Posted on 05/12/2003 8:37:48 AM PDT by Blood of Tyrants
MAYNARDVILLE, Tenn. — Every year, hundreds of Union County students take a field trip for the soul. Children are excused from class, loaded onto school buses with teachers and sent to a three-day Christian revival.
"I am going to ask you a question," an evangelical leader recently yelled to a sea of students ready for their field trip. "If you are glad to be here, say amen!"
With the ardor of a pep rally, the students shouted back: "AAAA-men!"
Not everyone is so enthusiastic.
Fourteen-year-old India Tracy said she was harassed and attacked by classmates for nearly three years after she declined to attend Baptist Pastor Gary Beeler's annual crusade because of her family's pagan religion.
Her family has filed a federal lawsuit against Union County schools, claiming the crusade, prayers over the loudspeaker, a Christmas nativity play, a Bible handout and other proselytizing activities in the rural school system have become so pervasive they are a threat to safety and religious liberty.
Union County officials say the system is neutral when it comes to religious activities, pointing out that the crusade is voluntary, teachers chaperone on their own time and school buses are operated by private contractors.
"We do not endorse, promote or prohibit it," said school spokesman Wayne Goforth.
District officials say the crusade, now in its sixth year, is like any other field trip, with parental permission required to let the children attend for two hours a day over three days. On the crusade's final day this year, April 30, more than 1,300 of the school system's 3,000 students attended.
"All local boards of education have the authority to allow students to voluntarily attend these types of events," said Christy Ballard, legal counsel to the Tennessee Department of Education.
But, she added, "it is very clear in the statute that they can't harass a student or coerce them to participate ... and, of course, they can't be school-sponsored."
Charles Haynes, a senior scholar at the Freedom Forum's First Amendment Center in Arlington, Va., said school officials and Christian leaders in Union County need a "crash course on the meaning of the First Amendment -- especially the part that separates church from state."
Beeler, 63, who lives and preaches in Union County, said he has been contacted by communities around the country wanting to set up similar crusades, and sees nothing wrong with children getting time off from school to attend them.
"The principals, the teachers, the bus drivers all have told us that they have less behavior problems after this crusade than they do before. So that tells us the positive effect," he said.
India said she was called "Satan worshipper" and accused of eating babies when it was revealed she was a pagan. She said she was taunted, found slurs painted over her locker and was injured when classmates assaulted her and slammed her head into the locker.
The lawsuit said school officials took no disciplinary action. In a May 2 legal response, school officials said they acted appropriately, denied the attacks happened, or said they were unaware of them.
Paganism is an ancient religious tradition that embraces kinship with nature, positive morality and the idea that there is both a female and male side of Deity.
After Christmas break in early 2002, India said three boys chased her down a hall at Horace Maynard Middle School, grabbed her by the neck and said, "You better change your religion or we'll change it for you."
She broke free and fled into the girls' bathroom. A teacher stopped the boys from following her, the lawsuit said.
"That was pretty much the last straw because she was terrified," said India's father, Greg Tracy.
The Tracys took India out of school on Feb. 26, 2002.
A straight-A student, she belonged to the leadership-service organization Beta Club, chess club, and band. She was the only girl on the middle school football team.
Now she takes Internet courses at home and hopes to transfer to a public school in Knoxville, 25 miles away.
"When was it too hard? I don't know," India said. "On a couple of occasions it was too hard and then it got easier and then it started getting bad again and I would come home bawling my eyes out."
Nu-uh. I have my Liberatarian True US Constitution right here and the 37th Amendment clearly says that "no one shall be religious, or perceived to be there of, if they are on State property* or within sight of a State Employee**."
I have Rights! Don't oppress me with your religious fanaticism, you obviously are close minded zealot and not a real American.
** "Within Sight of" as defined by judges discrestion by The Right To Privacy of the 32nd Amendment
With the general knowledge that most Native Americans believe in the Great Spirit, and everything they do gives glory to that deity, including thier dance - you say is history. To the Native American it is RELIGION!!
Now for the other aspect, those that went on this field trip, they wanted to go and paid to go. They were not "forced" by the school. So those 1300 that went, did so on thier own accord. Like it or not there is a moral majority that is getting tired of the secular few telling them what to do! Freedom of religion, not FROM religion!
Can you say the same about the Christian revival?
Yes we can, History dictates many Christian revivals. Azusa street for one and the Central Park (NY) Revival! There were many Tent Revivals in the late 1800's. So, yep. It is History in the making and revisited!
Are you implying that states have a legitimate power to impose religion on those who don't want it?
For example, should states be able to force someone to go to church?
What's wrong with that? I want everyone to be a conservative. I want everyone to respect gun ownership. I don't see the problem here
In case you've forgotten your history, there are reasons we have limited the reach of these fanatics.
Oh so I am a fanatic now. Great. Do I get paid more now?
You know, Mr Hyperbole is not always your friend.
The only thing "BIZARRE" in all of this is the extent you anti-Christian "fanatics" will go to "demonize" them. Your "fervor" and "spirit" in critiquing the actions of these people you'll never meet is truely comical at best,
strangly obessive at worst.
For example, should states be able to force someone to go to church?
Uh, you are certainly wrong in this,I never impied that! freedom of religion doesn't mean a state run religion. It means you can worship rocks if you want to. It means you can follow David Karesch, if you want to...with out the state to stop you. Nor can the state force you to believe or worship! If that church, or your faith violates my rights, that's where your right to religion stops
If you want bizarre, take a look at some of the Pagan's own words:
"We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote:
The inherent worth and dignity of every person.
Justice, equity and compassion in human relations.
Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations.
NO problems so far
Free and responsible search for truth and meaning
Opps - The search is limited in scope only to pagan rituals?
The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large.
Opps again. Democratic process? That is why they are suing, because they were outvoted?
The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all.
Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.
Opps again. Respect for all? Unless they are Christians apparently.
"The living tradition we share draws from many sources:
Direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to the forces which create and uphold life
Opps. The Force Luke, let the Force guide you...
Words and deeds of prophetic women and men which challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion, and the transforming power of love Wisdom from the world's religions which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life.
Women and men? why not Men and Women, as is far more common?
Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God's love by loving our neighbors as ourselves.
God? Oh, God is finally mentioned. What happened to the Force, Obi Wan?
Humanist teachings which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of scence, and warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit.
Spiritual teachings of Earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature.
Opps - Earth centered traditions? What the hell is that?
Grateful for the religious pluralism which enriches and ennobles our faith, we are inspired to deepen our understanding and expand our vision.
Opps - Unless we are invited to attend a Christian Field trip.
As free congregations we enter into this covenant, promising to one another our mutual trust and support.
Hmmm, God is mentioned once. Next lesson will be on the "Rite of the Fluffy Bunny Goddess"
Now that, my friend is bizarre.
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