But isn't the whole point of released time (1) to provide an unfair advantage of a captive audience to those religious groups that will seek it and (2) potential coercion (by way of stigma and isolation)? If one really wanted to address these concerns then those parents who want their children to have religious training during the week should see to it that their children attend appropriate religious programs AFTER school has been dismissed at venues OFF CAMPUS.
But, again, the sad truth seems to be that (1) too many parents can't seem to control their children when it comes to religious training without enlisting the aid of the state, and (2) too many parents don't seem to care if their children bully, ostracize and stigmatize children who (together with their parents and families) hold to different religious traditions than the parents referred to in point (1). This is why, of course, Zorach was a terrible decision. This is also why Zorach won't be overruled anytime soon. It really is all about irresponsible, overreaching, incompetent and intolerant parents who, apparently, make up a huge slice of the American adult population, and who also tend to support a particular political agenda that finds favor with a majority of the Court. Each takes care of the other in its own fashion. -----Original Message----- From: Steven Green [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, February 18, 2005 2:26 PM To: Law & Religion issues for Law Academics Subject: 21st Century Zorach Alan is correct about the need for non-religious alternatives. Good News was premised, in part, on the fact that the immediately after-school time was available to a host of groups (though no other group had exercised that right). As Doug recommended, release time should occur after the school day so as not to provide an unfair advantage to the religious groups of a potential captive audience (not to mention potential coercion or endorsement perceptions), and the opportunity must be extended to non-religious groups. -- Steven K. Green, J.D., Ph.D. Associate Professor Director, Center for Law and Government Willamette University College of Law 245 Winter St., SE Salem, OR 97301 503-370-6732 _______________________________________________ To post, send message to Religionlaw@lists.ucla.edu To subscribe, unsubscribe, change options, or get password, see http://lists.ucla.edu/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/religionlaw Please note that messages sent to this large list cannot be viewed as private. Anyone can subscribe to the list and read messages that are posted; people can read the Web archives; and list members can (rightly or wrongly) forward the messages to others. _______________________________________________ To post, send message to Religionlaw@lists.ucla.edu To subscribe, unsubscribe, change options, or get password, see http://lists.ucla.edu/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/religionlaw Please note that messages sent to this large list cannot be viewed as private. Anyone can subscribe to the list and read messages that are posted; people can read the Web archives; and list members can (rightly or wrongly) forward the messages to others.
