Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Sauron · 04-08-2003, 10:00 PM

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...-2003Apr8.html

Paige's Remarks on Religion in Schools Decried
Critics Call On Education Secretary to Repudiate Published Statement or Resign

[...]
"All things equal, I would prefer to have a child in a school that has a strong appreciation for the values of the Christian community, where a child is taught to have a strong faith," Paige said in an interview published Monday by the Baptist Press, the news service of the Southern Baptist Convention.
[...]

Entropic_Gnosis · 04-09-2003, 12:04 AM

Just what we needed more of the religion in the public schools, oh and elitist ideas about morality. I dont carre that he is a devout Christian, i care that he makes this an issue for the schools.

Grumpy · 04-09-2003, 01:42 PM

"I would prefer to have a child..." sounds to me like he's talking about his personal preference for his own family. He didn't say, "Children are better off in Christian schools, all other things being equal."

As long as he can keep his personal preferences separate from public policy, more power to him.

BioBeing · 04-09-2003, 02:32 PM

Personal opinion? How about (from the article)

Quote:

To those who disagree with his position that religion has a place in the public schools, Paige replied: "I would offer critics my prayers."

And from the Baptist Press article

Quote:

Rod Paige: America's education evangelist
...
Quality education can -- and should -- be modeled on religious values, Page said. "Religious values are wonderful values that we should embrace in our daily lives. I think it's even more important that we embrace those values in our homes. We would have a much calmer, compassionate society."
...

GaryP · 04-09-2003, 08:19 PM

I saw mention of some criticism of Paige on the CNN crawler tonight.

Kinda surprised that it got even that much coverage.

Toto · 04-09-2003, 10:04 PM

This is our problem as secularists. Paige is African American. He might be a token, a pawn of the religious right, but there he is. He really doesn't understand secularism, because his experience has been that people are either Christian or wild uncontrolled sinners (or both.) He is probably one of those people who really does not understand that some people, who are good, well behaved, and psychologically centered Amercan citizens, do not believe in god.

And criticism of him will be less than criticism of Jerry Falwell saying virtually the same thing, because of his race / culture / life experiences.

ruby-soho · 04-10-2003, 06:50 AM

I'm on the Americans United e-mail list and received notification of Secretary Paige's remarks yesterday. I immediately sent him an e-mail to express my opinion:

Quote:

Secretary Paige,

I found the remarks made by you in the Baptist Press News Service interview, published April 7th, to be extremely outrageous and offensive. As a Christian myself, I find it appalling that you displayed no respect for the religious diversity of our nation's citizens in making the comments that you did. You, sir, are appointed as the highest educator in our great country and therefore you should set an example and embrace religious diversity amongst our nation's students, not denigrate it as you did. I hope that the 'strong value system' you claim to exist will be shown in your actions when you publicly apologize for your offensive remarks and repudiate them. If not, it would appear you have forsaken that precept of Christ taught in the Gospel of the Golden Rule and you're nothing more than a hypocrite. I pray that isn't the case, sir.

Sincerely,

I threw it together in haste because I was really pissed. Whether or not it makes a difference, who knows...

Respectfully,

D

Johnny Mayberry · 04-10-2003, 09:32 AM

A side issue for me is this: dowe have time to deal with religious issues when so many school can't even teach kids to read? THAT should be his main concern, and since it is not, he needs to go.

Toto · 04-10-2003, 02:30 PM

Paige "clarifies" remarks

Quote:

...

"I understand completely and respect the separation of church and state," Dr. Paige said. He said the interviewer had asked for his personal views on "how I would deal with issues," adding, "This has no connection to how I perform my duties as secretary of education."

. . .

Dr. Paige has long been a supporter of charter schools and vouchers, which would pour taxpayer money into religious schools. His department recently advised the nation's school districts that public schools that blocked the religious expression of students on school grounds risked losing federal money. The guidance is largely seen as carving a larger role for religion in public schools.

ruby-soho · 05-06-2003, 12:31 PM

I received this e-mail today in reply to the one I sent him (see above).

Quote:

I would like to thank you for taking the time to communicate your thoughts about comments I made in an interview for an article in the Baptist Press. Those comments have generated a considerable response. Please be aware that the Baptist Press has since issued a retraction and an apology for the inaccuracies and altered quotes contained in the article. The full text of the comments can be found at:

<http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=15707.>

I believe one of the great strengths of this country is the willingness of citizens to speak out on issues that are important to them. For me, it is an honor to be serving as Secretary of Education at a time when there is such widespread appreciation of the significance of education in our lives and our nation's future. I appreciate your taking part in this discussion, and expressing your views to me.

Sincerely,

Rod Paige

Kind of him to reply.

Respectfully,

D

04-08-2003, 10:00 PM	#1
Sauron Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: In the dark places of the world Posts: 8,093	Sec of Education comments reveal administration's true bias http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...-2003Apr8.html Paige's Remarks on Religion in Schools Decried Critics Call On Education Secretary to Repudiate Published Statement or Resign [...] "All things equal, I would prefer to have a child in a school that has a strong appreciation for the values of the Christian community, where a child is taught to have a strong faith," Paige said in an interview published Monday by the Baptist Press, the news service of the Southern Baptist Convention. [...]

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04-09-2003, 12:04 AM	#2
Entropic_Gnosis Regular Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: The Library Posts: 372	Just what we needed more of the religion in the public schools, oh and elitist ideas about morality. I dont carre that he is a devout Christian, i care that he makes this an issue for the schools.

04-09-2003, 01:42 PM	#3
Grumpy Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Alaska, USA Posts: 1,535	"I would prefer to have a child..." sounds to me like he's talking about his personal preference for his own family. He didn't say, "Children are better off in Christian schools, all other things being equal." As long as he can keep his personal preferences separate from public policy, more power to him.

04-09-2003, 08:19 PM	#5
GaryP Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Lancaster, OH Posts: 1,792	I saw mention of some criticism of Paige on the CNN crawler tonight. Kinda surprised that it got even that much coverage.

04-09-2003, 10:04 PM	#6
Toto Contributor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Los Angeles area Posts: 40,549	This is our problem as secularists. Paige is African American. He might be a token, a pawn of the religious right, but there he is. He really doesn't understand secularism, because his experience has been that people are either Christian or wild uncontrolled sinners (or both.) He is probably one of those people who really does not understand that some people, who are good, well behaved, and psychologically centered Amercan citizens, do not believe in god. And criticism of him will be less than criticism of Jerry Falwell saying virtually the same thing, because of his race / culture / life experiences.

04-10-2003, 09:32 AM	#8
Johnny Mayberry Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 12	A side issue for me is this: dowe have time to deal with religious issues when so many school can't even teach kids to read? THAT should be his main concern, and since it is not, he needs to go.

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