Finally under 600 words (minus headline and byline). We'll see if it gets published.
VIEWPOINT: School Board Doubles-Down on Christian Privilege
I was disappointed, but not surprised, that the ECSB again affirmed illegally imposing Biblical prayer at its monthly public meetings. In a workshop February 12, the board rejected its own attorney's recommendation of an inclusive moment of silence. Instead, they agreed to seek out only Christians to kick off their meetings with a prayer.
That decision directly contradicts the Supreme Court (Galloway v Greece NY, 5-4, May 2014) which said that local legislative prayer there was OK because "a minister or layperson of ANY persuasion, including an atheist, could give the invocation" and because "the town maintains a policy of nondiscrimination". The ECSB blatantly and stupidly flouts that ruling. For months, they've disregarded requests from religious minorities, their attorney recently calling them of "bad faith".
Worse yet, the board suppresses non-Christian prayer, during the prescribed time and in the public forum. At the same meeting, District 2's Gerald Boone angrily demanded that the board chair stop such prayerful "antics", as not of "relevance to public education". Neither was the prayer he gave in February, but that doesn't seem to count.
District 1's Jeff Bergosh cites Christian privilege, saying "I believe... we're entitled to bring someone that represents our views" - as if citizens attend to hear prayers asking Jesus to bless this mess of self-righteous board members.
District 3's Linda Moultrie will only react if threatened with litigation, saying "I am willing to continue until someone says we have to do a moment of silence". By someone, she must mean a judge.
For months, civil rights groups (FFRF.org and AU.com) have campaigned for clarification and change. The board refuses to respond substantively and present a written policy. Clearly, they cannot write one that comports with the law and let's them keep it Christian. God forbid they bring the issue for a public vote and discussion. That would just be divisive.
So, our school board continues discriminating. In fact, they only recently had their first non-Christian "token". Poor Rabbi Fleekop had no idea why Jeff Bergosh invited him in January... until I told him. Bergosh wrote me with the truth, pretending he wanted "to be inclusive and diverse." Yet he refused offers from Humanists, Pagans and atheists.
Just like the Escambia Commission, nothing changed after Galloway. Each member still chooses who they want to pray and censors those they don't - thus assuring discrimination. Thanks to school board chair Patty Hightower, at least now they are warning the audience (including many students) about what's coming.
Unfortunately, such prayers are against their only published policy; 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 by students."
Oddly, ECSB only feels the need to impose prayer on some meetings. They don't pray at the less-popular workshops, probably because there is no political reward in showing their piety to empty seats.
So here we stand... some of us anyway. The school board will not obey the Supreme Court; they will not follow their own student policy; they will not even honor Christ's command, from Matthew 6:5-6. What hypocrites!
It's time for the school board to welcome everyone at their meetings equally. It's time to drop church from the agenda and get on with the business of schools. It's time to put this issue to rest before a lawsuit takes money and focus away from our schools. It's time to go to a moment of silence, so everyone may pray (or not), according to their conscience.
David Suhor, Activist for Religious Freedom,
blogging at http://anapplebiter.blogspot.com
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