EVERETT, Wash. — A 12-year-old middle school student in Washington State says that he was twice booted from class for speaking up about his faith.
The Pacific Justice Institute recently published a video featuring the boy, named Sibusiso, who attends Evergreen Middle School in Everett, Washington.
“I was at school one day and they were talking about sex education and how it was okay to have sex with the same [gender]. I then stood up and said, ‘No, that is not okay. You’re not allowed to have sex outside of marriage and it’s not okay for you to sleep with the same gender,'” he recalled.
Sibusiso was subsequently asked to leave the classroom that day because of his remarks.
“I felt kind of angry [that they did that to me] … but I knew that one day God was going to reward me,” he said.
In English class on a different day, students were learning about proverbs, or wise sayings. Sibusiso contributed to the discussion by quoting Proverbs 20:3, which says, “It is an honor for a man to cease from strife, but every fool will be meddling (quarreling).”
“Then the teacher kicked me out of class,” he said.
Sibusiso’s mother consequently called the Pacific Justice Institute for assistance. The religious liberties organization sent a letter to the principal and the attorney for the school district to ensure that the student’s rights to express his faith were protected.
Sibusiso says he no longer is reprimanded for pointing to the Scriptures in the classroom.
“Everything stopped, so now if I talk about God in school, I don’t get in trouble,” he stated.
“I would just to say to those people who are just like me in the same situation to not be afraid and to always stand up for what’s right because God is going to reward you,” Sibusiso exhorted. “And no matter how intimidating the people might seem, just continue to speak up for your faith and do the right thing.”
The video ends with Sibusiso reciting Christ’s Sermon on the Mount at church, as found in Matthew 5.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in Heaven, for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”