Was the Declaration of Independence Banned in a California School

Wall Street Journal ^ | Mar 25,2005

[rellimpank]

HOUSES OF WORSHIP

Faith and the Fifth Grade Did a California school ban the Declaration of Independence? Not quite.

BY NAOMI SCHAEFER REILY Friday, March 25, 2005 12:01 a.m. EST

Many of us remember the headline, "Declaration of Independence banned from classroom." Just before Thanksgiving, the Alliance Defense Fund filed suit against the Cupertino, Calif., school district and issued a press release with that claim at the top--and all hell broke loose.

Talk radio and TV rushed to the aid of Steven Williams, a public-school teacher and professed Christian who had apparently suffered religious discrimination at the hands of a martinet-principal. Not allowed to teach the Declaration of Independence? Was it possible? People all over the country began contacting the Stevens Creek Elementary School. The court of public opinion's verdict was swift:

[Avenger]

Sounds like this guy was probably going a bit too far in pushing his beliefs on his students. Teachers are in a position to teach by their example and don't need to be so pushy in order to have a positive influence on children. Kids are not naive and usually know when someone is trying force their beliefs on them.

[rellimpank]

--yep--another example of not being able to believe the headlines--

[McChordwatcher]

I was a newbie when this issue broke. I made comments to the effect that the lawsuit sounded fishy while others were posting the Principal's phone and address, etc... It was the moment I realized that being rational was a good way to flamed.

Needless to say, I rarely post anymore.

The emotions run waaaaay too high around here.

[stubernx98]

Reminds me of a business seminar I attended where the VP of purchasing at Case(makes steel office furniture) was lecturing about supply chain etc. After about two hours he went into full preaching mode. There weren't many conversions that day.

[rellimpank]

---yep--the last week or so especially--

[Shermy]

"The emotions run waaaaay too high around here."

It's been getting witch-hunty.

[edweena]

"Reminds me of a business seminar I attended where the VP of purchasing at Case(makes steel office furniture) was lecturing about supply chain etc. After about two hours he went into full preaching mode. There weren't many conversions that day."

Attendees probably didn't learn much about business principles either.

I swear, the media will say absolutely anything to out-sensationalize each other. I simply can't watch TV news anymore, with its teasers, its superficial coverage, and its preference for handling stories like soap operas.