PJI Defends Dance Teacher Fired for Using Sacred Music
by Allie Martin
May 12, 2005
(AgapePress) - Officials at one California school district fired a dance teacher after a complaint that she used religious music in her instruction.The teacher, who prefers to remain anonymous, worked for a Southern California school district and typically used a wide variety of music in her dance classes and always took especial care to use family-friendly selections. But earlier this year, a school staff member complained that some of the music the dance instructor was using referenced Jesus.
On the day in question, the dance teacher made use of several secular music selections, and also a classical piece, "Dona Nobis Pacem" by J.S. Bach, with sacred lyrics in Latin; as well as a Swahili song called "O Si Funi Mungu," the title of which translates into "Praise God."
Although the teacher offered to expand her diverse repertoire, district officials -- rather than taking her up on her offer -- terminated her employment. The Pacific Justice Institute (PJI), a nonprofit legal defense organization, has taken the dance instructor's case and is representing her in the dispute with the school district.
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Brad Dacus |
PJI president Brad Dacus says a lawsuit may be brought on the client's behalf if the school district does not reinstate her. "This teacher's actions have been declared to be constitutional by federal courts," he points out, "so it's clearly not an issue of her violating any law. In fact, the state education code clearly allows for religion to manifest itself in art, history, and other kinds of cultural education."The school district officials have refused to back down from their decision so far, Dacus explains. He says PJI's attorneys are filing an administrative complaint on the dance teacher's behalf and are hopeful that, once the legal counsel examines their legal demand letter, "that they will be inspired to rehire her immediately. We have committed to represent her in a court of law to make sure that she receives full justice."
Dacus says it is clearly constitutional and legal under California law for a teacher to use both religious and secular music as a part of instruction. He says PJI is willing to provide legal assistance at no cost to any public school teacher who uses a religious reference in the many subjects in which such references are appropriate.
