Where I go to school a group of "evangelical" Chrisitans are on campus passing out bibles and "spreading the gospel" so is this legal? And if it is can i pass out atheist literature?
2007-10-01 03:43:54 · 14 answers · asked by Krazy_Rican 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
An annual back-to-school campaign, called Truth for Youth,
which seeks to reach thousands of youth in America's public schools with the gospel, publishes a statement of Students Legal Rights on Public School Campuses. While it is not legal for an adult to distribute religious material to students, fellow students may do so without recrimination from the law or school officials, as long as these activities take place during non-instructional time at school. The following "legal rights" which have been tested in the courts apply to Christians, followers of other religions, and even atheists where applicable. They are:
1.The right to meet with other religious students.
2. The right to express your religious beliefs through signs, symbols, and clothing.
3.The right to talk about your religious beliefsand share your faith with other students on campus.
4. The right to distribute religious literature, (Bibles), on campus during non-instructional time.
5. The right to pray on camput alone, with others, and during graduation.
6. the right to carry or study your Bible or other religious literature on campus.
7. The right to do research papers, speeches, creative projects, or talent programs on religious themes.
8. The right to be exempt from activities that contradict your religious beliefs.
9. The right to celebrate or study religious holidays on campus.
10. The right to study religious themes, religious literature, and religious history.
Their website, www.thetruthfor youth.com, further states that if you have any questions or need legal assistance regarding these rights, wirte to Revival Fires, P.O.Box 1008, Bransom West, Missouri, 75737, or call toll free 1-800-733-4737.
I am not personally familiar with this ministry, but found this info on the web while doing research to answer your question. I hope this helps. Even though these legal rights may have been tested and won in court cases elsewhere, that does not mean that you won't have to test them again in your own school district, depending upon how the school administration interprets them and applies them to your specific situation. Thanks.
2007-10-01 04:22:18 · answer #1 · answered by Michael-DFW 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm going to keep my personal opinion out of this answer.
I remember when I was in HS, there were people handing out bibles and although security and personnel were more than a little miffed about it, there was really nothing they could do.
I'm not sure if it would be the same for a campus, but I'm under the impression that if it's public territory, you're pretty much free to do as you wish.
2007-10-01 10:51:18 · answer #2 · answered by Rache 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is completely legal to disseminate non-confidential literature. Your campus, however, may have regulations regarding solicitations and the like. Most likely, people are free to pass out whatever they want to.
Yes, you would be able to pass out atheist literature if that is the case. I would check the campus regulations first.
2007-10-01 10:49:27 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's not illegal. You have full rights to pass out atheist literature--so long as the university is public. If it's a private university, check out the conduct guidelines first, and if they don't allow you to pass out atheist literature, leave that place.
2007-10-01 10:48:36 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
If it is legal (and there is no reason why it shouldn't be), then yes, you should be allowed to pass out your literature. It's called freedom of religion.
I'm a Christian, and yes, I believe in fair treatment. If we get to spread our faith, you should get to as well. And vice versa.
2007-10-01 10:50:01 · answer #5 · answered by R v 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Look up campus policy in your students' handbook. Most likely, it is legal, unless they are creating a disturbance.
2007-10-01 10:49:38 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
From a certain point of view, bibles ARE atheist literature.
2007-10-01 10:48:06 · answer #7 · answered by bamidélé 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Depends. Is it a Christian college? The majority of colleges out there are Christian based. Princton, Yale, Harvard to name a few are all Christian founded colleges.
2007-10-01 10:53:53 · answer #8 · answered by tebone0315 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to check immediately with your administration. It does not sound legal to me. Also call the ACLU.
2007-10-01 12:31:43 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Come on, are you afraid of the Bible? Are they taking a gun and making you pick a Bible?
2007-10-01 10:53:32 · answer #10 · answered by geeks_gadgets 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋