Religious chaplains don’t belong in public schools
A concerning piece of legislation is poised to further blur the line between state and church in Florida’s public and charter schools. HB 931 is being debated in Tallahassee. If passed, it would permit school boards to allow volunteer chaplains into our public schools.
Authors of the bill want every school board member across the state to vote on a chaplain policy. It will be a sort of “religious test” to be taken in front of constituents. Vote “Yes” if you love God. Vote “No” and you could be accused of being anti-religious by your political opponent and their supporters.
As a non-Christian mother of a Central Florida public school graduate, I am not only concerned about the religious privilege a school chaplaincy would provide, but also for the welfare of students with mental health issues, or just the day-to-day challenges of being a kid in the world. Could our kids, religious or otherwise, be told to “pray away” their problems or get a special invite to the next youth night at a church, synagogue, temple, or mosque so they can “get right with God”?
Proponents of the bill contend that chaplains would serve a secular purpose by providing “support, services, and programs” to students. I should not be the only person questioning the appropriateness of religious leaders filling a secular role that trained counselors and licensed mental health professionals should fill, thus preventing clergy from imposing their religious beliefs on impressionable students.
“Unchurched” kids from ages 4 to 14 are common targets for religious conversion, and public school chaplaincies will be seen as another opportunity for what is often referred to as “campus ministry.” In Central Florida, evangelists already have afterschool programs for elementary schools, athletic program ministries, and Christian clubs for middle and high school students. The organizations that stand up and support these programs openly acknowledge their goals are to reach everyone’s child without regard to the child’s or parent’s faith perspective.
The introduction of religious school chaplains will establish a school-sanctioned, exclusionary, faith-based system that fails to address the needs of a diverse student population. Mental health professionals and counselors, on the other hand, are educated, often certified, and required by school board policies and procedures to assist students in a non-biased manner without regard to the religious perspective of the professional or the student.
For chaplains who try to take into account the religious perspective of students, the only way to do so is to ask about religion or belief in a higher power. Such inquisitions are intrusive and inappropriate in a public school setting. This flawed bill disregards the religious diversity of students and may very well cause a well-meaning school board or principal to end up in court.
Which school board will be the test case and have to explain to The Satanic Temple why their ordained Minister of Satan is not welcome? While I am unconcerned about Satanists who don’t believe in Satan, what about a cult leader? Both of these chaplain candidates might have legal standing if refused by the school.
This bill opens our schoolhouse doors to anyone who wants to be a chaplain. No professional certification or universally accepted credential is required. You don’t even have to have a religious affiliation. I actually like that part, though.
Anyone who can pass a background check can be a public school chaplain — even people you want nowhere near your kids. HB 931 and its companion in the Senate (CS/SB 1044) pose a significant threat to our kids’ religious freedoms. Legislators should prioritize the rights of students and parents above clergy members, some of whom already consider Florida public schools their mission fields.