The Michigan Association of Civil Rights Activists (MACRA) has recently successfully intimidated several school districts into eliminating accommodations of parents, clergy or any citizen intending to mention Christianity, from meeting with students at schools during free time anywhere on campus, including in vehicles in the parking lot. At one school, one-third of all students were banned from voluntarily participating in Christian discussion in the gym during lunch time.
For background, click headlines below to read previous articles:
West Virginia School & Atheists Agree: Restrict Christians
Wisconsin Atheists Want Christians Out of Oklahoma Schools
Atheists Say Too Many Christians at Ohio School
California School Bans Books by Christian Authors
'God Bless America' Banned from Florida School
Also read how schools capitulate to atheists in Oklahoma, Delaware & Maine out of ignorance of the Constitution.
However, other schools know the facts: Texas School Supt. Tells Atheists to Go Fly a Kite
-- From "Fremont schools change on-site religious instruction policy" by The Associated Press, 3/19/15
The Michigan Association of Civil Rights Activists says Fremont Public Schools has agreed to end monthly afternoon Bible study sessions at Daisy Brook Elementary School. Superintendent Ken Haggart told the group that clergy will no longer be allowed to offer or conduct religious instruction classes on school grounds.
The civil rights association had complained that the sessions violated a law banning religious activities on school property during school hours.
The civil rights association says it took action on behalf of concerned parents.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Religious program at Fremont elementary school ends following civil rights activists' complaint" by Lynn Moore, Muskegon Chronicle 3/18/15
The district agreed to end monthly "Release Bible Time" sessions that had been held in the gymnasium of Daisy Brook Elementary School from noon to 1 p.m. by the Rev. John Perkins, according to a press release from the Michigan Association of Civil Rights Activists.
MACRA last year lodged similar complaints against lunchtime religious activities at Fruitport Middle School and Grand Haven's White Pines Intermediate School. Both schools have ended that practice.
In a letter to MACRA, Fremont Superintendent Ken Haggart said that "all clergy will have been permanently banned from Fremont Public Schools and ... no organized religious activities will again take place on school property while school is in session, if organized and run by adults."
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Prayer at charter school stopped after civil rights complaint" by Monica Scott, The Grand Rapids Press 3/18/15
The Michigan Association of Civil Rights Activists said Wednesday, March 18, it took action on behalf of concerned parents with children attending Cross Creek Charter Academy. The K-8 school, 7701 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, is managed by National Heritage Academies.
In February, [MACRA's Mitch] Kahle also complained to Hudsonville Public Schools that it was inappropriately allowing students to attend a Bible Club in a recreational vehicle in the parking lot during lunch hour.
Cross Creek Principal Joe Nieuwkoop said the academy allowing the clubs to utilize school space during recess was not to support a particular church or religion or to violate the Establishment Clause of the United States Constitution, according to his March 13 response to Kahle's complaint. He said the adults were not school employees.
"As such, student religious groups or gatherings led by adults will not be allowed to hold meetings during school and/or instructional hours. However, students may organize prayer groups, religious clubs, and gatherings before or after school to the same extent that students are permitted to organize other non-curricular student activities groups."
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Bible study civil rights complaint against Hudsonville schools resolved, district says" by Monica Scott, The Grand Rapids Press 2/27/15
Scott Smith, director of human resources, said a representative of Michigan Association of Civil Rights Activists alerted the district that it was inappropriately allowing students to attend a Bible Club in a recreational vehicle in the parking lot during lunch hour. State law prohibits ministry meetings on-campus during the school day.
Smith said the district discontinued the practice and contacted Bible Club Ministries International-Western Michigan, which as provided the instruction for years, to let them know of the policy change.
Mitch Kahle, who led a drive against a cross on city property in Grand Haven, contacted the district after a parent complaint to the civil rights group, Smith said. The district was informed that the violations were occurring at multiple elementaries, including the South, Park and Bauer buildings. Kahle could not be reached for comment Friday.
After-school bible clubs continue to meet at Forest Grove, Jamestown and Georgetown elementaries.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Superintendent: Bible class banned, clergy still welcome" by Christa E Graban, WZZM-TV13 (Grand Rapids, MI) 3/18/15
Superintendent Ken Haggart spoke with WZZM 13 Wednesday regarding an earlier statement he gave to the Michigan Association of Civil Rights Activists. In that earlier statement, Haggart had said all clergy were permanently banned from Fremont Public Schools and no organized religious activities will be allowed on school property while school is in session.
Haggart tells WZZM 13 News he later sent this second email to MACRA, clarifying the school's policy:
"I wanted to let you know as well that Fremont Public Schools neither encourages nor discourages participation in any religious program. By saying 'clergy are banned' we are referring to the offering or conducting of religious instruction classes. In the event of school tragedies, or needed counseling, or for clergy who have children attending FPS, or other use of the facilities, they are of course welcome to visit our schools."
. . . Haggart says the school has returned to its original arrangement in which students are transported off campus to local churches for Bible study. Kahle says the superintendent tells him a local church will be providing transportation, not the school district.
. . . He says one out of every three children in the elementary school is involved in Bible study, for a total of approximately 150 children. Those children are now split into two groups, which are transported to churches on two separate weeks once a month.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
So, more schools are keeping Christianity away from students, but more Education Experts Say that Pornography Belongs in the Classroom
