Does this Declaration "banning" because God's in it story sound fishy?

What, I wonder, is the content of this teacher's lesson when he presents these documents. I detect the stench of a "America is a Christian Nation" proselytizer.

and the context of that content that was found unacceptable by the principle. As the article stands, all we have is vague, non-specific references to 'excerpts' from this or that document.

If the teacher is saying that this particular passage proves that Jefferson wanted a theocracy, then of course it should be BANNED. Further, I would ask whether the teacher was providing source documents where the architects of the constitution and declaration of Ind. say specifically that this is NOT a xtian nation.

The story seems deliberately scripted to 'outrage' the devout.

truly go after the media. We need to ask ourselves not what's biased about what's stated in the story, but what may have been deliberately excluded.

He is stopped from presenting the Declaration to his students, and his response is that his Christianity is under attack? It's quite obvious his intent was to point out all of the references to God, the Almighty, or the Creator, and say that's proof that we are not a secular nation (and therefore a Christian one).

Were I to present my students (had I any) with the Declaration of Independence and the principal prevented me from doing so, my response would simply be "it's the Declaration of Independence!" Not "why are you censoring my Christianity?"

But the article is so vague, that it is either shoddy reporting or a conscious effort to aid the Christian Right's victim complex.

For goodness sake, we say the pledge each morning. There's something not right with the story.

And if that's the case, he needs to be fired.

BTW, the Declaration of Ind. refers to "the Creator," not "God."

"It's a fact of American history that our founders were religious men, and to hide this fact from young fifth-graders in the name of political correctness is outrageous and shameful,"

That's incorrect. Most of them weren't xtians.

God the Clockmaker.

As Artaud said, God created the world, left the cops in charge, and got the f*** out.

...I know there's a "godless liberal teacher" image the radical right wing wants everybody to have.

I'm a liberal and an Athiest. But in my district, when a school administrator tried to keep teachers from wearing religious jewelry (such as crosses) our liberal organization fought that. We're for freedom. Most of us are Christian and most of us would never think of forcing our views on our students. Those of us who don't believe in God would never prevent students from carrying Bibles or any other religious text, as the radical right wing would want everybody to believe.

What we can't do, what many of us don't believe in, is including organized religion in our official class activities. That's it.

Looks like they are trying to put heat on the school...

http://www.livejournal.com/users/bambenek/62905.html

I was checking up on a quote by Madison (included below) when I came across this site:
http://www.postfun.com/pfp/worbois.html

Anybody familiar with this stuff? They certainly don't teach this is AP American History.

Here are some choice tidbits:

Thomas Jefferson:

I have examined all the known superstitions of the world, and I do not find in our particular superstition of Christianity one redeeming feature. They are all alike founded on fables and mythology. Millions of innocent men, women and children, since the introduction of Christianity, have been burnt, tortured, fined and imprisoned. What has been the effect of this coercion? To make one half the world fools and the other half hypocrites; to support roguery and error all over the earth.

Jefferson again:
Christianity...(has become) the most perverted system that ever shone on man. ...Rogueries, absurdities and untruths were perpetrated upon the teachings of Jesus by a large band of dupes and importers led by Paul, the first great corrupter of the teaching of Jesus.

More Jefferson:
The clergy converted the simple teachings of Jesus into an engine for enslaving mankind and adulterated by artificial constructions into a contrivance to filch wealth and power to themselves...these clergy, in fact, constitute the real Anti-Christ.

Jefferson's word for the Bible?
Dunghill.

John Adams:
Where do we find a precept in the Bible for Creeds, Confessions, Doctrines and Oaths, and whole carloads of other trumpery that we find religion encumbered with in these days?

Also Adams:
The doctrine of the divinity of Jesus is made a convenient cover for absurdity.

Adams signed the Treaty of Tripoli. Article 11 states:
The Government of the United States is not in any sense founded on the Christian religion.

Here's Thomas Paine:
I would not dare to so dishonor my Creator God by attaching His name to that book (the Bible).

Among the most detestable villains in history, you could not find one worse than Moses. Here is an order, attributed to 'God' to butcher the boys, to massacre the mothers and to debauch and rape the daughters. I would not dare so dishonor my Creator's name by (attaching) it to this filthy book (the Bible).

It is the duty of every true Deist to vindicate the moral justice of God against the evils of the Bible.

Accustom a people to believe that priests and clergy can forgive sins...and you will have sins in abundance.

The Christian church has set up a religion of pomp and revenue in pretended imitation of a person (Jesus) who lived a life of poverty.

Finally let's hear from James Madison:

What influence in fact have Christian ecclesiastical establishments had on civil society? In many instances they have been upholding the thrones of political tyranny. In no instance have they been seen as the guardians of the liberties of the people. Rulers who wished to subvert the public liberty have found in the clergy convenient auxiliaries. A just government, instituted to secure and perpetuate liberty, does not need the clergy.

Madison objected to state-supported chaplains in Congress and to the exemption of churches from taxation. He wrote:

Religion and government will both exist in greater purity, the less they are mixed together.

Are they going to avoid teaching the kids how to count money? That stuff is LOADED with "in god we trust". :crazy:

This teacher seemed to believe Jefferson was a Christian. Should have been fired for that kind of ignorance.