No separation of church and state Part 2.
My son just came home from school with two bibles.
Come to find out his school let a group of holy rollers set up several tables, piled high with bibles, on school grounds in front of the entrance to the school. As kids went to enter the school, they were offered free bibles.
My son took two of them to bring home as proof of what went down. His two friends (an atheist and a Satanist) refused bibles and received the “Fuck you heathen, go burn in hell!” glare.
So now, in addition to teacher lead prayer and daily forced pledge of allegiance including homage to God, we’ve got our kids being accosted with bibles as they try to enter school and scorned if they refuse them.
This is unacceptable. This has gone too far.
Notice the school locker themed covers for these bibles. It’s clear to see these were produced specifically for handing out at schools.
I can see if kids want to give bibles to other kids while they’re at school. But to set up a literal wall of bibles between kids and the front door of their school is another thing, especially projecting scorn upon any kids that refuse to take a bible.
I’ll keep everyone posted on what comes of this. I’m still a bit floored over this shit. It’s going to take a bit to figure out exactly what to do about this.
*Just an additional afternote here: I’m not in the mood for bullshit. So when the “complaint over being blocked” blogs pop up, don’t be surprised. I don’t have the time or the patience to deal with the “facts and opinions are interchangeable” crowd. When I block, I block without remorse and I don’t give a single fuck about the “Moosehammer can’t handle contrary opinions” schtick. Ego don’t fucking live here anymore, so he won’t be biting any bait. Rage kicked his ass and threw him out through the window years ago.
And now we boogie!
Have you contacted the ACLU?
Every area is different. Santa Fe would never allow this to happen. I hope it gets squashed in your area too. Those kids should hand em out weekends door to door if they want. But not as a school sanctioned “booth”.
Here a link that might help you understand your child’s rights. I’m glad I don’t have to worry about that anymore!!
http://www.aclu-ms.org/index.php/download_file/18/1/
Now I agree with your gripe on this. I am from Iowa and that’s still in the Bible belt area and I do believe its against the law to do that at an Iowa school.
I thought it was a federal law, actually.
The fact that prayer may be voluntary ignores the essential nature of the program’s constitutional defects. Prayer in its public school system breaches the constitutional wall of separation between Church and State.” — Engel v. Vitale 1962 (This is the initial case where the courts said that prayer in schools was unconstitutional.)
BS……you know thats how they found out about my son being atheist in ROTC…they had an voluntary prayer…fucking bullshit! They even started a club for prayer and have prayer every morning in a circle holding hands in front of school front door. THATS HARASSMENT…BULLSHIT!!!!!!!
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http://nitwitnastik.wordpress.com/2008/11/08/penn-and-teller-the-bible-is-bullshit/
It would be so freaking hilarious if all parents showed up at school and dumped the books on principles desk!
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Awesome blog, Moosehammer! I feel your pain- that is total bull shit.
BTW I like your taste in music 😈 🙂
I wonder what would happen if someone tried to set up a couple tables handing out school-aimed versions of On The Origin of Species?
I’m assuming this is a public school, NOT a private school. If a public school, teacher led prayers is totally out of line. If a teacher wants to have a minute of silence, and each individual wants to say their own prayer (if any) is fine. But I know that I would be highly p.o.’d if a Catholic teacher was leading a prayer in my son’s class room, or even if Lutheran, Baptist, or even Unitarian (and they’re rebels…).
As for those passing out Bibles, they need to be out at the public part of the sidewalk. If they’re on school property, they are loitering, trespassing and full of harassment.
In the mean time, you could see if a Mosque is able to bring the Koran to pass around. Or even a Buddhist group with their “book of enlightenment” or what ever they have… I know it’s not what you’re looking for, but it’s a blatant strike back at them. If they refuse, they’re committing “faithism”… I don’t know if that’s a word, but, I’m coining it.
The Constitution does not make mention of the phrase “separation of church and state”. It states “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances”. The same right they have to talk about their stuff is equal in value of what you say/do as well.
Considering that the public schools are intermingled with local government, unless the group is doing an unbiased passing of information/Holy Books from ALL faiths, including scientology, it would go against government respecting establishment of religion, because now they’re endorsing one, but not others. If they’re using silent intimidation on school campus, they ought to be reported to whom ever is able to help you.
I don’t mind helping out with this, if you want. This way, you’re not the bad guy.