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The Lowell M. Maxham Elementary School second-grader was booted from the school on Dec. 2 when school officials feared his artwork - drawn to depict what he did on his Thanksgiving break - might be exposing violent tendencies. The child was allowed to return on Dec. 7 after a two-day risk assessment by psychiatrist Helene Titelbaum determined there was nothing wrong with him.
At first I read this story and was like, WTF? The kid drew Jesus and got sent home?
Then I got to thinking about it...
If you read the article, however, the kid drew the crucifix and replaced Jesus's name with his own. That, in and of itself, is proof positive the kid didn't understand what he was drawing or the Stations of the Cross at all. Also, the article acknowledges that he was a special needs student and we both know that behavioral issues come along with that label.
Christians must understand that we live immersed in a secular society that was made this way by design so that we could practice our religion unhindered by government. This is a blessing. But I think Christians forget to acknowledge that this blessing also comes with a few responsibilities like acknowledging and respecting the fact that there is no obligation or expectation that our fellow citizens are going to understand or even concern themselves with the mysteries of faith.
If you put yourself in the shoes of the unbeliever, an 8 year old special needs kid drawing a figure in a state of perpetual torture and labeling that figure as himself, in any other context would be cause for concern.
Granted, evaluation and removal from school for an extended period was overkill. I am sure it all could have been settled with a parent/teacher conference.