Then the truth surfaced; a student had stayed after class,
shut the door after all other students had left, and asked this
volatile question of his teacher: “Do you believe there is a
god?”
David’s eyes bulged as he confessed, “Without thinking, I
said, yes.”
He went on to explain that he realized now he had violated
the separation of church and state by his bold confession.
I had to assure him that there was nothing in any law or
document requiring him to lie.
In my role as Executive Director of Christian Educators
Association International, I am continually confronted with
such misunderstanding of the freedoms we have in this
nation to speak openly about our faith.
Christian Educators Association International (CEAI)
exists to help Christian educators understand and carry out
their mission. CEAI (ceai.org) provides resources such as
magazines, newsletters, daily devotionals, and many other
printed and digital resources from a biblical worldview.
Public school students have total freedom of religious
expression in school since they are not government employ-
ees. Students can lead prayer, read or distribute Bibles or
other religious material, openly discuss their faith publicly
or through assignments, and be given the same access to
facilities as others get for non-religious activities. However,
school employees must be “blind to religion.” They cannot
treat religious expression differently than non-religious
expression.
In summary, public schools must not be hostile to
religious expression and thus when viewed from a biblical
worldview can be approached as a mission field by educa-
tors, students, and parents.
Disclaimer: Renewanation is committed to supporting all
who are giving children a Christian worldview education.
This includes those who work in non-Christian schools.
However, Renewanation believes the best way to ensure that
a child receives a Christian worldview is to educate them in
a thoroughly Christian environment.
Finn Laursen is Executive Director of Christian Educators Associa-
tion International. CEAI (ceai.org) is a professional association
for Christian educators in both the public and private schools.
Prior to taking the helm of CEAI, Finn was a public school educa-
tor in Ohio for 32 years: teacher, middle school & high school
counselor, middle school & high school assistant principal, high
school principal, and public school superintendent. He has trav-
eled around the country as a speaker and trainer concerning
legal freedoms in our public schools as well as provided training for ministry leaders in
ministries such as Youth For Christ, First Priority, and Sports World.
How does the First Amendment impact a public school teacher?
Public School Educators CAN:
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Engage in personal prayer and Bible reading
Attend student activities including prayer, Bible study, and worship
Lead after school religious activities for students such as GOOD NEWS CLUBS
Share personal religious beliefs when asked or when appropriate within the curriculum
Teach about religion or the Bible in the curriculum
Openly live according to their biblically based convictions
Share faith issues with staff
Public School Educators CANNOT:
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Use their position to promote their religious convictions
Inhibit student religious expression
Teach the Bible to students devotionally during the school day
Lead students in prayer in their role as educators
Treat religious expression differently than non-religious expression
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