To the editor:
Now that students have returned to school there might be confusion about their right to pray and express their religious beliefs. Carter County students may be confused because of the 1988 permanent federal court injunction, “perpetually enjoining, restraining and prohibiting the school system from allowing, approving or encouraging religious activities in public schools for Carter County Schools during public school hours.” This court order doesn’t restrict students and it’s more important than ever for Christian students to do as the Bible says in Jude, “you should earnestly contend for the faith.” The American Center for Law and Justice (www.ACLJ.org) says the U.S. Supreme Court consistently has held that “students don’t shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate.” Tinker v. Des Moines Independent School District, (1969). The ACLJ also says, “The right to persuade, advocate or evangelize a religious viewpoint, implicates the very reason the First Amendment was adopted. Accordingly, the Constitution forbids school officials from censoring student speech because of the religious content of that speech.” The Rutherford Institute (www.rutherford.org) says student-initiated prayer is legal and students have the right to meet and pray together during free time on school property.
According to www.christianheadlines.com students can express their faith in five ways. 1. Bring their Bible. It’s perfectly legal and a constitutional right to bring a Bible or New Testament to school. It can be read during free time such as lunch, recess or on the bus. 2. Pray before school and pray before lunch. Praying is legal anytime if it doesn’t interrupt a class or other school function. Students pray at the flag pole this year on September 26 at 7 a.m. local. See www.seeyouatthepole.org. 3. Start an after-school Bible study. Public schools allow after-school Bible studies or clubs, as long as they are student-run and led. 4. Incorporate faith into a school project. For example, if required to write a biography of their choice they could choose an influential Christian such as Martin Luther. 5. Share the gospel with a classmate. Students should give their testimony of how Jesus has positively impacted and changed their life. For example they can say how prayer has lowered their stress and how the Holy Spirit has helped them be more forgiving and less easily offended. Also, if the opportunity presents itself and the student feels the Holy Spirit’s guiding, they should share the gospel (1 Corinthians 15) with fellow students. As Paul did as a Rome citizen in the Bible, American Christians must stand up for our constitutional rights! As Martin Luther did 500 years ago Christians must take a stand for truth. The Bible says in Ephesians when you take a stand put on the whole armor of God! “Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore!”

D.D. Nave
Elizabethton