Scholars see hope for shared vision in public schools
___By Mark Wingfield
___Managing Editor
___AUSTIN--America now faces the best chance in its history to implement a shared vision of harmony between faith and public education, two national experts in the field told Texas Baptists Feb. 13.
___"The real question is, 'Will we be able to implement the vision?'" said Charles Haynes, senior scholar for religious freedom at the Freedom Forum First Amendment Center.
___Haynes and Oliver Thomas, special counsel to the Freedom Forum First Amendment Center, spoke at the annual conference of the Baptist General Convention of Texas Christian Life Commission on finding common ground for religious liberty in public schools.
___"Right now in the United States, we have as close to a shared vision on public education as we've ever had," Haynes said. He specifically cited the work of the First Amendment Center and other groups who have joined together to draft documents spelling out generally accepted understandings of what the Constitution allows by way of religious expression in schools.
___Their work is showcased in a brief statement of principles titled "Religious Liberty, Public Education and the Future of American Democracy." The statement, which has been endorsed by diverse faith groups and civil-liberties groups, is available online at www.freedomforum.org.
___"Is everybody on board? No. But at least we have the opportunity," Haynes said.
___He outlined two "failed models" of the past, which he contrasted with the potential of the new model advocated by the First Amendment Center.
___The first failed model is the "sacred public school," Haynes said. The model was employed in some communities in the early days of the nation, when there was a "semi-established Protestant nation."
___But such an approach "broke apart as the nation became more diverse," he explained.
___And this model never worked as well as some would like to think, Haynes asserted.
___"Wouldn't it be great if we could go back to the good old days, when we all got along?" he asked. "There were no good old days. We had Bible wars in Cincinnati over whose version of the Bible was to be used in schools."
___Unfortunately, he said, many people today believe the only way for faith to "get back in the conversation" is by returning to questionable practices of government-sponsored religious activities in schools. "It is sad that these 'to-whom-it-may-concern' prayers are seen as the last hope."
___A second failed model, Haynes said, is the "naked public school." In this model, those who fear religion attempt to keep the peace by removing all references to religion from public education.
___"This easy way out is a misunderstanding of the First Amendment," he said.
___And out of this failed model come the horror stories of elementary children not being allowed to draw pictures of churches or write papers that mention Jesus, he said.
___A better way is to avoid both these extreme models and advocate a third way, "the civil public school," said Haynes, who along with Thomas has led hundreds of training sessions for public school districts.
___This model offers three main features, he said.
___First, it is built around sound policies on religious liberty rights. It moves beyond secondary issues such as Christmas trees and menorahs to promote constitutionally allowed religious education.
___Second, he said, it promotes fairness in curriculum. "It is not consistent to say kids can learn everything about most things but virtually nothing about religion. ... We fight over 60-second prayers in the morning and ignore what kids are learning. Yet that's where their worldview is shaped."
___Third, it demands character education. Schools can and must accomplish this mission, he said. "No matter what (students) know, no matter how many computers they can operate, if they are lousy human beings, it doesn't matter."
Statement of principles
___The statement of principles for religious liberty in public education endorsed by the Freedom Forum First Amendment Center has six major points:
___ Religious liberty is an inalienable right of every person.
___ Citizenship in a diverse society means living with our deepest differences and committing ourselves to work for public policies that are in the best interest of all individuals, families, communities and our nation.
___ Public schools must model the democratic process and constitutional principles in the development of policies and curricula.
___ Public schools may not inculcate nor inhibit religion. They must be places where religion and religious conviction are treated with fairness and respect.
___ Parents are recognized as having the primary responsibility for the upbringing of their children, including education.
___ Civil debate, the cornerstone of a true democracy, is vital to the success of any effort to improve and reform America's public schools.
The Baptist Standard
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