The issue of public school functions taking place in religious institutions has been an problem for me too. My son's school scheduled an event in a chapel on one of the local religious schools. I refused to go so I don't know if they prayed. I refused to go because I was pissed they it was in a church...of course this was quite annoying to the principal, who on other occasions made it clear that she didn't give a damn about violating Separation. Religious symbols sold at Santa's Christmas Shop, singing Jesus songs in music class, a moment of silence, etc. We have changed schools and I'm sure no one was sad to see us go.
The reason the schools and our Bible-thumping legislators don't follow Separation is because they are not lobbied by the secular population. I have a feeling our views will be more respected through the Obama administration, but we still have to start speaking up at every opportunity with ferocity. The key to politics is to form large groups of people. You don't have to have money, you have to be voters. If we want to be heard we absolutely must from a network of secular groups from around the state...put together a website to network and send letters and petitions to out state reps and congressmen to demand Separation. The biggest issue for secular folks tends to be money, but leg work is even more effective. Speaking of which, the protest for gay rights in Jackson, on the 29th is beginning to really form up. Lots of interest and people are spreading the word. I want to extend the invite again to MFA to come and stand with us. The local news will be there and this will likely make the front page of the newspaper. Anyway, the point of the protest really comes down to religion and to stand together in a Xian dominated town and let it be known that we demand Separation is a noble cause. Afterward, we will party-hardy. The event is down town where the traffic won't be on the second shopping day after Thanksgiving, but there are a few watering holes that are likely to not be crowed...until we get there. Hope you can make it, Angelia On Fri, Nov 21, 2008 at 7:28 AM, Isparklaria <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>wrote: > > I am planning to write a letter. I am willling to have my name and the > fact that I am a sub printed. I will mention exactly what I have seen > that goes over the line. > > On Nov 21, 7:22 am, Clogtowner <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > 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- Hide quoted text - > > > > - Show quoted text - > > > --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ 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 -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
