No Problem With Virginia's
'Moment Of Silence'
Dave Clemens
From:
To: "Positive Atheism" <editor@positiveatheism.org>
Subject: Re: News Tid-Bits
Date: Tuesday, June 27, 2000 3:36 PM
Regarding the ACLU's lawsuit against Virginia Public Schools:
I'm a recent graduate of Va's public education system who now attends the University of Virginia, and I'm vehemently opposed to any attempt at blurring the line between church and state. That said, I grew up with the 'moment of silence' being implemented and pulled from our school day many times and, to be honest, I don't have any problem with it being there. A moment of silence can be used for anything (I usually slept through mine), and I seriously doubt anyone is going to start praying one day just because they magically find the time before first period to do so. I fought and questioned various church-and-state related issues at my school, but this was not one of them. I chose not to protest it because I believed (and still believe) that to do so would deplete the logical legitimacy of some of my other disputes and would thus do more harm than good. While the moment of silence is not something I particularly like, actively attacking it could call into question the objectivity of a movement which can only win its battles by adhering to strictly objective principles.
Dave Clemens
From: "Positive Atheism" <editor@positiveatheism.org>
To:
Subject: Re: News Tid-Bits
Date: Tuesday, June 27, 2000 4:32 PM
We didn't give it any thought -- because it was called "Roll Call." Kids were allowed to do with it what they wanted (including pray) as long as they remained quietly seated. The teachers checked the seating chart against the seated students and nobody had any qualms about it.
I don't understand why they want to give this moment any religious overtones -- except that many Christians want to use this as a foot in the door to enforce their narrow version of Christianity upon the rest of us -- Christian and non-Christian alike. It is this tendency of such Christians, who mask their real motives in the name of fairness or whatever, that has folks like me running scared of almost any move they make.
If you have the time, could you please explain some of the ways opposing the Christians' "moment of silence" movement would be inconsistent with objective principles. We're not challenging you, we're just curious. If opposing the "moment of silence" is a mark of inconsistency, I want to know about it so I can reconsider my position.
Cliff Walker
"Positive Atheism" Magazine
From:
To: "Positive Atheism" <editor@positiveatheism.org>
Subject: Re: News Tid-Bits
Date: Tuesday, June 27, 2000 9:57 PM
Thanks for responding. I don't necessarily see opposing the moment of silence (MOS) as a mark of inconsistency as much as I can see how an opponent of ours would view it as such. I fully understand your fear that this MOS idea is, at least in part, an attempt to backdoor prayer into public schools. However, an opponent would deny that this is true and would cite rhetorical reasons as to the true motive for the advocation of this MOS, and our contention would turn into an argument over true motive, which is hopelessly subjective. It's always been my experience that the best way to win a debate (and to make sure it stays won) is to give your opponent every benefit of the doubt under all circumstances. Only when the doubt clouding an issue, in this case the MOS advocates' motive for advocating it, is brushed aside can a battle be won on an objective battlefield.
Again, I agree with you as to the MOS advocates' true motives; however, your telling me is, to use an appropriate analogy, just preaching to the choir.
Thoughts?
Dave
So mister preacher, if I couldn't pay my tithe
Do I have to wait outside?
White man, please take another look
Cause we couldn't be readin' out of the same book
Cause you's a crook and I'm a brother
King James had sex with his mother
Is that your edition? Is that your religion?
-- Ice Cube
From: "Positive Atheism" <editor@positiveatheism.org>
To:
Subject: Re: News Tid-Bits
Date: Wednesday, June 28, 2000 12:18 AM
While the moment of silence is certainly not our highest priority, I am thankful to the ACLU for taking on this case. There is a difference between setting aside time during class specifically so that some (but not all) can have an opportunity to pray, and arranging the schedule so that those who want an opportunity to pray may do so during, say, roll call. Since this difference is so blatant, and since I was held after class for refusing to pray in the fourth grade (circa 1966 -- two or three years after Murray v. Curlett), I will continue to support the ACLU's efforts to keep a lid on turning class time into a religious ritual.
Cliff Walker
"Positive Atheism" Magazine
As soon as you're born
They make you look small
-- John Lennon (1940-1980)
Material by Cliff Walker (including unsigned editorial commentary) is copyright ©1995-2006 by Cliff Walker. Each submission is copyrighted by its writer, who retains control of the work except that by submitting it to Positive Atheism, permission has been granted to use the material or an edited version: (1) on the Positive Atheism web site; (2) in Positive Atheism Magazine; (3) in subsequent works controlled by Cliff Walker or Positive Atheism Magazine (including published or posted compilations). Excerpts not exceeding 500 words are allowed provided the proper copyright notice is affixed. Other use requires permission; Positive Atheism will work to protect the rights of all who submit their writings to us.