The atheist's daughter

Chicago Tribune ^ | January 10, 2008 | Nara Schoenberg

[Borges]

The No. 2 atheist activist in Illinois doesn't have an office or a car.

Reporters have been banned from her home -- her mother is adamant on this point -- so the McDonald's across the street from Buffalo Grove High School has to serve as her impromptu media headquarters.

None of which is surprising, when you consider that Dawn Sherman is all of 14.

Her lawsuit challenging the new Silent Reflection and Student Prayer Act in Illinois has already resulted in a temporary injunction blocking the law's mandatory moment of silence for the 13,000 students in Township High School District 214. Now, she and the No. 1 atheist activist in Illinois -- her father, Rob -- are going after a bigger prize: They want the law struck down as unconstitutional.

During a wide-ranging after-school interview, the girl at the center of the legal battle proves quieter and more measured than her outspoken father, but no less spirited and determined.

"She's a rugged individualist, and I say that in the most positive way," says Dennis Northway, Dawn's former middle school choir director, who once jokingly suggested to Dawn that she should sing in his madrigal choir at Grace Episcopal Church in Oak Park -- and was shocked when she took him up on the offer.

[Borges]

Teen atheist Dawn Sherman, seen preparing for a choir rehearsal, is fighting the state's new Silent Reflection and Student Prayer Act in court. Her lawsuit, which resulted in a temporary injunction blocking the law's enforcement in her school district, is "entirely about me and my rights," she says.

[faloi]

entirely about me and my rights," she says

What about the rights of others to freely practice their religion? I seem to recall something in the constitution about that.

[AppyPappy]

She’ll make a really good little goose-stepper, protecting people from too much freedom

[ShadowAce]

"entirely about me and my rights,"

She won't get very far with that attitude.

[weegee]

Her right to insist that the others not be observant with a moment of silence. It seems that she’s trying to force her faith in a world of “no god” on everyone else.

There is to be no establishment nor prohibition on religion. We are talking about the same “space” for establishing and prohibiting.

[PureSolace]

People have some serious God Issues in this country.

[Hegemony Cricket]

She can’t even shut up for a minute?

[RonF]

People opposing this have been quoted in the newspaper as saying that the act is a stalking horse to get prayer back in the public schools. IIRC, the Supreme Court banned prayer led by someone at the school. I doubt that voluntary private prayer that is not led by anyone is unconstitutional, and there’s also no provision in the law that forces anyone to pray at all.

[sappy]

already a productive member of society....imagine when she’ll have to work.

[BibChr]

And in this forum.

[weegee]

Meanwhile schools are establishing Islamic prayer rooms and permitting those students to break for the daytime calls to prayer.

[r9etb]

She’ll make a really good little goose-stepper, protecting people from too much freedom

No, I don't think so. Imagine her shock, 20 years hence, when she realizes that God was really there all the time. This is her dad talking -- she'll come around.

[svcw]

Isn't it amazing how a moment of silence can shake the very foundation of an atheist.

[SomeReasonableDude]

I am about as Christian as you get and I think that schooltime for prayers is a bad idea. Heck, I thought any "introspection time" or whatever PC way they talked about it was a huge waste when I was in middle and high school. I got my prayers done the night before or in the morning and I was at school to learn.

Same thing with the pledge of allegiance, which is a totally absurd anachronism. Take that 10-20 minutes wasted in the morning and put it towards extra time in American history courses or theology electives.

[17th Miss Regt]

Future Hillary of America.

[A_Former_Democrat]

Yep, she’s not a believer alright . . .”It’s all about me . .”

Fast forward to her Judgment Day and hear her saying that.

[CholeraJoe]

Maybe she should use the moment of silence to reflect upon what a self-absorbed brat she is.

[GreenAccord]

I predict she will be a lifetime activist, darting from one issue to the next. She’ll never hold a job, and will never create wealth (for her or others).

[MrB]

I bet she’ll go to work for some non-profit to “raise awareness” about some issue she’s “passionate” about.

[Tanniker Smith]

Someone should inform Miss Sherman that she doesn't have any rights in this country. Now follow my logic which is just convuluted and contorted as hers:

Our rights are all God-given. She doesn't believe in God, so she can't accept any God-given rights.

so, Miss Sherman, shut up and sit down and do your homework.