VIDEO, Xscript - My comments before the Escambia County School Board. 8.19.2014

My comments before the Escambia County School Board. 8.19.2014

http://youtu.be/mnA-cFaCmyE
And the full text:

This school board has a problem with diversity, religious discrimination and
following it's own rules.

Since 2011, 100% of the invocation prayers offered at this meeting were of the majority religion.  I'm not sure if this board has EVER had a prayer from a non-Biblical perspective.  That's probably because each SB member acts as gatekeeper, choosing and introducing their favored prayer givers.  Of course, you all pray to the same, singular, paternal god.

So what?  Well, when religious minorities (like myself) have asked to participate in the invocation (as is our right by law), we've been mostly thwarted for dubious reasons and in a way that discourages further participation.  That's illegal.
Under Galloway v Greece, a narrow 5-4 Supreme Court decision this year, invocations before legislative bodies were allowed to continue, BUT Galloway warns us that such prayers should not be coercive and must be practiced without endorsement, nor religious discrimination.

So, does the ECSB discriminate against minority religions?  Let's see - since I made my requests, I've had to 2 answers of NO, two no answers, and one yes! Thank you, Ms Hightower for accepting my offer without a religious test.  Unfortunately, I have another commitment for November.

And now for the good news - there is a SIMPLE solution to ending discrimination here:  ECSB's own policy, the Student Handbook.  It says:  "No person and no employee or agent of the District shall coerce, advocate, or encourage in any way whatsoever prayer or any other religious activity by students"

We all know that students regularly attend these board meetings.  So, I'd like to challenge this board to follow it's own rules; forget the "do as I say, not as I do" policy of leading prayer here alone.  Just look to your own guidelines for an inclusive compromise  - a moment of silence:  

Again, from the Student Handbook: "The moment of silence is not intended to be, and shall not be conducted as a religious service or exercise, but shall be considered an opportunity for a moment of silent reflection on the anticipated activities of the day. "  That sounds perfect for this occasion AND it respects everyone's religious views without asking them to pray against their beliefs.

I would love to discuss Galloway more, but (I lack the time...) (I hope we don't need to.  We all know that ECSB has not done enough to foster inclusion or diversity in it's invocations.  We know this is not a legislative body - it's about the students. And we know that staff and commissioners should not be leading invocations or endorsing just one type of prayer.  Luckily, you've written your own solution.  But, if you refuse a moment of silence, please know that you MUST allow ALL who wish to deliver an invocation, welcoming us equally and eschewing coercion or the appearance of endorsement.)

In conclusion, I pray this board will embrace this teaching opportunity and show our students that different faiths (and none at all) can only co-exist and thrive.  I pray our elected officials will refuse to favor one religious expression to the exclusion of others.  And I pray you'll follow the rules you set for the rest of the school system, so that everyone feels welcome at this meeting and so you may focus on the business of this board.