Teacher Told Declaration Not Allowed In Class Due To 'God' Reference

By Jimmy Moore
Talon News
December 2, 2004

A California school district ordered a social studies teacher in a public school to stop using the Declaration of Independence and other historical documents in his classes because they contain the word "God" in them.

The Cupertino Union School District in Pasadena, California instructed one of its teachers, Stephen Williams, to stop using the historical documents because of their religious overtones.

Papers have been filed by the Alliance Defense Fund on behalf of Williams to provide declaratory and injunctive relief and damages against Patricia Vidmar, the principal of Stevens Creek School where Williams is employed, William Bragg, the Superintendent of Cupertino Union School District, as well as Board of Education members Pearl Cheng, Ben Liao, Josephine Lucey, Gary McCue, and George Tyson.

Christian Educators Association International (CEAI), a professional association for educators serving in public and private schools, responded strongly to the news of this action against Williams.

CEAI Executive Director Finn Laursen was shocked to hear that an educator would not be allowed to teach about some of the most important documents in American history.

"I find it frustrating that so many of our well meaning administrators totally misunderstand the intent of the First Amendment which meant to inhibit governmental interference in religious expression and not launch governmental roadblocks," Laursen said in a statement. "The Establishment Clause was never written to establish a God-free zone in the public arena."

The California Social Science Instructional Resources Evaluation allows for materials that include an "extensive variation and historical value in their nature," which includes any "documents, court decisions, speeches, debates, inaugural addresses, diaries, journals, slave diaries, excerpts from autobiographies, essays and religious literature."

Laursen, who is a former administrator in the public school system, said those opposed to any mention of God by our Founding Fathers want to literally "rewrite history."

"It would be impossible to do an honest search into the history of this nation without uncovering a Christian Foundation intentionally engineered by our forefathers," Laursen explained. "That foundation is what makes us unique and should not be minimized or denied."

This is not the first time this kind of thing has happened, though, added Laursen.

"We receive dozens of complaints monthly from public school educators, who happen to be Christian by faith, demonstrating similar circumstances," Laursen noted.