New Hearing Sought on Bible Story Ban

A federal judge’s ruling that school officials acted properly in barring a first-grader from reading a Bible story to his classmates is being appealed.

Nearly two years ago, when Zachary Hood was in first grade at the Maurice and Everett Haines School in Medford, N.J., he and other children were rewarded for good reading performances by being allowed to read a story of their choice.

Zachary chose a story about Jacob and Esau from the Beginner’s Bible.

He initially selected Dr. Seuss’ “The Cat in the Hat,” but decided it was too long, his mother, Carol, said. “It was a very innocent thing,” she added. “He loves Bible stories.”

Because of the subject, teacher Grace Oliva asked Zachary to read the story to her privately, whereupon she decided it was inappropriate for the class. His mother says Zachary was humiliated by the experience.

The family filed suit in June 1996. It named state and local school officials, sought unspecified compensatory damages from the school board and called for a new policy to “protect students who present religious views from discrimination.”

An appeal has been filed in the U.S. 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia.

The Hoods’ attorney, F. Michael Daily of Merchantville, N.J., says the case had nothing to do with returning religion to the schools. “This case is really one of trying to obtain some equilibrium in religious rights of students.”