An Illinois Circuit Court recently made a major ruling in favor of a young Christian student, Mariyah Green, who was compelled to participate in Hindu rituals, even though it went against her Christian faith.
This ruling, which awarded Mariyah $150,000 in damages and legal fees, was a result of her First Amendment rights being violated by the Board of Education of the city of Chicago and the David Lynch Foundation.
For Mariyah and her fellow students at Bogan High School, this violation occurred through a program known as “Quiet Time,” which included Hindu practices like transcendental meditation. As part of this program, students were required to engage in a Puja initiation rite, during which they recited statements acknowledging the power of various Hindu deities and were invited to channel these powers.
What makes this situation especially concerning is that students who chose not to participate in “Quiet Time” were threatened with potential negative impacts on their grades and disqualification from graduation ceremonies. Mariyah was even told that her basketball eligibility would be jeopardized if she refused to partake in the program.
The Bible speaks clearly about the dangers of practicing divination and involving oneself in occult rituals. Deuteronomy 18:10-12 says, “There must not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or who uses divination, or uses witchcraft, or an interpreter of omens, or a sorcerer, or one who casts spells, or a spiritualist, or an occultist, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination to the Lord, and because of these abominations the Lord your God will drive them out from before you.”
Mariyah’s attorney, John Mauck, emphasized the profound conflict between her Christian faith and the forced participation in Hindu rituals. He stated, “Mariyah Green’s Christian faith and her dedication to Jesus Christ makes the worship of others, such as these idols, unthinkable.” This echoes the biblical teaching that we are to have no other gods before the one true God.
The “Quiet Time” program, developed by the David Lynch Foundation for Consciousness-Based Education and World Peace in conjunction with the University of Chicago, was found to contain religious content, which had already been removed from public schools elsewhere due to constitutional violations. The violation of Mariyah’s religious rights was evident, and the court rightfully recognized the critical constitutional issues at stake.
The Bible teaches in 2 Corinthians 6:14: “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness? What communion has light with darkness?” Forcing Christian students to participate in rituals that contradict their faith is a clear example of being “unequally yoked.”
Mariyah’s victory in this case highlights the importance of defending one’s faith and religious rights. She expressed her gratitude for the legal system’s support in upholding her rights and preventing further harm from forced participation in Hindu rituals.
This case serves as a reminder of the spiritual dangers that can arise when children are compelled to engage in practices that conflict with their Christian faith. It is crucial for parents to be aware of the occult practices permeating society, especially when it comes to their children. As the Bible instructs in Proverbs 22:6: “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” We must ensure that children are nurtured in their faith, not forced into practices that go against it.
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James Lasher is Staff Writer for Charisma Media.
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