NASA Allows Prayer Announcement After Employee Protests

[Bonnie]

By J. Grant Swank Jr. (05/25/2006)

It’s odd how some Americans still don’t get it that freedom of religious expression is a given according to our US Constitution.

There is no such thing as "separation of church and state" when correctly defined. There is, in the US, separation of denomination from state. In other words, no one denomination is to be the state church. In England, the Anglican Church is just that. But in America religion and state coexist, as always, and there is no right for anyone to delete religious expression in favor of preserving solely the state.
"Separation of church and state" is merely a convenient mantra for the irreligious or uninformed to throw up when someone comes along with the freedom of religious expression. To use that mantra makes the person sound important and intelligent when in fact that individual is stupid.

NASA research facility in the Sacramento, CA Bay Area was going to prohibit the fully detailed announcement of the National Day of Prayer event. The officials concluded that to print it in the announcement sheet would be going against the "separation of church and state." There you have it. Just bring forth something having to do with faith and the "separation of church and state" mantra flies in the face of those practicing their constitutional rights.

Pacific Justice Institute was contacted by those wanting the full announcement printed. NASA had said they would print the item but not give the detail of where and when. Is that silly or what? But that shows what I just printed, that is, that using that mantra exposes stupidity rather than intelligence.

When employees got the read-out that their announcement was irrationally abbreviated, they immediately contacted the judicial institute for legal assistance. Those from the Institute met with NASA personnel, explaining politely that NASA was out of bounds on its interpretation of the US Constitution, that in fact religious expression is guaranteed by that Constitution. Therefore, National Day of Prayer with specifics was rightfully printed in the announcement sheet along with other announcements such as Earth Day celebrations, retirement parties, and so forth.


"Several employees contacted Pacific Justice Institute, which sent a legal demand letter informing NASA officials that their actions violated both the First Amendment and federal law protecting employees’ religious rights. After some negotiation, NASA changed course and published an announcement which complied with the employees’ request.

"As one employee stated, ‘We got everything we wanted . . . thanks to your effort and, of course, the actions of the unseen, wonderful God we serve. Please know that you and PJI have our very deepest thanks and sincere appreciation.’ The NDP event was then held and was reportedly a great success.

"PJI staff attorney Matthew McReynolds, who wrote to NASA and negotiated on the employees’ behalf, commented, ‘This isn’t rocket science; you can’t treat employees differently based on their religious viewpoints. It doesn’t matter whether they are day laborers or aerospace engineers, private workers or public servants.’"

"Brad Dacus, president of PJI, stated, ‘Attempts to censor a National Day of Prayer announcement represent a fundamental misunderstanding of the First Amendment. We are pleased that NASA officials were responsive to our request and eventually acknowledged these employees’ rights.’"

http://americandaily.com/article/13723

Hmm.

 

[Abbey Normal]

A little bit of knowledge really is a dangerous thing. It's fantastic that groups like PJI exist to help employers clear up their confusion over the Constitution.

 

[Bonnie]

A little bit of knowledge really is a dangerous thing. It's fantastic that groups like PJI exist to help employers clear up their confusion over the Constitution.

Yes these groups are sprouting up all over the country filling a need. But the other thing I get from this story is that the employees fought back. This needs to keep happening. In the Bay area no less

 

[jillian]

A little bit of knowledge really is a dangerous thing. It's fantastic that groups like PJI exist to help employers clear up their confusion over the Constitution.

You think that PJI is there to "clear up confusion"? I think they have a different agenda.

 

[GotZoom]

You think that PJI is there to "clear up confusion"? I think they have a different agenda.

Being the anti-ACLU?

 

[jillian]

Being the anti-ACLU?

Fair analogy. I don't like a lot of what the ACLU does either.
But it's sure not "clearing up confusion".

 

[rtwngAvngr]

Fair analogy. I don't like a lot of what the ACLU does either.
But it's sure not "clearing up confusion".

And what is their dastardly purpose? Forcing religion on non believers? Enlighten us.

 

[Annie]

By J. Grant Swank Jr. (05/25/2006)



http://americandaily.com/article/13723

Hmm.

I just get so ticked when hearing the stuff that some schools think is 'fact.'


http://www.religioustolerance.org/ps_pray.htm

RELIGION AND PRAYER IN U.S. PUBLIC SCHOOLS, LIBRARIES, etc.

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Quotations:
"Americans are being denied the right to express their religious speech in the public square." Ralph Reed, Christian Coalition.

"Public schools can neither foster religion nor preclude it. Our public schools must treat religion with fairness and respect and vigorously protect religious expression as well as the freedom of conscience of all other students. In so doing our public schools reaffirm the First Amendment and enrich the lives of their students". Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley June 1998

"A Congress that allows God to be banned from our schools while our schools can teach about cults, Hitler and even devil worship is wrong, out of touch, and needs some common sense." Rep. James Traficant, (D-OH) 1999-APR-27.

"There is no such source and cause of strife, quarrel, fights, malignant opposition, persecution, and war, and all evil in the state, as religion. Let it once enter our civil affairs, our government would soon be destroyed. Let it once enter our common schools, they would be destroyed." Supreme Court of Wisconsin, Weiss v. District Board, 1890-MAR-18.

"A union of government and religion tends to destroy government and degrade religion." Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black, Engel v. Vitale, (1962)
bullet "School sponsorship of a religious message is impermissible because it sends the ancillary message to members of the audience who are nonadherents that they are outsiders, not full members of the political community, and an accompanying message to adherents that they are insiders, favored members of the political community. " U.S. Supreme Court ruling, Santa Fe v. Doe, (2000).

Topics covered:

Introduction: Overview, The Constitution, landmark court decisions, etc.


* About prayer in public schools:

* The court case that ended state-sponsored prayer

* Quotations from religious and political leaders

* Praying in the classroom -- legally

* Moment of silence

* Position of U.S. political parties on school prayer

* Popular misconceptions about school prayer

* Accommodating prayers by Muslims

* About prayer at municipal government meetings

* Teaching about religion and the Bible:

* Legal considerations

* Attempts to teach religion

* Prayer at special events:

* Sports events

* Graduation ceremonies

* Court decisions and public reactions on graduation prayers

* At the flagpole - See You at the Pole events

* Student free speech guarantees:

* Students' religious jewelry and clothing

* Equal Access Act regarding student clubs

* Events reported in the media:

* 1995 to 1997 inclusive

* 2000 to 2002

* 2003 to now

* Other matters:

* Renting school & library facilities to community groups

* What the Bible says about public prayer

* Separation of church and state issues

* The Pledge of Allegiance prayer



Sources of additional information:

* The U.S. Department of Education guidelines for religion in the public schools at: http://www.ed.gov/inits/religionandschools/

* The National Congress of Parents and Teachers and Freedom Forum's "A parent's guide to religion in the public schools," at: http://www.freedomforum.org/ You need software to read these files. It can be obtained free from:

* Freedom Forum's "A teacher's guide to religion in the public schools," at: http://www.freedomforum.org/newsstand/reports/ * **

* National Bible Association and the First Amendment Center's "The Bible & Public Schools," at: http://www.freedomforum.org/ This also requires Acrobat software.

* Anti-Defamation League (ADL)'s "Religion in the Public Schools" at: http://www.adl.org/religion_ps/default.asp

 

[Bonnie]

I just get so ticked when hearing the stuff that some schools think is 'fact.'


http://www.religioustolerance.org/ps_pray.htm

And what's always so predictable is the morphing of the concept of neutrality to mean banishment. Banishment equates to hostility not neutrality. Seems simple right?

 

[Annie]

And what's always so predictable is the morphing of the concept of neutrality to mean banishment. Banishment equates to hostility not neutrality. Seems simple right?

Luckily the best teachers get the best info. Of course, if your kids are not at these teachers schools, ....

 

[Bonnie]

Luckily the best teachers get the best info. Of course, if your kids are not at these teachers schools, ....

And the NEA wonders aloud why the surge in home-schooling??

 

[Annie]

And the NEA wonders aloud why the surge in home-schooling??

right. http://gottsegnet.blogspot.com/2006/05/21st-carnival-of-homeschooling-map-to.html

 

[Bonnie]

right. http://gottsegnet.blogspot.com/2006/05/21st-carnival-of-homeschooling-map-to.html

Wow!! Bigger than even I thought.

 

[Annie]

Wow!! Bigger than even I thought.

 

[Abbey Normal]

Fair analogy. I don't like a lot of what the ACLU does either.
But it's sure not "clearing up confusion".

Well then, let's see if we can break this down.

1. NASA thought they would violate the Constitution if they announced the Nat'l Day of Prayer.

2. Consitutional lawyers explained to them that, contrary to what they may have heard from the secular left, the Constitution does not prohibit such activity.

3. NASA then understood that they were misinterpreting the Constitution.

4. NASA made the announcement.

Lighbulb on, confusion cleared for NASA.

Perhaps not for you, though.

 

[no1tovote4]

And the NEA wonders aloud why the surge in home-schooling??

You should have seen the fight they put up when Colorado voted it in as a Right of the citizens first to move within the district to any school they wanted to attend, later to move within the state to any school they wanted to attend, then finally to home school the children. Three votes, the NEA fought like a feral cat over each of them and lost each time....

 

[Bonnie]

You should have seen the fight they put up when Colorado voted it in as a Right of the citizens first to move within the district to any school they wanted to attend, later to move within the state to any school they wanted to attend, then finally to home school the children. Three votes, the NEA fought like a feral cat over each of them and lost each time....

If they spent more energy listening to the wishes of parents rather than fighting them like feral cats they wouldn't be in trouble. They don't want to be held accountable for anything, but they sure want their funding.