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Town Ostracizes Young Atheist
Student challenges prayer at Bastrop graduation
Mitzi Quinn has been on the staff at BHS for almost 25 years, much of that time as a senior advisor. In the past, Quinn said there have been students who were atheist, agnostic and other non-Christian religions who “had no problems” with the prayer.
“They respected the majority of their classmates and didn’t say anything,” Quinn said. “We’ve never had this come up before. Never.” Throughout her time working with the student, Quinn said they never expressed their personal beliefs or that they had any problems with other students’ Christian faiths.
“And what’s even more sad is this is a student who really hasn’t contributed anything to graduation or to their classmates,” Quinn said.
Alright, Tumblr, here’s what I’m asking you to do. Email the Superintendent, remind him that School officials may not mandate or organize prayer at graduation, nor may they organize a religious baccalaureate ceremony, and pass this on however you can.
This young man needs our support.
Update (from his brother):
My brother has been cut off from all communication by my mother. He is not allowed to speak to me and I live 6 hours drive away from him. There’s nothing I can do.
Update II:
They’ve re-written the article to include opinions from Christian students.
As the group crowded the front steps of the church, they discussed a plan that will still allow prayer to be heard at graduation. During the time of “silent reflection,” adults in the bleachers in the football stadium at Bastrop High will stand, followed by the students, who will turn to face the stadium as the group recites the Lord’s Prayer.
Source: bastropenterprise.com
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Charles Barkley on Gay Athletes
Ability to play should outweigh sexual orientation
“I really like ESPN,” Barkley added. “They do a great job. But like once every two or three months, they bring all these people on there, and they tell me how me and my team are going to respond to a gay guy.
“First of all, every player has played with gay guys. It bothers me when I hear these reporters and jocks get on TV and say, ‘Oh, no guy can come out in a team sport. These guys would go crazy.’ First of all, quit telling me what I think. I’d rather have a gay guy who can play than a straight guy who can’t play.”
Source: Washington Post
On Hypocritical Christians
Bill Maher:
Jesus lays on that hippie stuff pretty thick. He has lines like “Do not repay evil with evil” and “Do not take revenge on someone who wrongs you.” Really!
It’s in that book you hold up when you scream at gay people.
Source: friendlyatheist.com
Dear NBC
I am writing to you today in regards to Donald Trump.
Due to his actions and racist hate mongering speech, I am very concerned that NBC has a relationship with this man and has been silent during his recent antics. I am concerned that NBC embraces Trump and his despicable behavior.
While Mr. Trump continues his racist crusade against our President, myself and my extended family will not only avoid watching The Apprentice, but also all NBC programs and networks until he is no longer a part of NBC.
I will also be blogging, Facebooking, etc. to encourage everyone I know to take these actions as well.
I hope that NBC will see how serious everyday Americans are about this man continually demeaning our President and our country with his racist expoloits, and part ways with Mr. Trump.
Sincerely,
Me
I sent this email off this morning.
I also sent off email to the corporate sponsors of The Apprentice, a list of which you can find here.
I encourage all of you to do the same.
Source: watergatesummer.blogspot.com
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Opposing Anti-bullying Programs
How the Religious Right is Trying to Make Schools Safe for Bullies
An increasing number of conservative leaders and organizations have fiercely opposed anti-bullying programs developed by schools and education groups for the sole reason that such programs identify and attempt to combat the widespread bullying of LGBT youth.
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A North Carolina girl who was president of her school’s Gay-Straight Alliance club was physically attacked by a fellow student, and the school failed to conduct a serious investigation; a gay Wisconsin teenager encountered death threats but received no support from his school or law enforcement; a gay Florida student’s teacher openly mocked and criticized his sexual orientation in class; and a California teacher “drew an ‘S’ on a student’s hand and repeatedly referred to the student, who was wearing a T-shirt that read ‘Gay is Good,’ as a sinner throughout class.”
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Just as right-wing activists falsely predicted that hate crimes laws would lead to the arrest, prosecution and imprisonment of people of faith and the criminalization of religion, now they say that anti-bullying programs will force religious students out of schools.
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The Religious Right’s staunch opposition to comprehensive anti-bullying programs is symptomatic of the movement’s opposition to any recognition of the rights and dignity of LGBT people. The movement’s efforts to block anti-bullying programs by perpetuating groundless myths of indoctrination, special rights, and reparative therapy should be rejected by school officials and other policymakers.
Ignoring the clear signs of bullying directed towards gay and gay-perceived students does more than perpetuate the problem and lend undeserved credibility to Religious Right attacks on LGBT people and their allies. It undermines the creation of safe and welcoming schools, and puts the well-being and the very lives of American students at risk.
Source: pfaw.org
Pregnant Woman Arrested for Attempted Suicide
Pregnant Women Need Support, Not Prison
On December 23, 2010, Shuai, a 34-year-old pregnant woman who was suffering from a major depressive disorder, attempted to take her own life. Friends found her in time and persuaded her to get help. Six days later, Shuai underwent cesarean surgery and delivered a premature newborn girl who, tragically, died four days later.
Source: aclu.org
Wiccan fired because she was bullied by Christian
At New York’s Albany International Airport on March 12, 2009, transportation security officer Smith was called into the office of the No. 2 TSA boss there, the assistant federal safety director for law enforcement.
Source: MSNBC
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Repeal DOMA
Passed in 1996, DOMA:
- enshrined into US law the discriminatory notion that marriage is only between a man and a woman
- said that states that don’t allow marriage equality don’t have to recognize same sex marriages from other states
- denies loving married couples over 1,000 legal rights and privileges that straight couples enjoy
On February 23, 2011, the Obama administration determined that Section 3 of DOMA is unconstitutional and announced they would not defend it in court.
This is a big step forward but in the meantime, the law remains on the books until Congress repeals it.
Source: repealdoma.com
