--- The Fool <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> posted: > http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A23375-2003Jun23.html
"...“An integral part of CEF’s evangelical mission is to locate children who have not yet accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior,” the school district’s attorneys wrote. “Requiring teachers to force students to accept and distribute CEF’s materials would result in the unconstitutional coercion of the students to proselytize on CEF’s behalf.” "The Bush administration brief, submitted by assistant attorney general Ralph F. Boyd Jr. and three staff attorneys, said in part: “CEF offers students educational, cultural, and recreational opportunities that are similar to activities offered by other community organizations that submit fliers for inclusion in the [students’] take-home folders. "“Through its Good News Clubs, CEF strives to foster self-esteem in youth and to instill morals and character in children while providing a positive recreational experience. . . . That CEF does these things from a religious viewpoint does not change the fact that its activities meet the [school] board’s criteria for inclusion in the take-home folders.” "The Child Evangelism Fellowship has led a national movement for the rights of religiously oriented taxpayers and their children to use public school property in the same way that other nonprofit groups do. Attorneys for the group, based in Warrenton, Mo., said their fliers are no different than the notices sent home in Montgomery County backpacks by the Boy Scouts, the Girl Scouts and the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA)..." Question: What would a Southern Baptist have to say if his/her child came home from school with a flier inviting the child to 'Join the fellowship of Allah: follow the adventures of Ahmed and Fatima as they learn to apply the lessons of the Koran to everyday life and its problems! Sign up for Bellydancing and Sworddancing Classes' etc. I can hear the righteous screaming now. I'd object to *any* religious organization attempting to convert my child from whatever I saw fit to teach them WRT the Divine And spirituality. While the Boy and Girl Scouts do mention God (or at least they used to), I don't recall Jesus being mentioned specifically. And I think while the "Y"s have religious literature available (and probably classes too), there is no requirement to use/attend in order to participate in the sports etc. I actually have no objection to a religious group using a public school after-hours, if all religious groups are allowed to do so. OK, maybe not the FreeLove Fishers of Men... ;) Debbi Did They Leave Out The Bluebirds Because Of The Faux Native American* Song? Maru (*no offense intended; I still remember the song from my Bluebird days) __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? SBC Yahoo! DSL - Now only $29.95 per month! http://sbc.yahoo.com _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
