There is a story in the Times this morning that brings the Church and State dispute closer to home.  Rather than try to sort out the differences between the Shiites and Sunnites over in Iraq and the conflict between Hamas and Hezbollah in Palestine, the right to teach one version of religion in a public school has awakened the consciousness of at least the population of Kearney, NJ.

Kearney is in Hudson County directly west of New York City.  It has the same number of public schools as it does religious schools.  One of the teachers in Kearney High school, supposedly teaching history, is reported to having taught Bible as truth and the religion of Christianity the only true faith.  A student whose family believes in Ethical Culture, made a complaint and the town of Kearney seems unified in defense of the teacher while the student is made out to be a whistle blower who should be interrogated and turned inside out like the contract worker Donald    Vance who was imprisoned by Americans in an American prison in Iraq for questioning conflicting practices by American authorities in Iraq where Vance was working.

I see a connection and I wonder about it.  General Phil Kearney, after whom the town was named, was a military hero in the local wars leading up to the Civil War where he earned his reputation as a hero and leader.  The town along the Hudson River named for him turned out to be a sleepy, very religious and unified town that could very be likely named the All American Average City.  But, the actions of a history teacher and one of his students have raised the question of what should be taught in school and how whistle-blowers should be treated.

I taught ABOUT all religions in context when I taught history in the schools of Newark not too far from Kearney.  Mr. Paszkiewicz, who also is youth director in his church, is quite adamant that his students accept what he teaches. I cannot disagree more with his actions and support the student in proving (through videotaping the classes) that the teacher was indoctrinating students with his religious beliefs. He tells his students they will go to hell if they do not believe.

I cannot speak for General Kearney but the city of Kearney, NJ appears to support the teacher and the need to spread the belief in the Bible and the martyrdom of Jesus.  This is totally inappropriate in a “Public School”.  There are many religious schools in Kearny (no Jewish Synagogues or religious schools are listed there) so religious education is available.  It should not be taught in a Public school and certainly the controversy over science and religion which spills over when discussion of the truth of evolution is denied in the classroom.  This student has lost his friends and has received death threats. Isn’t America great?