As PREVIOUSLY planned, I could not attend that meeting. I'll bring some of these comments next month... depending on what happened at the most recent meeting and whether the board acts to put their policy in writing (highly doubtful). Also, there may be a legal challenge soon - not about making them stop leading public prayer (which they absolutely should), but making about the ECSB follow the dictates of Galloway - to include any person who wants to offer an invocation. That's discrimination is an obvious loser for them.
COMMENTS:
Everyone here needs to know - this board has no intention of altering its illegal imposition of Christian prayer on the room; nor will they allow anyone else to pray during the meeting; nor will they define their policy of promoting one religion above others; but they WILL face litigation in order to maintain their Christian prayer privileges.
At a recent meeting, this board's attorney smartly advised you to go to an inclusive moment of silence or risk being sued. You chose to keep ignoring non-Christian invocation requests and push prayer you approve of. In doing so, you show no respect for the Constitution's establishment clause. But I PRAY you'll respect a higher authority. Jesus Christ did not mince words on this subject. Matthew chapter 6 verses 5-6 quotes him thusly:
"And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly."
That's our board - pious, public, and proud to show it.
And now, for the 6th month in a row, I'm back asking for the SAME SIMPLE THING - a WRITTEN invocation policy. Americans United even wrote one for you. But you prefer to no accountability, instead of outlining your policy clearly. And why not? Your system, undefined as it is, virtually ASSURES only Judeo-Christian prayer alone. This, even while the rest of school system has clear policies advocating religious neutrality.
From the student handbook: "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"
From your employment policy: "The School Board does not unlawfully discriminate against any person on the basis of... religious creed"
And now, apparently your public forum policy forbids prayer - according to the MEMBER from District 2 anyway; he says our comments may only address "matters of relevance to public education". Since wisdom, prayer and guidance are not relevant to education, we'll be called out of order for such transgressions. That's quite hypocritical, considering the board invites a Christians to pray and that is not only relevant - they think its protected by Constitution.
This leads me to only one conclusion: in this venue alone, and for the board alone, religious expression is A-OK. But all other invocations and prayers are forbidden.
That is SO illegal! Yes, the Supreme Court allowed legislative prayer by the town council in Greece, New York - but only because (quote) "a minister or layperson of ANY persuasion, including an atheist, could give the invocation" AND "So long as the town maintains a policy of nondiscrimination..."
We know this board discriminates. According to your attorney, multiple invocation offers received last year were rejected due to "BAD FAITH" and disruptive. That's a nice choice of words, Madame Counselor. Just because you don't trust our audience to hear prayers they don't agree with, you forbid us. In fact, I believe our messages would bring unique, positive wisdom to this board. Maybe you'd even learn to fear minority religions a little less.
So, why do you discriminate so blatantly? The MEMBER from District 1 explained it well last week. Quote: "I believe that it's a privilege, that we're entitled to, to bring someone that represents OUR views to come bring the invocation" That's right. It's his Christian privilege to choose who prays for him and who doesn't... and our kind just isn't welcome.
Your attorney stupidly supported this, saying "when an atheist or Wiccan or Muslim or whatever is on the school board, THEN it would be appropriate to include them in the rotation." Never mind that the Supreme Court says a person of ANY persuasion may give an invocation. That's not for us.
Your attorney also said that prayers are not intended for the audience. Then, why do you ask us to stand? Why not pray on your own time? I hope it's not to show that you're good Christians. Because a good Christian would probably obey Jesus. Again, see Matthew 6 verse 5 and beyond.
Folks... we all know where this is going. I WILL keep pushing until this wrong is made right. And it's NOT just me. We minorities are many and we WILL demand equal opportunity. If reason and words fail to convince you, we WILL act - legally, but in ways you that, unfortunately, distract from the important work you should be doing.
But you CAN bring this to a dignified end - by moving an inclusive moment of silence, where we may all pray (or not) as we like. OR you can invite litigation, where an inclusive solution WILL be forced on you.
That lawsuit will not come from me, but from concerned parents who object to elected officials practicing religious discrimination and making a mockery of the establishment clause. In fact, we're collecting names at this very meeting.
That process will waste funds that should go to support our students, but were spent defending your self-righteous choices. Wouldn't you rather put this behind you and concentrate on your job? That's what you were elected to do. And nothing else.
Thank you.
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