Pastoral Letter Supporting Public Education

In light of recent email campaigns and other efforts by right wing groups to smear public education and the NEA, it was heartening to come across a letter of support for public schools from the Executive Director of the Baptist Center for Ethics in Nashville, Tennessee.

Rev. Robert Parham called on Baptists to "speak positively about public education and to take proactive initiatives that advance a constructive future for America's public schools." He further recognized that all organizations, churches, corporation, public schools need reformation at one time or another, and that "reforms to public education should be a constant goal of our nation".

Here are more excerpts from Parham's letter, which circulated at the NEA convention:

"We decry the anti-public school statements that identify public schools as 'the enemies of God', that label the school system as 'a dark and decaying government school system' and that claim public schools are converting Christian children 'to an anti-Christian worldview.' We urge a halt to the demonization of public schools . . ."

"We call on Baptists to recommit themselves to separation of church and state, which will keep public schools free from coercive pressure to promote sectarian faith, such as state-written school prayers and the teaching of neo-creationism (intelligent design) . . ."

"We call on Baptists to recommit themselves to a just society. A just society will ensure that every American child has an opportunity for a good education and that public schools have the resources necessary to provide such an opportunity, achieving the highest standards possible."

Rev. Parham also called for people to "speak up for the role public education plays in a democracy, especially the unity it creates in the midst of diversity so necessary in our society". He then encouraged the reader to share his letter with others, which I have just done with you.