South Dakota district challenged over allowing Bibles to be distributed to elementary students
An Associated Press (AP) article in the Argus Leader reports that the American Civil Liberties Union of South Dakota (ACLU-SD) is demanding that the Miller School District (MSD) stop its practice of allowing Bibles to be distributed to fifth-graders. MSD’s board had recently voted to allow Gideons International to distribute pocket-size New Testaments to fifth-graders.ACLU-SD sent a letter to the school district asserting that a number of courts have prohibited the distribution of Bibles in public schools under a variety of circumstances. The letter states:
Under the Constitution schools cannot intentionally, or unintentionally, advance religion or become too entangled with religious groups. The courts have repeatedly said that schools must also avoid favoring or appearing to favor a religious view, and they may not create any situation in which students feel coerced to participate in religion.The ACLU-SD warned MSD that allowing in-school Bible distribution is venturing “onto shaky constitutional ground” and would expose the school district to legal challenges. The ACLU is also asking the board to craft policies on the distribution of non-school materials that meet legal standards.
Source: Argus Leader, 5/12/14, By AP
[Editor's Note: In the ACLU-SD's press release announcing issuance of the letter, the organization's Executive Director, Heather Smith, said the distribution of Bibles to elementary school students is "deeply concerning, especially for students of minority religions who choose not to receive a bible." The press release also asserts that allowing Bible distribution creates an atmosphere ripe for bullying.- See more at: http://legalclips.nsba.org/
The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals addressed the issue of distributing Bibles in public schools in Peck v. Upshur County Board of Education, 155 F.3d 274 (4th Cir. 1998.]
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