"It’s  the same old song, out in California – a Christian child being  discouraged from participating in a school talent show because the  lyrics he wants to share celebrate Jesus Christ.
The show was  held at Superior Street Elementary School in Los Angeles, and scheduled  in the evening, outside school hours.  No students were required to  attend, and no restrictions were placed on the content of whatever songs  those participating might elect to perform.
Several days after  the January auditions, though, Superior Street Principal Jerilyn  Schubert notified the 5th-grader’s mother that her son would not be  allowed perform to the song, “We Shine” because of its religious message  – a message the principal said she considered to be “offensive” and a  violation of the “separation of church and state.”
The boy’s  mother pointed out that audiences would understand that the song was her  child’s choice, not the school’s … adding that he had personally  selected the song and had been practicing it for months.  She reminded  the principal that no restrictions had been placed on musical content.
The  principal, in turn, explained that other students who had selected  songs with profane and vulgar lyrics had been told to select different  material … the implication being that lyrics celebrating God were  somehow equivalent to profanity and vulgarity. Finally, the true problem  emerged: “Couldn’t he pick a song that doesn’t say ‘Jesus’ so many  times?” the principal asked.
Of course he could – but he  shouldn’t have to do so.  Which was exactly the point made in a lawsuit  filed against the Los Angeles Unified School District on January 28 by  the Alliance Defense Fund, along with allied attorney Daniel R. Watkins,  and reaffirmed in a request for a temporary restraining order filed on  February 2.
After being served with the TRO, district officials  suddenly changed their tune, announcing that the student would be  allowed to perform to “We Shine” at the February 4 talent show after  all.
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