He's not not part of the curriculum,
The school principal stood firm.
His voice as hard as nails, he hoped
To bring this girl to terms.
You simply cannot mention Jesus
State law, school policies prevent
Any practice of religion
No matter who gives their concent.
I won't have your songs ring out in here!
There'll be no Amazing Grace!
No Bibles and no praying
This school is simply not the place!
We are an institute for learning...
You cannot use instruction time
For non academical perspectives,
Although you don't think it's a crime.
Actually, we'd break the law...
We would resist the rules that say
Separation between church and state
Because The Courts ruled it that way.
And this may seem a bit too brash
For a religious girl like you...
But this is just the way it is
And I must do what I must do!
The girl had listened patiently...
In fact, respectfully at ease.
She hadn't squirmed or lost her cool...
Guess she'd expected days like these.
Sir, I really realize the course
You feel that you must take....
But it seems like during my free time...
It seems like at my break
I should be allowed to speak about
Any subject I so choose.
And, sir, should my choice be Jesus Christ,
Is it fair that you refuse
Me the priviledge to say a prayer
Or the freedom to do so?
Because I am not cutting any class
Or doing anything to slow
Or interfere with your curriculum...
So it's plain I separate
My religious views from any views
Held by the school or state.
For those thirty or so minutes
I'm not breaking any rules.
And, frankly, sir, The Courts were wrong
To kick Jesus out of schools.
Since, then, kids have killed each other...
Respect for teachers works no more.
And without the Ten Commandments
School's not as safe as it was before.
Knowing Jesus is a good thing...
And, sir, I wish you wouldn't scoff...
Because if He were allowed back in the schools
We'd all be better off.
Doris Jacobs-Covington
November 12, 2014
~~Dedicated to my niece, Shannon,
who experienced this in High School~~