by Marion Garcia

Created on: December 09, 2009

Should children be allowed to read their Bible during reading time at school?

Schools set aside time during class for reading, this is to encourage them to read. Most of the time children will be tested on these books. Each school quarter a child needs to earn a certain amount of AR (Accelerated Reading) points depending on their grade level.

Should they be allowed to read the Bible during this time period. First, we need to take a look at the school regulations. A Bible is not allowed on most school grounds. A child can be suspended for bringing a Bible to school. This in itself is a rule that needs to be changed.

Telling a child that they cannot carry a bible is an act against their rights to worship as they please. There is no reason why a child or teacher cannot carry their personal Bible with them wherever they go.

Secondly, the time set aside for reading is basically to encourage children to read. It is not mandatory for them to read a book necessary to gain their AR points. Any book can be read, as long as they earn the AR points by the end of the school quarter. So then, why are they not allowed to read the Bible. Certainly reading the Bible would be better than some of the books that are allowed.

Understandably, there are persons who do not believe in the Bible. This is their individual rights. It is also the rights of an individual to believe in the Bible. By not allowing a child to read the Bible in school is imposing on their right to choose and practice their beliefs.

Censoring of books in school should be limited to sexual or inappropriate issues. Each person has their own beliefs, likes, and dislikes. The government, schools, individuals, or even churches should not have the right to tell anyone what they can or cannot read as long as they imposing their beliefs on other people, or offending another person.

A few generations ago, a child could be released from classes early every Wednesday to attend religious classes. When this was no longer allowed, it was the first step in removing religion from our society. It has come to a time, when a student cannot even say the words God or Jesus during the schol day.

Understandably, if these words are used in a derogatory sense, then it certainly should not be said. When spoken in relevance to the Bible, then there is no reason why it cannot be said. There are many children who believe and respect the Bible.

The Constitution gives people the right to worship as they please. Therefore it is every students right to read the Bible whenever they have free time. It may be that, by allowing students to read the Bible, there may be a decrease in the students bad behavior. Whether a person believes in God and the Bible, one cannot deny the fact that the Bible teaches respect for other people and other peoples things. This could certainly help a child understand that certain behaviors are bad. These are ideals that can be incorporated in class to improve a students behavior.

The question should be why is reading the Bible not allowed in schools? This is an infringement on a students right to worship according to their beliefs. There is no doubt that they should be allowed to bring their personal Bible to school and read the Bible at their leisure.

Not allowing the Bible in class is an an infringement on the students and teachers rights according to the Constitution of the United States.

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