Question:  How can I help my child maintain Christian values when challenged at school?

Answer:  Those who want to change long-standing moral beliefs in our society know that the easiest place to start is with those easiest to influence.   The old saying, “the hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world,” can be true.   Any parent, teacher, or child care worker will tell you that children are like little sponges ready to “soak up” whatever they are exposed to.  That’s why children can be quicker than some adults to learn the latest dance craze or  technology  device.  So whoever becomes the first ones to teach them what to believe will possess a great deal of influence in these young lives.  As Christian parents, we are the ones who should make sure our children know what they are to believe.  We cannot afford to leave this teaching to others who may not share our faith.

Unlike in decades past, American schools no longer reinforce traditional Judeo-Christian values.  Today, they teach such things as sex outside of marriage is fine as long as you use birth control.  At some schools, they’ll even tell you how to get the birth control or actually provide it for you.  Also, they might teach students that if they believe the biblical values taught them by their parents, they are being naive and old-fashioned.  Since most young people spend a great deal of their lives in school, the values these “institutions of learning” teach really do matter.  Christian parents must stay aware of what values their children are being taught in school and discuss these issues at home.

There are many examples of schools trying to force Christian students to hide or change their beliefs.  For example, a Christian student at the University of Wisconsin was told by her professor to remove all religious references from her class project.  (See the story:  http://www.christianheadlines.com/blog/college-student-told-to-remove-religious-references-from-project.html) Legal Counsel representing this student had to remind school officials that students still have their First Amendment right to religious freedom even while they are attending public schools and universities.

High school Christian class valedictorian have also faced instances of push back when they wanted to include their faith in their speeches.  Several have been threatened with having their microphones cut off and worse if they gave credit to God in their speeches.  Jeremy G. Dys writes about this in his article titled, “When ‘God’ is a bad word at graduation.” (Read it here:   http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2015/06/11/when-god-is-bad-word-at-graduation.html?intcmp=obinsite.)

Of course, plenty of Christian students make it through school with little or no real problems expressing their beliefs in school.  For example, students are still allowed to have student-led Bible Clubs alongside other clubs at school.  A school in California even welcomed Bible clubs held at their school, attracting even some gang members who attended and wanted to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior.  They no longer wanted to be in the gangs.  (Read:   http://www.christianheadlines.com/blog/gang-members-being-converted-through-california-schools-bible-classes.html.)

Christian students should be taught to not be surprised or feel defeated when faced with opposition to their faith in school.  Jesus warned in Luke 21:17, “And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake.” (NKJV)  And, when challenged concerning your faith, pray to God for wisdom to know what to do.  For Jesus promised in Luke 21:15 that He “will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist.”  Amen!

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