Declaration of Independence Banned

The Claremont Institute ^ | November 24, 2004

[Stoat]

Declaration of Independence Banned

In the city of Cupertino, California, a fifth grade public school teacher at Stevens Creek School, Stephen Williams, has been prohibited by the principal from distributing the Declaration of Independence among other documents from the American Founding. Why? Because they mention God.

Like the recent challenge to the Pledge of Allegiance, many Americans will view this as an outrage. It is. But it would be a mistake to think that striking down the Pledge or banning the Declaration or any other historical document from our public schools is a new development. The sad fact is that these actions are supported by more than fifty years of Supreme Court jurisprudence. Carried to its logical conclusion, the position staked out by modern courts would prevent not only any mention of God in the classroom, but would render teaching the natural rights principles of constitutional government unconstitutional.

In his dissenting comments in the 1985 case, Wallace v. Jaffree--which struck down an Alabama law allowing students a one-minute period of silent reflection as unconstitutional--Justice Rehnquist predicted that upon the arguments of the Supreme Court, the Pledge of Allegiance could also be held unconstitutional. Two years ago, Rehnquist's predication came true, as a three-judge panel of the Ninth Circuit ruled that the Pledge of Allegiance represented an unconstitutional establishment of religion.

As Americans prepare to give thanks to God for the blessings they enjoy, many are asking why there is a concerted effort to drive God out of our schools and out of our public square. Modern Supreme Court jurisprudence regarding religion, and the all-too-familiar instances of students and citizens being prohibited from acknowledging the existence or authority of God, are symptoms of the liberal project to remake America.

Thomas Krannawitter and Daniel Palm wrote this summer about the attempt by Los Angeles County to remove a cross from the county seal. Liberals want to remove constitutional limitations on government power, and, at the same time, replace moral, free, self-sufficient citizens with needy, subservient citizens dependent on government. Removing God from the American mind advances both goals.

Understanding that sound government and a free, moral society rest upon a belief in the "laws of nature and of nature's God," California passed a law in 1997 requiring public schools to teach the Declaration of Independence and other documents from the Founding period. By prohibiting Mr. Williams from distributing the Declaration, not only is Stevens Creek School undermining legitimate civic education, they appear to be in direct violation of California law.

John Eastman, director of the Claremont Institute's Center for Constitutional Jurisprudence, commented, "Unfortunately, our courts have abandoned the original meaning of the religion clauses of the First Amendment, and what we are witnessing today is the logical consequence of a half-century of misguided jurisprudence." Eastman, who also filed an amicus brief in the case of Newdow v. U.S., may be reached for comment by members of the media at (562) 900-3902.

[Nathan Zachary]

These loony left devil worshipers are violating the constitution. Freedom of religion is gaurantied, but by trying to have it stifled is against the law.
It is what the nation was founded on as well, God is mentioned in all the founding father's various words of wisdom. To try remove "God" from our constitution would require more than an amendment.
I hope this gets settled in Bush's term. I'm sick and tired of these Godless creeps destroying the make up of this Nation. Christianity is what made this nation great. It's freedom is based entirely on it. Everyone has the freedom to believe, or not to believe. But the basic law of the land must be followed, and whether they like to admit it or not, those laws are based on the moral decency taught by our Lord. We've strayed too far from those lessons already, and it's destroying the nation.
If these God hating people don't like it, they can move to a godless country, where the law is whatever fancies the current dictator.

[bushisdamanin04]

My first reaction upon hearing this was outrage. With some reflection, however, maybe this is a good thing as it might force people to choose a position that will either expose these nuts for what they are ... or expose themselves for what they are.

[huac]

Ordinarily, one could just shrug and say "California". This is usually sufficient commentary on Left lunacy. This is different. For any organization or entity of the Left to be so brazen as to declare the Declaration of Independence as unsuitable material to teach American children is beyond the pale. All chads and exit polls and media bias aside, these are the fundamental ideals upon which this nation is built. Failure or refusal to recognize this and to impart this knowledge to subsequent generations and we will eventually cease to be a nation.

[BJungNan]

Folks, you have to make a point. Flood these people with copies of the U.S. constitution by mail. It will only take a second of your time and one stamp.

Here is a good copy of the Declaration of Independence that is a good size for printing.

http://www.americaslibrary.gov/assets/jb/colonial/jb_colonial_hancock_2_e.jpg

Mail to:
Patricia Vidmar
Stevens Creek Elementary School
10300 Ainsworth Drive
Cupertino, CA 95014

[BJungNan]

Already posted:

What was already posted?

[Allosaurs_r_us]

How can any parent with the slightest bit of concern for their children leave them in these mental war zones?

It's easy, if the morons try that crap around here they wake up at the bottom of the lake. We still have control over our schools, teachers and board members. If the rest of the country can't control the people you elect into your district, quit cryin about it. You voted them in! If they don't follow the morals of the community, run them out on a rail. It is as simple as that! I'm sick of hearing whoa is me.

[Rummyfan]

In the city of Cupertino, California, a fifth grade public school teacher at Stevens Creek School, Stephen Williams, has been prohibited by the principal from distributing the Declaration of Independence among other documents from the American Founding. Why? Because they mention God.

Tell the principal to go to hell and teach. There must be a lot of lawyers willing to take up the case. Jay Sekulow where are you?

[Rummyfan]

Bump for reference.

[Republican Wildcat]

Here is the contact information for the school where the Declaration of Independence was banned. The principal, Patricia Vidmar, gave the order according to a Reuters news story on this same topic. Interesting, the school just yanked the page with this information from its website:


Main Telephone Number: (408) 245-3312 ext. 110
Fax Number: (408) 245-7484

Email:
block_leann@Cupertino.k12.ca.us

address:

10300 Ainsworth Dr
Cupertino, CA 95014

[Republican Wildcat]

Excellent idea. bump!

[Nathan Zachary]

That is alot easier to do in small towns and states which still have a shred of moral decency, and can still gather together as a community. Try that in Californicationa, with 35 million transient people, many of them illegals, who don't even know what the name of their public school district is, never mind who the trusties and superintendent are. The sad reality is it seems only the lunatics gather together and control those school boards.
You are right, people have to get together to change things. When it comes to issues of the constitution however, a school board or principal should not be making decisions on whether or not it's acceptable, or if God should be mentioned or not. They are entitled only to their own belief and should not be influencing others.
God was and is an important factor in the founding of the nation, and our children have the right to learn this, as God is part of the true history of the nation. They can make up their minds themselves whether to believe in God or not.

[Republican Wildcat]

This is not the same article.

[Cavalier79]

I saw this story earlier tonight and thought it was some sort of a hoax. Then I saw it a couple of other places and realized it was no joke.

It really scares me as a father of a 5 year old what he is going to learn in school. I talk to my 17 year old niece about what she is learning in the public schools and wind up correcting her on many historical "facts" that she is being taught.

My favorite was the discussion of the Declaration of Independence and how it dealt with slavery. She was taught that no debate at all was held by the Founding Fathers regarding the subject because the forum was controlled by southerners who were only concerned about their issues and since they believed slaves to be property there was no discussion.

I gave her several things to read and she came away with an entirely different perspective. However, she was told that I was misinformed by her teacher.

It scares me for our future.

[Montana4Jesus]

This just in... Scool in California no longer receives our tax dollars due to In God We Trust printed on currency.

[Tuscaloosa Goldfinch]

Someone may beat me to it, but there was a thread yesterday about the 9th Circus court being split up and making at least three circuit courts of appeal out of that 9th Circuit.

[narses]

Ping.

[Nathan Zachary]

You should have marched to the school and corrected her teacher. I used to do that when my kids were in school, it was kinda fun. Don't expect to be invited to parents day though. Show up anyways!! Parents day is also a day to present concerns to the teachers about things they do wrong.
When my kids graduated teachers rejoiced. It makes it harder for lefty teachers to try teach the other kids that stuff when they have students who are always challenging thier marxist beliefs. Other kids pick up on that and do the same. It becomes fun, Sort of rebellious except they are learning something and not even realizing it.

[aimhigh]

In America, we are seeing the curse of Isaiah 3:12:

"As for My people, children are their oppressors, And women rule over them."

[Cavalier79]

Had it been my son rather than my niece, I would have done it. I think that my sister in law would have shot me since she is also a teacher. Although in her defense she teaches 1st Grade and thinks some of the textbooks used at her school are silly.

It will be interesting as my 5 year old goes through school. We are sending him to a Catholic School here, so I am hoping we will have a lot more control.

[stands2reason]

All this talk of "Doing Something" in this forum may get you arrested under the patriot act as a possible terrorist.

Can you quote the relevant section?