The sense of Christian privilege and entitlement runs deep in this country, especially in the public schools paid for with everyone's tax dollars. The need to indoctrinate children before they've reached the age of reason is a tacit admission of just how weak the Christian message actually is. Why is it ever okay to present things to children as facts, most educated adults would reject out of hand? We need to keep chipping away at that sense of entitlement until it's gone.
Years ago my wife and I moved to Ft. Lauderdale and our kids grew up there. I was intrigued to see that the schools closed on major Jewish holidays and the background for those holidays was included in class material. I thought it was fine that my kids were becoming multicultural but I wondered how any fundamentalist Christians moving to the area might have felt... "Oh my God Maybelle, the Jews run these schools and are forcing our kids to participate in Jewish rituals. We're all gonna go to Hell now!"
I read this while taking a breather from my Ethics coursework, ironically enough. I still need to write about Virtue Ethics and Ethical Egoism, but hey, I've got Divine Command and Cultural Relativism done!
It's never ceased to amaze me the number of times I've seen, heard about, or otherwise been informed of Christians who simply cannot behave within the known confines of the law. You'd think I'd know better by now, really, but I guess some of that early indoctrination lingers still. It's a particularly ugly sticking point for me, when the allegedly 'good' Christians just never seem to have the ability to follow their own moral standards. First they'll tell you they're called to a higher moral standard, then when you ask why they don't seem to be able to live up to even basic standards, they'll insist they aren't better, just forgiven. Pick one and stick with it, Christians.
In any event, congrats to the Satanic Temple on this one. Here's hoping that more either aren't necessary or are also successful.
It’s not difficult to look up The Satanic Temple’s mission statement on their website. When I first heard about them eons ago, I was intrigued and thought someone had a wicked sense of humor. I checked out their site and was happy to see what they stood for. Anybody can do this, it’s not rocket science. I would think that would be better than going into full blown panic mode first.
I've been wondering when TST would get a good, solid, honest WIN for themselves and for free speech, and it's terrific to see that it has finally happened here. Granted that the whole "Satan" thing is a big-time trigger for most believers. Still, the federal judge was able to see past that and rule the way he did and the school board could finally acknowledge their error.
Frankly, this is a big deal, never mind one hell of a precedent (no pun intended!). Let's hope that it leads to more such outcomes in the future.
The sense of Christian privilege and entitlement runs deep in this country, especially in the public schools paid for with everyone's tax dollars. The need to indoctrinate children before they've reached the age of reason is a tacit admission of just how weak the Christian message actually is. Why is it ever okay to present things to children as facts, most educated adults would reject out of hand? We need to keep chipping away at that sense of entitlement until it's gone.
Years ago my wife and I moved to Ft. Lauderdale and our kids grew up there. I was intrigued to see that the schools closed on major Jewish holidays and the background for those holidays was included in class material. I thought it was fine that my kids were becoming multicultural but I wondered how any fundamentalist Christians moving to the area might have felt... "Oh my God Maybelle, the Jews run these schools and are forcing our kids to participate in Jewish rituals. We're all gonna go to Hell now!"
I read this while taking a breather from my Ethics coursework, ironically enough. I still need to write about Virtue Ethics and Ethical Egoism, but hey, I've got Divine Command and Cultural Relativism done!
It's never ceased to amaze me the number of times I've seen, heard about, or otherwise been informed of Christians who simply cannot behave within the known confines of the law. You'd think I'd know better by now, really, but I guess some of that early indoctrination lingers still. It's a particularly ugly sticking point for me, when the allegedly 'good' Christians just never seem to have the ability to follow their own moral standards. First they'll tell you they're called to a higher moral standard, then when you ask why they don't seem to be able to live up to even basic standards, they'll insist they aren't better, just forgiven. Pick one and stick with it, Christians.
In any event, congrats to the Satanic Temple on this one. Here's hoping that more either aren't necessary or are also successful.
If anyone has ever wondered why the TST is what it is and does what it does - I'd say this is a pretty good case study.
Everyone became a tiny bit freer when they won this.
Looks like the school board got their ASS handed to them.
Next project: Temple of Moloch Abortion Clinic
Yet another judge untainted by the stink of Trump? Hooray!
OT
https://tinyurl.com/bdf5mymc
No matter how often attempts to use government power to enforce Christian privilege get smacked down in court, they 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 get the goddamn point.
Good.
The court said the provocative name does not give anyone cover to unconstitutionally limit civil liberties.
"Just call in a threat." Christians think nothing of resorting to terrorism to get their way.
Much fear, I sense in them.
It’s not difficult to look up The Satanic Temple’s mission statement on their website. When I first heard about them eons ago, I was intrigued and thought someone had a wicked sense of humor. I checked out their site and was happy to see what they stood for. Anybody can do this, it’s not rocket science. I would think that would be better than going into full blown panic mode first.
Gotta love that snark about the font size.
How long before someone comes commenting that they should have just called it a science club? Then there would be no hoopla (maybe).
I wish I believed the next school district would learn from this, but I doubt it. Not with ADF whispering in their ears.
I've been wondering when TST would get a good, solid, honest WIN for themselves and for free speech, and it's terrific to see that it has finally happened here. Granted that the whole "Satan" thing is a big-time trigger for most believers. Still, the federal judge was able to see past that and rule the way he did and the school board could finally acknowledge their error.
Frankly, this is a big deal, never mind one hell of a precedent (no pun intended!). Let's hope that it leads to more such outcomes in the future.
Hail Satan!!! But seriously, I’m so thankful for the FFRF and all the work they do to protect our rights as free thinkers.
Great outcome — especially with the ouster of the Christianists from the school board!!