“Without freedom of thought, there can be no such thing as wisdom; and no such thing as public liberty without freedom of speech.” Benjamin Franklin
Banning Religious Americans from Teaching in Public Schools
by Lorraine Yovino
New licensing rules in Minnesota that require teachers to “affirm” students’ transgender identities will effectively ban religious Christians, Muslims, and Jews from teaching in public schools. MN state-certified teachers will be required to “foster an environment that ensures student identities such as … gender identity …are…affirmed.” (1) Other states are also looking for ways to implement these unconstitutional licensing rules.
“…teachers are going to be faced with hiding their beliefs or getting denied (a state teaching license),” said Doug Seaton of MN Upper Midwest Law Center. “Christians, Muslims, and Jews need not apply for MN teaching jobs.” (2)
The new standard requires that a licensed teacher “fosters an environment that ensures student identities such as sex and gender, gender identity, sexual orientation … are historically and socially contextualized…” (3) Standard 6C requires that “The teacher understands the historical foundations of education in MN …that have and continue to create inequitable opportunities, experiences, and outcomes for learners … on the basis of … gender, sexual orientation.” (4)
“The (licensing board) has made it impossible for those practicing orthodox Christianity and Judaism, for example, to freely exercise their religion and simultaneously hold a teaching license. … It compels potential licensees to speak the (licensing board’s) chosen beliefs as an established creed and live them out in order to have a job. It establishes (licensing board’s) view of human sexuality and gender as orthodoxy despite sincere opposition based on biological reality and traditional theistic beliefs,” wrote attorney Doug Seaton to the law judge who approved nearly all the new standards in December. (5)
College teacher preparation programs will also have to comply with these new requirements. This sets up another constitutional conflict by requiring religious institutions to endorse behaviors and ideologies that conflict with their beliefs. When put into effect, these new rules will likely meet court challenges.
“When even one American – who has done nothing wrong – is forced by fear to shut his mind and close his mouth – then all Americans are in peril.”
President Harry S. Truman
(ground.news, 1/12/23(1); thefederalist.com, 1/12/23(2)(4); olivetreeviews.org, 1/15/23; therightthing.com, 1/12/23(3)(5)
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Religion is protected by the First Amendment. The Mentally Ill Alphabet Soup Crowd isn’t, and we must do everything possible to keep them away from Children. Everything! There is no separation of Church and State. Our Founding Fathers wanted Religion (Primarily Christianity) to guide the moral character of the Government. The Founders never wanted morality by the Sword of Government.… Read more »
Quit electing these stupid idiots you call politicians!
How far do you take this? No religious people running for public office? No religious people allowed to serve in the military? No religious people allowed to be CEOs? Or Janitors? Or cashiers?
How much longer will this crap go on before somethin happens to this country why do people put up with this one of these days we are going to see something happen that will leave no doubt where it came from.
Getting right down to the nitty-gritty, Humanism ultimately leads to this loss of freedom. The belief is that man is basically good and will work for the greater good. The heart of man is sinfully evil from conception and in rebellion against god and order. It is selfish and always looks out for number one. (Buy this investment, pay YOURSELF… Read more »
Godless bureaucrats catering to sick individuals.
Teachers have no business blabbing about their religions in public schools. Religion is taught in the home, by parents who don’t want their kids proselytized by the teachers who may be of a different faith entirely.This is just common sense. For that matter, we should all keep our beliefs to ourselves. Nothing is less fun than being buttonholed by some… Read more »
Religion usually is based in a life philosophy and also the reverse.
In a sense abortion, and non-binary multiple sexes is faith, in a sense a religion.
The theory of evolution is scientifically deficient, Yet people put their faith in it.
Tell me, Jerry, where will you draw the line for the rest of us?
From a thermodynamic and biochemical view, if I was going to make a planet, I’d probably follow a recipe similar to Genesis. The process is interesting. If we terraform Mars, this comparison will probably come up.
I would agree to support school neutrality. Public schools should prioritize learning secular language, sciences, arts, health, life skills, history… Still, religions often place standards on behavior that apply outside the home. Religions have shaped societies, and usually to our benefit. Religions have encouraged groups to be cooperative and charitable. Hospice evolved into health care. Samaritans became emergency responders. Goodwill… Read more »
The founders wanted God in the public square and taught in school. They said this is a Judeo Christian society and it won’t work other wise. Congress approved (not paid) 10,000 copies of the first Bible printed in USA. In the introduction it indicated to be used in our public schools to teach reading.
Did you read the article ??? It said all religions will be banned, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist all religions yet you came up with that statement. When I was in school the teachers didn’t force their religion or ideology on the students they taught their courses as it should be, not indoctrinating anyone. You talked about being buttonholed by… Read more »