Weigh in now! Stop Gideon distributions in Virginia February 10, 2014 Dear Virginia FFRF Friend, The Freedom From Religion Foundation recently contacted the Mecklenburg County Schools in Boydton, Va., to urge the district to discontinue its policy of allowing “passive distribution” of religious materials. FFRF first became involved in 2012 on behalf of several complainants. The School district ended the practice. Last fall, local clergy called on Superintendent Dr. James Thorton to allow the passive distribution again, calling it “preposterous that anyone would think that a bible is harmful to elementary children.” According to Rev. Susan Grimm “What concerns me more is that children are not being taught about God in their homes, whether or not they choose to pick up a Gideon Bible.” Baptist Rev. Kevin G. Rosenfeld said, “We are simply asking that the bible be made available to all children from kindergarden through high school.” Now the school district is allowing the Gideons to return, standing by tables inside the schools with their bibles. On Jan. 29, FFRF Staff Attorney Patrick Elliott sent a follow-up letter to the school district’s attorney outlining why discontinuing the passive distribution will avoid any First Amendment problems. “Many enlightened school districts across the country have sought to avoid the unseemly entanglement with religious groups by prohibiting third parties from distributing materials altogether.” What makes this policy so egregious is that, as always, the Gideon Society is targeting grade schoolers and the district plans to permit distribution at all schools, even elementary level. Elliot explained that if MCPS permits “passive distribution,” FFRF will plan to use this limited public forum to distribute its own non-religious materials. Predatory evangelical groups like the Gideons and Liberty Counsel see public schools as a recruiting ground, said FFRF Co-President Dan Barker. Public schools exist to educate, not to proselytize. Schools dont need to allow these distributions, but as long as they do, we will distribute our own nonreligious materials. The irony is that the bible, a bestseller thats rarely read, is X-rated, full of violence, obscenity and immoral conduct committed by or blessed by the biblical deity. TAKE ACTION Please weigh in now against “passive distribution” of bibles in public schools. Email and phone the school board to explain why Gideon bible distribution is inappropriate and divisive. (If you live in or have a child in the school district, it would also be extremely helpful to attend the next board meeting and speak up.) The MCPS School Board’s next meeting is on Monday Feb. 17 at 7:00 p.m. School Board Meetings are held at: Mecklenburg County School Board Office 175 Mayfield Drive Boydton, VA 23917 TALKING POINTS Use your own words or feel free to copy talking points below. I strongly oppose a policy to allow “passive distribution” of bibles in our public schools. The purpose of public schools is to educate, not to proselytize — even indirectly. Students are a captive audience required to attend schools. It’s a misuse of district resources to provide access to our youngest and most impressionable students to an evangelical society, which preys on children. Religion in our schools is divisive. Parents have the right to educate their own children on religion — it’s not the business of our schools. CONTACT Mailing Address: Mecklenburg County Public Schools, P.O. Box 190, Boydton VA 23917 Email the Chair, and “cc” the other board members: Mr. Robert Puryear, Chairman, District 1 email: [email protected] phone: (434) 738-8041 Mr. Dale Sturdifen, District 2 email: [email protected] phone: (434) 210-0848 Mrs. Sandra Tanner, District 3 email: [email protected] phone: (434) 757-4586 Mrs. Mary Hicks, District 4 email: [email protected] phone: (434) 447-3710 Mr. Thomas Bullock, Vice Chairman, District 5 email: [email protected] phone: (434) 447-8192 Ms. Debra Smiley, District 6 email: [email protected] phone: (434) 689-2022 Mrs. Dora Garner, District 7 email: [email protected] phone: (434) 372-3668 Mrs. Joan Wagstaff, District 8 email: [email protected] phone: (434) 372-5184 Mr. Glenn Edwards, District 9 email: [email protected] phone: (434) 374-2995
Posted on: Tue, 11 Feb 2014 01:25:17 +0000
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