I go to a public high school...I am in choir class...is it legal to sing songs about God and the Bible?

Question

I know I am only 14 but I have my opinions, I live in a Christian town, I am an atheist, is this legal, can I stop it?
please serious answers, please none of "you're an atheist...thats bbbbaaaadddd, I will report you or whatever

2. the teacher says to sing even if you don't believe it, but I hope you do anyways

3. there is like two atheist teachers in the school

4. there are like five atheist kids in my school

5. this is another question for another time but they have a teens for christ, why not teens for atheism?

6. ahhh some say yes, some say no

7. the song goes
I want to be read-y
I want to be read-y
I want to be read-y y y
to walk in Jerusalem just like John
I want to be read-y
I want to be read-y
I want to be read-y y y
John said this city was just-for-square
and we declared he meet me there
Oh-John-oh-John-what-did-you-say?
walk in Jerusalem ust like John

that is a bare description of it

and the song says about meeting John in Jerusalem on Judgment day as well

8. again
starting a petition wouldn't help
there are close to no atheists in the town/school
how about an autonomous letter?

9. and I like the teens-for-science
I want to have a medical related profession anyways

10. its not that I don't accept Christians, my family is Christian, and I know quite a bit about it, its the fact that we sing about John and the Bible and blah, so if I asked about John and the teacher told me, technically that would be illegal...right?

11. most of our songs are about God and so therefore I shouldn't be in Choir, but I like to sing, just not about religious topics, how about we sing about not eating animals, everyone would say THIS IS BS I'M NOT SINGING THIS AWFUL GARBAGE, that's how I feel, except I would get mauled for saying it, and I do not like getting mauled

12. someone said if it is an after-school its legal but if its school-run it isn't
well
it is not a required class but you do need a fine arts class to get an honors diploma...I want an honors diploma, I chose choir as my fine arts class

thank you people, these are all wonderful answers...if you have a repsonse about 1-12 (or the other ones I may make) please put that number in front
(e.g. 3. xxx xxxxxx xxx)

Answer 1

Why are you in choir class if you don't want to sing songs about God? Don't you think theater might be what you are looking for?

I think you might want to think about your real motivations for this. It seems it is more about bucking the system and limiting other students rights than it is about your burning desire to sing choir.

Answer 2

A certain amount of religious music can probably be justified on the grounds that you're learning to sing and, if the songs are at the appropriate level, these songs meet the necessary teaching requirements (in terms of complexity, etc.) The argument would be that "we're asking you to sing songs that are appropriate to your level of vocal training; we're not asking you to believe or live them" I could also see the argument being made, if you're learning about different styles and/or periods of music, that most of the songs in that "genre" are religious ones. However, if these songs make up more than a few of the full song list you are learning, then you may have grounds for concern, especially if other religious traditions are being ignored. Depending upon where you are and how active the parent group is, it may be a tough fight for little or no recognition, though... part of life is learning when a fight is a lost cause and when you should just deal with it because you only have 1-2 years left. That said, some lost causes are worth fighting for anyways... only you can decide that for yourself. As to the absences, it depends upon the school or the board's policy... an excused absence just means that it's for a recognized reason and doesn't impact (or impacts to a lesser degree) the school's attendance records regarding funding. What it means to you as the student depends upon policy.

Answer 3

Silent Night, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Sweet Chariot, etc etc etc. are all religious songs for Christmas, which is a religious holiday - which is celebrated in almost every school across the country.
Then we have the Dreidel (excuse me if I spelled that wrong) taught to public grade school children.

They are not promoting or preaching - they are teaching about a religion or teaching about heritage and tradition.

Okay so you're an atheist - you are not forced to participate in choir, and if your religious (non religious as it be) beliefs prevent you from singing the song then you can leave the class.

The seperation of church and state has nothing to do with music, it has to do with governance of the country. A school can say "God", or Budha, or Druid - what they can't do is teach theology or promote religion.

Your 14 - become well rounded - take a chance to learn about other people's belief systems. I myself am not a "christian" per say nor an atheist - but I find that understanding what other people believe or the roots of their religion makes me accepting of the people around me.

Answer 4

Yes its legal, but no you don't have to if its against your beliefs. If your parents will call the school and tell them they don't want you singing those songs then your in luck.
I was in highschool choir and did not believe in god, I found signing a lot of hymns to be very irritating, but there was too much of a stigma involved in protesting. My parents were bible thumpers. Someone's mom finally got really mad and called the school, so they went to a voting system, the staff weighed in on what might be overly religious and tried to tone it down a little. If you want a path of little resistance just lip-sync convincingly.
Its one of those situations where you should try to build support by asking counselors and teachers for their advice, also finding out how many students would be willing to help you in talking to whoever is in charge of choosing the music. A signed petition requesting less religious music could go a long way, especially if parents, teachers, and students would all sign. Or you could save yourself the possible issues that would come up and just alter your participation.
Look for similar real-life news stories on the internet and see what the outcome was.

Answer 5

For those who have answered with "separation of church and state", they need to check their records. The constitution doesn't guarantee that the two things never mix...it just says that we all have the right to celebrate our own religions.

You probably could stop it if you really wanted to. You could start a protest, and take it up with the superintendent of schools, and they'd put a stop to it. But is that really necessary?

Perhaps the easier answer is to let your choir teacher know that you have a different faith, and that you're not comfortable singing these songs. He or she should allow you to sit out the religious songs, and still grade you based on what you are doing in class (I think that him requiring you to sing those songs might not be entirely constitutional). This might also send the teacher a message that they should provide a broader list of song choices for the class.

I think you should start the new club...Perhaps instead of calling it Teens for Atheism, you could call it Teens for Science, or something else that the school would be a little more excited about.

Answer 6

Would you refuse to sing "The Prisoner's Song" because you have never been in prison? How about "A Boy Name Sue" because you have never had a name that is usually given to the opposite sex? Comprendo? If you are in a CHOIR CLASS, you are supposed to be SINGING not being critical of the songs you sing. Maybe you could be critical of the sound of the choir! Just because you are an atheist does not mean that you are immune to any information that may have something about God in it. Besides, what is wrong with knowing things about God? You can still remain an atheist if that is your choice, but retain some knowledge that you disagree with. Do you know anything about any serial killers? Do serial killers offend you? In my opinion, you need to get the chip off your shoulder and understand that no one is trying to teach you about God in this choir class and get over the apparent hostility you have built up.

Answer 7

If the choir is a private voluntary student-run group, held after school, then they can sing whatever they want.

If the choir is a school-run organization, or is mandatory, then it is a constitutional violation.

The line is really simple. If private people are doing it -- it's OK.

If the government (school, town whatever) is requiring or promoting/sponsoring it, and it only applies to one religion excluding others, then it's not OK.

A teacher saying "sing this religion song, even if you don't believe in that religion" is violating constitutional laws.

Answer 8

it is technically legal. however, the school district and community have wide powers over the local school district. if you really feel offended by saying the word "God", then opt out. If that isn't enough and you don't want others to say the word "God", then you can start a petition to ban the word from all school activities. Go to your classmates and members of the community and ask for support. Contact the ACLU, perhaps hearing the word God is a violation of your rights or something. Typically, the ACLU will threaten your school with a million-dollar lawsuit that it cannot afford to pay, so they will quickly give in and force the choir to stop mentioning God.

Answer 9

i had often wondered about this myself. my local public school seems to still sing religious songs without much complaint -- however, the songs aren't in english. that may be the way they get around it. there's so many songs that a choir teacher can use.

to me it seems if you are learning the WORDS to a religious song, then you are in a way learning about GOD. i think you have a valid argument and should complain to the teacher and go up the ladder if need be.

but, i am not the best person to ask as i would never ever send my kid to a public school anyway.

Answer 10

yes....singing about God has nothing to do with seperation of Church and State. That is just a song. That is not the school promoting a religion. It is perfectly legal.