---------- From: Philadsa To: QuinnKM Subject: Religious Freedom Amendment; Internet Censorship Date: Tuesday, May 12, 1998 2:54PM The following alerts were forwarded by members: CONGRESS TO VOTE ON RELIGIOUS "FREEDOM" AMENDMENT The UFWC Education Task Force is alerting UFWC members that the Istook Amendment (Called the Religious Freedom Amendment) to the U. S. Constitution will be voted on in a week or so. Maybe as early as May 18. Congressman Pitts is a co-sponsor. This is an amendment to the Bill of Rights that is being pushed by the Radical Christian Right. If passed, it will threaten the religious liberty and freedom of all Americans. For more information visit the Interfaith Alliance web site (http://www.tialliance.org). We urge you to write to Speaker Gingrich , Congressman Gephardt, and your congressman. A sample letter is below. Other actions you can take are: Organize a meeting with your congressman: Take a group of religious leaders to his district office Organize a local press conference Write letters to the editor Here are some addresses: Congressman Joseph Pitts 504 Cannon House Office Building Washington, DC 20515-3816 Phone:(202) 225-2411 Downingtown Office: (610) 518-5823 Fax: (202) 225-2013 E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Speaker Newt Gingrich H-232 Capitol Building Washington, D. C. 20515 Congressman Richard Gephardt H-204 Capitol Building Washington, D. C. 20515 E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sample letter (From Interfaith Alliance postcard): Dear Speaker Gingrich, Pat Robertson the Christian Coalition do not speak for me! As an American of faith, I urge you to reconsider your support of the so- called "Religious Freedom Amendment," sponsored by Representative Istook. As a citizen and voter, I strongly believe in you American heritage of religious liberty. I understand that this liberty is guaranteed by the First Amendment to our constitution. I hope that you will join me in opposing this effort to weaken its protections. Issues surrounding a child's religious education and practices should remain a private matter between parents, their children, and their faith community. State sponsored prayer does not belong in our schools. I look forward to your support on this matter. Thank you. * * * * * ** RE-DISTRIBUTE WIDELY UNTIL MAY 31 ** ACTION ALERT American Civil Liberties Union Electronic Frontier Foundation Electronic Privacy Information Center OPPOSE GOVERNMENT-MANDATED INTERNET FILTERING! *** HERE IS HOW TO SEND FREE FAXES TO YOUR SENATORS *** The United States Senate may vote as early as the week of May 11 on the "Internet School Filtering Act" (S. 1619). The bill would require schools and libraries receiving federal Internet subsidies to install filtering software designed to prevent children from accessing "inappropriate" material. The ACLU, EFF and EPIC are sponsoring an online campaign to oppose this measure. By visiting any of the following links, you can send faxes -- free of charge! -- to your two Senators: http://www.aclu.org/congress/cybmarch.html http://www.eff.org/blueribbon/ http://www.epic.org/free_speech/action/ BACKGROUND On March 12, the Senate Commerce Committee approved the "Internet School Filtering Act" (S. 1619). The bill would require schools and libraries receiving federal "e-rate" Internet subsidies to certify that they are using filtering software designed to prevent minors from accessing "inappropriate" material. The filtering bill could come to the Senate floor as early as the week of May 11. The bill raises serious constitutional questions. In a decision issued on April 7, a federal judge in Virginia rejected an effort to dismiss a challenge to Internet filtering at a public library, finding that "the Library Board may not adopt and enforce content-based restrictions on access to protected Internet speech" unless it meets the highest level of constitutional scrutiny. Several studies have found that a great amount of valuable educational material is blocked by filtering programs. Some filtering systems even block access to web sites created by elementary schools for elementary school children. Filtering requirements are inconsistent with the goal of providing our children a rich educational experience and, when mandated by government, violative of the First Amendment. Many local communities have decided that the best approach is one that emphasizes acceptable use policies and Internet education programs. They have rejected the use of filtering software as ineffective and contrary to educational objectives. They've decided to instill values rather than install filters. Tell Congress to leave this issue to local communities, and not to mandate a federal, one-size-fits-all filtering requirement. Additional information on Internet filtering is also available at the Internet Free Expression Alliance website: http://www.ifea.net
