A CHRISTIAN STUDENT'S BILL OF RIGHTS 1.

The following issues have all been established as legal rights by the courts and government. It is important that you request a unified meeting with your local school superintendents and school boards and request that they review the following laws and regulations for the purpose of clarification and identification of you and your children's legal rights. The phrases "God Bless America" and "In God We Trust" (Our National motto) are legal and protected right of free speech (by the courts). In the Pledge of Allegiance, "under God", is legal free speech (by the courts). A "Moment of Silence" (and now in many states also "or prayer" - check with your state) is legal Elective Bible courses are legal (approved Bible curriculum has been developed and is being taught already in many school districts in 33 states) we cannot however evangelize or have teacher led prayer Teaching of U.S. history and the facts of our Christian Heritage is legal and should be taught whenever possible. We were founded a Christian nation and a great many of our founding documents reflect that fact -to deny it or not teach it would be a gross error as to our heritage and history. We cannot however, evangelize; that is attempt to convince someone to turn their life over to Christ in the classroom. Bible clubs and Christian clubs are legal and upheld by the courts at schools as long as there are other secular clubs. If the secular clubs can meet after school instruction hours then Christian based clubs have the same rights. 2. Religious based organizations can use school facilities after hours if other groups have that privilege (Equal Access Act), EAA, 20 USC 4071, 1984. 3. Student led and initiated prayer is legal at football games if done impromptu, not over P.A. system, and not led or assigned by faculty or administrators. 4. A Bible or Christian group can advertise and make announcements

at school if other groups and clubs are allowed. 5. Crosses, literature: High school Christians can wear Christian messages on their clothes, share their faith at non-instructional times, pass out tracts; junior high students have the right to pray and have religious discussions on their campus, distribute literature with some restrictions, can wear religious tshirts to school, form religious clubs to the extent that students may express themselves through the same means on other topics and in forming clubs and organizations. In other words, the school may impose reasonable restrictions on when, where and so on, provided it is done equally to all, and Christians are not singled out for adverse treatment. The same is true of Christians passing out holiday and religious cards and wearing symbols and the like. 6. Valedictorians, salutatorians, honorary student speakers can give speeches on religious subjects, including reading from the Bible; baccalaureate services are permitted and if the school facilities are available to other groups then they most be made available for baccalaureate services. 7. Students are free to observe religious holidays and express their beliefs and convictions as they apply to a particular holiday; they have the right to distribute Christmas cards or religious tracts on the "true meaning of Christmas" during non-instructional times. 8. Students may express their beliefs during classroom discussions, as well as in the context of appropriate classroom assignments; they may draw a picture, write a poem, prepare an essay on any topic of choice ( the birth of Christ etc.) or any religious subject the student wishes. School officials cannot discriminate against a student's work simply because of its religious nature. 9. Students may opt out of a class for objectionable religious reasons. Unless parental consent is given, no student shall be required to submit to any kind of test designed to reveal information of a non-academic nature. Click here to obtain a letter to your School Principal enforcing YOUR

childs rights as a student based on Hatch Amendment -this is extremely important. 10. "Music, art, literature and drama having religious themes or basis are permitted as part of curriculum for school-sponsored activities and programs if presented in a prudent and objective manner and as a traditional part of cultural and religious heritage of the particular holiday"; reference The Supreme Court in the case Florey vs. Sioux Falls School District 1980. 11. The Supreme Court has indicated many times that teaching about religion, as distinguished from religious indoctrination, is an important part of a complete education. Parental Rights in Public Education -Focus on The Family Article.The public school's approach to religion in the curriculum must be academic not evangelical -"A Parents Guide to Religion in Public Schools," by the National Congress of Parents and Teachers.12. Christmas trees and the expression Christmas and "Christmas Holidays" are legal. 13. Students may bring Bibles or religious books or literature to school as long as they do not disrupt instructional times. 14. Schools have the discretion of releasing students from lessons that are objectionable on religious or conscientious grounds- not generally excused from lessons that may be inconsistent with their religious beliefs; schools may dismiss students to off-campus religious instruction. 15. Praying in groups or alone is allowable and legal (including lunchtime and between classes) if it does not interfere with instructional times. 16. Religious symbols may be worn by students and even used as tools for classroom instruction or dramas, including crosses, menorah, Star of David, and nativity scenes (see number 9 for clarification). 17. Christmas carols and Christmas plays and musicals may be allowed if they do not evangelize openly; The Supreme Court

stated "Music, without sacred music, architecture minus the cathedral, or painting, without scriptural themes would be eccentric, and incomplete, even from a secular point of view. One can hardly respect a system of education that would leave a student wholly ignorant of the currents of religious thought that moved the world society for a part in which he is being prepared..." 18. Legal Help: The American Family Association, The Christian Law Association, Christian Legal Society, American Center For Law and Justice, Alliance Defense Fund, the Liberty Counsel, the Pacific Justice Institute, the Rutherford Institute will assist and even defend religious rights of school districts, teachers, students, or parents when notified. 19. We have freedom of religion in our schools! The Supreme Court has time and time again affirmed the well established principle that parents possess a right to control the upbringing of their children. A parent's right to remove a child from objectionable classroom instruction and activity is grounded. The Free Exercise Clause provides another ground upon which parents can challenge not only coercion, but the mere exposure of school children to classroom instruction, material or activity that is hostile to their faith.