Hi y'all - couldn't resist a response. I write in support of Robyn Maxwell's letter. Although, I am not a lawyer it seems clear to me that Shelby County Schools system are blatantly violating the First Amendment by establishing a relgion for employees, and discriminating (financially) against those who do not comply.
Mr. Maxwell is quite right in pointing out that our religious freedom has been earned at enormous cost in human life, and the attempts by Shelby County to trample on this right should be fought by all freedom lovers. If Mr. Maxwell would set up a fund to challenge this unconstitutional act, I for one will be happy to contribute. On Nov 20, 8:39 pm, stem cell <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Did you see this in the Commercial Appeal today? Any thoughts? > > stemcell > > NO PLACE FOR FORCED RELIGION > > I am an employee of the Shelby County Schools system and have been for > over 18 years. I am fed up with the hypocrisy of the administration. > > On almost every document they print "Shelby County Schools offers > educational and employment opportunities without regard to race, > color, national origin, religion, gender, or disability"; however they > force all their employees to take part in Christian prayer. > > This occurs at the beginning of each school year during a systemwide > in-service training for teachers. This school year it took place at > Bellevue Baptist Church. > > Each time this is done, I am highly offended, not only for myself, but > for all the people who feel that freedom of religion is a critical > cornerstone of our nation. How can a public school system justify > this? > > Has separation of church and state been totally discarded? People have > fought and died for our right to religious freedom. This practice of > Shelby County Schools needs to be stopped. > > One might read this and say nobody is forcing you to work for Shelby > County Schools. That is of course true, but Shelby County Schools > should not lie about it so blatantly. > > People need to be warned before they accept employment that they will > be forced to take part in Christian prayers. Before writing this > letter, I complained about this practice and was told by an > administrator that I can skip the next prayer session, but I will be > docked for the time. > > NAME WITHHELD (Read the original in the Commercial Appeal if > interested.) > Memphis --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Memphis Freethought Alliance" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/memphisfreethoughtalliance?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
