I need advice on whether and how to proceed with my kids’ school. i just recently found out they have a Faith club that meets during school. it is completely voluntary and parents do not need to consent for their child to attend. it is led by 5 teachers of the school and for worship and prayer. i think they use the loophole that it is during study hall and therefore not instructional time. Obviously as an atheist i don’t love this but what i find concerning is that the school offers lots of clubs, even a gay rights club, but with the exception of faith club , they are all outside of school time . This seems incredibly predatory to me because why wouldn’t a kid who hated being in school choose to go to a club over class? I’m in a purple state but moved here from a deep red and starting to feel very similar bible belt vibes that i tried to escape. No my kid isn’t going to attend the club bc my kid knows our thoughts on religion, but it’s icky right? or am i like my friend from the school told me , “being too much about this” ? Do i do something, and what , or just be happy my kid doesn’t fall for their brainwashing ?

  • Contact FFRF AU ACLU for guidance

    parent

    I would do this before contacting the school about it and putting your family in the position of being discriminated against

    parent root

  • Maybe start with a polite inquiry regarding the rules governing School clubs. If there is a rule saying that club activities must occur outside school hours, then another inquiry regarding the worship Club's apparent special status would definitely be in order.

    Also, as others have said, contacting the FFRF with your concerns is a good way to go

    parent

  • A quick google search provided me with the following from

    https://www.freedomforum.org/religious-clubs-and-public-schools/

    • Are religious clubs allowed in public schools?

    Religious clubs are permitted in public schools under specific conditions.

    These clubs must be student-initiated and student-led, with school staff present only for safety supervision. Participation must be voluntary, and meetings can only occur during noninstructional times like lunch or before and after school.

    Your claim that it is lead by 5 teachers violates the law.

    Schools must give religious clubs the same access to facilities and resources as other student groups, while avoiding any endorsement of the clubs’ religious messages. Schools retain the right to enforce behavioral and safety rules that apply equally to all clubs, including the authority to restrict activities that substantially disrupt education.

    Yes, you should do something. Contact FFRF and provide them with any fliers or other documentation that you can gather about their 'faith club'.

    I suggest that you send the school an e-mail asking for information about the club. Keep it simple and ask: who is leading it, which teachers will be involved, when it will be held, and what activities they have planned.

    Don't give any indication as to why you are asking about the club. Allow them to believe that you are looking into having your kid join in.

    parent

  • You're not "being too much about this". Thinking they have a right to teach religion to kids without consent like it's fucking history or science is wrong and inconsiderate. I'd make it very clear to the school that my kid is not going to attend this club, ever.

    parent

  • Maybe you should talk to your kid about it if it really bothers you. I'm the same as you, I wouldn't want my kid attending that either. That nonsense that becomes contradictory the more you dive into it is not good for a growing child, they're not gonna learn to think, only believe irrationally.

    parent

    The poster is not concerned about their kid. They're concerned about the ethics of the event.

    parent root

    I never said the poster was concerned, I was talking to the parent.

    parent root

    The parent is the poster (so vice versa)

    parent root

    Oh my bad I misunderstood.

    parent root

  • How do you feel about leading an atheist or satanist club?

    When I was in high school my friends and I started the first satanist club. We originally did it because we thought they’d never allow it and we could use that as a wedge to shut down the Christian club. But they let us, and it royally pissed off the Christian kids.

    parent

  • Learn district policy about clubs. Why is there a club on school instructional time? That is usually a lawful requirement that instructional time be devoted, you know, to instruction, student study hall notwithstanding since other clubs must meet after school. I almost sense that this is a rogue principal and her minions doing this because they think they can get away with it. Wouldn't be the first time THAT has been the case.

    Decide whether you want to crusade on this. That's your personal decision, not your friend's.

    parent