By Becca McIntyre
The paper starts off with a quote from John 3:16.
“For god so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whoever believes him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
You wouldn’t expect to see a sign of religion in a school setting.
Common sense and the idea of a separation of church and state would lead you to believe this wouldn’t happen in school. However, Hunter Targosh has another idea.
Using the powers of the 1st Amendment of the Constitution of the United States, as well as quoting the Equal Access Act, Hunter had placed posters all over our school inviting anyone to join a club Bible Club.
Though it is stated in the constitution that no Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise of practice there is a separation.
The conception is that public schools aren’t allowed to have religious-based clubs, however, principal of our school said these clubs are legal.
“As long as the meeting times for the group are during non-academic times like afterschool and lunch the group is allowed to perform its duties,” said Mr. Warren.
Non-academic periods include the activity period we now face either before lunch for freshmen and sophomores and after lunch for juniors and seniors. Since the club meets during activity period the club must be accepted by the school and cannot be denied.
The Equal Access Act applies to any public or secondary school that receives federal funds and allows extracurricular activities in the school after school hours.
The Act states that all schools meeting these criteria are forbidden to prevent access or deny fair opportunity to students who wish to hold meetings on school grounds.
The Act is non-specific in group types and allows a broad range of groups to arise.
During a Government and Economics class with Mr. Watson the topic was brought up while learning of the court case Marbury V. Madison.
“If Bible club is allowed then why can’t we have a Satan club?” Mr. Watson joked.
Everyone laughed at the idea, but in truth the Equal Access Act would allow that.
“The school is in lack of morals with what is left in decline,” Hunter Targosh had stated before the first meeting of Bible Club this year. “I hope to bring God and morality back into the school.”
Hunter said the school is full of immorality. Some examples of this would include but don’t end with, disrespect among students as well as teachers and other adults, criminal acts, the refusal of participation and failure in studies and classes.
“I hope that the club becomes a sphere of influence on fellow students so they also can see the light of Jesus Christ, with this, participation will increase, grades will go up, discipline will go down and the overall well-being of the school will improve,” Targosh said.
Posters announcing the upcoming meeting of Bible Club are outside of Senora Meierjurgen’s room.
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