Standing up for Education
By AtheistDad
of AtheistParents.org
The Union County, Tennessee, school system has a poor educational record and a history of underfunding, to the point that teachers have often gone unpaid. The system's Web site lists "Academics," "Faculty," "Clubs," "Guidance," "Library," and "Technology" among possible topics, but has no content associated with these links. Content that does exist on the site includes "Athletics," "Lunch Menu," and "Vocational." Perhaps it should come as no surprise, then, that a school system placing very little emphasis on quality education is currently embroiled in a controversy surrounding the mistreatment of a student who placed more importance on learning than on participating in illegal religious activities.
Straight-A student India Tracy, a pagan, finally stood up after years of coercion to the school system by declining to attend a recent school-sponsored tent-revival. When she turned in her permission slip checked "no," the principal called her into the office and asked why she didn't wish to attend. Her answer? She didn't think discussion of religion belonged in school. India has also been alienated for refusing to play Mary in the school play. Not surprisingly, she's long faced abuse inflicted by classmates. As a result of these and other issues over the past several years, India's parents have removed her from the school.
But where in East Tennessee can she go for a quality education without all the fundy baggage? Let's not forget that Tennessee is home to the infamous Scope's Trial. Many teachers still decline to teach evolution, and area newspaper editorial columns frequently flare up with shouting matches about matters of church and state, evolution, and other issues that get fundy goats. While the prospects for a godless (or religious discrimination-free) education in the area are slim, India and her parents are investigating private schooling as an option. Understandably, they're seeking compensation from the school system that will help enable them to invest in India's education.
Several area groups, including the Unitarian Universalist Church and the Rationalists of East Tennessee, have come together to rally behind the family in support of freedom of and from religion. Anyone interested in updates on the case or in helping (financially or otherwise) should send a note to info@atheistparents.org.
By AtheistDad
of AtheistParents.org
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Straight-A student India Tracy, a pagan, finally stood up after years of coercion to the school system by declining to attend a recent school-sponsored tent-revival. When she turned in her permission slip checked "no," the principal called her into the office and asked why she didn't wish to attend. Her answer? She didn't think discussion of religion belonged in school. India has also been alienated for refusing to play Mary in the school play. Not surprisingly, she's long faced abuse inflicted by classmates. As a result of these and other issues over the past several years, India's parents have removed her from the school.
But where in East Tennessee can she go for a quality education without all the fundy baggage? Let's not forget that Tennessee is home to the infamous Scope's Trial. Many teachers still decline to teach evolution, and area newspaper editorial columns frequently flare up with shouting matches about matters of church and state, evolution, and other issues that get fundy goats. While the prospects for a godless (or religious discrimination-free) education in the area are slim, India and her parents are investigating private schooling as an option. Understandably, they're seeking compensation from the school system that will help enable them to invest in India's education.
Several area groups, including the Unitarian Universalist Church and the Rationalists of East Tennessee, have come together to rally behind the family in support of freedom of and from religion. Anyone interested in updates on the case or in helping (financially or otherwise) should send a note to info@atheistparents.org.
February 27, 2003