The Destruction of the First Amendment of the US Constitution

• APRIL 3, 2012
• BY: ROBERT SOBEL

Growing up, you probably remember doing or saying something that got you in trouble and a common response was often "it's a free country!" The United States is a free country, in a sense at least. The First Amendment is always looked at as free speech, but there's more to it than just saying whatever you want. The First Amendment is clear in what it says, but sometimes it's interpreted by others to gain points politically.

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

The opening line of the First Amendment gives Americans across the country the right to believe in any religion or lack of religion they want, but the First Amendment also makes it clear that the United States will not make any establishment of religion and no religion will be forced on any American.

Over the last few years, the Republican party has taken a hard right turn in the political spectrum. The far right views of the Republican party are showing in all political aspects, whether its economic policy, social issues or foreign policy. The place where the extreme conservatism is showing the most is in their attack on science, education and facts and evidence.

The Republican base is growing in size with evangelical Christians making up a large majority. While conservatives often talk about their love for the Constitution, the Republican evangelicals seem to ignore many parts of the document and it starts with the First Amendment. Conservatives see the United States as a "Christian Nation," but the founders never intended for that to be the case. Some of the Founding Fathers were Christian, some believed in a higher power, but wanted no part of organized religion and others wanted to no part of either.

In Florida, the religious war on science and education is at the top of the "to do list" for the Republican party. In March of 2012, the state Republican party pushed through a bill that would make it legal to impose religious prayer in public schools. Traditionally, religious practice in public schools was not allowed, following the Separation of Church and State as described in the U.S Constitution and the words of Thomas Jefferson. In a letter to the Danbury Baptist Association in Connecticut on January 1,1802, Jefferson made it clear about the wall of separation between church and state.

"I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should 'make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,' thus building a wall of separation between Church & State."

Letting religious aspects into public, taxpayer funded areas will start to tear down the wall of separation. In March of 2012, the Republican controlled state Senate in Tennessee passed HB 368, also known as the "anti-evolution" bill. The bill would promote the religious story of "creation" to be taught side by side with the scientifically proven theory of evolution. Nearly 99% of all scientists back evolution, and the remaining one percent who side with the story of "creationism" are often evangelicals who to school to gain a degree. Forcing the stories of the Bible into a science classroom does nothing but distort facts and reason and take away proper education from millions of American children.

In many Christian private schools, they often use history books like U.S History from a Christian Perspective. These radical right wing textbooks don't teach accurate history, but instead push an extreme form of conservatism that only distorts proper history that is being forced on many American children. This education is now being attempted to be put into pubic schools, as the Texas State Board of Education has revised many of their history books to eliminate much of Thomas Jefferson's impact on America and claims that Communists were a legit and major threat to the country. Many historians have spoken out about these changes saying that they are "historically inaccurate and that they would affect textbooks and classrooms far beyond the state's borders."

The Republican war on science and education is at an all-time high and they are using one of the worlds most dangerous weapons to lead the attack, religion. Religion is a weapon, and like any weapon, when put into the hands of someone with bad intentions, only a bad result will occur. If conservatives and others around the country want to follow the beliefs of Christianity they have every right to do so, but it should stop there. Americans personal, private beliefs should stay in their own homes, with those who share the same beliefs as they do and not into the public sector where others might think differently. We must all respect people with different beliefs, but not judge others because they think differently. The wall of separation must remain high and strong so that the United States can continue to move forward.

How Budget Cuts Affect Teachers

Teachers feel the brunt of educational budget cuts in many ways. In a field where in good times about 20% of teachers leave the profession in the first three years, budget cuts mean less incentive for educators to continue teaching. Following are ten ways that budget cuts harm teachers and accordingly their students.

Less Pay

Obviously, this is a big one. Lucky teachers will just have their pay raises reduced to close to nothing. The less fortunate ones will be in school districts that have decided to cut teacher pay. Further, teachers who work extra by taking on summer school classes or running activities that provide supplemental pay will often find their positions eliminated or their hours/pay reduced.

Less Spent on Employee Benefits

Many school districts pay for at least part of their teachers benefits. The amount that the school districts are able to pay typically suffers under budget cuts. This, in effect, is like a pay cut for teachers.

Less to Spend on Materials

One of the first things to go with budget cuts is the already small discretionary fund that teachers get at the beginning of the year. In many schools this fund is almost entirely used to pay for photocopies and paper throughout the year. Other ways that teachers might spend this money is on classroom manipulatives, posters, and other learning tools. However, as budget cuts increase more and more of this is either provided by the by the teachers and their students.

Less School-Wide Material and Technology Purchases

With less money, schools often cut their school-wide technology and material budgets. Teachers and media specialists who have researched and asked for specific products or items will find that these will not be available for their use. While this might not seem to be as big an issues as some of the other items on this list, it is just one more symptom of a wider problem. The individuals who suffer most from this are the students who are not able to benefit from the purchase.

Delays for New Textbooks

Many teachers only have outdated textbooks to give their students. It's not unusual for a teacher to have a social studies textbook that is 10-15 years old. In American History, this would mean that two to three presidents have not even been mentioned in the text. Geography teachers often complain about having textbooks that are so outdated that they aren't even worth giving to their students. Budget cuts just compound this problem. Textbooks are very expensive so schools facing major cuts will often hold off on getting new texts or replacing lost texts.

Less Professional Development Opportunities

While this might not seem like a big deal to some, the truth is that teaching just like any profession, becomes stagnant without continual self improvement. The field of education is changing and new theories and teaching methods can make all the difference in the world for new, struggling, and even experienced teachers. However, with budget cuts these activities are typically some of the first to go.

Less Electives

Schools facing budget cuts typically begin by cutting their electives and either moving teachers to core subjects or eliminating their positions entirely. Students are given less choice and teachers are either moved around or stuck teaching subjects they are not ready to teach.

Larger Classes

With budget cuts come larger classes. Research has shown that students learn better in smaller classes. When there is overcrowding there is a greater likelihood of disruptions. Further, it is much easier for students to fall through the cracks in larger schools and not get the extra help they need and deserve to succeed. Another casualty of larger classes is that teachers are unable to do as many cooperative learning and other more complex activities. They are just too difficult to manage with very large groups.

Possibility of a Forced Move

Even if a school is not closed, teachers might be forced to move to new schools as their own schools reduce their course offerings or increase class sizes. When the administration consolidates classes, if there are not enough students to warrant the positions then those with the lowest seniority typically have to move to new positions and/or schools.

Possibility of School Closures

With budget cuts come school closures. Typically smaller and older schools are closed and combined with larger, newer ones. This happens despite all the evidence that smaller schools are better for students in almost every way. With school closures teachers are either faced with the prospect of moving to a new school or possibility being laid off from work. What really stinks for older teachers is that when they have taught in a school for a long time, they have built up seniority and are typically teaching their preferred subjects. However, once they move to a new school they usually have to take over whatever classes are available.

Privatized Schools

Many states are forcing districts to shift more of their budgets to privately operated Charter Schools. This shift of budget is an ideological implementation to shift education from the public service realm to the private sector realm. In time the thought is to close or sell every publicly owned schools to a private company. The question that is not answered is will the private schools bill the student's parents directly or will the funds still come from public appropriations. Most state constitutions require public funded education, so they will have to amend the constitutions to achieve full privatization. 

Otherwise the government will act as the billing agent to collect the funds for the private schools. States can separate the fees for education from the tax revenue it receives and would instead charge a special fee to parents who have children in school either through their state income tax form or by some other method, thus whatever the cost may be will be passed onto the parents and not spread across all citizen and property owners. 

This will obviously radically increase the cost to each family with school age children. This will force more families to home school their children because they will not be able to afford the fee charged for the privately owned, government collected fee schools.

Additionally, private companies, such as the Koch Brothers, could give grants to these private schools in order to control the curriculum taught so that it a lines with their ideology.

Trouble In Tennessee: Lenoir City Student Says School Officials Favor Christianity

February 27, 2012 by Joseph L. Conn

Do non-Christian students face discrimination in some public schools? That certainly seems to be the case.

In a column published in the Knoxville News Sentinel yesterday, student Krystal Myers said Christianity is routinely favored at her Lenoir City (Tenn.) High School.

Myers, an atheist, said there are prayers each year at graduation ceremonies, prayers at football games and other athletic events and religious displays by teachers.  Youth ministers, she said, are allowed to come onto the school campus and hand out candy and other food to Christian students and their friends.

According to her sources, the local school board also opens its meeting with Christian prayers.

“The whole foundation of how our school is conducted is established by obvious Christians,” asserted Myers, an honors student. “Somehow, this is unsurprising. If our school board chooses to ignore the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment and the Supreme Court, then it is no surprise that teachers choose to do the same.

“I know that I will keep trying to gain my rights as an atheist and as an American citizen,” she continued, “but I also need your help in educating other people to realize the injustice done to all minority groups. The Christian faith cannot rule the United States. It is unconstitutional. Religion and government are supposed to be separate.

“If we let this slide, what other amendments to the Constitution will be ignored? ” Myers asked. “I leave you to decide what you will or will not do, but just remember that nonbelievers are not what you originally thought we were. We are human beings — just like you.”

Myers’ column was originally written for the Panther Press, the student newspaper where she is editor, but school officials refused to allow it to be published.  School Superintendent Wayne Miller told the News Sentinel he feared her editorial had the potential for disruption in the school.

"We do have the right to control the content of the school paper if we feel it is in the best interest of the students," he told the newspaper.

So the bottom line is this: School officials sponsor or allow the promotion of Christianity but censor the expression of dissenting voices. That’s about as clear a violation of the U.S. Constitution as you can get.

Krystal is a bright and courageous young woman. She was right to bring these issues into the light of day so the situation can be corrected. Public schools must welcome all students, regardless of their views about religion. It is a violation of the First Amendment for government to favor the majority faith over others, or to favor religion over nonreligion.

That is a fundamental rule of American life, and it applies in Lenoir City just as it applies in the rest of the country.

Neil DeGrasse Tyson On Religion taught in schools

 The audio is a little poor, but he is saying is very interesting.



I understand his final statement in his letter to the editor and I agree that such ignorant teacher should not be teaching a science class, but I still state that it was also a violation of the separate Church and State.

I wonder if this teacher was fired or nothing happened to her.

Intelligent Design is Stupid:

Creationists End Civilization:

 

A Brief History of Time:

Parallel Universes, Galaxies, Stars, Planets and Black Energy:  This is not the work of a God.

The universe is so massive and expansive that it is impossible to accept that a all knowing and perfect God would "CREATE" all this in our universe for what purpose, if Earth is the only planet that has humans living on it in some scheme of redemption to then return to "Heaven," the place he resides and be among him and all spirits, who are worthy, that live with him. And then there is HELL and where is that located among this vast Universe?  The Mormons claim that God live on a planet named KOLOB. But they  don't explain how KOLOB was created and when relative to the rest of the Universe and were it is out in the universe.

But if you open  you mind and watch the video with the great music compliment, you will see the incredible interactions of what we call physics and the cosmos, this in a sense living and changing so rapidly that we are only seeing what took place millions and billions of Earth years ago, and only with the most advanced technology of the last few decades. We are at the tip of the iceberg relative to your knowledge and understanding of this magnificent universe, and we know a lot. I'm too old to be around when humans finally stop killing Earth and eliminate all religions and begin the new age of enlightenment and knowledge, venturing out into this vast universe to explore this ever changing frontier, Star Trek if you will.

When you realize that our little planet Earth is but like a speck of one little grain of sand in the great Sahara sand dunes stretching across the northern African continent, then you realize how insignificant we are in that universe. However we are very significant relative to our planet. And since this is the only one we have found that can sustain human life, we better make it last longer by making it healthier for humans to live on it.

TO DO NOTHING AND THINK THAT THIS INVISIBLE GOD WILL PROVIDE AND SUSTAIN THE PLANET AS WE POLLUTE IT AND TAKE FROM IT ALL THE RESOURCES AND RICHES CONTAINED WITHIN IT FOR OUR OWN GREED BECAUSE OF SOME ANCIENT TEXT THAT SAYS WE CAN IS INSANITY.

STOP PROFIT OVER PLANET!!!

The Christianist Infiltration of America's Public Schools

THIS IS A MUST VIEW VIDEO.



WE HAVE SEVERAL CULTURE WARS IN AMERICA. THIS IS ONE MAJOR ISSUE.

This is absolutely frightening. As you listen to these speakers, you will start to relate to events at your local schools, laws being passed by conservative legislators and governors, school boards, and what your children are saying about these groups.

As one stated, I think in New York, the court issued a ruling that schools can be used by religious organizations as houses of worship, without paying rent or taxes. I feel that tax payers have been subsidizing religious institutions far too long.

They pay no income tax, sales tax, property tax, franchise tax, or any other tax. They use public services paid for by tax payers, such as taking land and buildings out of the tax rolls, consuming public water, using public sewer service, law enforcement services, the courts, both civil and criminal, public roadways for their members to reach their facilities much more.

Religions should support themselves and pay taxes as well, there is no reason that they don't. Especially if they continue to invade the political and public policy arenas.

This movement to Christianize the political process and governance of this nation is very alarming. What we are seeing is the plan that Jerry Farwell's Moral Majority group that merged with Pat Robertson's 700 Club to form the Christian Coalition that hired Ralph Reed to run. They, together with the Koch brothers, the John Birch Society, that is renamed the Tea Party, and using ALEC to educate, train and plant these Christinists in all levels of governance, starting at the lowest committee, to school boards, city councils, county commissions, state legislators, governors, and then federal offices. In the nearly 30 years they have been working this program, they are now in a position to capture significant control.

We can see this in the several states that elected Tea Party candidates in 2010, like Scott Walker in Wisconsin, who are destroying public education, eliminate labor unions of public employees, and in some cases even private enterprise labor unions, voter restrictions, restrictions on peaceful demonstrations, and in Michigan's case, appointing an emergency manger of a town or school district that can eliminate the power of the elected officials, so being an absolute ruler or emperor.

Has this take over gone so far as to prohibit a peaceful revolt to return the country back to a sectarian, open and free representative democracy?