Bible reading banned from classroom by Missouri teacher

MARSHALL, Mo. (Christian Examiners) -- A 12-year-old Missouri student and his parents are talking to the media after a teacher told the boy he could not read his Bible at school during down time in class just before Christmas break.

Loyal Grandstaff, a seventh grader at Bueker Middle School in Marshall, says the teacher did not allow him to silently read the Bible during student free time because the teacher does not agree with the book.

"He doesn't want me reading it in his class because he don't believe it," Loyal told Fox Affiliate WDAF."

Now, Loyal Grandstaff, a seventh grader at Bueker Middle School in Marshall, and his parents are seeking an audience with the principal, Lance Tobing, to determine exactly what happened and why his religious freedom was violated.

Loyal's dad, Justin Grandstaff's chose not to wait to speak to the principal and instead went to his local media because of the implications of banning Bible reading in the school.

"I feel like it violated his freedom of religion but also his freedom of speech," Justin Grandstaff said.

It also concerned him as a parent that his son would be reprimanded for something he saw as good.

"There are kids walking around disrespecting their teachers, kids walking around cussing and everything else and they're practically getting in no trouble at all," Grandstaff's dad Justin told WDAF.

Loyal claimed he chose to read the Bible during his free time out of sheer enjoyment.

"I like to read my bible because its a good book," he said. "I was just reading, just reading because I had free time. A time to do what I wanted to, so I just broke it out and read."

Tobin reportedly planned to investigate the situation and claimed the school does not ban Bibles from school.