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Church and state lose their separation in a public school
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I spent several years touring middle and high schools as part of a program on substance abuse. The program consisted of a short play followed by a lengthy discussion period with the audience. For the discussion, we were joined by a representative from an area drug rehab center. She was there to provide first-hand factual information and to make sure our discussion stayed on course, though I am proud to say that I quickly evolved into one of the discussion leaders.
The program and script were developed in close cooperation with various social organizations, because it was the fervent hope of all of us that we might make a difference. I’ve heard many a teacher declare words to this effect: that one can’t always know whether one has gotten through to one’s students; one can only hope that a seed has been planted that will someday germinate into a bit of enlightenment, or at least a sliver of useful information. For my part, I must say that I have had acting jobs that paid far better than this one did, and I’ve been in shows that had much bigger budgets than this one did, but I don’t think I’ve ever felt the kind of satisfaction this show gave me in any other theatrical endeavor.
At many of our performance venues, our arrival was greeted with much anticipation. Similarly, at the conclusion of our program, we were often praised and thanked to the hilt for our work. There were, however, some exceptions.
There was one high school we had particularly targeted as a prospective venue because they’d had a student die while driving drunk in each of the two previous years. The performance would be funded, so the school would not have to lay out a dime; all we needed was their permission and a theater, gymnasium, or cafeteria in which to perform. In this case, we were disappointed. The principal tersely informed us that our time would be wasted there, “because we don’t have those kinds of problems here.”
The incident that really bothered us, though, occurred at a suburban public middle school that had gladly accepted the booking of our program. The performance went well and the ensuing discussion seemed to be getting off to a good start. But something was apparently bothering the principal. About ten minutes into the discussion period, he stepped to the front of the room and asked if he might say a few words. Well of course, we told him; it was not uncommon for teachers and other adults to contribute to our discussions.
What he said, to the best of my recollection, was this: “I just want to say that all of the things these folks are talking about are all well and good, but they ain’t gonna do you a dang bit of good unless you accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your savior.” He then abruptly ended the discussion and sent the students back to their classrooms, even though we had nearly an hour of booked time before us. He made it clear to us that he was disappointed that we did not more clearly emphasize this necessary component of addressing substance abuse issues.
I must say that we, as a group, were shocked and outraged. The fact that this had occurred at a public school of course raised the question of the principal’s legal and/or constitutional footing in making such a statement. The leaders of our organization decided not to pursue the matter, a decision that did not sit well with some of us. Still, I have to allow that I was not part of the group’s inner circle, and there may have been political or legal considerations of which I was unaware. But regardless of our group’s reaction, it was a hard lesson for all of us. I hope some of those students picked up the same lesson that day.
It seems to me that even a devout Christian should be offended at the principal’s actions. Well, unless one believes that we should dissolve our separation of church and state and reconstitute ourselves as a Christian theocracy. But aside from that (hopefully) small faction, I think we have here a story that should revolt people of all denominations. That such a man should hold a position of authority in a public school is deeply dismaying to me. He was presiding over a school that presumably served families from a wide variety of faiths and belief systems. To condone this man preaching his individual faith to the student body and using it to justify limiting their secular educational opportunities is to condone something reprehensible and at odds with the ideals of a free society. If I were inclined to prayer, I would pray that this man might one day acquire the wisdom to be ashamed of himself.
