Mar 8, 2012
Print This Post
A Virginia high school is threatening to remove a student from the National Honor Society because she completed her community service work at a local church.
MARK LEVIN SAYS YOU NEED TO BUY TODD’S NEW BOOK
The 17-year-old senior at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology filed a federal lawsuit claiming that she is a victim of religious discrimination.
“In essence, she was targeted and discriminated against solely because of the religious nature of her community service work,” said Matt Sharp, an attorney with the Alliance Defense Fund. Sharp is represented the unidentified student in her lawsuit.
“There’s no honor in penalizing an honors student’s community service to children just because it happens to be faith-based,” Sharp said. “Positive community service and leadership like this should be encouraged by schools, not subjected to unconstitutional discrimination.”
The trouble started last fall when the student submitted her required hours for membership in the National Honor Society. Students are required to perform at least 12 hours of service to maintain membership. Sharp said his client had more than 46 hours of service – working with children in her church’s “Kids Quest” Sunday school program.
However, the faculty adviser told the student that her hours would not count because her work was done in a church and was in violation of district policy.
According to the ADF, the Fairfax County School Board’s Faith-Based Service Policy states that in order to be considered for credit, faith-based activities “must have a secular purpose…and may not include preparation or participation in the performance of religious services.”
The National Honor Society addressed the issue in a memorandum dated April 2010 and titled, “Can activities done for a religious group be counted as service hours for members completing NHS or NJHS chapter service requirements?”
In short, the NHS said the answer is “yes and no.”
According to the memorandum, teaching Sunday school at church “may be readily fall under the aspect of leadership experiences also required of members. Assuming the responsibility for preparing and presenting lessons and supervising a group of students for an hour would generally be seen as evidence of demonstrated responsibility and leadership skills for an individual student.”
However, the NHS defers final permission to the individual school district, noting “One can argue both sides of this question.”
A spokesperson for the school system said they were not aware of the lawsuit and would be unable to comment.
Sharp said the school system’s behavior has been outrageous.
“It’s the school policy that prohibits any credit for community service done at church,” he said. “She sees a need and is passionate to help these children. But because it’s done through her church she was told her hours would not be recognized, but if she had gone to the local Boys and Girls Club and done the exact time of work she would have been given credit.”
Unless his client makes up the 12 hours of community service along with four additional hours, her name will be submitted for removal from the NHS.
“This really is an outrageous example of targeting religious community service and religious beliefs for discrimination,” Sharp said.
Related posts:
FOX News Talk
One would think an education system would at least have the Constitution down. It' freedom of religion not freedom from religion, or in this case, punishment for religion. If there was ever a reason to get a comstitutionalist in the White House, this is it. Imagine if we had a Supreme Court upholding this nonsense.
This conversation must keep in mind that there is a war between the Socialists in power and their "secularist" comrades, and the Constitution. The NEA and the AFT are two of the most powerful unions in America. When they say jump, the Democrats and their socialist allies say how high.
There is an active attempt to strip away any and all faith based community organizations, and even organized religion itself is under attack from the Democrats and their socialist allies.
But this is not new. it has been tried before in another country. Its an ideology that most democrats NOW support. There was a time when being a Democrat meant standing up for the rights of all Americans. Now it means spreading Socialism and eventually communism. Remember what happened in the USSR:
- The Soviet Union was the first state to have as an ideological objective the elimination of religion[1] and its replacement with atheism.[2][3] To that end, the communist regime confiscated religious property, ridiculed religion, harassed believers, and propagated atheism in schools.[4] The confiscation of religious assets was often based on accusations of illegal accumulation of wealth.
State atheism in the Soviet Union was known as gosateizm,[1] and was based on the ideology of Marxism–Leninism. As the founder of the Soviet state, V. I. Lenin, put it:
Religion is the opium of the people: this saying of Marx is the cornerstone of the entire ideology of Marxism about religion. All modern religions and churches, all and of every kind of religious organizations are always considered by Marxism as the organs of bourgeois reaction, used for the protection of the exploitation and the stupefaction of the working class.[5].
Marxism–Leninism has consistently advocated the control, suppression, and eventual elimination of religion. Within about a year of the revolution, the state expropriated all church property, including the churches themselves, and in the period from 1922 to 1926, 28 Russian Orthodox bishops and more than 1,200 priests were killed. Many more were persecuted.[6].
Christians belonged to various churches: Orthodox (which had the largest number of followers), Catholic, and Baptist and various other Protestant sects. The majority of the Muslims in the Soviet Union were Sunni. Judaism also had many followers. Other religions, practiced by a relatively small number of believers, included Buddhism and Shamanism.-
People must learn from history and remember those lessons, or we are doomed to repeat those most unkind lessons.
WAKE UP AMERICA! THEIR IS A WAR BEING WAGED BY THE LEFT AND THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA TO ERODE OUR CONSTITUTIONAL LIBERTIES!
This topic is a prime example of why this years elections are so important. Its a question of values. Do we continue to follow a road to European style socialism, are do we stop and retake the liberties guaranteed to us by our Constitution.
This why I, for one, will stand behind whoever is the Republican nomination is. YES, none of them is perfect! BUT, they are ALL better than who we have now. Obama believes in an "American" form of socialism, the Republican candidates all believe in American values. Obama believes our system of government needs to be reformed, THEY believe in the Constitution.
This NHS article is just another volley fired at our liberties as guaranteed by the Constitution.
Churches are now being punished under federal provisions of Public Law 111-84 (Shepard-Byrd) for "hate speech," and the courts, schools, and the President are all establishing secular humanism as the official state religion. Under "marriage" redefinition laws being used by many states, churches can no longer offer adoption or foster parenting work, and the state is mandating homosexual activists gain rights Christians cannot have. This is a continuation of the push for a state religion of humanism while punishing Christians.
krazy
Wonder if the advisor could have simply applauded the student's hard work and then asked the student to find another outside-the-church opportunity to serve for the spring. Broadening her service experiences. Sad she's now learning you should sue people when things go wrong. As always hindsight is 20/20.
Liberals suck just no two ways about it. They all want someone to take care of them rather than doing it themselfs. They sit around and dream up laws that allow them to steal from the PRODUCTIVE! They are SLIMY, NASTY little people. Its amazing that as americans we have allowed this to go on as long as we have. It is HIGH TIME that we as americans push back and put these slimy little humans in their place and give them a simple choice become PRODUCTIVE or starve.
Ashamed that idiots like yourself breathe the same air as I do….
try holding it for ten minutes or so!
Joseph Michael West stick it up your FAT_ASS you dumb_liberal_asshole
Joseph Michael West stick it up your FAT_ASS you dumb_liberal_asshole
According to the ADF, the Fairfax County School Board’s Faith-Based Service Policy states that in order to be considered for credit, faith-based activities “must have a secular purpose…and may not include preparation or participation in the performance of religious services.”.
The real problem lies with this policy. But she should do the 12 hours in a secular community service to keep her spot because that is what is in the rules. Then she should lead the charge to get that rule changed. What better way to show leadership?
In my HS days, community service was just that, a service for your community. Didn't matter if it took place via a church-organized event or not. If it hadn't been for my church-related service hours, I never would have made it out of HS. Thank God for church activities, imho.
well thats just dumb, we should be encouraging our children to get involved whether church related or not. what kind of message does that send to our kids. thats just ridiculous. i wish there were more 17 yr olds like her.
well thats just dumb, we should be encouraging our children to get involved whether church related or not. what kind of message does that send to our kids. thats just ridiculous. i wish there were more 17 yr olds like her.
Everyone- take a deep breath. Mr. Sharp's comments are way too strong. No one in the school is attacking God or religion. It is a matter of interpretation and I am fairly sure that the student will get the hours approved. This appeal will get the decision overturned. We do not need to overreact and make this into a God Vs School issue. Liberals vs the Right. Democrat vs Rep. It was an error in judgment not a pervasive policy that exists in FCPS. Logic will win. Please- our country is torn apart as it is. Let's not make it worse. The POSTS on this article are just depressing. Everyone is blaming some group or cause. Let's talk about the issue and leave it at that. What is wrong with us?
"A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you." ~Jesus~ (John 15:20).
How sad for this student to not be recognized for her work with children. Where she works with children in her free time should not be the issue.
As I have been saying now for over a year, persecution of Chistians and ANYTHING Jesus Christ is here in this FILTHY nation of SIN-erica, formerly America. The exciting this is though, that we KNOW Jesus Return is IMMINENT now, because of all we are seeing of Biblical Prophecy being fulfilled around the world. People who persecute and HATE christians, well, God has something "special" in store for them in the Lake of fire. Pray for them to repent, before it's too late for their souls.
http://radio.foxnews.com/toddstarnes/top-stories/school-reinstates-honors-student-punished-over-religious-service-work.html
I only had to read the first sentence of the article to see how far down hill we've gone in a matter of a few short years. My daughter Marlena was n the National Honor Society in HS–where did she do her community service work–yes at our church–and she is still doing it today she and her husband drive the buses in the bus ministry—she graduated in 2004
I have been sounding the alarm now for a while my friend, MOST called me crazy, as they usually do. The Holy Spirit is NEVER wrong with His Leading
Amen Paul and Naomi. This country has gone downhill and badly. So few see it and then so few care. This is beyond sad for me…
Yes it just breaks my heart my friend:(
This should not come as a surprise to anyone. Our country is turning into a pagan culture, and Peter said in 1 Peter 4:13-4 "But rejoice, inasmuch as yes are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, yes may be glad also with exceeding joy.
If yes be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified." So look up and out, much more and worse persecution is on tap here in Amerika.
Also, if she had been handing out condoms to middle schoolers she probably would have been given extra credit! LOL.
I am willing to bet she would have gotten credit for her community service if she had done it at some place like Salvation Army. They are a faith based charity so what is the difference between that and her church?
So now the "quasi-governmental" structure of a school dictates what kind of public service a student can perform. I thought the idea was to do public service. So much for freedom of choice!
What a shame :/
I think it is time to remove the School Board. This is absolutely unbelievable and certainly underminds a students religious beliefs, which is un-Constitutional.
Wow…..what is wrong with these people…..prayers for God to intervene
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (FCPS/Governor's school) reached a Voluntary Resolution Agreement with the Office of Civil Rights in 2009 regarding compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Hoping for resolution at TJHSST without prolonged federal involvement…again.
haters of God how sad he is a Loving awesome and forgiving GOD AND
And people reject Him well quit crying and complaining about life being
So evil and chaotic because he is taken out or reconized he is the one who
Has the whole world in His hands sorry to say ! And God forgive you !
haters of God how sad he is a Loving awesome and forgiving GOD AND
And people reject Him well quit crying and complaining about life being
So evil and chaotic because he is taken out or reconized he is the one who
Has the whole world in His hands sorry to say ! And God forgive you !
If this girl was doing some kind of work in a Muslim mosque, I am sure that there would not be a discrediting of her work.
Secular humanists have destroyed this nation, and nominal Christians have helped them do it. Collusively these have corrupted the youth and moved them to demonic lusts; they have demolished a formerly Christian based academia, they have instituted judicial activism in place of Constitutional jurisprudence; in short they have corrupted and made filthy nearly every formerly righteous government, social, and institutional endeavor. Secular humanists are a scourge upon humanity and that so called Christians have enabled them to incrementally dismantle the spiritual foundations of the nation speaks to an apostasy of incredible and execrable depth.
My 14 year old son is Conservative. Going to school in MA and sticking to his values, is like wearing a Red Sox jacket in Yankees stadium. I tell him to stand firm and cheer on his team. I tip my hat to this kid. Nobody said being a Christian was easy!
This is so wrong
how is this discrimination… first of all, this is the policy of the national honor society, and it's a private organization that's allowed to do whatever they want. second of all, real discrimination would be putting one religious service over another. if religious service is not at all allowed, that just means they don't get credit for it, not that they aren't allowed to do it. I love how you all think this is hateful of god and an attack on religion. the student did not follow the policy, period. I mean, I'm sure all you fox news lovers would be perfectly okay with the boy scouts barring gays from taking leadership positions.
also, I happen to have gone to this school, and one of my alumnus friends told me that the plaintiff was proselytizing. if you tell me that that is acceptable as proper service, to try and change the opinions of someone of a different faith to that of christianity, and even the opinions of those of no faith at all, I cannot believe this country we're living in.
how is this discrimination… first of all, this is the policy of the national honor society, and it's a private organization that's allowed to do whatever they want. second of all, real discrimination would be putting one religious service over another. if religious service is not at all allowed, that just means they don't get credit for it, not that they aren't allowed to do it. I love how you all think this is hateful of god and an attack on religion. the student did not follow the policy, period. I mean, I'm sure all you fox news lovers would be perfectly okay with the boy scouts barring gays from taking leadership positions.
also, I happen to have gone to this school, and one of my alumnus friends told me that the plaintiff was proselytizing. if you tell me that that is acceptable as proper service, to try and change the opinions of someone of a different faith to that of christianity, and even the opinions of those of no faith at all, I cannot believe this country we're living in.
oh and before anyone goes on a rant about me being a religious bigot and an atheist who will burn in the depths of hell, i would like to make it clear that i am a believer. a skeptical believer at that, but still.
oh and before anyone goes on a rant about me being a religious bigot and an atheist who will burn in the depths of hell, i would like to make it clear that i am a believer. a skeptical believer at that, but still.
Big deal, NHS. If you're going to join, you've got to play by their rules. If I go to someone's house and they tell me not to use profanity, I think they have a certain right to toss me out of their house if I violate that rule, regardless of freedom of speech…
Big deal, NHS. If you're going to join, you've got to play by their rules. If I go to someone's house and they tell me not to use profanity, I think they have a certain right to toss me out of their house if I violate that rule, regardless of freedom of speech…
Krishnan it's funny you mention the Boy Scout's case because I mentioned that same thing when I was talking about this with Jeremy.
Anyhow, NHS is just plain fucking stupid. Feynman on honor societies: http://youtu.be/f61KMw5zVhg
In Barre, Vermont it is the collective action of the churches that support most of the homeless and needy. These poor souls can get a free meal almost any night of the week. The churches provide clothes closets for children, food shelves for the hungry, financial assistance and counseling. The local university's Civic Engagement Group sends student volunteers to help with these endeavors. The bright side is, in a state with one of the ten worst tax rates, it doesn't cost the taxpayer a dime. We the people supply everything to include our time as volunteers.
My wife is a member of the NHS and she will tell you that when she was in high school, a girl who got married while in high school was kicked out of the NHS. Now read what has happened to our country. This is such a tremendous example of the degree to which our society has lost its moral compass. I believe if this is allowed to stand, every believing member of the NHS should renounce their membership and turn in their pins.
My daughter put in a full day of cleaning up and rejuvenating a local park, up to and including helping to remove a partially submerged auto engine that had been dumped there. Because the cleanup was organized by a boy scout toward HIS earning a Hornaday Award, her hours cannot count toward NHS, per district policy.
I just wanted to note, my daughter cannot earn service hours toward her own scout advancement by participating in service projects. She maxed all those out when she put in over 300 service hours in 2010.
I just wanted to note, my daughter cannot earn service hours toward her own scout advancement by participating in service projects. She maxed all those out when she put in over 300 service hours in 2010.
My daughter put in a full day of cleaning up and rejuvenating a local park, up to and including helping to remove a partially submerged auto engine that had been dumped there. Because the cleanup was organized by a boy scout toward HIS earning a Hornaday Award, her hours cannot count toward NHS, per district policy.
I am opposed to all the religions, Catholicism, Buddhism, Hinduism and communism – All false and harmful. As the head household member of an entirely irreligious family, I'm frequently offended at the FACT that various public school organization community services are frequently used to further religious organizations but cannot be used to further irreligious organizations. That is clear discrimination.