Posted on 10/09/2001 7:02:25 AM PDT by Jean S
Can't use Pledge of Allegiance to comply with law, schools told
The Madison School Board barred schools on Monday from using the Pledge of Allegiance as a way to comply with a new state law that requires a daily patriotism dose.
Instead, schools can use only the national anthem - and then only instrumental versions of it. No words.
The 3-2 board vote came after several parents and teachers complained that the pledge, which contains the line "one nation, under God," is a religious oath that doesn't belong in public schools. Others criticized the pledge for promoting nationalism and militarism.
Board President Calvin Williams, who voted with the majority, said the board's action is the "least intrusive and least offensive" way to comply with the law.
"We've chosen a reasonable compromise that preserves freedom of expression on both ends of the spectrum and doesn't trample on anyone's rights," he said.
The law, which took effect Sept. 1, requires schools to offer the pledge or anthem daily in grades 1 to 12. Madison implemented the law last week, with Superintendent Art Rainwater leaving it up to each school to decide whether the pledge or anthem would be offered and in what format.
The heaviest criticism has been aimed at those elementary schools where the pledge is being read over the public address system. Although the law says students cannot be forced to participate, critics said children have little choice but to listen to it when it's broadcast throughout the school.
"What we're doing here is opening up a very slippery slope," said Sally Franz, an educational assistant at Cherokee Middle School and one of six people who criticized the law Monday. "Indoctrination leads to totalitarianism, and we're approaching that moment."
Board member Bill Keys' motion instructs schools to broadcast an instrumental version of the anthem at a time deemed appropriate by administrators. This option will allow dissenting students to opt out less conspicuously, reducing the chances for harassment, he said.
Williams and Carol Carstensen agreed with Keys. Carstensen said the motion in no way prohibits the teaching of the pledge for educational reasons or the singing of the anthem in music class. And students can say the pledge on their own during the school day, she said.
Ruth Robarts and Shwaw Vang opposed the motion, with both saying it doesn't go far enough to protect the rights of dissenters. "It's a step in the right direction, but it doesn't remove the coerciveness of the classroom situation," Robarts said. She wanted the anthem to be offered before or after classes.
Ray Allen and Juan Jose Lopez were absent. Reached later, Lopez said he opposes the motion.
"I would not have voted to ban the Pledge of Allegiance," he said. "We live in the United States of America, and people should be given the choice."
Are you really such a Tory? G-d Save the King, and pledge to him then. Any human monarch would appreciate your easy fealty.
You've got FReepmail.
FReeped them good. Did any one call them? Let keep this thread bumped and we have to keep freeping them. We will win!
(And I REALLY wish I could find that old thread... a real soul-searcher!)
Unbelievable! I might have expected something like that on either seaboard where the Lotus eaters live, but it is hard to accept that once solidly patriotic middle America is riddled with Leftists or (just as bad) "wusses." Time for a RECALL, folks! Tomorrow won't be too soon.
Mr. Colson quotes author Eric Buehrer, who wrote an article entitled, "Integrating Faith and the Public Schools Without Mixing Church and State." Buehrer says that teaching students about Christianity and its positive influence on American culture is legal and it is a legitimate academic pursuit for public schools.
Colson notes that Buehrer points to an actual handbook published by the California State Board of Education in 1995 on teaching about religion in the schools. This direct quote was cited:
"School personnel are obliged to help students develop an informal understanding and appreciation of the role of religion in the lives of Americans and people of other nations."
The handbook continues, "Study about religion in America is fundamental to understanding and appreciating the American heritage. America is a land of many races, cultures, languages, and religions. Students should learn about the contributions of religion to America."
The rationale apparently rests on the fact that history does not consist of simply recording events, but of gaining insight into the motivation of the people involved in the historical events. Thus, a state as liberal as Massachusetts can and does accept the legitimacy of instructing students about Christianity, as illustrated by that state's standards for social studies for middle school students, in which they suggest students should discuss how ideas of figures such as Moses and Jesus might motivate entire nations to action!
This is a direct quote from Mr. Colson, who invites teachers and parents to learn more about how to reintroduce such information back into the world of public schools:
"Teachers should have no doubt that teaching students about the importance of Christianity is academically appropriate. You can help teachers in your church, and in your children's and grandchildren's schools, to have the confidence to do this by reminding them that education about the role of Christianity is legal, and it's logical. Contact us here at BreakPoint and we'll send you a copy of Eric Buehrer's article, "Integrating Faith and the Public Schools Without Mixing Church and State," along with some other materials that will help you make the case."
He invites inquiries because "Students need to be taught the historical and social importance of the Christian faith, and strange as it may seem, school officials from California to Massachusetts agree."
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The essay concludes with this tip: "You can get a copy of Buehrer's article at http://www.breakpoint.org "
"'BreakPoint with Chuck Colson' is a daily commentary on news and trends from a Christian perspective. Heard on more than 1000 radio outlets nationwide, BreakPoint transcripts are also available on the Internet.
Copyright (c) 2001 Prison Fellowship Ministries."
I suggest that you ask for Breakpoint to be e-mailed to you daily, as long as you are at that site. Colson's essays are invariably cogent and inspiring, and cover a wide ranging variety of issues. You won't be sorry you subscribed.
Now, then Wisconsinites, GO FOR IT! I expect to read next week that the Board of Education in Madison has been recalled and that the Pledge of Allegiance has been reinstated. If you can't do that, hang your heads in shame.
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