Class Credit for God's Word!
By Suzanne McDuffie
March/April 2001 Family Voice

While public school students across the nation study everything from evolution to sex education, Chris Porrino and his friends in Ontario, California, take a break to join Released Time Education (RTE), a nationwide program that teaches the Bible during school hours, off school property.

Chris, who now attends junior high, saw seven classmates receive Christ during one year of elementary school–thanks to RTE. One peer stands out in his memory.

“A boy in a wheelchair was really mean. He would try to run everyone over,” Chris said. “He got saved, and now he’s a whole new person.”

“Students get influences of every kind, except for Christian influences,” said Scott Frady, a public school and RTE teacher in Spartanburg, South Carolina. “In our community, we have RTE every day. Students can grow and counter those influences.”

Dr. William Wirt, a public school educator and superintendent, created the program in 1914 in Gary, Indiana. His vision called for the church, home, playground, library and school to all contribute to children’s education.

In the aftermath of the McCollum decision, six denominations passed resolutions in support of RTE, but participation in the program dropped by 12 percent nationwide.

“People were scared because of the ‘separation of church and state,’ and many people lost a passion for kids,” said Dr. Bob Entner, executive director of BEST Network (Bible Education in School Time), which equips and encourages local churches and communities to sponsor RTE.

Another judicial challenge came in 1952. This time, in Zorach v. Clauson, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of RTE because it assembled off school property.

“We are a religious people whose institutions presuppose a Supreme Being. … When the state encourages religious instruction or cooperates with religious authorities by adjusting the schedule of public events to sectarian needs, it then follows the best of our traditions. For it then respects the religious nature of our people and accommodates the public service to their spiritual needs,” wrote Justice William O. Douglas.

In 1978, the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Lanner v. Winner upheld RTE and affirmed a state or school district’s ability to offer elective credit for it, as long as criteria were based on attendance, participation and other such expectations, not on religious content.

However, there need be no more confusion. Freedom for religion is a liberty that makes this country great. Glenn Hobden, formerly from Canada, directs an RTE program in South Carolina. He said Canada’s constitutional monarchy would never allow RTE.

“[RTE] is a privilege—one of the greatest opportunities for the young people of America,” Mr. Hobden said. “This program is also vital to reducing [the abuse of] drugs and alcohol.”

RTE encourages real behavior changes. Dr. Entner recalls a testimony from a junior high student. He sauntered up to the microphone with his head bowed, wearing baggy pants and a sloppy T-shirt.

Oh, boy, what are we in for now? Dr. Entner thought.

“I’ve been going to RTE for one year,” the seventh grader said as he fidgeted nervously. “I’ve been getting into trouble since I was in first grade. I just need someone to pray for me so I don’t get into any fights.”

This testimony reminded Dr. Entner of RTE’s core purpose: to instill Biblical morals and values in young people. So many students otherwise do not learn the basics of respect, honesty and manners. RTE is the means to teach Godly behavior.

She recalled a memory from her childhood. A classmate said only RTE regularly exposed him to God. Many young people today are in the same situation.

“[RTE] means a lot to me because we learn about the Lord. We read the Bible and sing songs,” said Jaime, a fifth grader from Ontario, California. “We have contests. It also means a lot to me because I don’t go to church, but I really do like to learn about the Lord. I couldn’t write what it all means to me on a piece of paper, but I don’t have to, because it’s all in my heart.”

Dr. Entner said it’s very simple to begin RTE in a community. Here are some tips:

• Cover this mission with prayer.
• Contact BEST Network or another resource for advice.
• Obtain approval from the local school board. Some people may argue the program will offend adherents to other religions. But since the program is optional, those who do not adhere to the Bible should not object if some parents allow their children to attend RTE. It’s a “parents’ rights issue,” Dr. Entner said.
• Find out the local school’s policy. (For example, some schools require insurance, which often costs just $.30/day.)
• Encourage a homemaker, senior citizen, pastor or concerned citizen to volunteer as a teacher. It’s not difficult to muster the community’s support because the results of RTE are immediate.
• Obtain parental permission.
• Select curriculum resources through BEST Network or the local church. Mickey Elliot, a grandmother who teaches RTE in Indiana, uses a popular Bible survey. It covers the Old Testament during the fall semester and the New Testament in the spring. She has witnessed six students who chose to be baptized during her seven years of teaching.
• Select a nearby home, community center, church or mobile home for the classroom.

Dr. Entner said many schools offer course credit for RTE. And, students who don’t participate enjoy a smaller student-teacher ratio during those hours.

Mrs. Elliot has witnessed the fruits of RTE. When vandals broke into the RTE trailer, students donated $30 of their own money to replace stolen items.

She also tells of a difficult boy who began attending the class. When the teachers permitted him to stay, a few other students disagreed and stopped coming. Still, the teachers’ desire to reach out to him was successful.

“He accepted the Lord and now insists on cleaning the RTE trailer after the class,” Mrs. Elliot reports.

One child at a time, RTE is changing lives.

Suzanne McDuffie served as an intern in the publications department at CWA. She recently graduated from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia.

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