-Caveat Lector-
from: AMERICAN ATHEISTS
subject: AANEWS for June 23, 1999
A M E R I C A N A T H E I S T S
#596 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6/23/99
http://www.atheists.org
ftp.atheists.org/pub/atheists/
http://www.americanatheist.org
---------------------------------------------
A Service of AMERICAN ATHEISTS
"Leading The Way For Atheist Civil Rights
And The Separation Of State and Church"
----------------------------------------------
In This Issue...
* Florida voucher scheme in court
* Aid to religious school poll ends this evening. Cast your vote!
* RLPA clears House, American Atheists presents letters to Senate!
* Picket the Promise Keepers this Saturday, Detroit
* Resources
* About this list...
FLORIDA RELIGIOUS SCHOOL VOUCHER PROGRAM CHALLENGED
A coalition of educational and civil rights groups has filed suit to
stop Florida's controversial voucher scheme from taking effect. In
May, the state legislature enacted the nation's first statewide
voucher program that subsidizes tuition for parents wishing to send
their children to private and religious schools. The Florida program
assigns public schools a rating based on the cumulative test scores of
students; parents in poorly performing districts are then able to use
so-called "opportunity scholarships" worth up to as much as $5,800
toward tuition costs at a local private educational institution.
Although the program was a legislative centerpiece for Florida Gov.
Jeb Bush, critics had threatened to file suit charging that the
voucher scheme drained money from cash-strapped public schools, and
was a form of government subsidy to parochial and other religious
schools.
At a press conference on the steps of the Florida Supreme Court,
Maureen Dinnen of the state National Education Association warned
reporters, "Vouchers will destroy the public education system of this
state. That is why this suit is being filed." She was flanked by
plaintiffs in the lawsuit, including an Escambia County teacher,
parents of three local schoolchildren, two members of the Miami-Dade
County Board of Education, and the Citizen Coalition for Public
Schools. The suit has been filed on behalf of the Florida Coalition
for Public Schools, an ad hoc group which includes the Florida PTA,
teachers unions, American Jewish Congress, ACLU, NAACP, Americans
United for the Separation of Church and State, League of Women Voters
and the Anti-Defamation League.
The lawsuit declares that the voucher program violates the Florida
constitution since it runs afoul of the legal prohibition of
transferring money "from the public treasury directly or indirectly in
aid to any church, sect, or religious denomination or in aid of any
sectarian institution." It also charges that the voucher program
violates the requirement that the state provide "a uniform, efficient,
safe, secure and high quality system of free public schools."
A spokesperson for the National Association for the Advancement of
Colored People (NAACP) termed the voucher system "chilling," adding,
"We know who will make the choice. Private schools will decide who
they want to accept."
The lawsuit came in the wake of Gov. Jeb Bush's hyped signing of the
Florida voucher legislation which is included in his "A-+ Education
Plan." While only two elementary schools in the entire state
currently qualify for the vouchers, critics and proponents of the
legislation say that the number will rise to over 150 in the next year
since academic testing standards are being raised. To voucher
critics, the Bush scheme defeats the goal of the testing, since it
would divert money from the public school systems in need to private
and parochial institutions.
The Bush administration is already forming a legal team to defend the
court challenge, and expects the help of the Washington-based
Institute for Justice. A spokesman for that group argued that the
Florida program "'isn't aid for churches... It's aid to students."
In recent weeks, a number of courts have struck down voucher aid to
religious schools; several municipalities including Cleveland, Ohio
and Milwaukee, Wisconsin have programs in place. Florida is the first
test, though, of a statewide voucher system. According to the
Tallahassee Democrat newspaper, the litigation could "last for years
and go all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court." The court has not
ruled on voucher schemes, but has agreed to hear a Louisiana case
involving other government aid to religious schools.
**
GOVERNMENT AID TO RELIGIOUS SCHOOLS -- WHAT'S
YOUR OPINION? POLL ENDS THIS EVENING...
The U.S. Supreme Court has announced that it will review a
controversial Louisiana case which challenges government aid to
parochial schools. A decision is expected next year -- and it could
open the door for more taxpayer funding of religion. What's your
opinion on this important First Amendment topic?
The new American Atheists Magazine on-line poll wants to know. Pay us
a visit at http://www.americanatheist.org, get the background on this
subject, answer our polling questions and leave your opinion for
others to read. But hurry ... the voting ends this evening at about
10 p.m. ET.
**
RLPA CLEARS HOUSE COMMITTEE IN QUESTIONABLE VOTE:
SENATORS DIVIDE, ATHEISTS PRESENT LETTERS
The House Judiciary Committee approved the controversial Religious
Liberty Protection Act in a poorly attended markup session that
included a questionable vote, and amendments that were quickly
rejected. Over in the Senate, the Judiciary Committee conducted a
hearing, and American Atheists President Ellen Johnson presented
hundreds of letters of opposition warning that the legislation
violated the constitutional separation of church and state.
Chris Prokop, Washington, DC Director for American Atheists, told
AANEWS that the House Judiciary Committee meeting was scheduled during
another regular weekly meeting of Democrats. At 9:40, as discussion
of HR 1691 began, only three Democrats were in the hearing room. A
proposed amendment by Rep. Jerrold Nadler (N.Y.) to limit RLPA's
coverage so that the legislation did not trump civil rights and
anti-discrimination laws failed on a voice vote. At that point,
another voice vote was held on the final RLPA version which passed.
Chairman Henry Hyde was then informed that there was not a reporting
quorum, so the committee moved on to other business.
Prokop reports that later, as Democrats trickled in, Hyde quickly
scheduled yet another vote -- leading to charges that he was clearly
violating parliamentary procedure. RLPA again passed on a voice vote,
and the measure was sent to the full House. A floor vote could come
as early as next week.
Over in the Senate Judiciary Committee, Sen. Orrin Hatch was the only
Committee member present as testimony about the Religious Liberty
Protection Act began. Steve McFarland of the Christian Legal Society
defended RLPA; Sen. Strom Thurmond then entered the chamber and gave
a speech on the proposal. Referring to the controversy over witches
and their rituals at army bases, the eminence grise of the Senate
opined, "I don't want more Wiccans in our god loving military, and
this (RLPA) will help Wiccans and Satanists invade our public life..."
American Atheists President Ellen Johnson headed to the Senate
Minority Office for the Judiciary Committee and presented a stack of
letters sent in by atheists and other separationists in opposition to
the RLPA.
Mr. Prokop told AANEWS early this evening that in conversations with
lobbyists and representatives of other groups which oppose or question
the Religious Liberty Protection Act, "It seems that a lot of people
in Congress and the Senate really don't like this legislation."
"They're not coming out and saying it in public," noted Prokop, "but
they see a lot of problems with RLPA. They're finding it difficult to
speak out, though, because it is then made to look as if they oppose
'religious liberty,' or are somehow anti-religious." He added that
there is a growing coalition of groups that opposes RLPA, but for
different reasons. "The corrections departments are really concerned
because they fear the litigation that will continue to hinder the
prison systems. States and local municipalities are concerned because
it puts the federal government into local and state level issues. And
the zoning people are worried because RLPA will trump local land use
standards."
Prokop says that in the House, "Most representatives who may oppose
this bill are just scared to come out and actually be seen as voting
against religion. And a lot of people in the congress haven't taken
into account all of the negative side effects and issues that will
arise from the Religious Liberty Protection Act if it is passed..."
**
AMERICAN ATHEISTS TO PROTEST PROMISE KEEPERS "SOLEMN
ASSEMBLY," THIS SATURDAY, JUNE 26 IN DETROIT
American Atheists will hold a peaceful protest at the Promise Keepers
rally in Detroit, Michigan this coming Saturday, June 26, 1999. The
demonstration will take place outside the Joe Louis Arena, from 10:00
a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Appropriate signs and banners will be provided in
keeping with the theme of this demonstration, and members and
supporters of American Atheists are cordially invited.
We'll meet on the ground level sidewalk across the street from the
main entrance ticket office, ground level. This is a peaceful
demonstration, which emphasizes the American Atheist opposition to the
Promise Keepers agenda, and a defense of atheist civil rights and
First Amendment separation of church and state.
Parking is available at the Joe Louis Parking Garage, or the nearby
Cobo Hall parking facility. Expect to pay an hourly rate. After the
picket, we will gather at a nearby restaurant -- details at the
picketing.
Visit the Michigan Atheists web site at
http://www.atheists.org/flash.line/affilmic.htm for more information,
or contact AA State Director Henry Morgan through [EMAIL PROTECTED],
or (734)-326-5794. We look forward to seeing you on Saturday, June
26th in Detroit!
**
RESOURCES FROM AMERICAN ATHEISTS...
* For information about American Atheists, send mail to
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Please include your name and postal mailing
address.
* For a free catalogue of American Atheist Press books, videos and
other products, send mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Kindly include
your postal mailing address.
* The American Atheist Magazine is now on the web! Check out select
articles from the current or back issues, as well as special web-only
features. Visit us at http://www.americanatheist.org
* If you are a current member of American Atheists, sign up for our
e-mail discussion group, aachat. We have over 120 participants who
discuss topics such as Atheism, religion, First Amendment issues and
lots more! Contact Margie Wait, the Moderator, through
[EMAIL PROTECTED] or send mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
ABOUT THIS LIST...
AANEWS is a free service from American Atheists, a nationwide movement
founded by Madalyn Murray O'Hair for the advancement of Atheism, and
the total, absolute separation of government and religion.
You may forward, post or quote from this dispatch, provided that
appropriate credit is given to AANEWS and American Atheists. Edited
by Conrad Goeringer, [EMAIL PROTECTED] Internet Representative for
American Atheists is Margie Wait, [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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