Jim Coppoc.

Fall is here, and with it, a new academic year. In Oklahoma, almost a thousand 5th-12th grade public schools have been ordered by the State Superintendent to teach the Christian Bible as part of their curriculum. In Louisiana, every classroom must now display a poster-sized version of the Christian “Ten Commandments.” In Florida, Louisiana and Texas, public schools now use tax dollars to hire Christian chaplains to “counsel” the children. In our own State of Iowa, last year’s Students First Act requires taxpayers to foot the bill for dozens of church-run schools, with virtually no standards or accountability attached.

It is time we talk about Christians in the schools.

There weren’t public schools in Jesus’ day for him to speak about, but he did speak out against the hypocrisy of flaunting religion in the public square (Matthew 6:5), against paying more attention to the letter of Mosaic law than the spirit (Matthew 15:1-20), and about the separation of church and state (Matthew 22:15-22). More important, though, is the way Jesus spoke again and again about the importance of children, and how we treat the poor and the marginalized.

I personally believe – as did Jesus – in the separation of church and state. The quest for political power is not compatible with the kind of spiritual humility my theology calls for. But as much as I disagree with forcing any religion on others, I do believe there is room for Christian values in our institutions. If you want to be like Christ, a good place to start would be feeding all of the children when they are hungry, regardless of their ability to pay. A good place to start would be taking a stance against bullying, especially bullying based on a student’s race, disability, national origin, or gender identity. If you want to be like Christ, lobby for universal health care, and heal the masses just as he and his disciples did.

If you want to be like Christ, follow a path of love and service and humility so deep that every child can see it, and won’t need a poster in the classroom to tell them what is right. As the old song goes, they will know we are Christians by our love.

Jim Coppoc serves the Ripley United Church of Christ at 400 S. Main St. in Traer. He lives in Ames and Traer, and also holds a “day job” as Director of Integrated Health Services for Center Associates in Marshalltown and Toledo. Jim can be found online at www.facebook.com/jim.at.ripley.