Lawmakers in several US states propose legislation to allow spiritual chaplains in public schools

[Della]

"Lawmakers in more than a dozen states have proposed legislation to allow spiritual chaplains in public schools, a move that proponents say will ease a youth mental health crisis, bolster staff retention and offer spiritual care to students who can’t afford or access religious schools.

Conservatives also argue religious foundations will act as a "rescue mission" for what they say are public schools' declining values, a topic that has galvanized Republican-controlled Legislatures to fight for issues such as parental oversight of curriculum, restrictions on books and instruction on gender identity and state-funded tuition assistance for private and religious schools."

https://www.foxnews.com/us/lawmakers-us ... ic-schools

[mcginnisc]

Good googly.. Wouldn't this fall under the separation of church and state? If they want to bolster mental health in students, don't put stupid boundaries on teachers, students, admin...and put therapists in the schools..NOT a religious figurehead.

[MonarchMom]

I've been following this development for a while. It is an effort to insert religious doctrine into public schools, one of the goals of the "Seven Mountain" movement and some other Evangelical groups.

It is not the job of public schools to offer "spiritual care" to anyone. Students deserve professionals in the taxpayer-funded jobs of councilor or school psychologist.

School councilors are often on the front lines of reporting abuse of students in their own homes, on sports teams or by faculty. It is not in the student's interest for religious interpretation to be substituted for professional training.

The bills have been introduced this legislative season in 14 states, inspired by Texas, which passed a law last year allowing school districts to hire chaplains or use them as volunteers for whatever role the local school board sees fit, including replacing trained counselors. Chaplain bills were approved by one legislative chamber in three states — Utah, Indiana and Louisiana — but died in Utah and Indiana. Bills are pending in nine states. One passed both houses of Florida’s legislature and is awaiting the governor’s signature.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2 ... ture-wars/

[Slimshandy]

NSCA chaplains "deliver holistic care, guidance, and safety to all people, all the time regardless of their personal beliefs, or non-beliefs"
“School policy must describe the services of a volunteer chaplain and require parental consent.”







You guys are the ones always saying it’s white male christian kids that are committing the most school shootings, right?

So it this goes ahead and ends up saving dozens, if not hundreds of Children’s lives by helping would-be school shooters get mental help before they kill someone, would it be worth it?

[Della]

NSCA chaplains "deliver holistic care, guidance, and safety to all people, all the time regardless of their personal beliefs, or non-beliefs"
“School policy must describe the services of a volunteer chaplain and require parental consent.”







You guys are the ones always saying it’s white male christian kids that are committing the most school shootings, right?

So it this goes ahead and ends up saving dozens, if not hundreds of Children’s lives by helping would-be school shooters get mental help before they kill someone, would it be worth it?

It is white males who do the majority of school shootings.

"If". Where is the evidence that it would?

Do you think the Seven Mountains Mandate and Project 2025 are positive for this country?

[Slimshandy]

NSCA chaplains "deliver holistic care, guidance, and safety to all people, all the time regardless of their personal beliefs, or non-beliefs"
“School policy must describe the services of a volunteer chaplain and require parental consent.”







You guys are the ones always saying it’s white male christian kids that are committing the most school shootings, right?

So it this goes ahead and ends up saving dozens, if not hundreds of Children’s lives by helping would-be school shooters get mental help before they kill someone, would it be worth it?

It is white males who do the majority of school shootings.

"If". Where is the evidence that it would?

Do you think the Seven Mountains Mandate and Project 2025 are positive for this country?

Where is the evidence that it wouldn’t help?

[Della]

NSCA chaplains "deliver holistic care, guidance, and safety to all people, all the time regardless of their personal beliefs, or non-beliefs"
“School policy must describe the services of a volunteer chaplain and require parental consent.”







You guys are the ones always saying it’s white male christian kids that are committing the most school shootings, right?

So it this goes ahead and ends up saving dozens, if not hundreds of Children’s lives by helping would-be school shooters get mental help before they kill someone, would it be worth it?

It is white males who do the majority of school shootings.

"If". Where is the evidence that it would?

Do you think the Seven Mountains Mandate and Project 2025 are positive for this country?

Where is the evidence that it wouldn’t help?

You have to deflect with an opposing question, why?

[Slimshandy]

It is white males who do the majority of school shootings.

"If". Where is the evidence that it would?

Do you think the Seven Mountains Mandate and Project 2025 are positive for this country?

Where is the evidence that it wouldn’t help?

You have to deflect with an opposing question, why?

I asked the question that was deflected and not answered…You pretty much only ask questions and then give one or two word insults when I answer…

Why is it that you never answer any questions?

[AZOldGal66]

Not sure how I feel.

Yes, separation of church and state.

However, what if some students would feel more comfortable talking to a chaplain vs a mental health counselor?

Why not have both available? This is for the students and not society, who's opinion shouldn't matter.

[MonarchMom]

Not sure how I feel.

Yes, separation of church and state.

However, what if some students would feel more comfortable talking to a chaplain vs a mental health counselor?

Why not have both available? This is for the students and not society, who's opinion shouldn't matter.

Students can seek out religious mentoring outside of school.

Once school boards have the options of replacing professionals with religious leaders you create a situation of imposing religion on students who need services. How many religions are going to be represented? Will every student have the option of their personal religious group being among the counselors? Do students need to proclaim their private religious beliefs to the school to access a counselor?

The role of the school counselor is to provide professional guidance based on the academic and psychological needs of the students. They screen for abuse or neglect, identify learning disabilities, and provide academic opportunities for best outcomes. Schools should employee trained professionals in these roles not religious leaders.