posted on November 29, 2004 08:32:41 PM new
Nov 29, 11:09 PM EST
ATHENS, Ga. (AP) -- A high school principal apologized Monday for reading a poem called "The New School Prayer" over the school's intercom, which brought complaints from some parents who said it violated the principle of separation of church and state.
Tommy Craft said he wanted not to promote religion but to provoke thought and discussion among students about the changing political climate in school when he read the poem the Tuesday before the Thanksgiving break.
"I apologized to them today in another statement," Craft said. "I said that there was no attempt to individualize or to bring ridicule on any particular person with the poem."
The poem, which has circulated on the Internet since at least 1992, is written in the rhyming style of the children's prayer that begins "Now I lay me down to sleep." It refers to prayer not being allowed in school, although students can "dress like freaks, and pierce our noses, tongues and cheeks" or "elect a pregnant Senior Queen."
The poem mentions the ability to get condoms and birth control, as well as study "witchcraft, vampires and totem poles."
"But the Ten Commandments are not allowed, no word of God must reach this crowd," the poem says.
Some parents have complained to both Craft and the Clarke County School Superintendent Lewis Holloway.
"Basically, I found the poem offensive, but even if I didn't, I still would believe it crossed the line between church and state," said Ginger Smith, whose daughter is a junior at Cedar Shoals High School.
Holloway said the district had received "several calls" from people who were upset about the poem. He would not discuss any action taken against Craft.
Well it's good that some parents have enough brains in their heads to make sure the school is not practicing religion. I would be angry too if my son went there and came home and told me about this. We pay taxes for education, and not religion. There should be NO mixing of the two.
posted on November 29, 2004 08:48:09 PM new
NEW School Prayer.
Now I sit me down in school
Where praying is against the rule
For this great nation under God
Finds mention of Him very odd.
If Scripture now the class recites,
It violates the Bill of Rights.
And anytime my head I bow
Becomes a Federal matter now.
Our hair can be purple, orange or green,
That's no offense; it's a freedom scene.
The law is specific, the law is precise.
Prayers spoken aloud are a serious vice.
For praying in a public hall
Might offend someone with no faith at all.
In silence alone we must meditate,
God's name is prohibited by the state.
We're allowed to cuss and dress like freaks,
And pierce our noses, tongues and cheeks.
They've outlawed guns, but FIRST the Bible.
To quote the Good Book makes me liable.
We can elect a pregnant Senior Queen,
And the 'unwed daddy,' our Senior King.
It's "inappropriate" to teach right from wrong,
We're taught that such "judgments" do not belong.
We can get our condoms and birth controls,
Study witchcraft, vampires and totem poles.
But the Ten Commandments are not allowed,
No word of God must reach this crowd.
It's scary here I must confess,
When chaos reigns the school's a mess.
So, Lord, this silent plea I make:
Should I be shot; My soul please take!
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Brian S. - "God's own emissary to the Vendio heathens"
posted on November 29, 2004 08:50:54 PM new
It's a tacky thing for a principal to say over the loudspeaker, but I don't know why anyone would be offended. Unless maybe the Prom Queen WAS pregnant, then you might have grounds for a lawsuit.
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Brian S. - "God's own emissary to the Vendio heathens"
posted on November 29, 2004 09:10:15 PM new
Must of been written by some bible thumping kid who was brain washed at an early age. What else could it be? The kid with the gay pride tee shirt is probably more popular than this geek.
Bigots are miserable people. Prevent Bigotry through Education.
Prevent Bigotry through Education.