For Christ's Sake

One of the overarching objectives of my English class is to prepare students to be global citizens. A global citizen respects the people around him, but does not conform to what society demands. I have a great deal of respect for people of great faith. The Dalai Lama has influenced my own faith. But why do those in public education fear religious expression?
FOXNews.com has a story on a high school art student who created a landscape with a cross, a Bible verse, and an inscription. He was given a zero for failing to remove the religious symbol. In an environment that should teach respect for individual thought and expression, why does it seem that Christianity is often targeted as offensive to other students? But even beyond Christianity, why do schools fear the open and honest discussion of sensitive matters? We should be teaching our students how to appropriately interact with people of all beliefs, and not just religious beliefs.

**UPDATE
Well, this post is transforming into one of my Adults Ruin Everything posts. In a separate incident, but equally reprehensible, a school wouldn't allow a student to wear a John Edwards for President t-shirt.
Considering that every high school I've been a part of teaches about government and civics, I couldn't be more befuddled by moves like this. I hope the kid wins and the administration realizes that they are not educating students.