Christian High School Student Vindicated After Allegedly Being Forced to Participate in ‘Hinduistic Rituals’
Score one for religious liberty. And if it happened to come at the expense of public education, all the better.
According to the Chicago Sun-Times, U.S. District Judge Matthew Kennelly has awarded $150,000 in damages and legal fees to Mariyah Green, a Christian and a former student at Bogan High School in Chicago.
Before graduating in 2020, Green felt coerced into participating in what her attorney, John Mauck, called “a thinly veiled Hinduistic religious program.”
The program in question — called “Quiet Time” — involved “transcendental meditation” during school hours. It also featured a “puja” — a ceremony during which Sanskrit-speaking instructors chanted “statements recognizing the power possessed by various Hindu deities and invitations to those same Hindu deities to channel their powers.”
Significantly, Green learned that her participation in the program would affect her grades. Thus, she felt “alone and angry,” cornered into what she properly regarded as a betrayal of her faith.
Green’s lawsuit named the Chicago Board of Education and the David Lynch Foundation, which developed the “Quiet Time” program, as defendants.
In a statement, a Chicago Public Schools spokesperson described the judge’s ruling as a “voluntary resolution between the parties akin to a settlement” and said the program “did not violate any student’s constitutional rights.”
Bob Roth, CEO of the David Lynch Foundation, defended the program.
“Transcendental Meditation has been learned by over 10 million people over the past 60 years,” Roth said, according to WGN-TV. “It is not a religion, philosophy or a change in lifestyle.”
The foundation also insisted in a statement that all students “voluntarily chose to learn the meditation technique with their parent’s consent and were free to opt out of the program at any time with no negative consequences.”
Of course, Green’s lawsuit and the resulting settlement suggest that she did not feel “free to opt out.” After all, if her grades hinged on participation, then she could not have refused without “negative consequences.”
Furthermore, her attorney explained that the program’s religious elements appeared fairly overt.
“On the second day of this training in Transcendental Meditation, Mariyah told the instructor that her knee was injured in order to avoid kneeling before the image of a man in a photograph on a table in the middle of the room, that she described as looking like Buddha,” Mauck said.
“Mariyah Green’s Christian faith and her dedication to Jesus Christ makes worship of others, such as these idols, unthinkable,” he added, according to the Sun-Times.
If such “training” involved even subtle elements of coercion, then Green’s constitutional rights were unquestionably violated. Thus, whether by settlement or verdict, this case reached the correct outcome.
To place this situation in context, imagine a public school pressuring students into kneeling before a cross. The howls of indignation would take years to subside.
Coercion aside, this story does have a heartening element.
Many young people come of age professing a nominal Christian faith. Perhaps their parents drag them to church. Or they attend a Christian school. But these experiences do not always produce spiritual commitment or even serious thought. In short, they learn the language and practices of the faith but go no deeper.
As a result, when challenged by external forces, they cannot defend their faith because they have nothing to defend.
Green, however, clearly can defend her faith. In fact, her “dedication to Jesus Christ” inspired her to fight for the freedom God gave her.
The post Christian High School Student Vindicated After Allegedly Being Forced to Participate in ’Hinduistic Rituals’ appeared first on The Western Journal.
Why is it important for schools to ensure that any religious activities or programs are voluntary and do not favor one religion over another
Has proven herself to be an exception to this trend. She not only recognized the conflict between her Christian beliefs and the religious program imposed on her but also had the courage to stand up for her faith.
Religious freedom is a fundamental right protected by the Constitution of the United States. Every individual should have the freedom to practice their religion without coercion or discrimination. Unfortunately, in the case of Mariyah Green, her public education seemed to prioritize the promotion of a particular religious program at the expense of her faith.
The program, known as “Quiet Time,” involved transcendental meditation and Hindu rituals. It is important to note that this is not an attack on the Hindu religion itself, but rather on the imposition of these practices on students who may hold different beliefs. Green, as a Christian, found herself in a difficult position, feeling isolated and forced to betray her own faith.
It is commendable that Green took legal action and pursued justice for the violation of her religious rights. The fact that she was awarded damages and legal fees indicates that the court recognized the validity of her claim. This ruling sets an important precedent, reaffirming the importance of religious liberty and protecting individuals from being coerced into participating in religious activities that contradict their beliefs.
While the Chicago Public Schools spokesperson claims that the program did not violate any student’s constitutional rights, Green’s lawsuit suggests otherwise. Her attorney explained that the program’s religious elements were overt, and Green’s refusal to kneel before an image she found idolatrous demonstrates the extent to which her Christian faith was compromised.
This case highlights the need for careful consideration of religious practices within public education. Schools should ensure that any religious activities or programs are voluntary and do not favor one religion over another. Coercion, even if subtle, undermines the principles of religious freedom and should never be tolerated.
Moreover, this situation serves as a reminder of the significance of a genuine, deeply rooted faith. Many young people today may claim to be affiliated with a particular religion but lack a true understanding and commitment to their beliefs. It is only when they are faced with challenges like the one Green encountered that the depth of their faith becomes apparent.
Green’s case should inspire others to reflect on their own beliefs and take a stand for what they hold dear. It is through moments of adversity that individuals can grow stronger in their faith and defend it with conviction. By asserting her rights, Green has scored a victory for religious liberty and sent a powerful message that no one should be coerced into compromising their beliefs.
In conclusion, the ruling in Mariyah Green’s case is a significant win for religious liberty. It underscores the importance of protecting individuals from coercion and ensuring their freedom to practice their religion without interference. While this victory may have come at the expense of public education, it serves as a powerful reminder that religious rights should never be compromised. Green’s courage and determination should be an inspiration to all, encouraging individuals to stand up for their beliefs and defend their faith, even in the face of adversity.
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