Ruling Allowing Public School Teacher's Bible Club Activities Hailed
by Jim Brown
October 28, 2004
(AgapePress) - The head of a Christian educators group is hailing a court decision that allows a public school teacher in South Dakota to lead an after-school Bible club.Recently the Eighth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals declared the Sioux Falls School District could no longer bar third-grade teacher Barbara Wigg from taking part in a Good News Club held within the district. The Good News Clubs are youth Bible study clubs formed under the aegis of an international Christian mission agency called Child Evangelism Fellowship.
The court ruled that by forbidding Wigg to participate in the local Good News Club, the school was violating the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. Christian Educators Association International (CEAI) executive director Finn Laursen calls that ruling "a liberating judgment" for Christian teachers.
"It sends a clear message," Laursen says. "I think it was an area where there had been some question, and the court had never ruled specifically on that issue. And now it's been ruled and clearly said it is alright for them to punch out, be off the clock, and then speak the truth and speak it loud and clear. I think it's exciting."
The CEAI spokesman says it is important to remember that U.S. courts have already held that teachers are not forbidden from sharing their faith in the classroom during the work day. He feels this latest affirmation of that freedom by the federal appellate court communicates some important truths about the constitutional rights of people of faith who work for the state.
"I think it was a powerful message," Laursen says, "both to the community and to educators, that [teachers] don't give up any First Amendment rights just because they work in a publicly funded institution. They certainly have many rights during the school day, but they have total rights to express their faith and to be involved in any Christian function after hours."
Laursen, a former public school superintendent, is touting the Eighth Circuit Court's decision in Wigg's favor as a significant victory for Christian educators nationwide. He says he hopes the ruling will negate some of the fear many teachers have about living out their faith in a public school setting.
