Yes, this type of thing becomes resolved either by force or agreement. Seldom does discussion with fanatics result in agreement. Good luck!
On Nov 25, 9:21 am, stem cell <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > This letter was in the Appeal today in response to NO PLACE FOR FORCED > RELIGION. > > People of faith have rights too > > I am compelled to respond to the Nov. 20 letter "No place for forced > religion," and challenge some of the writer's faulty reasoning and > interpretation of law. > > The writer cites the Shelby County Schools' anti-discrimination policy > that is printed on documents. This policy was intended to prevent > persons from being denied educational and employment opportunities on > account of "race, color, national origin, religion, gender, or > disability." It does not prohibit employees from practicing their > faith. Since the writer does not indicate she has been denied any > opportunities, I don't see that the school system has violated her > rights under this policy or that hypocrisy is involved. > > In asking the question "Has separation of church and state been > totally discarded?" the writer makes the common mistake of > misapplication of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to > the U.S. Constitution, which declares: "Congress shall make no law > respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free > exercise thereof." This provision was added to the Constitution to > prohibit the federal government from establishing a state church, > which was commonplace in Europe at the time of our nation's founding, > and from meddling in the right of citizens to freely practice their > religious faith. > > Some of my relatives have also "fought and died for our right to > religious freedom." Correctly understood, this is the right to > practice religion, not the right to be protected from being offended > when others practice their religion. > > Steve Rowland > > Bartlett > > On Nov 20, 9:39 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 -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
