Principal is a BIT- mean.

[D i v i n i t y]

My princpal is taking so long to approve the "christian club" in our school. The president of the club(unofficial president since the club's still unoffcial) says that he will at least put up a small fight and not give up so easily. The principal said "I know that this club would be a positive thing for the school but we think that it might trigger negative things." we weren't exactly sure what she emant but our club advisor(a teacher) bluntly told us "I'm pretty sure she means that a 'gay/lesbian' club may be started" Like, the chrsitian club could influence people to go "ooh, there's a christian club so why not make a gay/les club"
The teacher and everyone in the club thinks its ridiculous. The principal never directly said that but I mean, everyone's pretty sure that's why. Also, all the other schools in the district have at least one Christian club... My school is KIND OF new. I'm not deeply religious and I'm not like a STRONG supporter of the club but I still consider myself a supporter and it's getting personal o_O
Any comments aboutt his? opinions, etc.  

[Bane Ad Vitam]

You've mentioned this before, have you not? It just sounds familiar.

Anyway, that is a bit...ridiculous. Is it a public school? Either way, I don't see how that would trigger negative things such as a homosexual club. That doesn't make much sense. confused  

[Tarantellatears]

Well, that would happen at my school(I go to the most opinionated school in the country) , but I think your school's different. I can see you Principal's desire for caution,because you never know how poeple will react to this. If there's a gay/les club, so what? As long as the two don't get violent with each other, I don't see the problem. I think you should be allowed to have one, especially if all the surrounding school's do. Talk to you principal, and come up with a game plan. Tell her you won't 'disturb' the school. It generally works.

Ive been conisdering starting a bible study at my school during lunch - as I've said, I go to an extremely opinionated school with a small Christian population. I talked to my principal about it, and she said we could meet in one of the rooms during lunch as long as we weren't bothering anyone.

Principal's are generally reasonable, just talk to him/her.  

[dragongirl42391]

Christian club sounds like a good idea, and your principal does make a good point, but either way, I suggest that you change the name of your club. Christian Club sounds a little exculsive, and might "trigger bad things" because people might be offended. but by no means do you have to take Christ out of the name of the club. I've gone to youth groups at my school and some were named, Good News Club, or H20 (His To Own) or Campus Crusade for Christ or Campus Life. It might help your principal change his/her mind.  

[stopthebanningplease]

neutral And... a GSA is bad... Why?  

[PhaseBurn]

I think there's a number of different things to consider here.

First off, you said your school was rather new. That there currently is no Christian club in existence today there. I have to ask, if there are other clubs with religious overtones (Such as a Jewish club, or, a Buddhist club) there? Probably not.

Lets take into account that times change. 20 years ago, I didn't have to wear a helmet while riding a bicycle down the street. If I fell off and cracked my skull open, it wasn't my parent's fault. I was stupid, I ate pavement, and I paid the price. Tragic, but that's the way it was.

10 year olds weren't getting accused of sexual harassment by blocking somebody of the opposite sex while playing basketball, because a school camera saw the female player's breasts rubbing up against the male player's back every so often while the male player tried to intercept a pass and prevent the female player's team from scoring.

Parents could take pictures of their 2 year old naked playing with GI Joe figures (innocently), and get arrested for child pornography and questionable parentage because GI Joe figures are associated with violence.

So, yes, times clearly change.

Perhaps your principal is afraid of putting an official "OK" on any club that seems to be in conflict with anything else. After all, it was an athiest who had the Pledge of Allegiance thrown out of public schools for the phrase "Under God", if I'm not mistaken. Officially, public schools are not permitted to endorse or support any particular religious view, and perhaps your principal feels that by approving a Christian club, it could be seen as that.

Your school is in a unique position of being new - lets not forget this. Other schools that currently have a Christian club have probably had theirs for years. Long before this recent trend came about, I'd wager. Some things are "grandfathered in", and allowed to continue, but not permitted to start up elsewhere. We see this all the time in the real world, I'm afraid.

While I'm certainly not attempting to defend your principal, I can't say I blame her perceived mentality about this subject: I remember when a high school principal was removed over his decision to allow a group of students to use an unused classroom during lunch to pray, as parents felt it was a misuse of school resources towards the specific religious goals of that group of students. The school board agreed.

There's also the possibility that other bad things would happen. How would it be taken, for instance, if your club was granted, and then, a few of the goths decided to start a Wiccan or a Satanic club? Your principal would have no grounds on which to deny them, seeing as how it's a religion just the same as Christianity, however I bet a lot of parents wouldn't be happy with seeing "Wiccan Club" in the yearbook group photo section - if it even made it that far.

So yes, there are a *lot* of sides to consider. While I'm not suggesting you abandon any/all hope, nor should you not fight, I'm only suggesting you ask for an explanation and try to see your principal's point of view. It may surprise you that she's only being rational and trying to prevent some of the issues I mentioned above. If, however, she's just opposed to Christianity, I'd get your parents involved and stick it to her. Bigotry is one of the worst things to have in a school.  

[lordstar]

stopthebanningplease

neutral And... a GSA is bad... Why?

I was wondering the same thing  

[lordstar]

The voice of many are much harder to argue with than the voice of one

So what should you do now
try getting your members all together and all of you plead your case...at the same time ya know

be careful though
last thing anyone wants is a bunch of angry christian radicals screaming "God, Gold, and Glory" again rolleyes  

[D i v i n i t y]

Well, the club's goign to hang low for a bit. We aren't going to do anything that will involve money and we won't do anything that has any sort of physical risks for injury o_O  

[sunshinehearttrob]

my school's bible club advisor was talking about this issue just recently. i mean its just a club. we have a video game club, an art club, why not a club for christians, one so much stronger because it is based on faith. as long as you dont invoke any religious uprisings or anything, its okey.

i know i have something more on this if i just talk to my advisor. theres a part in the school rules for clubs on this. i just need to find it.

i will be back...  

[promised_child]

there is absolutely nothing wrong with GSA my high scool has one AND a Bible Study Group officially reconized by Mariner High School.  

[Cajias]

I attend the Christian youth group, fellowship of Christian athletes, AND the GSA at my school. Your principal is making excuses. There's nothing wrong with a GSA in my eyes. It's a group that preaches acceptance of others and peace.  

[missymisa]

as long as it's outside school hour there should be no problem, and there shouldn't be a problem with a gay/lesbian club either (not that I'm for that because I'm not) If it does "trigger" any unplesant events then it can become unofficial again...just to make everyone else happy. If your prinicpal wont let you...take it to the school board  

[lordstar]

sunshinehearttrob

my school's bible club advisor was talking about this issue just recently. i mean its just a club. we have a video game club, an art club, why not a club for christians, one so much stronger because it is based on faith. as long as you dont invoke any religious uprisings or anything, its okey.

i know i have something more on this if i just talk to my advisor. theres a part in the school rules for clubs on this. i just need to find it.

i will be back...

Why not a club for christians?
thats a good question
the word "for" implies that not all are welcome
that alone is enough to shut down a club
all must be welcome or there is no club  

[lordstar]

etchedspirit

as long as it's outside school hour there should be no problem, and there shouldn't be a problem with a gay/lesbian club either (not that I'm for that because I'm not) If it does "trigger" any unplesant events then it can become unofficial again...just to make everyone else happy. If your prinicpal wont let you...take it to the school board

outside school hours and not on school grounds