In this issue:
The Troy School District will be displaying the national motto, "In God WeTrust", in compliance with a recent Troy City Council decision to display the motto in public buildings. However, this display will include patriotic symbols, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the national anthem, which is a deviation from the free posters offered by the Michigan chapter of the American Family Association.
According to the Oakland Press, Oakland Schools will be paying for the displays, which means that Oakland County taxpayers will be footing the bill for the wall-mounted design. The display will be placed in a prominent location in each Troy school.
TopThree legislators voted against HB 5091: from the Senate, Senators Martha Scott and Alma Wheeler Smith voted "no", and Representative Chris Kolb voted against the legislation in the House. Senator Smith and Representative Kolb voiced their opinions on the bill.
Senator Alma Wheeler Smith:
"The purpose of the legislation was to ostensibly reduce the opportunity for violence and terrorism, and it's a response to the events of September 11. I think it serves to do neither. In the public school systems where we have so many different religious denominations and so few, but still there and present, young people who don't believe in any God, to create a religious belief through the use ofthe national motto in a public school system, I think, is inappropriate. It does nothing to diminish violence. It does nothing to promote worship. I attended a Catholic school for 12 years, and I think some of the least r espectful and least thoughtful time we spent in school was when we said our prayer or went to mass in the morning. And based on that experience, I think that this is no solution to anything, and I voted 'no'.
Representative Chris Kolb:
"Mr. Speaker and members of the House: Sometimes a voice must be given to those whose voice seems to be ignored when they express their concerns. My 'no' vote on House Bill No. 5091 was one such vote, giving voice to the concerns expressed on this legislation. There are legitimate concerns in passing a law allowing state agencies and local units of government to place the motto 'In God We Trust' in public buildings. There is a concern that we as a State are on a slippery slope on the U.S. Constitutional protection of separation of church and state. Civil and legal rights advocates, and religious groups have voiced their concerns and opposition to HB 5091. Beyond the issue of separation of church and state, there are concerns that this phase alienates those in our communities whose religion worships more than one god or those persons who do not worship a god at all. My 'no' vote is to recognize these members of our communities and state, and the real danger of sliding down the slippery slope removing the protection of separation of church and state."
We encourage all readers to thank these legislators for recognizing that this legislation not only offers no solutions to problems, but also that there are citizens in Michigan that do not believe in any gods. We also encourage you to ask the legislators in your districts why they voted "yes", considering that approximately 14% of their constituents, on average, adhere to no religion. Please send any interesting responses to michiganatheistsnewsletter@comcast.net.
TopRobert St. Mary, an Atheist from Clinton Township, wrote the mayor of Troy about the city's recent decision to display the national motto in its schools. Here it is, in its entirety:
Keeping up with current events more closely since September 11th, I have witnessed a rise in the media concerning people returning to or feeling a sense of duty about their religious convictions. One of the ways people have been going outside themselves to help foster this feeling is through public displays of the motto IN GOD WE TRUST or ONE NATION UNDER GOD. Christians have been using the fact that these are placed within our nation’s pledge and on our nation’s money to legitimize the right for these mottos to be displayed in government and school buildings.Top
I have read that you plan to put one or both of these mottos on city buildings in Troy. Before you do something like that, please consider the following. First, the history of these sayings. At the height of the communist red scare of the 50’s, two laws were passed changing the money and pledge of allegiance in this country to its current state because of fear about “GODLESS, ATHEIST COMMUNISTS”. In 1957 a law was passed adding IN GOD WE TRUST to paper money. Earlier in the decade the pledge of allegiance was changed. In 1954 “ONE NATION UNDER THE CONSTITUTION” was changed to “ONE NATION UNDER GOD” due to the lobbying of the Christian organization, the KNIGHTS of COLUMBUS.
In my opinion both of these are just barely, if not over the edge when it comes breaking the guarantees under the establishment clause of the 1st amendment, which states “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech or of the press......” Both laws were passed at a time when fear and paranoia ruled the land. The fear of nuclear attack and xenophobia.... much like today. Sometimes it feels as if you could change the word “terrorist” for the word “communist” it is almost the same rhetoric as 50 years ago. We are still scared of something and are currently looking for strength from our government and our religion. Now it seems people want both working together for a joint cause.
Since September 11th there has been much talk in this country about the need for people to come together and feel united. Things what we can do to make people comfortable and bring a sense of community. I know as a leader in your community you want this for your people. But by adding an IN GOD WE TRUST or ONE NATION UNDER GOD plaque to your building(s) it could have the opposite effect. I hope that you will consider the following before you go ahead with this idea:
1.) The Establishment Clause of the First Amendment: Are you bending or breaking the law by placing such a plaque? What kind of example are you or will you be setting?
2.) IN GOD WE TRUST.... ONE NATION UNDER GOD. God? Whose God? There have been many gods over the course of human civilization. So? Is this plaque for Zeus? Thor? Even the Muslim God or Jewish God? I would say probably not. More than likely it is for the Christian God given the concentration of Christian people in your community. So, therefore... does this bring a sense of inclusion that is needed right now? I would say it breeds more exclusion to those of other faiths and those who hold no religious convictions in your community and surrounding area.
3.) Think about the history that you are perpetuating. The History of religion is not one of goodwill and love. Religions have a tendency to produce an “US and THEM” mentality that has been the root of much suffering on this planet. Numerous wars, the inquisition, witch hunts, the slave trade, the genocide of native peoples of North and South America as well as Australia, the holocaust, the violence in the Middle East and Northern Ireland, the governments of Iran and Afghanistan and the September 11th attacks were rooted in religion and specifically imposing one man’s believe in his God over others.
4.) Remember that Jefferson and the founding fathers of this nation put the establishment clause in the constitution because they saw the harm that government mandated religion caused in their native country as well as Europe. Here are two quotes I feel sum up the thoughts of this man who wrote our mostprized national document, the constitution: “Believing that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole of the American people which declared that their Legislature should “make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,” thus building a wall of separation between churchand state.” - Thomas Jefferson in a letter to the Danbury Baptists, 1802.
“History, I believe, furnishes no example of a priest-ridden people maintaining a free civil government. This marks the lowest grade of ignorance of which their civil as well as religious leaders will always avail themselves for their own purposes.” - Thomas Jefferson to Alexander von Humboldt, 1813
5.) And finally, are you really helping anyone by doing this? What end does it make? Or are you adding to the fear and paranoia that is burning in this country? Why not use the taxpayer or private money as a donation to the poor or homeless in your community? I feel that would help more people over time then a granite plaque ever would.
I want to thank you for your time and thoughts in this manner and invite you to discuss the matter further with your city council, citizens and myself for that matter. I would appreciate a reply to my letter and your thoughts on the matter. I wish good luck in what must be a very difficult position to be in.
Respectfully Yours,
Robert St. Mary
After the Michigan Atheists Newsletter ran the story on the Rochester Hills City Council decision to display "In God We Trust" and "God Bless America" in the City Hall auditorium, Lee Helms, who was in attendance and was able to obtain a video of the meeting, pointed out a few more things that happened that may be of interest to readers:
From John Riley, resident of Oakland Township and motto supporter:Top
"It's pretty well known that these people [the founding fathers] were all god-fearing, god-believing, god-trusting men, and that's what our nation's founded around. And also there's tons of evidence that shows that, all the way back to the time when we gave the Indians bibles to educate them and also give them values..."
As if Native Americans had no "values" before the white man came along! And in addition to bibles, we also gave them guns, whiskey and smallpox-infested blankets.
Jim Duistermars, city council member
"...there has been plenty of opportunity for that [IGWT] to come before the Supreme Court."
The Supreme Court is doing everything it can to avoid the issue. They can't rule IGWT unconstitutional without provoking the ire of superstitionists nation-wide, but they can't rule that IGWT is a constitutionally-acceptable, non-religious statement without throwing their credibility out the window.
Jim Duistermars, later in his stand-up routine
"Our rights are coming from a creator, our rights are not coming from another man [I wonder if he's ever heard of "We the people"?] such as some other secular political systems have tried to do, and those have far graver consequences when it comes to terms of death in those secular political systems. Far greater than what christians are, because to me it's just amazing how somebody can say well, Inquisition and the Holocaust. First of all I don't even think the Holocaust was god breathed, that was satan breathed, the Holocaust and the whole Nazi regime, but it... it... it stirs me quite some quite a bit..."
As that famous Beacon of Wisdom on radio, Russian Limburger, is so fond of saying, I ain't makin' this up, folks. That came straight from the videotape of the city council meeting!
Jim Duistermars, still later:
"The Constitution is just the mechanics of guaranteeing the promises of the Declaration of Independence"
Every nitwit who wants the Constitution to endorse religious belief tries to attach the Declaration of Independence to it. [Editor's note: The Declaration of Independence in no way sets legal precedent for anything; it is used as a rhetorical tool to point out what the Founding Fathers believed. However, the Founding Fathers were a pretty diverse group, religiously speaking. As a result, they found it necessary to make certain, in Article VI of the Constitution, that no religious test would be required for elected officials. They further saw the necessity of prohibiting the establishment of religion by the United States government. Obviously, the Founding Fathers wanted religion to remain a private matter, free from government intrusion.]
Bryan Barnett, city council VP
"Everyone who has spoken has been hesitant about some sort of structure we're placing on people and their beliefs. I don't think we're doing that at all. Everyone in this room right now has in god they trust on them on their person I assume and it's... they may be a full blown Atheist or a born again christian, I don't think we're dictating or we're in any way saying how we believe as a council, how we as a city believe..."
As if possesing money that has religious graffiti on it means that the bearer necessarily agrees with the opinion expressed in the graffiti! I guess he's never thought that some dissenters might think to ink out the offensive text on bills, and discard coins.
Barbara Holder, city council member
"I just wanted to um, kind of um, repeat what Dr. Benjamin Carson -- I know you've heard me talk about him before -- had stated in his um, lecture luncheon talks down in Atlanta when I was there and he did bring this up "In God We Trust" and he stated that, ya know, the... we lived by it for so many years, now Ameri... those who live in America are trying to regulate where we say it, where we put it, and he said that in the medical field that's considered schizophrentic [sic] and... and in a way it is because it's confusing to everyone of what that statement means. Now when I look at "In God We Trust" I don't see anywhere where it says in the christian god we trust, I don't see where it says, ya know, any other faith, that we trust, it is in YOUR god you trust, and.. and that IS what I see in that statement, so, I mean, those who want to... who want to dig into it and make it a different issue, ya know, so be IT, but you can worship whatever god or whatever thing that you want to, but that's... that's my opinion, it's... it's just that in god we trust or in your god you trust."
Well! I mean, ya know, um, what can I say? Now we've got a jenuwine doctor (!) trying to tell us how his own religio-political opinions are backed by medical science. As if HMOs aren't scary enough! If that's the state-of-the-art in medical science these days, I'm going to start seeing a witch-doctor! And it would be nice if Miss Elocution (mis-elocution -- get it?) could realize that some of us simply don't worship anything or anyone's make-believe god, and we are offended when others try to use government to put sayings about their beliefs in our way.
Michigan Atheists will be holding a press conference regarding the recent passage of Public Act 184, which encourages the display of the national motto, "In God We Trust", in public buildings throughout the state. This historic event will take place on March 17 at the China Star Palace at 270 S. Wayne Rd in Westland at 3:00PM. Attendees should arrive early, since the conference will begin promptly at 3:00.
Speakers will be protesting the passage of the legislation and the willingness--and eagerness--of some communities to comply, in spite of the fact that 14% of Americans do not believe in any god. This minority is larger than all but two religious minorities in the United States, and is about as large as the African-American population in this country.
Immediately following the press conference (at 4:00pm), Michigan Atheists will be holding their Spring Equinox dinner. The cost for the buffet will be $13.00 per person. It includes tea, coffee, tomato juice, sweet & sour chicken, almond chicken, pepper steak, stir fried vegetables, and rice. A cash bar is available, as well.
Please park at the rear of the restaurant.
TopThe United States Supreme Court will be ruling on a case involving school vouchers in Cleveland, Ohio, for students attending religious schools. For six years, Cleveland has given vouchers to parents who want their children to attend sectarian schools instead of the city's public school system. Supporters of the voucher system claim that the religious schools provide a better overall education than public schools. Opponents say that using tax dollars for this purpose is not only unconstitutional, since it funnels money into church-sponsored schools with little or no secular options, but is also a drain on funds that should be going to the already under-funded public school system.
When a similar voucher program was put to a vote in Michigan, approximately two-thirds of voters opposed it.
Similar voucher programs are in place in Wisconsin and Florida. This decision will most definitely decide the fate of these programs. The decision will also weigh heavily in determining the fate of the Bush administration's plan to use tax dollars to fund faith-based social programs. It could also stop Bush's plan for a national voucher system.
Topfrom American Atheists
Join us at the luxurious Hyatt Harborside Hotel in BostonMassachusetts for the 28th National Convention of American Atheists. This year's event includes the usual blockbuster roster of speakers, along with workshops, social events, a memorable luxury cruise of Boston Harbor, and a trip to historic Salem, and much more!
The 2002 National Convention will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the historic BAIRD v. EISENSTADT (1972) case which reversed the conviction of pro-choice activist Bill Baird, who was tried, convicted and jailed for violating a repressive law criminalizing the mere act of providing birth control information to women. After five years of legal battling, 21 judges and six courts, Bill Baird finally prevailed. We honor him and this historic case which laid the groundwork for another historic decision in ROE v. WADE. Mr. Baird is one of our featured speakers at this year's Convention. Other speakers (confirmed) include:
(Visit the Convention web site at http://www.atheists.org/convention as more outstanding speakers are confirmed!)
We also include a "Jump-start" event on Thursday, March 28, 2002 -- a trip to historic Salem. This fascinating tourist attraction includes the famous Salem Witch Museum, House of the Seven Gables, Maritime National Historic Site, along with a bevy of eateries and other destination activities.
WHAT: The 28th National Convention of American Atheists WHEN: March 29-31, 2001 (Jump-start Thursday, March 28) WHERE: Boston, Massachusetts MORE INFORMATION: http://www.atheists.org/conventionTop
The Michigan Atheists Newsletter is an electronic publication containing news about separation of state and church, the events of Michigan Atheists, and the civil rights of Michigan's godless citizens. All content of the newsletter is the intellectual property of Greg Reich and Michigan Atheists, unless otherwise credited.
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