Posted: 08/15/2007 at 6:48pm | IP Logged

Texas Governor Signs Bill Giving Students Freedom to Express Religious Viewpoints

"For years, our children have not been able to share their faith and beliefs for fear that they'll end up in the principal's office. That's sure not the American way and that's sure not the Texas way."

Ruth Rendon/TN (August 15, 2007)

(Sugarland, Texas)—The Houston Chronicle reports that Gov. Rick Perry conducted a ceremonial signing of House Bill 3678 aimed at reaffirming students' rights to express religious viewpoints. The bill was also known as the Religious Viewpoints Anti-Discrimination Act. (Photo: Houston Chronicle)

Pictured surrounded by schoolchildren at the Clements High School library in Sugarland, Perry signed the bill that does not create a law, but provides a model policy that school districts can adopt. According to the report, the model that school districts can adopt "offers protection for a student's expression of religious viewpoint; guidelines for student speakers at graduation ceremonies and other events; protection of religious expression in class assignments; and freedom to organize religious groups and activities."

"What it does is create a win-win situation for the schoolchildren, school administrators and the taxpayers of the state of Texas," said Rep. Charlie Howard who sponsored the bill.

"For years, our children have not been able to share their faith and beliefs for fear that they'll end up in the principal's office. That's sure not the American way and that's sure not the Texas way," said the governor to a round of applause.

Source: The Houston Chronicle

Via BCN www.breakingchristiannews.com