Back-to-School Students Called to Use Clothing to Express Religious Freedom
Students returning back to school should not be afraid to express their Christian faith through their apparel, says the founder of a popular T-shirt brand.
Vic Kennett, president of Kerusso, is encouraging students to exercise their religious freedom by praying, discussing Christianity with others and by proudly displaying their faith on T-shirts.
Christian legal groups, like the Alliance Defense Fund, have in recent years defended students who were sent home for wearing T-shirts that bore religious messages.
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The Supreme Court "has held that students and teachers do not 'shed their constitutional rights ...at the schoolhouse gate," says Kennett. "This principle means that students rightfully on a public school campus have First Amendment rights that cannot be denied without reason."
He says that a T-shirt is an effective but less invasive way for students to share their the Good News of Jesus to their peers.
"Jesus told us to 'Go into all the world and proclaim the Good News' and apparel is one way we can do that," Kennett states. "With the right emphasis and message a T-shirt can definitely help bring someone to Christ."
Kerusso is especially promoting "Pray-Vote-Pray" T-shirts. The message on the shirts coincides with company-run campaign seeking to remind Christians the importance of praying for God's wisdom, their duty to vote and the Bible's admonition to pray for their leaders.
"The 2008 United States Presidential election race is building toward one of the most dramatic elections in recent history," reads the Pray-Vote-Pray campaign Web site, which includes a countdown timer to the election and links to voter guides.
"The next President will have the opportunity to set direction on such critical issues as conflict in Iraq and the Middle East, Supreme Court justice nominations, the economy and so many other national topics," the site adds.
As of this week, the company has completed 20 percent of its goal to get 10,000 Christians participating in the campaign either by submitting a written or video prayer.
When the company reaches its goal, it plans to deliver the posted prayers to presidential candidates as a sign of morale support.
"'The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil,' a philosopher once wrote, 'is for good men to do nothing,'" says Kennett.
"This is a good reminder for today's Christian to do good, and vote for righteousness, so that this nation can continue to be a great nation."
On the Web: Pray-Vote-Pray campaign at www.kerusso.com.
