what is released time religious education?

Released Time Religious Education or simply Released Time (RT) is a concept used in the United States public school system wherein students enrolled in the public schools are permitted by law to receive religious instruction as long as classes are held off school grounds, no public money is used to fund the classes, and students have parental permission. The principle is based on the constitutional right of parents to direct the religious education of their children.  RT has a long history and is completely legal.

imagine...

It is a beautiful, sunny fall afternoon.  Temperature, 75 degrees.  There are no clouds in the deep blue sky as you walk in front of your local high school that has recently returned back in session.  As you stroll along, you begin to be burdened by some of the things you have been hearing and seeing from these students or others like them.  You recently read how as many as 80% of Christian high school students leave their faith once they leave high school.  You also remember your minister recently talking about how there is less and less of a Christian presence in the school system.  You express these concerns to God, but you have little hope.  You wish you could do something about your concerns, but what could you do, you are just one person…

Just then you see a group of students coming out of the front doors of the school.  Your first response is curiosity, but it is quickly followed by anxiety.  Where are they going?  Should I report them or are they allowed to just leave school?  They all seem to be walking together somewhere, and with a purpose.  They are laughing and kidding around with each other.  There must be 20-25 of them.  Out of intrigue, you decide to follow them.

They head across the street to First Church, and now you are really confused.  These kids are skipping school to go to...church?  Your curiosity is killing you, so you walk into the church office and ask the receptionist what is going on.  You learn that these students are here for class!  They are taking the Christian Learning Center (CLC) Bible class called New Testament Survey.  The receptionist informs you that they come here every day, that the class is completely legal, and that the students get credit for it. 

Containing your excitement and disbelief, you wonder aloud if you could look in on class.  The receptionist exclaims, “Of course!  Follow me.” 

As you enter the classroom, you realize that the students have their heads bowed and one of them is praying for another classmate whose parents recently split up.  Quietly, you take a seat in the back of the classroom.  You’re confident no one even heard you come in or realizes you are there, except the teacher who offers a quick smile and nod to you after the prayer and before delivering a thought-provoking question for class discussion.  “We have learned in the gospels that Jesus, being the Son of God, never sinned.  But my question for you is, ‘Could he have sinned?’  Is it even possible for Jesus to have sinned?”  What follows is 25 minutes of passionate debate, Bible readings, more questions, illustrations, and excitement - not to mention a few laughs spread throughout.  You can see how much the teacher loves these students, and how much they love each other.  You wish you would have had this opportunity when you were in high school!

You are blown away.  How is this possible?  Why haven’t you ever heard about this before?  Could this be one way that God is answering your prayers from earlier?