Smithville, a small town in Texas, is rallying around elementary school teacher Susan Schobel in support of the “daily Bible verse” routine her class performs.
Though it’s since been deleted, Schobel had posted a Facebook video in early November that displayed the kids of Brown Primary School reciting a Bible verse from Romans.
“Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good,” they said aloud proudly, while gathered in a circle.
However, not everyone agreed with what Schobel calls the class’s “daily Bible verse”… especially the parents.
One parent declared the reading was “religious indoctrination” and “unconstitutional.”
“I don’t have anything against religion. I actually love Jesus. I love his teachings, his practices, and it’s been a big impact in my life, but I don’t believe that belongs in the public school system,” another parent, Charlie Lucko, told Fox 7 News.
The teacher has since received some severe backlash for sharing the video, but thankfully she’s part of a largely Christian community that is showing their support with “IStandwithSusan” t-shirts, accompanied by the Scripture verse Romans 12:9-10.
“In a place like this, where there is almost literally a church on every corner, it’s going to come out somehow,” said Hope Mosqueda. “Maybe not even trying intentionally to influence anyone.”
Host of Fox Nation’s “Starnes Country,” Todd Starnes, remarked that the parents opposing the Bible readings was “puzzling.” He questions why they would “object to their children learning to hate evil and do good” as we are a “nation founded on Judeo-Christian principles.”
According to religious liberty experts and lawyers, Schobel violated the 1963 Supreme Court ruling of Abington School District vs. Schempp. The ruling deemed prayer and Bible readings in public schools to be unconstitutional.
Even Cheryl Burns, Brown Primary School’s superintendent, says she recognizes her obligation to “maintain religious neutrality” in her school.
Schobel, however, seems undaunted by the negative attention she has received.
“If I get fired teaching my children about Jesus then I’m getting fired for a great reason!” she boldly wrote in a later post.
Well said, Ms. Schobel.
I pray that other teachers, like yourself, have the courage and audacity to proclaim the Good News of Jesus to this generation of children, no matter what the platform.
