I'm just thinking about the original policy. It seems like if the backpack folder system is for official school stuff then religious material shouldn't be allowed and I can't see that being struck down in court (of course the school wouldn't want to end up in court). But if the system is for any student organization, then it should be open for Pagan and Christian alike.
Exactly, and secular and religious alike, too. In other words, if a book club or a sports team can send out a notice, so can a(ny) religious group.
Yes, that seems to be the petard they're hoist upon.
Is there a 'they'?
I need beer. This wouldn't be a problem if it wasn't so frickin' cold.
Is there a 'they'?
Not much of one -- just the parents who didn't protest the policy when it was Vacation Bible Camp flyers that now have their panties in a twist over the pagan ones. But the article doesn't indicate that they've organized in any way.
I do think it's safe to assume that helping out the local UU pagans was not was the Liberty Council had in mind when they got behind it in the first place.
Is there a 'they'?
I think 'they' are people in the community who think the folder system should be freely used for religious material as long as it is their religion.
Not much of one -- just the parents who didn't protest the policy when it was Vacation Bible Camp flyers that now have their panties in a twist over the pagan ones. But the article doesn't indicate that they've organized in any way.
I didn't see that mention. There was a minister who seemed to be for both the no-religious-notices and let's-get-out-of-public-school-anyhow approach, and then mention of one blogger. I'm wondering if many actual parents of children in that school are upset. It doesn't seem to me like something the parents from my kids' schools would care about.
I do think it's safe to assume that helping out the local UU pagans was not was the Liberty Council had in mind when they got behind it in the first place.
Well, yes (of course), but also, no.
Christianity Today
was supporting a pagan widow's right to have a pagan symbol on her husband's (military) headstone, because it's a religious liberties issue. Granted, they're nine hundred steps closer to moderate than this Liberty Council is likely to be if they're a Falwell organization.
I think 'they' are people in the community who think the folder system should be freely used for religious material as long as it is their religion.
Right, except there didn't seem to be an outcry from anyone, except one, unnamed blogger (at least no outcry was documented at the AU blog).
No one delivers beer? That's a market waiting to be exploited.
Right, except there didn't seem to be an outcry from anyone, except one, unnamed blogger (at least no outcry was documented at the AU blog).
I'm just saying who I thought 'They' are. I have no idea if was a big deal in the community or not.
Granted, they're nine hundred steps closer to moderate than this Liberty Council is likely to be if they're a Falwell organization.
Their home page is one giant ode to how liberals and gays are destroying America, with a petition in the sidebar to ban hate crimes laws (which are apparently infringing on their rights to be ginormous asshats.)
[er, the Liberty Council, not Christianity Today.]
The AU blog links to an earlier story from a local paper called "The Hook."
The Hook
[link] article has a quote from the Liberty Council (from when the school first made the decision to allow religious flyers).
"I think it would be unconstitutional to prohibit political material," says Liberty Counsel's Staver, who isn't worried about schools being inundated. "They're not required to accept everything," he says, citing exemptions for libelous, obscene or pornographic material. Nor does he object if Muslim or Jewish groups want to distribute information about their events in schools. "The First Amendment is not just for the Liberty Counsel," he says. "You can't just pick and choose."
Even nonprofits that often oppose Liberty Counsel-- for example, Planned Parenthood-- should be allowed to use the schools to get their messages out, Staver says. "You can't transport kids to an abortion clinic," he stipulates, "but you can send material home and let parents make a decision."
And if the Aryan Nation is having a family event? "You can always think of a hard example," concedes Staver. "I haven't seen the Aryan Nation come up with outreach to kids with picnics or lessons."
It doesn't read like they didn't imagine other religious groups would be sending home stuff because of their decision.
Their home page is one giant ode to how liberals and gays are destroying America
You're braver than I am, to look. I try to stay away from anything Falwellesque, or I end up sinning.
You just sinned right there.
