewish, Muslim, Atheist, etc., kids cannot help out the poor unless they do so for a RELIGIOUS Holiday they don't celebrate? Maybe it should be Operation Helping Hands, or something like it.

Yes, that note was wrong, but I am very surprised that the name of the Operation wasn't questioned also.

[kestrel91316]

14. Don't hate me. I accidentally unrecced this.

:cry:

I'm so sorry. I wasn't paying attention to where my mouse was. I was too appalled by the story.

[MarkCharles]

17. We don't hate anyone for making a mistake, or for any reason, because we are

(mostly) atheists who are kindhearted.

I recommended this thread to counter-act your mistake. Sorry, that's all I can do!

[dtexdem]

18. Perfect answer: because he taught me Spanish.

;-)

[HockeyMom]

19. Christmas tree NIGHTMARE in a public school

One December the manager of the school cafeteria decided to put up a tree by the cafeteria. She was a very religious Christian woman. On the tree she hung paper balls with the names of all the staff members of the school. As soon as I saw this, my reaction was one of horror. I KNEW what was going to happen.

This was in NY and not ALL the teachers, etc., were CHRISTIAN. A substantial number of the teachers, and students, were Jewish. When these Jewish teachers saw their names on that tree, they took their names off it. "You can put MY name on a Menorah!" The manager was shocked since apparently she hadn't thought of this. lol However, there were too many Jewish teachers to fit on ONE Menorah. THEN, some staff, who were Buddhists and Muslim, didn't want their names on the tree either. "What do I put THEIR names on?" An Asian teacher said something about the Year of the Dog. You should have seen the look on her face at THAT! It was getting totally ABSURD.

When all this commotion reached the Principal, he was FURIOUS and told the manager that she should have discussed this with him first. He ordered EVERYTHING taken down and said put up something "seasonal" and non-sectarian.

I made the suggestion to the woman that she put up a Snowman and put up Snowflakes with the names of all the staff in those. That is what was done. EVERYONE (except her maybe) was very happy with that.

[cleanhippie]

21. I dont see an xmas tree as a religious symbol.

I mean, its a throwback to the pagan roots before xtianity stole it for themselves.

[HockeyMom]

22. Yes, I know the pagan roots

but apparently not everyone does, even Christians, and you would get a fight if you told them so. What can I say?

[AsahinaKimi]

23. "The year of the dog"

is just part of the Chinese zodiac. It has no religous connotation what so ever.
Japanese use this also. I was born in the year of the Tiger. I don't think much about it.
Its just part of my heritage and culture.

[HockeyMom]

24. That teacher did have a good sense of humor

He probably said it for the shock value. It worked.:evilgrin:

[hootinholler]

25. This program seems to be all over

Two examples of it being done in public schools:

Duran South Jr High (Al)

http://www.walkervalleyhigh.com/?PageName=%27ServicePage%27&ServiceID=%272122%27">Walker Valley High (Tn)

There are even lesson plans on the home website of the group although I haven't been able to download a clean copy yet.