Friday, June 19, 2009

Lawsuit Filed Against Spartanburg District 7 for Religious Elective Course That Offers Credit


Should public high school students receive credit for religious classes taken off-campus? A lawsuit filed against Spartanburg School District 7 says it’s unconstitutional.

District 7 parent Bob Moss says he has no problem with students taking advantage of a 1954 Supreme Court ruling which allows students to attend religious education classes. It’s the fact that they are receiving credit for it. Moss says, “The whole family got together and we realized not only was that unconstitutional, but that it wrong and insensitive.“

The lawsuit was filed by Charlotte attorney George Daly on behalf of Moss, fellow district parent Ellen Tillett and the Wisconsin-based Freedom from Religion Foundation. Daly says, “We think it violates the first amendment to the United States constitution which, which prohibits the establishment of religion. That’s colloquially known as the requirement of separation of church and state.“

In 2006 the South Carolina legislature said elective credit could be given for released time classes in South Carolina, as long as evaluations are based on secular criteria and don’t involve public funds. Moss alleges the district doesn’t monitor the content of the class which is offered at Saint Christopher’s Episcopal Church, next to Spartanburg High School. “Clearly they are trying to get around things to do that,“ says Moss.

People we spoke to near Hillcrest Mall support the idea of students receiving credit. Sandra Hawkins says, “I think it’s wonderful, and I think they should have the option on campus also, because without God, we have nothing.“ Polly Chitwood told News Channel 7, “I think taking God out of the schools is ridiculous. I think as a Christian, God should be in everything that we do.“

More here-

http://www.wspa.com/spa/news/local/education/article/lawsuit_filed_against_spartanburg_district_7_for_religious_elective_course_/21419/

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