Recently, I have been contacted by two concerned residents of White Oak ISD and legal counsel from the Freedom From Religion Foundation concerning the use of scripture in the “Thought for the Day” at the high school.
The residents were offended at the use of scripture, demanding that it be stopped and calling for disciplinary action against Mr. Noll. I am fully aware of the practice at the high school and will not pursue any action against our High School Principal or any other member of our faculty/staff concerning this issue.
The letter from the FFRF is not the first received by the district. They contacted us in the fall with concerns about the practices at our football games. I have responded in accordance with their stated concerns and we have moved on.
Let me be clear, this is an attempt to draw us into a contest of words for the sole purpose of giving the FFRF a large amount of free press/recognition that they and their very few members (1,200 in Texas) do not deserve. This group and others like it, are wanting us to provide them with negative quotes to use in the promotion of their agenda. We can and will make the adjustments needed to ensure our students experience a morally sound, positive character based education. There are a multitude of options to provide our students, faculty and staff the opportunity to express their First Amendment Rights as provided for in the United States Constitution. Let me also be clear that we have not (in my opinion) violated anyone’s rights and/or subjected anyone to undue stress. Bible studies and scriptures are allowed in schools. The requirement is that the material be presented in a neutral manner. It is my position that we met that standard with the morning announcements.
My recommended response to the FFRF is, “I’m sorry you feel that way. I will be praying for you and your staff daily.”
Finally, as a Christian Brother, it will not promote the values we hold so dear to assail those that disagree with the Gospel. We will state our case. We will make sure our rights are just as protected as anyone else that lives in this great country. We will continue to provide for all the needs of our students and we will do so while traveling the High Road. Don’t get drawn into a game of words that has no “winner”.
Please do not waste your time and effort on these few detractors.
—
Superintendent of Schools
White Oak ISD
Wise words, Mr. Gilbert. I will be praying for all of White Oak during this time.
Thank you for these words. I will put you and all of White Oak teachers and students on my prayer list.
Mr.Gilbert,
We are so lucky to have men of such high standards
and beliefs; so few schools are blessed as WO is. I have
been very angry with the vitriol spewed against our staff
and coaches. Thank you as always for you’re leadership and
guidance. I will pray for them as well.
Thanks from a White Oak grad and current
Coach’s wife.
Kelly Brown
As a former student of WOHS I disagree that this faculty holds a “neutral” manner when it comes to christianity. It was something that was always present and especially in the mornings when Mr. Noll spoke to us. I held the same concerns as the anonymous student but was too afraid to speak out against a PUBLIC institution who gives their students detention and SAC for criticizing it on social media. If the scripture reading continues then you must also recite from ALL religious doctrines not just the one you all hold so dear. If your institution was private then there would be no one able to question your actions, but for a PUBLIC school to be reciting religious texts directly goes against the decision made by the Supreme Court in “Abington School District vs. Schempp” I implore you to stop seeing this through the eyes of a “christian brother” and see it through the eyes of an un-opinionated school official who is bound by the law when it comes to giving the next generation an education that is without bias towards one religion or the other.
Mr. Gilbert, what an insightful and cordial response you have written.
so glad an ISD has the guts to stand! thank you thank you thank you! I would take it a step further and start handing out new testaments to the kids again. I’ll get you all you want
Thank you Mr. Gilbert for this well spoken letter from your desk. The time was coming and has come for this to become more of a common situation because we understand the end times and we know from Scripture it will only get worse. Therefore, my pastoral counsel is to not give in to seculars, humanists, atheists and governmental threats. I recall a passage in the Book of Acts where Peter and John were told by the Roman Government not to preach or teach in the Name of Jesus (Acts 4:17). Draw counsel, comfort and strength in the face of persecution from their responses: (Acts 4:2, 7, 10, 12, 17-21)
Ps. Psalm 14:1
It scares me to no end for public school administrators to read scripture and display it for public consumption. (I say this as both a certified school principal in Texas and an ordained Christian minister.)
The superintendent’s letter smacks of sarcasm and privilege. He criticizes the small Texas membership of FFRF as if this is a size contest.
In addition, Mr. Gilbert’s assertion that he is praying “for” the FFRF comes from a hierarchical position. It may well be that the FFRF is not seeking the superintendent’s prayers. While scripture does teach us to pray for those who persecute us–and WOISD is hardly being persecuted–one’s prayer life is not the business of a blog, a school district, or FFRF.
Finally, I whole-heartedly agree that WOISD should “make the adjustments needed to ensure our students experience a morally sound, positive character based education.” Do that. Leave scripture to churches and homes. Unfortunately, many churches do just as poor of a job of teaching scripture as any public school. Let’s keep the school’s focus on building an educated citizenry. WOISD’s students must participate in a global world that is increasingly plural, diverse, and multi-valent.
When we turn to one another for counsel we reduce the number of our enemys.
I graduated from WOHS is 2011. There would sometimes be a scripture in the morning announcements or it would be the ‘thought of the day’. That was just something coach Noll would want us to think about throughout our day. I’m really not seeing the big deal in having a scripture to get your day going. It’s uplifting. Mr. Noll you are not in the wrong what so ever!! I will stand with you and the rest of White Oak. Not just because it’s my hometown, but because I stand for the relationship with God in schools. #standformr.noll#
Christlike communications are expressions of affection and not anger, truth and not fabrication, compassion and not contention, respect and not ridicule, counsel and not criticism, correction and not condemnation. They are spoken with clarity and not with confusion. They may be tender or they may be tough, but they must always be tempered.
Way to go Coach Noll and Dr Gilbert. Keep it up!!!
Mr. Gilbert, I echo those who applaud your stance. You have stood with grace, dignity and in a way that should not be taken as offensive to anyone’s sensibilties. I would think that even for a non-believer, that a thought from Scripture could be considered something that would encourage us to treat each other with dignity, respect authority, and pursue good things. These are things that are schools are to be about in addition to the scholarly things they pursue. Stand firm, brother!
Matthew 6:5
“When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.” “But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.”
And let us not forget the LAW. You don’t wanna break the law do you?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Separation_of_church_and_state_in_the_United_States
You may think you are being some sort of crusaders for god, but according to your own beliefs and the laws of the country you live in, you really deserve to go to jail and then go to hell. Blasphemers!
To all those using Mathew 6:5-6 as justification to mute all Christians … Read Mathew 6:7
To all Christians Yeshua was tried and crucified for “blasphemy”.
Ps. These verses speak of prayer. Not the quoting of scripture.
Matthew 6:7 basically says keep your prayers short and sweet. It in no way justifies the breaking of Matthew 6:5-6. Clearly you don’t even understand what you are trying to defend.
Ps. Forcing scripture in public schools absolutely breaks several laws put forth by the government of the United States of America, the Bill of Rights, and the Constitution itself. As Christians, you have done wrong by your God and your country. You should be absolutely ashamed of yourselves.
And I want to quote the blog article itself. Mr. Gilbert’s words speaking on behalf of the school district.
“My recommended response to the FFRF is, “I’m sorry you feel that way. I will be praying for you and your staff daily.””
You can’t justify this. You have done wrong.
Supt. Gilbert,
Thanks for your response on this matter. I did not graduate from WO but my wife did and we are proud of the values taught at this school. May God continue to Bless you and your staff.
Scripture and the Gospel is spoken of in the preceeding chapter.
Matthew 5:14-16.
“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither does someone light a lamp then put it under a basket. Instead, they put it on a stand so it gives light to all in the house. In the same, way let your light shine before men so they may see your goods works and glorify your Father in heaven. ”
Keep up the good work WOHS!
MATTHEW 6:7
…do not babble on and on like the PAGANS; for they THINK they will be heard for there many words.
IT’S AGAINST THE LAW. And what you people are going on and on about is in direct conflict with the book you hold so dear. Bottom line. You are hypocrites.
“Neutral manner” means religious readings cannot be presented by an authority figure, such as a principle, as that gives it undue weight and implied (or in this case, literal) endorsement by the school. As part of a comparative literature class, there it is neutral as it is presented with other thoughts from other faiths. Mr. Gilbert and Mr. Noll seem unable to recognize that they represent a public institution which serves people of many different faiths, or of no faith whatsoever. All of the individuals of your school seek to be moral, upstanding citizens, regardless of their religious beliefs. And it is your job to provide that environment accepting and safe for all. Now THAT is the ‘neutral’ expected of school leadership. You also seem to think that a moral setting is impossible without your specific religious beliefs. You are definitely wrong there. Your students do not need their school Superintendent or Principal being the religious figureheads in their lives. That choice falls to parents. Or have you inflated your roles beyond your job descriptions? Lastly, might I suggest there are innumerable moral quips and quotes that are available to share with students beyond biblical scripture. Surely your reading list isn’t that myopic. Your bias is understandable, but your job requires that you hold that bias in check. You aren’t doing that. Now, here’s a quote for you. “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” Hold your pride in check gentlemen, and just do your job, neutrally, fairly, and equally towards all – even those who dare to be different from you.
Whether one considers the Bible to be the word of God or simply a collection of historical and literary works, it does contain many words of wisdom which have stood the test of time. Thus, I see no problem with a Biblical passage being used as food for thought. However, we do live in a multicultural world. In my own relatively small town, there are at least 20 different countries and cultures represented by the students in our schools. While the majority of students practice Christianity or Judaism, other students are followers of Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Unitarianism, Sikhism, etc. A few are agnostics and atheists. If a school is going to quote scripture from the Bible, it should also quote passages from the sacred texts of other religions that contain words of wisdom as well. Agnostics or atheists who follow no god can adopt a Take or leave it, but respect it” stance to such quotes. Schools should be in the business of educating students to live in a multicultural world while not promoting any one religion.
Thank you for standing up for Christians everywhere. We must stand up and be heard!
I wonder how Mr Noll and his supporters would feel if the only holy book from which passages were selected were the Qur’an, The Book of Mormon, the Torah, Bhagavad Gita, Veda, Or perhaps something from Christain Scientists? He IS in the wrong, and whether or not he likes it, SCOTUS disagrees with him, as does the U.S. Constitution. It’s a very simple matter. He wants his religion to get special privileges. He is going to end up costing his district a ridiculous amount of legal fees-wasted money that I’m sure the district could better spend elsewhere. Look at recent court cases. He WILL lose.
Quashing the minority viewpoint is nothing short of bullying. If this school system has no qualms about imposing the majority Christian view on minority students (who may be invisible to them due to fear of “coming out”) then that’s not a good example to set regardless of the motives.
If the principal’s announcements include quotations from the other great moral texts of human history, that would be neutrality. Who would object to quoting the Golden Rule, which comes from Confucius?
Or Bertrand Russell:
The good life is one inspired by love and guided by knowledge.
I would never die for my beliefs because I might be wrong.
The only thing that will redeem mankind is cooperation.
In all affairs it’s a healthy thing now and then to hang a question mark on the things you have long taken for granted.
Out of the thousands of Christian sects why does the superintendent believe that his is the one that America should subscribe to?
History has been lost on many and, sadly, ours is not a country based on religion.
In fact, the religion of our original settlers is a far cry from the demagoguery being shoveled into the mouths of the desperate each week.
I say this as a deacon and a servant of the Lord.
We must be respectful of all believers and non-believers lest we portray a stench of false privilege.
I’m certain that many of you missed this article on Fox News:
http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2015/03/05/america-is-not-christian-nation/
As one of those Texans who belongs to the FFRF, I will not allow you to dismiss defense of my First Amendment rights as a “game of words.” As I am sure you are well aware, for everyone who pays dues to support any organization, there are others who can’t or choose not to afford it. But, even if there is only one non-Christian in that school (which I doubt), the Constitution guarantees equal treatment from government regardless of faith or belief. My taxes help pay for that school. I will not have the government teaching religion to my children. Even if I were a Christian, I have heard enough discrepancy in beliefs from one to the next that I refuse to allow any of them to promote their own personal ideas about God. I must send my kids to school. I must teach them to respect their teachers and obey them. Children are not fully able to discern between lessons and sermons. Teachers that abuse their position by inculcating religion should be disciplined, and administrators who don’t instruct teachers to obey the rulings of the U.S. Supreme Court should be summarily dismissed.
I think the stance of Mr. Gilbert and Mr. Noll show a lack of empathy and compassion for those who hold different belief systems. Students and local taxpayers have brought their concerns to a national organization because they have noticed a position of religious privilege at their local school. Why did they go the FFRF instead of directly to the Mr. Noll or Superintendent Gilbert? Perhaps they did, but were not taken seriously, or maybe they simply feel that they have no voice in their school, a school that supposed to represent ALL students and families living in the district.
The condescending nature of this blog post and response from the school show that those in the religious minority really do lack a voice. The concerned citizens are called “detractors,” and they are painted as “other” instead of as valid members of the White Oak community. There is no attempt to understand their position or their concerns. In this context the words, “I’m sorry you feel that way. I will be praying for you and your staff daily,” sound hollow and patronizing. This is not the way of Christ. This is not the way of the gospel, and this is certainly not love and compassion.
I went to school all my life at WOISD. The thought of the day was something that made us think. We had a choice to take it and think about it or not. Look yes we have freedom of speech and we have the freedom of whether we listen to it or not too. White Oak School isn’t trying to teack your kids about GOD or Satan or whatever the religion. They are teaching these kids to try and make a decision about how to lead their life and use their brains. So as a WHITE OAK ROUGHNECK I SAY GIVE EM HECK COACH!!!!!!!
Greetings Superintendent Gilbert.
I first want to thank you for your eloquent essay. It is clear that the very highest standards are in place in White Oak. As a now groan man and Class of 1978 alumni of that very high school, I can say beyond a shadow of a doubt that the very miniscule amount of prayer in school during the time of my 4 years of attendance, did not keep me from learning, keep me from focusing on sorts, or in anyway harm my intellect.
As it happens, I am not particularly religious. However, I don’t begrudge those who are more religious, or for that matter less, than me. I believe it is this tolerance that all well adjusted people display, not the extremism of intolerance, that is the hallmark of the best citizens in this or any country.
It makes me ashamed to live in a country that somehow has allowed itself to propagate ideas of extremism, no matter the topic. I am embarrassed, not for myself, for I have taught my children tolerance; tolerance of race, religion, sexual preference, differences of opinion…because it is this tolerance that is the basis of peace and equality, things which I believe are important. They are but two pillars upon which we use to build a successful and thriving neighborhood, community or nation.
Another is a great education. I believe I received one there, as did anyone who ever chose to focus on what really matters during their four years in your system did. I am proud to be an alumni, and after many years away from W.O., I can tell you, there are lots of schools that could and should take a lesson from your school district.
To bring this to a close, I will inform the readers that I have never met you, that I believe it would be a privilege to do so, and that you make me proud to be an alumni. And that last part sir, at least to my classmates I bet, is an impressive accomplishment.
Thank you for all you do. Our country certainly needs more of your type of thinking and actions.
Or grown man, thank you spell check.
While I’m at it, how about let’s focus on sports, not sorts. This sounded so much better in my head!
Michael,
Jesus Christ only had 12 followers in the beginning. Does that make what he said wrong?
Do your taxpayers a favor and talk to a lawyer versed in Constitutional Law.
The Supreme Court of the United States already ruled on this matter, so if litigation is brought up, you will ultimately lose and your district will bear the burden of all court costs.
I think a “thought of the day” is a great idea, but I wonder what your range of sources is? Do you quote from the Tao Te Ching? Qu’ran? Bhagavad Gita? Shakespeare? Mark Twain? If you share wisdom from multiple sources and thus don’t show favoritism to a particular religious stance, then at the very least you’ll have a better chance of avoiding a lawsuit.
And I bet your non-Christian students appreciate knowing that they are full and equal citizens of your fine school.
Let me put this the simplest way I can before getting into the details:
You and your kind are dying out in the entire developed world, and within a generation or two will have but a whisper of the power you once held.
The statistics on religious observance are grim (or joyous, depending upon your point of view) in nearly every developed nation. In most of western Europe, though most people claim to be religious of some type or another, many rarely, if ever, attend any religious service. Many truly spectacular ancient church buildings are now supported almost solely on the public dime. In addition, the percentage of people who claim to be unaffiliated or flat-out not religious rises each year, and is much higher among the young in every developed country. As technology and standards of living rise, people increasingly see no reason to turn to any deity in times of want.
I recognize that atheism isn’t the majority anywhere in the world yet, but even were that not the case, your actions are morally untenable and legally unsustainable. Reading passages from one holy book over all the others displays a clear bias towards one religion, and should you choose to fight this in the courts you will lose. I actually feel a little sorry for you right now, as this article’s presence on Reddit might attract the attention of other groups less…shall we say…lawyer-based than the FFRF. If one day the Satanist Temple turns their eye upon you, and offers you one of their usual ultimatums, you will have a truly hilarious (from my perspective, not yours) choice: Be forced to read from THEIR holy scripture to avoid providing clear evidence of bias against non-Christian religions, or stop reading scripture entirely.
Your morals are not universal. Your faith is not neverending. Your God cannot help you here, for he cannot help anyone in such a day as ours, when light shines in the dark corners where once he thrived. Ours is an age of the death of Miracle, for it is being replaced. Less and less now can the unexpected be considered miraculous, for we are illuminating the darkness from which miracles spring with Knowledge. Gone is the day when all responsibility for Good lay with God, and Evil with Us, for they are both purely human. In my mind, to say that Goodness cannot possibly reside within us, that it must come from without, is to abdicate all responsibility for the betterment of Mankind.
One day, we too may stride among the stars, not as angels, but as Humanity Ascended.
One day, we may look back upon OUR creation and smile.
For we will see that it is very good.
keep it up, Mr. Gilbert. I would work for you any day!
The Freedom From Religion Foundation doesn’t need “free press” from the illegal activities of the officials of the White Oak school district. If the officials would simply obey the law and follow the U.S. Constitution no one would be getting any press at all. Maybe the officials should think a little more carefully before illegally trying to indoctrinate other people’s children.
Neutral doesn’t mean reading scripture in the voice of Ben Stein.
Also sure the bible has some wisdom in it, as does the Koran, the Torah, iChing, and the muppets. I’m sure they all get equal airtime.
It’s obvious you’re not familiar with the definition of the word neutral. It concerns me greatly that you obviously do not care about the non-christian students in the school district and your disregard of the separation of church and state is staggering. I don’t believe you should be allowed to continue with your position as superintendent. This is all very disappointing and upsetting. Simply follow the law and you won’t have any problems with FFRF.
Courts across the country have said this is illegal over and over again. There is absolutely no question that the FFRF will show that you are breaking the law in court.
Please save our tax-payers the small fortune they’ll have to pay once you get convicted in court.
Mr. Gilbert,
I hope you know that the families who actually have children attending this school and live in this district, stand behind you 100%! We live in this town because of WOISD and because of people like you! Thank you for standing up and being the example that God wants us to be. God Bless you! We ❤️ WOISD!
Dear Sir,
You and your school district need better lawyers, ones who actually understand the first amendment.
Sincerely
A Tax Payer.
Given that the superintendent is probably not stupid, it’s hard to not read this as a wholly disingenuous post showing that he just doesn’t care about the rights of children as long as he gets to push his religion. It’s obvious that these proud Christians would not be happy with the government quoting Islamic scripture at them every morning “in a neutral manner” as the superintendent put it, so it’s obvious this man doesn’t actually believe what he is saying.
So why do christians supress and bully innocent kids like this? Why do they have to subvert the power of the state to dictate their favorite religious scripture every morning (and presumably all through the day)? It’s about time Christians stop persecuting and supporting organized bullying of the weakest among us.
Thank you for clearly indicating that you do not care about The Constitution in it’s entirety, only the parts that you can twist into justifying the use of your position to force your interpretation of the christian mythology on all.
Thank you for clearly indicating that you do not care about all federal & state laws, only the ones that you believe give you the right to violate The Constitution and take advantage of your position of privilege to proselytize and force your mythology on all.
Thank you for clearly indicating that you do not care about all the students in your district, only the the christian ones.
State your case, but you will lose and waste a lot of the district’s funds in court doing so. This was decided long ago: government paid employees cannot read religious scripture in public schools.
Principal Gilbert’s willingness to blithely dismiss the rights of a “few detractors” is a very dangerous lesson to teach the young adults of White Oaks. By continuing to flaunt the law simply because those who object are in the minority he shows his students how he believes all minorities should be treated. Here we see a grown man, the highest authority in his school, bullying a young adult for no other reason than he believes his religion gives him the right to do so. What other forms of bullying are overlooked or even condoned at White Oaks?
I am a scientist. I make a very good salary which would contribute a lot the taxes and economy of your community. I have been offered very good positions in Texas in the past but I turned them down in part because I didn’t think it would be fair to expose my Jewish children to this type of very public, very official bullying. I have friends who work in the industry who tell me that it is very difficult to recruit highly intelligent, talented people to work in Texas because many of them believe as I do.
I’m sure that principal Gilbert believes that what he is doing it’s right. I’m sure he feels justified in dismissing the rights of my children and the other “few detractors” in his school. But I believe that principal Gilbert is doing great harm to his community, to his school and to his students. Luckily, the law agrees with me.
Here is the deal…yes, there may be kids in White Oak that are not Christians. But how many? Do all of you that are commenting on how horrible this is even live in or near our city? Have you ever driven through our town, especially on a Sunday morning? Could you even find it on a map?
If you had, you may understand the stance of our school officials and their supporters.
How are these kids being damaged by listening to words? No one is forcing them to believe them. Just because you have chosen to discard these Christian beliefs, does that mean that these children should too? They are still forming their selves and can choose to follow whatever religion they choose, or not. Exposure to Christian beliefs and morals is not going to kill them.
Legally, I am not saying it is right or wrong, and I won’t debate that. But after growing up and living in this town most of my adult life, I laugh to think that everything Christian could disappear from the school entirely. This town is filled with good, Christian people who can not and will not deny their faith. Maybe we should put that on the sign, so no one would be confused or surprised. Not that people should stay out, but that they should know it might get a little uncomfortable at times with all of us Christians.
I will also say…you can squash an administrator reading words from the Bible, but you will never be able to silence all of the Christian children that attend our school. When I attended, it was not administrators but students that talked about God. So I will say to all of you who just think this is horrible, GOOD LUCK getting GOD out of WHITE OAK! We are a Christian town, with Christian beliefs. I am not saying if you don’t like it, you can’t stay, but I am saying you may want to find a way to live next to us and among us, because it won’t be changing.
My prayer is that the Christian students in grades PK-12 rise up and let THEIR beliefs be heard. To love on Jesus and to let others know about His love. I pray that from today on, there will not only be one Christian voice heard reading a verse during morning announcements, but that there will be hundreds of little voices speaking God’s words and living them out daily. Showing the love of the God they know and trust, so that others may come to know him!
What you’re doing is ILLEGAL. It’s that simple.
Also, you’re a bully.
I shudder to think the real lessons your students are learning.
Breaking the law is breaking the law no matter what you say or do. The fact that there was an atheist student who recorded the principal and reported the infraction shows that there is more than just a Christian population at White Oak.
What would have been done if this student had spoken out, not to Hemant Mehta, but to you Mr. Superintendent? From your current stance on the situation, I doubt you would have cared about their position. They would’ve been blown off And forgotten about without a second thought (which is what your trying to do now).
It is your responsibility to stop these situations when they happen. If you do not, and you twist the law to fit your own cirmcstances, then you are not truly qualified to be a superintendent.
Now, if this principal of yours continues to quote the bible over the intercom, then be prepared for any other religion to step up to that mic to quote from their own book… OoOoh Scary! *sarcasm* Even be prepared for a few atheist students to step up to that mic and quote some famous freethinkers of history! OoOoh… Even scarier! *also sarcasm*. Because believe or not, the fact is, there is more than just a Christian population living here in America.