They attack Christian assholes who try to stick their Jeebus into public school science education. They also attack Christian assholes who try to make public schools look like churches. They stick Jeebus everywhere in the school. It's disgusting and it violates the Establishment Clause of our Bill of Rights.
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This about a Christain asshole who complained evolution being taught in public school biology classroom. I'm not making this up.
A Minnesota School Board President Demanded To Know Why Evolution Was Being Taught. This Teacher Had A Perfect Answer.
September 13, 2019, by Rob Boston
Parents of public school students in Brainerd, Minn., who want their children to receive sound, accurate science education had better stay on their toes. The president of the school board appears to be a creationist – or at least someone who doesn’t understand evolution.
During a recent meeting of the board, President Sue Kern asked two educators why evolution is being taught, reported the Brainerd Dispatch.
“Darwin’s theory was done in the mid-1800s and it’s never been proven,” Kern asserted to Director of Teaching and Learning Tim Murtha and Craig Rezac, a high school science teacher. “So I’m wondering why we’re still teaching it.”
To their credit, Murtha and Rezac remained poised and professional, calmly explaining to Kern that evolution has been documented, that it serves as the foundation of modern biology and, furthermore, its instruction is mandated by the state’s science standards.
Kern then went on to ask, “And with regard to Christian students – how do you do that? They’re taught not to agree with that, so.”
Rezac’s reply could not have been better: “This is science, and science deals with facts. It doesn’t deal with belief. It doesn’t have to be a dilemma or a concern for someone to choose between Christianity and evolution – that’s not what this is about. You can actually embrace both. It’s my duty as a teacher to teach science and not teach religion. That’s the separation of church and state.”
It’s unfortunate that Kern, who holds a position of the authority in the community, doesn’t grasp this. It’s also sad that she apparently doesn’t know that Charles Darwin penned the first word on evolution, not the final one.
Darwin published On The Origin of Species in 1859. It created a sensation, to be sure, but the book also spurred other scientists to action. Darwin’s theory is not frozen in time; far from it – it is constantly being updated and reevaluated in light of new findings and information. That’s what real science does.
It’s a shame that Kern doesn’t seem to understand that. Thankfully, at least some of the educators in the Brainerd school system do. It’s up to them to ensure that students in Brainerd learn modern science, not fundamentalist theology.
Americans United will be watching.
CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION
SCIENCE
CREATIONISM
MINNESOTA
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
CHARLES DARWIN
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Americans United Declares Victory in Lawsuit to Protect Religious Freedom for Louisiana Students
January 22, 2019
Americans United for Separation of Church and State secured a huge win today on behalf of students and families in Bossier Parish, La., after reaching a settlement agreement with the school board that ensures protection for all students regardless of their religious beliefs.
The settlement, which includes policy changes approved by the school board last week, will end a more than yearlong legal dispute over the promotion of Christianity in Bossier public schools.
“This historic settlement is a victory for all Bossier families, and will ensure that children feel welcome and included in their own schools, regardless of what religion they do or don’t practice at home,” said Rachel Laser, president and CEO of Americans United. “Bossier Parish allowed religious coercion to proliferate throughout their schools – that system will no longer exist and rigorous protections that are enforceable by law have been put in place for all students. We are thrilled that Bossier Parish Schools are now fulfilling the promise of religious freedom for all of their students.”
On Feb. 7, 2018, Americans United filed a federal lawsuit, Does v. Bossier Parish School Board, on behalf of several Bossier Parish parents concerned about their children facing religious coercion from public school administrators, teachers and coaches. Multiple religious freedom violations had occurred, including school events being held at churches or involving prayers as part of the official program; extensive promotion of religion within school athletic programs; teachers proselytizing in classrooms; and religious displays in classrooms and offices.
On Jan. 14, 2019, the Bossier Parish School Board approved a revised religious expression policy and agreed to a settlement with AU, which was filed with the federal district court today. Provisions of the settlement include:
The historic creation of a monitoring committee to review and resolve potential violations or disputes involving religious freedom.
An agreement from the board to create, expand or seek out appropriate facilities to minimize the need to hold school events in houses of worship.
Americans United Declares Victory in Lawsuit to Protect Religious Freedom for Louisiana Students
January 22, 2019
Americans United for Separation of Church and State secured a huge win today on behalf of students and families in Bossier Parish, La., after reaching a settlement agreement with the school board that ensures protection for all students regardless of their religious beliefs.
The settlement, which includes policy changes approved by the school board last week, will end a more than yearlong legal dispute over the promotion of Christianity in Bossier public schools.
“This historic settlement is a victory for all Bossier families, and will ensure that children feel welcome and included in their own schools, regardless of what religion they do or don’t practice at home,” said Rachel Laser, president and CEO of Americans United. “Bossier Parish allowed religious coercion to proliferate throughout their schools – that system will no longer exist and rigorous protections that are enforceable by law have been put in place for all students. We are thrilled that Bossier Parish Schools are now fulfilling the promise of religious freedom for all of their students.”
On Feb. 7, 2018, Americans United filed a federal lawsuit, Does v. Bossier Parish School Board, on behalf of several Bossier Parish parents concerned about their children facing religious coercion from public school administrators, teachers and coaches. Multiple religious freedom violations had occurred, including school events being held at churches or involving prayers as part of the official program; extensive promotion of religion within school athletic programs; teachers proselytizing in classrooms; and religious displays in classrooms and offices.
On Jan. 14, 2019, the Bossier Parish School Board approved a revised religious expression policy and agreed to a settlement with AU, which was filed with the federal district court today. Provisions of the settlement include:
The historic creation of a monitoring committee to review and resolve potential violations or disputes involving religious freedom.
An agreement from the board to create, expand or seek out appropriate facilities to minimize the need to hold school events in houses of worship.
A commitment to protecting the rights of all Bossier students to pray in school, as long as the prayers are initiated by students, aren’t disruptive and don’t occur during class time.
Permission for Bossier teachers to teach about religion in an objective manner, but not proselytize students.
“As a result of our lawsuit, there is now a substantial mechanism in place for the next 12 years to oversee and ensure that Bossier Parish Schools comply with the law and protect the religious-freedom rights of all students and their families,” said Richard B. Katskee, legal director of Americans United. “Nothing like this has ever been done before to safeguard religious freedom in public schools. Americans United is committed to a sustained presence in Bossier to ensure that the Constitution is being upheld.”
Katskee and AU Legal Fellows Alison Tanner and Sarah Goetz are leading negotiations for Americans United, with assistance from Louisiana attorney William P. Quigley, a law professor at Loyola University New Orleans, and pro-bono counsel from Arnold & Porter, Kent Yalowitz, Daniel Bernstein, Eliseo Puig and Holly Leeser.
Americans United is a religious liberty watchdog group based in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1947, the organization educates Americans about the importance of church-state separation in safeguarding religious freedom.
SCHOOLS
SCHOOL-SPONSORED PRAYER
CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION
SCHOOL EVENTS & CLUBS
LOUISIANA
Permission for Bossier teachers to teach about religion in an objective manner, but not proselytize students.
“As a result of our lawsuit, there is now a substantial mechanism in place for the next 12 years to oversee and ensure that Bossier Parish Schools comply with the law and protect the religious-freedom rights of all students and their families,” said Richard B. Katskee, legal director of Americans United. “Nothing like this has ever been done before to safeguard religious freedom in public schools. Americans United is committed to a sustained presence in Bossier to ensure that the Constitution is being upheld.”
Katskee and AU Legal Fellows Alison Tanner and Sarah Goetz are leading negotiations for Americans United, with assistance from Louisiana attorney William P. Quigley, a law professor at Loyola University New Orleans, and pro-bono counsel from Arnold & Porter, Kent Yalowitz, Daniel Bernstein, Eliseo Puig and Holly Leeser.
Americans United is a religious liberty watchdog group based in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1947, the organization educates Americans about the importance of church-state separation in safeguarding religious freedom.
SCHOOLS
SCHOOL-SPONSORED PRAYER
CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION
SCHOOL EVENTS & CLUBS
LOUISIANA
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