Posted on 11/25/2004 8:32:07 AM PST by XBob
http://www.alliancedefensefund.org/story/?id=549
California teacher censored
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Release Date: 2004-11-23 Primary Category: Religious Freedom
ADF Media Relations 480-444-0020
California teacher censored School district forbids teacher from providing handouts that reference significant documents in U.S. history because they mention God
CUPERTINO, Calif.—Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund filed suit yesterday against the Cupertino Union School District for prohibiting a teacher from providing supplemental handouts to students about American history because the historical documents contain some references to God and religion.
“Throwing aside all common sense, the district has chosen to censor men such as George Washington and documents like the Declaration of Independence. The district’s actions conflict with American beliefs and are completely unconstitutional,” said ADF Senior Counsel Gary McCaleb. “In addition, they have wrongfully applied their policy to only one teacher, who is a professed Christian.”
Patricia Vidmar, the principal of Stevens Creek School, ordered the Christian teacher—but no others—to submit all of his lesson plans and supplemental handouts to her for review in advance. Documents the teacher, Stephen Williams, submitted that Vidmar rejected include excerpts from the Declaration of Independence, the diaries of George Washington and John Adams, the writings of William Penn, and various state constitutions.
“Less than five percent of all of Mr. Williams’ supplemental handouts distributed throughout the school year contain references to God and Christianity,” McCaleb said. “The district is simply attempting to cleanse all references to the Christian religion from our nation’s history, and they are singling out Mr. Williams for discriminatory treatment. Their actions are unacceptable under both California and federal law.”
The California Education Code allows “references to religion or references to or the use of religious literature…when such references or uses do not constitute instruction in religious principles…and when such references or uses are incidental to or illustrative of matters properly included in the course of study.”
Local counsel Terry Thompson filed the case, Stephen J. Williams v. Cupertino Union School District, et al., in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, Oakland Division.
“ADF will continue to defend Christian teachers against discrimination by public school officials and will oppose historical revisionism that attempts to eradicate America’s religious heritage,” McCaleb said.
ADF is America’s largest legal alliance defending religious liberty through strategy, training, funding, and litigation.
www.telladf.org
California , Land of Fruits and Nuts.
Maryland is not quite as bad, but its getting there. Mostly its Montgomery County and Prince Georges County and Baltimore. Unfortunately their population places them in control of the State. The rest of the State went Bush and are Conservative.
George Orwell's ('1984') 'Ministry of Truth' has arrived !
It would be great for the teacher to win this and then sue that stupid principal for all she is worth.
They are so full of hate for this country and want to continue down the path of destruction by preaching to their god of "Diversity".
I'm just beside myself.
Patricia Vidmar - Principal
Kathleen Garfield - School Secretary
Leann Block - School Secretary
Telephone Numbers:
Office - (408) 245-3312
YMCA Sunshine Co - (408) 736-5041
YMCA Sceep Co - (408) 737-9844
Email:
block_leann@Cupertino.k12.ca.us
Fax:
(408) 245-7484
Address:
Stevens Creek Elementary School
10300 Ainsworth Drive, Cupertino, CA 95014
bttt
"You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free."
This is one Bible verse the liberals believe and tremble because of.
Thus their motto has become: " We shall erase the knowledge of truth from the free and our lies shall re-enslave them."
The open attacks on Christianity and America has begun.
Adopted as the official logo of the MSM.
Sounds like worthy recpient for donations.
I may have missed a few, but here is a start:
Declaration of Independence Banned at Calif School
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1288139/posts
Declaration of Independence Banned at Calif School
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1288073/posts
Declaration of Independence Banned
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1288010/posts
Declaration of Independence Banned at Calif School!
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1287850/posts
Is Declaration of Independence unconstitutional?
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1287677/posts
Is Declaration of Independence Unconstitutional?
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1287422/posts
Is Declaration of Independence unconstitutional?
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1287343/posts
"Adopted as the official logo of the MSM."
Clearly.
Thanks for rounding up these threads. Ping for later review.
This makes me quite sad to hear this, especially because I live in the area and Cupertino is supposed to be a "good" school district. Houses in good school districts can be $100k more than houses just a few blocks away in less desirable school districts.
I predicted it would happen one day. Never ceases to amaze me.
The only thing I can think of is that this teacher might have violated his position by improperly promoting Christianity in the past, and that these safeguards were put in place so the district could not be sued if he tried to do it again.
They seem to be teaming up with MooreOn to guarantee the President a filibuster-proof majority in `06.
When I read this article, I'm thankful a proposed new $98/parcel tax to fund this school district (K through 8th grade) failed in the most recent election. It was close--66.17% in favor, just slightly below the 2/3 majority required for approval according to Proposition 13 many years ago.
The school administrators fret over the content of the Declaration of Independence while ignoring the fact that a significant number of the students enrolled in their district are not legal residents of the district.
A companion new $98/parcel tax to fund the local high school district barely passed with a 67.11% approval by voters in the same election.
Both school districts are excellent and held in high esteem. Their reputations undoubtedly add significantly to our local property values. That's likely a primary reason this school principal has the arrogance to prohibit the use of our country's founding documents to counter any reasonable reference to religion in the schools; she believes her unfair decision will go unchallenged.
I eagerly await the response of the school board, as they make plans to submit the parcel tax again to the voters at the next election.
Doesn't the fr have a search function?
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