Imagine being a top student, excelling in academics and extracurricular activities, only to be told you can’t graduate because of a single health class.
This is the reality for one Christian family in Maryland, who claim their school district is discriminating against their daughter’s faith.
The Controversy Surrounding the Health Class
The health class in question includes LGBTQ+ content, which the family finds objectionable due to their deeply held Christian beliefs.
The class is mandatory for graduation, and the family has been fighting for over two years to opt-out or find an alternative.
They’ve requested to view the lesson plans, but the school district has refused.
The family has even suggested taking the health class at a local Catholic high school or through independent study, but the district has rejected these suggestions.
A Lesson in Discrimination?
The family’s concerns go beyond just the health class.
They’ve obtained teacher training documents that allegedly ask teachers to incorporate “inclusive language” throughout the course and identify “privileged” and “oppressed” people groups.
Christians are listed as “privileged,” while non-Christian faiths are listed as “oppressed.” The family believes this kind of language and instruction is discriminatory and goes against their religious beliefs.
A Plea to the Maryland Supreme Court
With graduation just around the corner, the family has filed a petition to the Maryland Supreme Court, asking them to review their case against the Montgomery County Board of Education.
They argue that the school district is wrong to include LGBTQ+ affirming content throughout the entire health course, as this instruction is restricted by law to the Family Life and Human Sexuality unit of the Health class.
They’re not trying to stop the school from teaching about LGBTQ+ issues, but rather want to ensure that they can opt-out their daughter from the class or restrict the instruction to the designated unit.
A Bigger Issue at Play
This case is not just about one family’s fight; it’s about the rights of all religious students in the district. The family has chosen not to transfer their daughter to a private or homeschool, but instead, they’re fighting for the rights of all students who may be compelled to take this class to graduate.
They believe that the school district should refrain from discriminating against religion and allow students to opt-out of classes that go against their faith.
A Similar Case Before the U.S. Supreme Court
This case is not an isolated incident. The Montgomery County Public Schools are currently involved in another high-profile religious liberty case before the U.S. Supreme Court.
The case surrounds the school board removing its “opt-out” for parents challenging LGBTQ story books in the classroom.
A coalition of Jewish, Christian, and Muslim parents has brought a lawsuit against the school board, alleging that it’s violating their religious freedoms protected under the First Amendment.
The Future of Religious Freedom in Schools
As the Maryland Supreme Court reviews this case, the outcome will have significant implications for religious freedom in schools. Will the court rule in favor of the family, allowing them to opt-out of the health class, or will it side with the school district?
The decision will set a precedent for parents’ rights in schools across the nation. One thing is clear: this family’s fight is not just about their daughter’s graduation; it’s about standing up for their faith and the rights of all religious students.