Jewish Students in Plano Report Pressure to Pick Up New Testaments

May 2, 2008

Author: STACI HUPP

Source: The Dallas Morning News

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/religion/stories/050308dnmetbiblefight.3780755.html

Some Plano students who are Jewish say they were pressured or taunted to pick up copies of the New Testament from school display tables during recent weeks.

Their parents have called for changes in district policies that allow outside groups to distribute materials on campus.

"Probably the one I heard the most was, 'If the Bible touched you, like, will you burn or something?' " said Jeffrey Lavine, 16, a sophomore at Vines High School. "I sort of played it down as a joke and everything, which it was, but it was definitely a meaner comment than what we're used to."

Plano officials said they pulled aside some students to talk about respect and tolerance after the recent complaints, but no students have been disciplined.