Since so many see the Bible as a work of fiction, what's the problem with reading it at school?
Seriously, it sounds like the parent is using the child to advance his own agenda and beliefs. As a religious person, I encourage my daughter to read scriptures. But I would discourage her from reading them in class, whether it's "free" reading time or not. "The Broward School District claimed it was told Giovanni was reading the Bible when he should have been reading an assigned book, not during free-reading time. The district stressed that any student may read the Bible, or any other religious book, during free time." IMO, this is perfectly acceptable to be allowed to read a religious book before/after school or during lunch. My daughter could use her lunch time to read (or before school after she gets off the bus). But I'd much rather have her on the playground being active and social during those periods. She has plenty of time at home to read the Bible after homework is done, and/or on the weekends.
It does sound like the teacher tried to amicably resolve this situation evidenced by her voice mail: “Good morning, Mr. Rubeo,” says a woman. “Giovanni called you because I asked him to. I noticed that he had a book, a religious book, in the classroom. He’s not permitted to read those books in my classroom. He said if I told him to put it away, you said not to do that. So please give me a call. I need to have some understanding on direction to him about the book he’s reading opposed to the curriculum for public school. Ms. S. Thomas. Thank you. Have a wonderful day. Bye, bye.”
Have no idea of the belief system of the teacher, and I refuse to judge her based on her "winner" of a husband who responded with profanity to the reporter. Again, though, I consider myself a fairly religious person. But I am bothered by those who are "in-your-face" with their religion or other beliefs, especially when they use their children as the weapon of choice. There are wonderful books this child should be reading at school, both fiction and non-fiction. And some even have religious symbolism, like C.S. Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia series. Instead of berating the school district, the father should be encouraging his son to read other good books as well as the "Good Book."
