Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Toto · 04-08-2002, 11:21 PM

<a href="http://www.sptimes.com/2002/04/06/news_pf/Columns/Session_of_chaotic_co.shtml" target="_blank">Another news story</a>

Quote:

The issue that sent things into chaos was, of all things, religion. It is always touchy when political figures go from politics to religion, but no one expected the more liberal Jewish members and the Christian conservatives to join forces and sink the ship. But that's what happened.

In a provision about religious freedom, Jewish members worried about Christian proselytizing, and some Christians worried about cults and demon worship.

The rest of the article is rather uncomplimentary to the Florida Legislature, in particular to its ethical standards and intelligence.

Toto · 04-12-2002, 09:37 AM

Proving once again that there is usually more to the news than the first impression would indicate:

<a href="http://tampatrib.com/News/MGAFGHZBUZC.html" target="_blank">House Plan On Religion In Schools Was Poorly Crafted</a>

Quote:

. . .

But the House members botched the effort. They added to the code, which governs the state's entire education system, a measure that would allow students to distribute religious literature, pray in groups and discuss religious topics with their fellow students.

The language was adopted from a document that had been produced by the American Civil Liberties Union, the American Jewish Congress and various other groups.

But the House conspicuously dropped the document's language that provides safeguards against religious harassment.

So senators' concerns that the provision could lead to students being subjected to religious intimidation were justified. For House leaders to act as if the language had been approved by the ACLU and other organizations was disingenuous, if not dishonest.

And Gov. Jeb Bush and Lt. Gov. Frank Brogan did not distinguish themselves with their churlish dismissal of the Senate's legitimate objections.

Senators also brought up another concern to which House members and the administration had not given much thought. What about individuals who practice Satanism or some other peculiar brand of religion? Should they be allowed to hold meetings and pass out literature at school? The House language would have made such activism difficult to control. . . .

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