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Posts by groundhogsteve

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  • Declaration of Independence Banned at Calif School!

    12/12/2004 6:11:18 PM PST · 305 of 310
    groundhogsteve to L,TOWM

    Folks the real story here is “Religious Right lies through their teeth”. And most of you suckers fell for it. Let me explain.

    The Declaration was not banned in Cupertino. What was banned was a heavily edited handout with only the religious references in the Declaration – “nature’s God”, “Creator”, and “Divine Providence”. Also other handouts, that put together, show that this teacher was coming to class with an agenda to push – the “Christian Nation” line.

    One handout had quotes from famous leaders regarding religion. One of the quotes, from George Washington, is now listed as “unauthenticated” by David Barton, a “Christian Heritage” proponent masquerading as a historian. Barton was the very guy who publicized these quotes in the 1990’s. Also in that handout, Jesus is quoted about the bible. Help me out here, what does that have to do with teaching the ‘religious, economic….etc.’ reasons that our nation was founded for that the teacher claims he was only following the California curriculum guidelines? Further, there is no countervailing opinions – for example, some of the things that Jefferson, Adams, or Paine said that would drive Jerry Falwell over the wall.

    Another handout was the supposed “Washington Prayer Journal”. This document was rejected almost 100 years ago by the Smithsonian as not being an authentic Washington artifact – the handwriting did not match, and the spelling was too good. (Washington was a notoriously poor speller).

    But what story was promoted by the Alliance Defense Fund and all the right wing radio talk show hosts? “Declaration was banned”. But when you look at it, it is clear the Declaration was NOT banned, and the principal was probably right to review – and reject – these supplemental materials being brought into the classroom.

    So, the very people who want to post the Ten Commandments in every classroom violated one of them themselves – from ADF to Rush to Sean and the whole gamut of minor-city pundits : Thou shall not bear false witness, folks. I hope the CUSD board sues the pants off of ADF, Fox News, Rush, and Hannity for slander.

  • Declaration of Independence Banned at Calif School

    12/12/2004 5:08:05 PM PST · 80 of 80
    groundhogsteve to ChildofReagan

    Folks the real story here is “Religious Right lies through their teeth”. And most of you suckers fell for it. Let me explain.

    The Declaration was not banned in Cupertino. What was banned was a heavily edited handout with only the religious references in the Declaration – “nature’s God”, “Creator”, and “Divine Providence”. Also other handouts, that put together, show that this teacher was coming to class with an agenda to push – the “Christian Nation” line.

    One handout had quotes from famous leaders regarding religion. One of the quotes, from George Washington, is now listed as “unauthenticated” by David Barton, a “Christian Heritage” proponent masquerading as a historian. Barton was the very guy who publicized these quotes in the 1990’s. Also in that handout, Jesus is quoted about the bible. Help me out here, what does that have to do with teaching the ‘religious, economic….etc.’ reasons that our nation was founded for that the teacher claims he was only following the California curriculum guidelines? Further, there is no countervailing opinions – for example, some of the things that Jefferson, Adams, or Paine said that would drive Jerry Falwell over the wall.

    Another handout was the supposed “Washington Prayer Journal”. This document was rejected almost 100 years ago by the Smithsonian as not being an authentic Washington artifact – the handwriting did not match, and the spelling was too good. (Washington was a notoriously poor speller).

    But what story was promoted by the Alliance Defense Fund and all the right wing radio talk show hosts? “Declaration was banned”. But when you look at it, it is clear the Declaration was NOT banned, and the principal was probably right to review – and reject – these supplemental materials being brought into the classroom.

    So, the very people who want to post the Ten Commandments in every classroom violated one of them themselves – from ADF to Rush to Sean and the whole gamut of minor-city pundits : Thou shall not bear false witness, folks. I hope the CUSD board sues the pants off of ADF, Fox News, Rush, and Hannity for slander.

  • Declaration of Independence Banned at Calif School

    12/12/2004 4:57:30 PM PST · 34 of 44
    groundhogsteve to TLI

    Folks the real story here is “Religious Right lies through their teeth”. And most of you suckers fell for it. Let me explain.

    The Declaration was not banned in Cupertino. What was banned was a heavily edited handout with only the religious references in the Declaration – “nature’s God”, “Creator”, and “Divine Providence”. Also other handouts, that put together, show that this teacher was coming to class with an agenda to push – the “Christian Nation” line.

    One handout had quotes from famous leaders regarding religion. One of the quotes, from George Washington, is now listed as “unauthenticated” by David Barton, a “Christian Heritage” proponent masquerading as a historian. Barton was the very guy who publicized these quotes in the 1990’s. Also in that handout, Jesus is quoted about the bible. Help me out here, what does that have to do with teaching the ‘religious, economic….etc.’ reasons that our nation was founded for that the teacher claims he was only following the California curriculum guidelines? Further, there is no countervailing opinions – for example, some of the things that Jefferson, Adams, or Paine said that would drive Jerry Falwell over the wall.

    Another handout was the supposed “Washington Prayer Journal”. This document was rejected almost 100 years ago by the Smithsonian as not being an authentic Washington artifact – the handwriting did not match, and the spelling was too good. (Washington was a notoriously poor speller).

    But what story was promoted by the Alliance Defense Fund and all the right wing radio talk show hosts? “Declaration was banned”. But when you look at it, it is clear the Declaration was NOT banned, and the principal was probably right to review – and reject – these supplemental materials being brought into the classroom.

    So, the very people who want to post the Ten Commandments in every classroom violated one of them themselves – from ADF to Rush to Sean and the whole gamut of minor-city pundits : Thou shall not bear false witness, folks. I hope the CUSD board sues the pants off of ADF, Fox News, Rush, and Hannity for slander.

  • Lawsuit over Banning of Declaration of Independence

    12/12/2004 4:54:57 PM PST · 14 of 29
    groundhogsteve to Republican Wildcat

    Folks the real story here is “Religious Right lies through their teeth”. And most of you suckers fell for it. Let me explain.

    The Declaration was not banned in Cupertino. What was banned was a heavily edited handout with only the religious references in the Declaration – “nature’s God”, “Creator”, and “Divine Providence”. Also other handouts, that put together, show that this teacher was coming to class with an agenda to push – the “Christian Nation” line.

    One handout had quotes from famous leaders regarding religion. One of the quotes, from George Washington, is now listed as “unauthenticated” by David Barton, a “Christian Heritage” proponent masquerading as a historian. Barton was the very guy who publicized these quotes in the 1990’s. Also in that handout, Jesus is quoted about the bible. Help me out here, what does that have to do with teaching the ‘religious, economic….etc.’ reasons that our nation was founded for that the teacher claims he was only following the California curriculum guidelines? Further, there is no countervailing opinions – for example, some of the things that Jefferson, Adams, or Paine said that would drive Jerry Falwell over the wall.

    Another handout was the supposed “Washington Prayer Journal”. This document was rejected almost 100 years ago by the Smithsonian as not being an authentic Washington artifact – the handwriting did not match, and the spelling was too good. (Washington was a notoriously poor speller).

    But what story was promoted by the Alliance Defense Fund and all the right wing radio talk show hosts? “Declaration was banned”. But when you look at it, it is clear the Declaration was NOT banned, and the principal was probably right to review – and reject – these supplemental materials being brought into the classroom.

    So, the very people who want to post the Ten Commandments in every classroom violated one of them themselves – from ADF to Rush to Sean and the whole gamut of minor-city pundits : Thou shall not bear false witness, folks. I hope the CUSD board sues the pants off of ADF, Fox News, Rush, and Hannity for slander.

  • Lawsuit over Banning of Declaration of Independence

    12/12/2004 4:50:15 PM PST · 13 of 29
    groundhogsteve to Republican Wildcat

    Folks the real story here is “Religious Right lies through their teeth”. And most of you suckers fell for it. Let me explain.

    The Declaration was not banned in Cupertino. What was banned was a heavily edited handout with only the religious references in the Declaration – “nature’s God”, “Creator”, and “Divine Providence”. Also other handouts, that put together, show that this teacher was coming to class with an agenda to push – the “Christian Nation” line.

    One handout had quotes from famous leaders regarding religion. One of the quotes, from George Washington, is now listed as “unauthenticated” by David Barton, a “Christian Heritage” proponent masquerading as a historian. Barton was the very guy who publicized these quotes in the 1990’s. Also in that handout, Jesus is quoted about the bible. Help me out here, what does that have to do with teaching the ‘religious, economic….etc.’ reasons that our nation was founded for that the teacher claims he was only following the California curriculum guidelines? Further, there is no countervailing opinions – for example, some of the things that Jefferson, Adams, or Paine said that would drive Jerry Falwell over the wall.

    Another handout was the supposed “Washington Prayer Journal”. This document was rejected almost 100 years ago by the Smithsonian as not being an authentic Washington artifact – the handwriting did not match, and the spelling was too good. (Washington was a notoriously poor speller).

    But what story was promoted by the Alliance Defense Fund and all the right wing radio talk show hosts? “Declaration was banned”. But when you look at it, it is clear the Declaration was NOT banned, and the principal was probably right to review – and reject – these supplemental materials being brought into the classroom.

    So, the very people who want to post the Ten Commandments in every classroom violated one of them themselves – from ADF to Rush to Sean and the whole gamut of minor-city pundits : Thou shall not bear false witness, folks. I hope the CUSD board sues the pants off of ADF, Fox News, Rush, and Hannity for slander.

  • The Declaration of Independence, God and the Public Square

    12/12/2004 4:45:02 PM PST · 3 of 3
    groundhogsteve to dplinn

    Folks the real story here is “Religious Right lies through their teeth”. And most of you suckers fell for it. Let me explain.

    The Declaration was not banned in Cupertino. What was banned was a heavily edited handout with only the religious references in the Declaration – “nature’s God”, “Creator”, and “Divine Providence”. Also other handouts, that put together, show that this teacher was coming to class with an agenda to push – the “Christian Nation” line.

    One handout had quotes from famous leaders regarding religion. One of the quotes, from George Washington, is now listed as “unauthenticated” by David Barton, a “Christian Heritage” proponent masquerading as a historian. Barton was the very guy who publicized these quotes in the 1990’s. Also in that handout, Jesus is quoted about the bible. Help me out here, what does that have to do with teaching the ‘religious, economic….etc.’ reasons that our nation was founded for that the teacher claims he was only following the California curriculum guidelines? Further, there is no countervailing opinions – for example, some of the things that Jefferson, Adams, or Paine said that would drive Jerry Falwell over the wall.

    Another handout was the supposed “Washington Prayer Journal”. This document was rejected almost 100 years ago by the Smithsonian as not being an authentic Washington artifact – the handwriting did not match, and the spelling was too good. (Washington was a notoriously poor speller).

    But what story was promoted by the Alliance Defense Fund and all the right wing radio talk show hosts? “Declaration was banned”. But when you look at it, it is clear the Declaration was NOT banned, and the principal was probably right to review – and reject – these supplemental materials being brought into the classroom.

    So, the very people who want to post the Ten Commandments in every classroom violated one of them themselves – from ADF to Rush to Sean and the whole gamut of minor-city pundits : Thou shall not bear false witness, folks. I hope the CUSD board sues the pants off of ADF, Fox News, Rush, and Hannity for slander.

  • Is Declaration of Independence unconstitutional?

    12/12/2004 4:06:52 PM PST · 28 of 29
    groundhogsteve to Issaquahking

    I hate to be the one to tell you this, but the glurge you posted about what happened to the signers of the DoI is considered by snopes to be, well, glurge. Check out
    http://www.snopes.com/glurge/declare.htm

  • Is Declaration of Independence unconstitutional?

    12/12/2004 3:53:24 PM PST · 25 of 29
    groundhogsteve to gridlock

    Folks the real story here is “Religious Right lies through their teeth”. And most of you suckers fell for it. Let me explain.

    The Declaration was not banned in Cupertino. What was banned was a heavily edited handout with only the religious references in the Declaration – “nature’s God”, “Creator”, and “Divine Providence”. Also other handouts, that put together, show that this teacher was coming to class with an agenda to push – the “Christian Nation” line.

    One handout had quotes from famous leaders regarding religion. One of the quotes, from George Washington, is now listed as “unauthenticated” by David Barton, a “Christian Heritage” proponent masquerading as a historian. Barton was the very guy who publicized these quotes in the 1990’s. Also in that handout, Jesus is quoted about the bible. Help me out here, what does that have to do with teaching the ‘religious, economic….etc.’ reasons that our nation was founded for that the teacher claims he was only following the California curriculum guidelines? Further, there is no countervailing opinions – for example, some of the things that Jefferson, Adams, or Paine said that would drive Jerry Falwell over the wall.

    Another handout was the supposed “Washington Prayer Journal”. This document was rejected almost 100 years ago by the Smithsonian as not being an authentic Washington artifact – the handwriting did not match, and the spelling was too good. (Washington was a notoriously poor speller).

    But what story was promoted by the Alliance Defense Fund and all the right wing radio talk show hosts? “Declaration was banned”. But when you look at it, it is clear the Declaration was NOT banned, and the principal was probably right to review – and reject – these supplemental materials being brought into the classroom.

    So, the very people who want to post the Ten Commandments in every classroom violated one of them themselves – from ADF to Rush to Sean and the whole gamut of minor-city pundits : Thou shall not bear false witness, folks. I hope the CUSD board sues the pants off of ADF, Fox News, Rush, and Hannity for slander.

  • Is Declaration of Independence Unconstitutional?

    12/12/2004 3:48:51 PM PST · 49 of 50
    groundhogsteve to plano29

    Folks the real story here is “Religious Right lies through their teeth”. And you suckers fell for it. Let me explain.

    The Declaration was not banned in Cupertino. What was banned was a heavily edited handout with only the religious references in the Declaration – “nature’s God”, “Creator”, and “Divine Providence”. Also other handouts, that put together, show that this teacher was coming to class with an agenda to push – the “Christian Nation” line.

    One handout had quotes from famous leaders regarding religion. One of the quotes, from George Washington, is now listed as “unauthenticated” by David Barton, a “Christian Heritage” proponent masquerading as a historian. Barton was the very guy who publicized these quotes in the 1990’s. Also in that handout, Jesus is quoted about the bible. Help me out here, what does that have to do with teaching the ‘religious, economic….etc.’ reasons that our nation was founded for that the teacher claims he was only following the California curriculum guidelines? Further, there is no countervailing opinions – for example, some of the things that Jefferson, Adams, or Paine said that would drive Jerry Falwell over the wall.

    Another handout was the supposed “Washington Prayer Journal”. This document was rejected almost 100 years ago by the Smithsonian as not being an authentic Washington artifact – the handwriting did not match, and the spelling was too good. (Washington was a notoriously poor speller).

    But what story was promoted by the Alliance Defense Fund and all the right wing radio talk show hosts? “Declaration was banned”. But when you look at it, it is clear the Declaration was NOT banned, and the principal was probably right to review – and reject – these supplemental materials being brought into the classroom.

    So, the very people who want to post the Ten Commandments in every classroom violated one of them themselves – from ADF to Rush to Sean and the whole gamut of minor-city pundits : Thou shall not bear false witness, folks. I hope the CUSD board & the principal sues the pants off of the ADF, Fox News, Rush, & Hannity for slandering them.

  • Is Declaration of Independence unconstitutional?

    12/12/2004 3:42:17 PM PST · 66 of 72
    groundhogsteve to Arthur Wildfire! March

    Folks the real story here is “Religious Right lies through their teeth”. Let me explain.

    The Declaration was not banned in Cupertino. What was banned was a heavily edited handout with only the religious references in the Declaration – “nature’s God”, “Creator”, and “Divine Providence”. Also other handouts, that put together, show that this teacher was coming to class with an agenda to push – the “Christian Nation” line.

    One handout had quotes from famous leaders regarding religion. One of the quotes, from George Washington, is now listed as “unauthenticated” by David Barton, a “Christian Heritage” proponent masquerading as a historian. Barton was the very guy who publicized these quotes in the 1990’s. Also in that handout, Jesus is quoted about the bible. Help me out here, what does that have to do with teaching the ‘religious, economic….etc.’ reasons that our nation was founded for that the teacher claims he was only following the California curriculum guidelines? Further, there is no countervailing opinions – for example, some of the things that Jefferson, Adams, or Paine said that would drive Jerry Falwell over the wall.

    Another handout was the supposed “Washington Prayer Journal”. This document was rejected almost 100 years ago by the Smithsonian as not being an authentic Washington artifact – the handwriting did not match, and the spelling was too good. (Washington was a notoriously poor speller).

    But what story was promoted by the Alliance Defense Fund and all the right wing radio talk show hosts? “Declaration was banned”. But when you look at it, it is clear the Declaration was NOT banned, and the principal was probably right to review – and reject – these supplemental materials being brought into the classroom.

    So, the very people who want to post the Ten Commandments in every classroom violated one of them themselves – from ADF to Rush to Sean and the whole gamut of minor-city pundits : Thou shall not bear false witness, folks. I hope the CUSD board sues the pants off of ADF, Fox, Limbaugh, & Hannity for slandering them.

  • Community Stung by Publicity in Teacher's Case

    12/12/2004 3:15:33 PM PST · 14 of 20
    groundhogsteve to SteveH
    Okay, you folks don't get it.

    Hopefully everybody here is aware enough to understand that the Declaration of Independence was not banned. The teacher's self prepared handout that focused on the religious references "Nature's God", "Creator", "Supreme Judge" was banned.

    One of the handouts was what leaders have said about the bible. The quote from Washington is known to be bogus. And there was a quote from Jesus Christ himself. Help me out here, what does a quote by Jesus Christ about the bible have to do with fifth grade American History?

    Another handout was the supposed "Washington Prayer Journal". The Smithsonian rejected the prayer journal as not an authentic Washington artifact almost 100 years ago, but "Christian Heritage" and "Christian Nation" advocates keep on pulling that one out as promoting it.

    It was clear that the teacher came to class with a mission. Can we all say "proselytizing agenda", class?

    As far as I'm concerned, the CUSD board should sue Hannity, Limbaugh, and the ADF for lying and slandering the school district.
  • RUMSFELD SET UP; REPORTER PLANTED QUESTIONS WITH SOLDIER (DRUDGE SIREN)

    12/10/2004 7:44:25 PM PST · 1,199 of 1,217
    groundhogsteve to Kurt_D

    As long as the facts stated in the question are true - that soldiers are scouring landfills to search for metal - then it is fair game for the media to feed it to a willing soldier.

    All sorts of games are played at press conferences. Reporters pitch questions to the press secretary before presidential press conferences to try to influence who gets called upon. The fact that this administration holds so few press conferences means the media has to get their questions in any way they can. If Rumsfeld held more press conferences, I would say it was unfair for the reporter to use up the time for "soldier questions".

    As to coaching - why not? Administration officials are coached on phraseology before all media events, why not coach the soldier so he can be more effective. And it did the job of focusing the administration on armor. Too bad it didn't happen beofre the election so it could be shown to the whole world how little the administration cares about the soldiers in the field.

    I bet the next big issue will be D cell batteries. These are the ones they need for night vision goggles, and the soldiers are always asking for them in care packages because they can't get enough through regular supply channels.

  • Cupertino teacher sues district for barring religious references

    12/10/2004 3:05:35 PM PST · 40 of 45
    groundhogsteve to Smartaleck
    Yes, Jefferson was a true renaissance man, given the breadth of his education. One of the great minds of all time, as far as I'm concerned.

    I agree that most of the Ten Commandments are part of most every culture when you substitute the local favorite deity (although the more general, non-religious Golden Rule is very close to universal without modification). The problem comes when the Religious Right wants to post it, claiming that it was the "foundation of our laws". If you go to one of those southern states where they post what they call a "historical display of the origins of our laws" they never include the Code of Hammurabi (which is a much more comprehensive source of legal code). Why? I believe it is because the Code pre-dates the bible, and religious right people don't want to admit that early societies could develop a code of any sort of ethics without their christian god. In other words, they want to maintain the idea that christianity has a sole claim on morality.

    Jefferson wrote an excellent treatise on why christianity was not part of the basis of our legal system, given that the Saxons were not introduced to Christianity until after their rules were codified.

    Jefferson said he was a christian, in the sense that the ethical system of christ was the best he found, but rejected the idea of the divinity of christ, so you wouldn't call him a "Christian" by today's standard of a belief in a personal saviour, etc. etc.

    However, I disagree that commentators like Rush and Sean have free reign to use hyperbole to go beyond the boundary of truth. Claiming "The Declaration was Banned" is essentially slander against the Cupertino principal in today's society. Claiming that "Kerry's Heinz exported jobs" is essentially slander in today's society, and the "facts" they cited behind that claim are totally incomplete or false. They use false "facts" to denigrate the left. I wouldn't mind if they used real facts in their arguments, but when they pull out some BS, and use it to call liberals stupid, collect some more donations using the public airwaves, then there are limits.

    Besides, these people claim to be riding the Great White Horse of Morality. Is calling a whole group of people "stupid" because of trumped up hyperbole and false facts part of the Golden Rule? I think not.
  • Cupertino teacher sues district for barring religious references

    12/10/2004 12:21:58 PM PST · 38 of 45
    groundhogsteve to Smartaleck

    Smartalek, I suggest you try searching on "Prayer Journal".

    Liz, I think you need to read http://www.infidels.org/misc/humor/lioaca.html in order to gain an understanding of the minority point of view.

    Both Smart and Liz - I would also suggest that you look at the Unitarian influences on the founding of our country. Adams was Unitarian, Jefferson was very Unitarian in thought (although he apparently never declared himself to be one until about five months before he died, he did say some nice things about Unitarianism before then) and Jefferson also read the writings of Joseph Priestley, (yeah, the same guy who first identified oxygen) who was a Unitarian minister jailed in England. I have never thought that an "obedience to God" christian (that we call a "strict fundamentalist" today) could have much to do with the revolution, but I could see how liberal christians could view some of Jesus' teachings as encouraging breaking the bonds of oppression. However, I think the best way to describe the founding of our country as maybe some Unitarian firebrands joining forces with liberal christians (not to mention some merchants who stood to profit, Mr. Sam Adams comes to mind) to start a revolution.


    But my major point in posting here is that this whole lawsuit and the attendant publicity was clearly a right-wing hit job designed to make separationists look bad. It sounds ridiculous if you hear the story as "Declaration Banned", but of course that story is false. But that is all we have heard on Rush, Sean, etc. This is typical hypocrisy of the Religious Right, the lies they tell to support their positions regarding accomodating religion in schools, but then they want to post "Thou shall not bear false witness" on every schoolhouse wall.

    (The other big hypocirsy of the Religious right is that they insist that "Creator", "Nature's God", and "Supreme Judge", written by, at best, deists, are distinctly referring to the christian god to support their "Christian Nation" and "Christian Heritage" hypotheses, but when the pledge case came up or you ask them about "In God We Trust" on our money, they say those are merely references to a "ceremonial deity that could be any god", despite the fact that what brought them into our pledge and onto our money was the efforts of self-identified christians)

    For the record, I was raised Unitarian, although I am sort of non-practicing, I enjoy the Garrison Keillor and "The Simpsons" jokes about Unitarians, but no gods have made themselves known to me in a way that makes me want to believe them. I view gods and religion as the way humankind has explained the things we don't know (ie, What is a rainbow? Bible explanation from before our scientific knowledge - "God's sign") But I consider separation of church and state to be a far more important issue to me than religious beliefs.


  • Cupertino teacher sues district for barring religious references

    12/10/2004 6:40:02 AM PST · 34 of 45
    groundhogsteve to Smartaleck
    No, I'll give credit to Steve H, the guy who posted those (it says "H", not "K"). Let's just say that I happen to know Steve H. very personally ...... :^D I think the best reference on the web regarding the authenticity of the Washington Prayer Book is Franklin Steiner's work on the religious beliefs fo the presidents. Mind you, this was written in 1936, I believe, and so when he references "30 years ago" he means sometime around 1905-1910. See http://www.infidels.org/library/historical/franklin_steiner/presidents.html Scroll down about one fourth to one third of the way and you'll find the reference about the "Washington Prayer Journal". Or, if you are afraid to go to an atheist web site, you can buy the book on the web from Wal-Mart. Steiner references a work by Rupert Hughes on Washington, where in Vol. 1, page 658 (according to Steiner) there is an exhibit showing samples of Washington's handwriting and the supposed "Prayer Journal". You might be able to find that book via interlibrary loan. First, I think we need to differentiate the current event from actually teaching about American History. Clearly, this guy is doing it for the publicity. I am not too favorably inclined towards publicity hounds pushing an agenda. I think what Williams is doing has no relation to American History. Yes, there are references to God in some of our founding documents. But what is the appropriate level of discussion for a fifth grade class? Quite frankly, I do not see any reason for the quote from Jesus that Williams had on the handout to be included in American history. Nor is there any sense of balance here - some of the things that Tom Paine, John Adams, or Thomas Jefferson said about the bible would curl the hair of most christians. Also, I would suggest that you look at some writings at this website about the religious references in the DoI http://members.tripod.com/~candst/doitj.htm . So should the story instead be about how the religious always want to push their beliefs all over the place? Or should we concentrate on the main message of the Declaration, that the colonists were no longer willing to submit to England, and they were going to create their own freedom whether the king likes it or not? At the fifth grade level, I think something along the lines of "Pilgrims came here for freedom of religion, they themselves became intolerant, but when the constitution was prepared, many states would not sign on unless religious freedom (the first amendment) was included" pretty much covers the religious reasons behind the founding of our country. Sorry, Mr. Williams, what Jesus says about he bible has nothing to do with the subject matter. I agree that we can't teach our country's history without discussing some religious elements. But teacher Williams handouts, aside from being non-factual, were incredibly biased. I think the best page for analysis of this issue is the eriposte page - http://www.eriposte.com/philosophy/fundamentalism/stevenscreek.htm They include references to what Williams assignment last Easter was, and I think it gives a pretty good feel that the guy is pushing christianity in the classroom inappropriately. And yes, I am the "Steve" referred to in there too.
  • Cupertino teacher sues district for barring religious references

    12/09/2004 6:32:45 PM PST · 27 of 45
    groundhogsteve

    Folks the real story here is “Religious Right lies through their teeth”. Let me explain.

    The Declaration was not banned in Cupertino. What was banned was a heavily edited handout with only the religious references in the Declaration – “nature’s God”, “Creator”, and “Divine Providence”. Also other handouts, that put together, show that this teacher was coming to class with an agenda to push – the “Christian Nation” line.

    One handout had quotes from famous leaders regarding religion. One of the quotes, from George Washington, is now listed as “unauthenticated” by David Barton, a “Christian Heritage” proponent masquerading as a historian. Barton was the very guy who publicized these quotes in the 1990’s. Also in that handout, Jesus is quoted about the bible. Help me out here, what does that have to do with teaching the ‘religious, economic….etc.’ reasons that our nation was founded for that the teacher claims he was only following the California curriculum guidelines? Further, there is no countervailing opinions – for example, some of the things that Jefferson, Adams, or Paine said that would drive Jerry Falwell over the wall.

    Another handout was the supposed “Washington Prayer Journal”. This document was rejected almost 100 years ago by the Smithsonian as not being an authentic Washington artifact – the handwriting did not match, and the spelling was too good. (Washington was a notoriously poor speller).

    But what story was promoted by the Alliance Defense Fund and all the right wing radio talk show hosts? “Declaration was banned”. But when you look at it, it is clear the Declaration was NOT banned, and the principal was probably right to review – and reject – these supplemental materials being brought into the classroom.

    So, the very people who want to post the Ten Commandments in every classroom violated one of them themselves – from ADF to Rush to Sean and the whole gamut of minor-city pundits : Thou shall not bear false witness, folks.