Tennessee School Officials Post Ten Commandments in County Schools
Tennessee School Officials Post Ten Commandments in County Schools
The school officials in Jamestown, Tennessee have a problem. Actually, they *had* a problem. Then they fixed the problem. Then they decided they didn't like the solution so they screwed everything up again.
I'll back up.
Pine Haven Elementary school used to display the Ten Commandments everywhere:
"As far as I know, there was one in every classroom," said the school's custodian, Michell Waters. "They were in the hallways, so they were throughout the whole school."
Seemed like a good idea... since all six-year-olds need to know that the Sabbath Day must be kept holy, that there is no God but the Christian one, and that you're not supposed to fuck someone you're not married to...
Last September, someone spoke up and the Commandments were taken down. But not without Principal Daryl Rains confusing the church he pastors at with the public school he works at:
Principal Daryl Rains
Principal Rains says he is in full support of having the Ten Commandments up at the school. He hopes current state legislation will allow the Ten Commandments to be restored to the halls.
"God has blessed Pine Haven school because he knew we could handle it," said Rains. "He knew I could handle it. I'm not bragging. I'm bragging on God."
"I would like to see the Ten Commandments put back up," added Waters. "I would like for them to be displayed... We just want our kids to know they can believe the way we want to believe and know that we were offended when they are taken down."
The legislation he's referring to would allow historical documents in public buildings... and isn't necessarily legal:
"This bill is inviting Tennessee governments to walk into a constitutional minefield and risk litigation," said Alex Luchenitser, associate legal director for Americans United for Separation of Church and State, which wrote a letter of opposition to [Tennessee state Rep. Matthew] Hill's legislation.
The bill passed, and that's all the approval the school board needed to put copies of the Ten Commandments in four elementary schools and one high school in the district (alongside the Star-Spangled Banner and the also-godly Pledge of Allegiance):
"For this community it's a wonderful thing," Jamestown Church of Christ minister Phil Adams said. "This community was very upset when they were taken out. They are historical documents. They are from our founding. They are who we are as a people. They belong there."
They don't belong there because we've never taken our legal cues from the Commandments. Only two of the Commandments are enshrined in our laws and, even then, it's not like everyone was ok with killing and stealing until the Ten Commandments came along and people suddenly realized they were bad ideas. At least half of the Commandments have absolutely no business in a public school, much less an elementary school.
This community cares nothing about its children because they would rather throw taxpayer money toward fighting an unnecessary legal battle instead of spending it on the children in the district. It's irresponsible and selfish. Residents should be ashamed of their elected officials. (Also, how many of these residents and community leaders do you think can even recite the Ten Commandments?)
Legally speaking, this could go either way, depending on whether courts see the display as promoting religion or as one of many "historical" documents. But keep in mind the Giles County School Board in Virginia just settled their case (in other words, they lost it) and had to take down their Ten Commandments display even though it was surrounded by the Declaration of Independence, the Star-Spangled Banner, and the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom.
They lost some money, too:
[U.S. District Court Judge Michael] Urbanski's approval of the settlement ended the long and contentious dispute. In addition to assurances that the Ten Commandments would not be reposted in school, the settlement agreement kept the protective order in effect. The school board or a third party would pay to cover the plaintiffs' legal costs ($6,511). Each side is responsible for their own attorney fees.
I'll say what the school board refuses to admit: They don't give a shit about the Commandments. This is all about pushing their Christian God back into schools. And if they get away with this, they're not going to stop there.
Sure and I want this put up right next to it
Bide within the Law you must, in perfect Love and perfect Trust.
Live you must and let to live, fairly take and fairly give.
For tread the Circle thrice about to keep unwelcome spirits out.
To bind the spell well every time, let the spell be said in rhyme.
Light of eye and soft of touch, speak you little, listen much.
Honor the Old Ones in deed and name,
let love and light be our guides again.
Deosil go by the waxing moon, chanting out the joyful tune.
Widdershins go when the moon doth wane,
and the werewolf howls by the dread wolfsbane.
When the Lady's moon is new, kiss the hand to Her times two.
When the moon rides at Her peak then your heart's desire seek.
Heed the North winds mighty gale, lock the door and trim the sail.
When the Wind blows from the East, expect the new and set the feast.
When the wind comes from the South, love will kiss you on the mouth.
When the wind whispers from the West, all hearts will find peace and rest.
Nine woods in the Cauldron go, burn them fast and burn them slow.
Birch in the fire goes to represent what the Lady knows.
Oak in the forest towers with might, in the fire it brings the God's
insight. Rowan is a tree of power causing life and magick to flower.
Willows at the waterside stand ready to help us to the Summerland.
Hawthorn is burned to purify and to draw faerie to your eye.
Hazel-the tree of wisdom and learning adds its strength to the bright fire burning.
White are the flowers of Apple tree that brings us fruits of fertility.
Grapes grow upon the vine giving us both joy and wine.
Fir does mark the evergreen to represent immortality seen.
Elder is the Lady's tree burn it not or cursed you'll be.
Four times the Major Sabbats mark in the light and in the dark.
As the old year starts to wane the new begins, it's now Samhain.
When the time for Imbolc shows watch for flowers through the snows.
When the wheel begins to turn soon the Beltane fires will burn.
As the wheel turns to Lamas night power is brought to magick rite.
Four times the Minor Sabbats fall use the Sun to mark them all.
When the wheel has turned to Yule light the log the Horned One rules.
In the spring, when night equals day time for Ostara to come our way.
When the Sun has reached it's height time for Oak and Holly to fight.
Harvesting comes to one and all when the Autumn Equinox does fall.
Heed the flower, bush, and tree by the Lady blessed you'll be.
Where the rippling waters go cast a stone, the truth you'll know.
When you have and hold a need, harken not to others greed.
With a fool no season spend or be counted as his friend.
Merry Meet and Merry Part bright the cheeks and warm the heart.
Mind the Three-fold Laws you should three times bad and three times good.
When misfortune is enow wear the star upon your brow.
Be true in love this you must do unless your love is false to you.
These Eight words the Rede fulfill:
"An Ye Harm None, Do What Ye Will"
Don't know why there has to be so much hoopla about such a basic set of rules, rules that form the foundation of the laws of multiple nations.
Christianity is not the only faith using the Ten Commandments. So which religion is it that they are establishing? I would have no objection to them displaying the actual wording from several of them. IMO, the words of the Qur'an are beautiful...they say virtually the same thing...I just like the way it is put.
The 10 commandments are not the foundation of our laws.
Quoting yourspecialkid:
Don't know why there has to be so much hoopla about such a basic set of rules, rules that form the foundation of the laws of multiple nations.
Christianity is not the only faith using the Ten Commandments. So which religion is it that they are establishing? I would have no objection to them displaying the actual wording from several of them. IMO, the words of the Qur'an are beautiful...they say virtually the same thing...I just like the way it is put.
The 10 commandments are not historical documents. they have no basis in history. They are myth. So I'm guessing the State of Tennessee would be willing to also put up the witch's Rede , the communist manifesto, or any other historical document. I mean if it's really about history.
As long as the put up commandments from other religions, I'm fine with it. But if they don't, then these need to come down. Separation of church and state and all that.
This is the same state that wants to give parents report cards on their participation in their children's education.
I agree with you. And our laws ARE based in the common belief and moral suggestion of "God".
Quoting yourspecialkid:
Don't know why there has to be so much hoopla about such a basic set of rules, rules that form the foundation of the laws of multiple nations.
Christianity is not the only faith using the Ten Commandments. So which religion is it that they are establishing? I would have no objection to them displaying the actual wording from several of them. IMO, the words of the Qur'an are beautiful...they say virtually the same thing...I just like the way it is put.
Separation of Church and States seems to offend many.
While I have no issue with the Ten Commandments, I do not view said as a 'historical document' in the sense it seems these people do.
As long as other 'commandements' are placed right along side, from varying 'religions', have at it. Since I don't see that happening because that would be offensive to the Christian sense of smell, keep it all off the walls.
Keeping any religion from being 'stated' in any school is fair. It would certainly stop many law suits that do indeed take time and resources away from the children.
One can be surrounded by God and hold true to their faith while realizing it does not, nor should not, be on display for every one as not every one follows suit. Especially in public schools.
i have nothing against them putting up the commandments
and what "generation" are you?
- IhartU
on Aug. 4, 2012 at 9:21 AM