'Christianity is not a disease'
Lawsuit seeks restoration of traditional American slogans in classroom
A lawsuit has been filed on behalf of a veteran California teacher whose school officials ordered him to remove several banners carrying slogans from American history, such as "In God We Trust."
"Unfortunately, it seems like religion is now treated as a disease or pathogen that has to be removed or eradicated from the public at all costs," said Robert Muise, of the Thomas More Law Center, which is bringing the action against Poway Unified School District.
The superintendent, Donald Phillips, justified the sudden removal of banners that had been used for 25 years by Westview High math teacher Brad Johnson.
"The fact that we've been doing something inappropriate for a long period of time doesn't make it right," Phillips said. "As we become a more diverse society, we must have a greater sensitivity."
The federal civil rights lawsuit alleges a violation of Johnson's constitutional rights in the order by school officials to remove the banners not because they contributed to any disruption, but because they promote a "Judeo-Christian" viewpoint.
Johnson, a 30-year teacher, had used them almost since the beginning of his career without opposition. They include the national motto, "In God We Trust;" a 1954 amendment to the Pledge of Allegiance, "One Nation Under God;" and an excerpt from the preamble to the Declaration of Independence, "All Men Are Created Equal, They Are Endowed By Their Creator."
The words "God" and "Creator" triggered the reaction from school officials.
"Cleansing our nation's classrooms of our religious heritage and history and imposing viewpoint restrictions on speech to silence such expressions advance no legitimate educational purpose," said Richard Thompson, president of the Thomas More Law Center. "In fact, such actions undermine the primary purpose of public education: to prepare students for citizenship in our republic."
Not only was the action viewpoint discrimination, but it conveyed a "government-sponsored message of disapproval of and hostility toward religion," a violation of both U.S. and California Constitutions, the lawsuit said.
"It is without question that religious people founded this nation," said Muise. "As a result, references to God are common in our songs, mottoes, and slogans. And it is the responsibility of our nation's public schools to educate students to be informed citizens."
The lawsuit seeks to have the speech limitation removed.
"I think we've become more hostile to Christianity over time," Muise told WND. "That's evident in the cases that I've brought over the years. This with the school district is a prime example."
The lawsuit noted that as many as seven school principals, many school board members, superintendents and assistant superintendents and about 4,000 students along with their thousands of parents had visited the classroom with the banners without complaint – until the principal made an issue of it this year.
It also confirmed that school practice allows only a classroom teacher to put things on the walls of the classroom, and among items found posted by other teachers are posters for the bands Nirvana and The Clash, posters of professional athletes, travel posters, artwork and even a collection of stuff animals.
"Many of the items displayed contain messages that express the personal views, interests, or opinions of the teachers," the lawsuit said.
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