-by Bailey Amaral

Are you willing to stand up for your faith even when you’re standing alone? Here’s your opportunity because Thursday, October 4th, 2018 is Bring Your Bible to School Day!

Unfortunately, today in America, many public schools target teachers and students simply for choosing to express their faith. Many Christians in particular find that schools that talk widely about tolerance have little to extend to them. Nevertheless, the first amendment guarantees your right to the freedom of religion, so it’s up to students of faith and to have the courage to live it out, even in the face of opposition.

In 2003, Stephen Williams was teaching 5th grade history at Stevens Creek Elementary School in Cupertino, California. He chose to enrich his class by presenting various primary sources to better teach our Judeo-Christian heritage including letters by Samuel Adams and our very own Declaration of Independence. His principle, however, was not on board, and immediately demanded that he stop teaching about Christian holidays or sources clearly teaching Christianity. For the next two years, the school board, administration and many parents began a smear campaign to shame Williams for his use of documents referencing the Christian God.

Williams sought legal help from Alliance Defending Freedom, and ultimately won a successful law suit even thought it was decided by the typically left-leaning 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. Thankfully, Williams was restored to his classroom with full approval to incorporate the documents highlighting our nation’s Judeo-Christian heritage. He now travels and speaks as a consultant with Prepare the Way helping students, parents and teachers navigate the public school system.

Unfortunately, conflicts over expressing faith in school are only increasing, but the bottom line is that the Constitution protects your right express your faith at any public place, which definitely includes school! There is no reason to be ashamed even if teachers and students around you don’t share your faith.

While many protest that religion has no place in the public sphere, this is a completely unAmerican idea. The separation of church and state has become an excuse to establish secularism in our schools, yet this understanding wildly misinterprets our Founding fathers’ intentions to protect the church from the power of government. The Founders never wanted to limit religious people from expressing their faith. Furthermore, our nation was undoubtedly founded on Judeo-Christian principles, and our system of government was only designed for “a religious and moral people” as George Washington outlined in his Farewell Address.

So we challenge you: Bring your bible to school. Let people know where you stand and where you find your moral compass. Let your light shine. Bring it. Share it. Live it.

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