The Gaytheist Agenda

Not that this hasn’t happened countless times before, but it’s always nice to have another documented case of it. The more we have, the stronger our case is against these “pro-family” groups that seek only to harm.

Dr. Gary Remafedi Says Conservative Group Guilty of “Gross Misrepresentation” And Questions If Focus Actually Read His Article Before Misquoting It

NEW YORK – Truth Wins Out published a letter today from a researcher who claims Focus on the Family twisted his work. In the letter, Gary Remafedi, M.D., M.P.H., a professor of pediatrics at the University of Minnesota, asked Focus on the Family’s leader James Dobson to stop misrepresenting his findings from a key 1992 study.

“I want to draw your attention to a gross misrepresentation of our research at the website of Focus on the Family,” Remafedi wrote in his letter to Dobson. “More important, had the authors of “Myths and Facts” actually read the article, they would have found no support for their contention that ‘many children experience a period of sexual-identity confusion when they can be influenced in either direction.’”

(Full Text of Letter Below)

Remafedi’s report was published in Pediatrics in 1992. The study explored patterns of sexual orientation in a representative sample of more than 34,000 Minnesota students in grades 7 to 12. Focus on the Family distorted his findings to make the case that young people should not learn about homosexuality because they were sexually confused, and could thus be influenced by educational material.

“Focus on the Family has engaged in a disturbing pattern of misrepresenting the work of legitimate researchers to further their anti-gay agenda,” said Wayne Besen, Executive Director of TruthWinsOut.org. “We call on Focus on the Family to immediately expunge all falsehoods and fallacies presented as‘facts’ from their past and present literature.”

Focus on the Family has an ignoble history of manipulating or cherry picking the research of genuine scientists. Last year, several researchers held Dobson accountable for misrepresenting their work. Letters and videos from these scientists can be viewed at www.RespectMyResearch.org.

TruthWinsOut.org is currently working to find examples where right wing organizations have twisted scientific work. If you have a case that is worthy of investigation, please contact TWO’s Director of Research, Peter Cabrera, at petercabrera74@yahoo.com

FULL TEXT OF LETTER

Dr. James Dobson
Focus on the Family
Colorado Springs, CO 80995

April 30, 2008

Dear Dr. Dobson,

I want to draw your attention to a gross misrepresentation of our research at the website of “Focus on the Family” (see here). In the third paragraph of the article, “Myths and Facts,” our research is cited in support of the statement: “During early adolescence, many children experience a period of sexual-identity confusion when they can easily be influenced in either direction.”

First, please note that the citation itself is incorrect. The original article was published in Pediatrics, not Journal of Pediatrics. The correct reference is: Remafedi G, Resnick M, Blum R, Harris L. Demography of sexual orientation in adolescents. Pediatrics. 89(4):714-721, 1992. More important, had the authors of “Myths and Facts” actually read the article, they would have found no support for their contention that “many children experience a period of sexual-identity confusion when they can be influenced in either direction.” The word confusion does not appear in our article; nor did we find that anyone can influence a young person’s sexual identity.

The purpose of our study was to explore patterns of sexual orientation in a representative sample of more than 34,000 Minnesota students in grades 7 to 12. We found that the percentage of student who reported being “unsure” about their orientation steadily declined with age from 25.9% in 12-year-old persons to 5% in 18 year-old students (p. 716). Youth who were “unsure” were more likely than others to entertain homosexual fantasies and attractions and less likely to have had heterosexual experiences (p. 720). These and other data suggested that uncertainty about sexual orientation “gradually gives way to heterosexual or homosexual identification with the passage of time and/or with increasing sexual experience” (p. 720).

Please ask the authors of the misstatements to correct them as soon as possible. In the interest of accurate translation of research into practice, a copy of this letter will be posted at Truth Wins Out. Thank you for your attention.
Respectfully yours,

Gary Remafedi, M.D., M.P.H.
Professor, Department of Pediatrics
University of Minnesota
428 Oak Grove St.
Minneapolis, MN 55403

cc: Truth Wins Out

Will it stay up for a while, be taken down because of outraged believers, or be vandalized? I myself hope it stays as the message is important. It went up today in celebration of the National Day of Reason.

Godless Billboard Greets Philly Area Motorists

May 1, 2008

For Immediate Release - Contact Fred Edwords at (202) 238-9088, fedwords@americanhumanist.org or American Humanist.org

(Washington, D.C.) “Don’t believe in God? You are not alone.”

These words are being seen on Interstate 95 north of Philadelphia. Greeting outbound drivers near the Westmorland turnoff, they are part of a highway billboard that features an image of blue sky and clouds with the words superimposed over. The striking message raises a question . . . and maybe some eyebrows.

The billboard was placed by a coalition of local and national humanist and freethought organizations, including the American Humanist Association and it’s independent marketing adjunct FreeThoughtAction, Atheist Alliance International, the Freethought Society of Greater Philadelphia, the Humanist Association of Greater Philadelphia, and Temple University Secular Students.

This billboard was timed to coincide with the National Day of Reason, celebrated by humanists each year on the same date as the National Day of Prayer–which this year falls on May 1, the 75th anniversary of the first Humanist Manifesto.

Speaking at a press conference held this morning at the Ethical Humanist Society of Greater Philadelphia, Roy Speckhardt, executive director of the American Humanist Association, said: “Traditional religious billboards have abounded in the past. Something nontraditional like this is therefore needed to stimulate thinking.”

Joe Fox, president of the Humanist Association of Greater Philadelphia, added: “The point of the billboard is to make nontheistic people, such as atheists and agnostics, aware that they aren’t alone.”

At the same press conference, Margaret Downey of Pocopson, president of Atheist Alliance International, highlighted the positive results that occur when nontheists find each other and become involved with other like-minded individuals.

Sally J. Cramer, president of the Freethought Society of Greater Philadelphia, declared: “Atheist and agnostic Americans have been made to feel marginalized. It’s time to change that. We’re here and we have a place at the table.”

“We want people to know there’s a serious and meaningful alternative to the religious right that has been dominating American religious discussion,” Fox added. “After all, a lot of people are frustrated with the power that traditional faiths have wielded, and they don’t know where to turn to find others who share that frustration. Now they will.”

The billboard will be up for three months and is one of a series that will appear around the country, raising the public profile of humanists and freethinkers. The billboard is backed by an active Web site at www.PhillyCOR.org that sets forth the larger mission of the effort and offers ways that individuals can get involved. An image of the billboard appears on the site, but people can also phone 1-800-NEW-REASON. Either way they will be able to learn more about the national and Philadelphia organizations behind the effort.

“Once people have phoned or logged on, they can go further to learn more or just stop right there,” Cramer said. “No door-to-door evangelist will ever visit, and there are no pop-ups on the Web page. Our only aim is to reach those who really want to learn more.”

The billboard is large and clear–20 feet tall by 60 feet wide–and strikingly easy to see on the right side of the roadway.

“You can’t miss it,” Cramer concluded.

The purveyors of lies, intolerance and inequality have done it. From Equality California:

They claim they did the unconscionable.

Extremist anti-LGBT organizations spent an unprecedented amount of money to pay people to collect signatures and are now saying that they succeeded in buying their way onto the November ballot.

The measure seeks to amend the California Constitution from being a document that protects all people to one that excludes us from equality.

…..

EQCA is a leading partner in the Equality for All Campaign that is made up of leadership from LGBT and allied organizations fighting this dangerous initiative.

We estimate that the opposition spent well over $1.5 million to gather signatures. This means they’re serious about spending millions more to pass the amendment. We need to prepare for what will likely be the most expensive LGBT rights ballot measure in our nation’s history. Here’s what you can do:

* Make a donation to Equality California Issues PAC. We have to match them dollar for dollar. EQCA Issues PAC is committed to fighting this and every attack on our families and our community and every dollar raised will be spent to defeat this measure.
* Tell your friends and family. Tell them why you are giving and ask them to make a donation as well.

In the coming months our community is going to be tested in ways it has not been tested before. So much hangs in the balance.

Granted, Governor Schwarzenegger stated that he is against a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. But we need to fight this hateful initiative tooth and nail nonetheless.

 

As I posted previously, Truth Wins Out is in the San Jose area for a number of events to fight the “Ex-Gay” industry. My SO and I attended the press conference earlier today at the Billy DeFrank Center and met Wayne Besen, Aejaie Sellers and others who have put this event together.

On Saturday at 11am there will be a prayer vigil outside the Abundant Life Christian Fellowship in Mountain View, which is where the Love Won Out symposium is being held. Here is a Google Map of the church location for handy reference. At 1pm there will be a panel discussion on the “Ex-Gay” industry at the Billy DeFrank Center in San Jose. Directions to the center are available here.

We would love to see you there, be you LGBT, ally, faithful, faithless or any combination thereof!

Here’s the scoop, sorry for the late notice. I just got notice that there will be a number of events in San Jose to educate people on the dangers of the “Ex-Gay” industry and to protest the Love Won Out symposium. While this is short notice, particularly for the Thursday events, all who can attend are encouraged to do so.

What: TruthWinsOut.org Executive Director Wayne Besen will travel to San Jose this week to help educate people about the dangers of the ex-gay industry. Besen will join a group of local organizations at a press conference on Thursday, in an effort to ensure accurate information reaches the public and those attending the Love Won Out conference. Besen is also the author of “Anything But Straight: Unmasking the Scandals and Lies Behind the Ex-Gay Myth.”

“It’s tragic that most of the people attending Love Won Out are parents who are looking for answers in the wrong place,” said TruthWinsOut.org’s Executive Director Wayne Besen. “We are speaking out to stop these parents from being exploited and we hope to dispel myths and misconceptions so they can learn to love and accept their gay children.”

Where: The Billy DeFrank GLBT Community Center
938 The Alameda
(West of the HP Pavilion Arena, between Race St and Hwy 87)

When: Thursday, April 10
11 AM

Who: Aejaie Sellers, DeFrank Center’s CEO/Executive Director

Bill Roth, Catholic Democrats of California

Gloria Nieto, Santa Clara County LGBT Democrats

Wayne Besen, Executive Director, TruthWinsOut.org

Rev. Michael Ellard, Metropolitan Community Church of San Jose

Saturday Activities: On Saturday, April 12, a prayer vigil will take place at 11 AM, in front of the church hosting Love Won Out - Abundant Life Christian Fellowship, 2440 Leghorn Street, Mountain View. Also on Saturday, the DeFrank Center will host a panel discussion on the ex-gay industry at 1:00pm (938 The Alameda, San Jose). Joining Sellers and Besen will be Rev. Michael Ellard (Metropolitan Community Church of San Jose), Bill Roth (Catholic Democrats of California), Gloria Nieto (Santa Clara County LGBT Democrats) and ex-gay survivors.

Love Won Out is a quarterly ex-gay symposium sponsored by Focus on the Family. John Paulk, an ex-gay leader who was on the cover of Newsweek and appeared on Oprah, 60 Minutes and Good Morning America, originally ran the program. Love Won Out suffered a major setback after Paulk was photographed in a Washington, DC gay bar by Besen.

TruthWinsOut.org is a non-profit organization that counters right wing propaganda, exposes the “ex-gay” myth and educates America about gay life.

I’d love to see you there!

The enemies of science, rationality and historical truth are at it again. The following is a press release from the Center for Inquiry.

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release
April 07, 2008

Contact: Nathan Bupp
Phone: (716) 636-4869 x. 218
E-mail: nbupp@centerforinquiry.net

(Amherst, New York) –The Center for Inquiry (CFI), an international think tank promoting science and secularism, released a 25-page report today detailing what it calls “egregious errors” sufficient enough to warrant “immediate correction,” in a widely used civics textbook found in many secondary schools around the country, including advanced placement courses. CFI believes that the textbook American Government: Institutions and Policies, 10th edition, (Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2006) contains inaccurate and misleading statements, in particular in its analysis of global warming and certain constitutional law issues. In response, CFI’s legal experts have analyzed the textbook and prepared a critique that sets forth recommended changes.

Derek Araujo, a lawyer and executive director for CFI’s New York office, spearheaded the textbook review project. Araujo stated that he was “surprised and dismayed that a textbook used in advanced placement courses would contain clearly erroneous statements about significant issues, such as global warming and school prayer.” Araujo recruited leading scientists, including Stuart D. Jordan from NASA, to provide their assessment of the book’s treatment of global warming.

CFI’s critique focuses on six areas: the science of global warming; the legality of school prayer; the significance of the Supreme Court’s decision in Lawrence v. Texas; the alleged influence of the religious concept of “original sin” on the structure of the Constitution; the meaning of the Establishment Clause; and the significance of the Supreme Court’s decision not to hear a case (what lawyers refer to as the denial of a writ of certiorari).

Ronald A. Lindsay, CFI’s general counsel, characterized the errors as “significant and inexcusable. For a civics textbook to state—as this book does—that the Supreme Court will not allow students to pray in schools betrays either a serious misunderstanding of the law or a willingness to have the textbook serve as a propaganda vehicle for the Religious Right.”

CFI maintains that it is very important for civics students to obtain accurate information about our Constitution, our legal system and public policy issues, and that instructional material should be objective and free of ideological bias.

The textbook critique was researched and written by Araujo, Lindsay, and Jordan. A downloadable PDF copy of the full report is available online here

Addendum. A comment has arrived. Ebon said:

It comes to something when the Religious Reich’s lies manage to find their way into textbooks.

 
The RRRW has infiltrated the controlling elements of our society; every branch of the government and the police, the military, school boards and others. They want their people in power positions as a means of achieving complete control of everything. There are even Dominionists among those RRRWers, and they make the standard RRRWers look like Mary Poppins.

I always wonder why they feel the need to go to such lengths. If their god is so all-powerful and intends to punish the crap out of all the sinners (which by their standards includes about 95% of us) then why don’t they just let him do it? Why not leave everybody the heck alone and leave the almighty god to do his work rather than making our lives hell on earth now?

But maybe they just don’t have the faith in their god that they claim they do, and that’s why they have to do his hating and punishing for him.

 

As if she hadn’t already had enough free speech when she spewed homophobic hate speech against LGBTs during a political speech, then again when CWA gave her free airtime to do it again. She now apparently needs another platform to parade her hate because LGBT people have had the audacity to speak up in their own defense. Shame on them!

WASHINGTON, March 31 /Christian Newswire/ — On Wednesday, April 2, Concerned Women for America (CWA) will join over 50 pastors in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to rally support for State Representative Sally Kern (R-Oklahoma City) and her right to free speech. Recently, Rep. Kern has been under attack from radical homosexual activists and their followers over remarks she made regarding the homosexual agenda. Rep. Kern took a Biblical stand against homosexual activism and has refused to back down from her statements despite receiving death threats.

Event Details —

What: Free Speech Rally for State Representative Sally Kern

When: Wednesday, April 2; 12:00pm Noon

Where: Rotunda of the Oklahoma State Building; 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City Oklahoma

CWA applauds Rep. Kern for continuing to be steadfast and resolute in this fight against the homosexual agenda and for shedding light on the threat it poses to our nation. Rep. Kern has been quoted as saying that the homosexual agenda is dangerous “because it destroys the basic moral fiber of this nation, which is traditional marriage and the traditional family.” She couldn’t be more right.

Matt Barber, CWA’s Policy Director for Cultural Issues, said, “There are certainly those who hate Rep. Kern. They’ve made that perfectly clear with vicious personal attacks and even death threats. But millions of Americans proudly stand alongside Sally Kern and say, ‘Thank you. Thank you for boldly standing your ground and for unapologetically defending Biblical Truth.’ They intended to make an example of her. They have, but not in the way they had hoped. She has set an example for millions of believers around the world. Her courage and refusal to deviate from God’s unequivocal condemnation of sexual immorality is serving to galvanize and embolden others. People say, ‘Well Sally Kern wasn’t intimidated, why should I be?’”

CWA of Oklahoma State Director, Linda Caswell, said “Rep. Kern has exercised her right to free speech and has spoken boldly about the effects of homosexuality on our families and on our nation. We strongly encourage everyone to come to the rally and show your support for Rep. Kern. Let others know that we will not back down from taking a Biblical stand on the moral issues facing our state and our nation today.”

Biblical stand on the moral issues facing our nation? I don’t suppose that means that CWA is going to come out anytime soon with a plan to fight poverty. After all the Bible has more than 100 verses admonishing it’s readers to help the poor, so I’d think CWA would be aware of the moral issue of poverty in America. Then again, poverty has nothing to do with the genitals of other people and doesn’t involve hating others while feeling morally superior but rather actual work and sacrifice so it’s highly unlikely they do.

Nonetheless I notice time and time again how they’re always “speaking the Biblical truth” when they call us the most heinous and hateful names, spread outright lies about us, and call for us to be treated like second-class (or worse) citizens. But when we take them to task for what they’ve said and demand our rights we’re engaging in “hate-speech”. Maybe if we threw a few Bible verses in it would change things. How about I try that (it may work even for an atheist).

 
Deuteronomy 5:20 You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
1 Thessalonians 4:11 Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you.
Luke 6:31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.
Matthew 23:13 “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you shut the door of the Kingdom of Heaven in people’s faces. You won’t go in yourselves, and you don’t let others enter either.
Luke 6:37 Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven.

 

In closing, I myself would love to attend this “Free Speech Rally” to peacefully make my outrage known but I’m too far away. If anybody in the area is able to do so I’d love to hear about it.

Addendum. A comment has arrived. Ebon said:

“Radical homosexual activists”? Since when does not wanting to be slandered count as “radical”? It seems that too many theocrats forget that the right to freedom of speech includes the right to response.

Oh dear, perhaps you aren’t familiar with the terminology (wink, wink). Christians are speaking The Truth, the Word of God, the Gospel and the Biblical Truth (or some other such variation). Gays are Advancing The Homosexual Agenda. Any time gays ask for whatever everybody else has they are demanding “special rights”. Christians are protecting their way of life, the Traditional Family/Traditional Marriage/The Heartland etc and do so by Spreading the Gospel/Word of God. Gays are Militant Homosexuals trying to force their ways on others through Indoctrination and other scary-sounding things.

Isn’t it all becoming more clear now? By the way, if you want to read more Alvin McEwin explains the anti-gay liars in depth here and in his most excellent book. Thanks for your comment and continued patronage!

I thought you might be interested in this recent press release from Americans United.

In today’s world, the separation of church and state is about so much more than school prayer or faith-based funding. Did you know the topic encompasses issues like reproductive healthcare, science education, end of life care, marriage, and medical research?

You’ll know all this and much more if you go see “Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Separation of Church and State…but Were Afraid to Ask!” in a theater near you on Wednesday, March 26. (Back in the 1970s, people were afraid to ask about sex, but we’re over that now.)

The simulcast is sponsored by First Freedom First, a joint project between Americans United and The Interfaith Alliance Foundation. Americans United Executive Director, the Rev. Barry Lynn and TIAF President, the Rev. C. Welton Gaddy will sit down with celebrities (and thousands of people watching in theaters across the nation ) to discuss these important issues.

“This is a unique event that brings together celebrity commitment, civic engagement and the latest technology,” said AU’s Lynn. The simulcast will be an important educational tool “and give us an entertaining evening to boot,” he added.

The celebrities Lynn’s referring to hail from the worlds of film, television and music. The simulcast will be emceed by actor/producer Peter Coyote. Jack Klugman (“The Odd Couple”), Dan Lauria (“The Wonder Years”), Wendie Malick (“Just Shoot Me!”) and James Whitmore (“The Shawshank Redemption”) will be on hand to share why these issues matter to them. Actor and stem-cell research activist Michael J. Fox has also written and filmed a special message for the event.

Air America host Marc Maron will add some comic relief and interact with a live audience here in Washington.

For a sneak peek, checkout Jack Klugman, Dan Lauria, Wendie Malick, and James Whitmore’s “First Freedom First” videos on YouTube.

Lynn and Gaddy will also interview Americans who have put their reputations and safety on the line to defend religious freedom. They include:

 

Bryan and Christy Rehm, teachers who, with help from Americans United, expelled “Intelligent Design” from their local public high school’s science classes

Matthew LaClair, the New Jersey high school student who exposed religious indoctrination at his public school by taping his AP History teacher’s evangelistic comments

Roberta Stewart, a military widow who, with help from Americans United, secured equal rights for Wiccan veterans

Dr. Susan Wicklund, who often wears a bullet-proof vest in order to provide reproductive health services in areas where no local doctor will do so

David and Ryan Altoon, who encountered fundamentalist proselytism at the U.S. Air Force Academy

Melinda “Lindy” Maddox, an Alabama lawyer who, with help from Americans United successfully sued “Ten Commandments” Judge Roy Moore

Rev. Madison Shockley, a pastor, talk-show host and
reproductive rights advocate

Susan Jacoby, author of the best-selling new book,
The Age of American Unreason

 

You don’t want to miss these church-state heroes’ often heart wrenching, but always inspiring stories.

The event’s larger goal is to bring attention to these issues during the presidential campaign. “Presidential candidates have been asked what their favorite Bible verse is and what sins they have committed. I want to know where they stand on key issues of individual freedom,” said Lynn.

I bet you want to know, too. So, help us out! Advertise “Everything You Always Wanted to Know…” in your community, see the film on Wednesday, March 26 and then ask candidates pointed questions about how they will defend your religious liberty. Our future and freedom depends on it.

By Lauren Smith

It is another victory for Separation of Church and State, though I’m sure the RRRW will be wringing their hands over it. All of the details are available in this press release:

Texas School Board Agrees to Stop Teaching Unconstitutional Bible Class in Public Schools

 

Agreement With Ector County School Board Will Prevent Unconstitutional Curriculum From Being Taught

 

ODESSA, TEXAS - March 5 - The Ector County School Board agreed today to stop teaching a course in its public schools that unconstitutionally promotes a particular interpretation of the Bible that is not shared by Jews, Catholics, Orthodox Christians, and most Protestants.

The agreement settles a federal lawsuit filed in May 2007 that was brought by eight Odessa parents and taxpayers who argued that the course, created by a religious organization, violated their constitutional right to religious liberty by promoting specific religious doctrines to children in their community. The parents were represented by the American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Texas, People For the American Way Foundation and the law firm of Jenner and Block LLP.

“This agreement is a victory for those who wish religious education to be in the hands of parents and not public school officials,” said Dr. T. Jeremy Gunn, Director of the ACLU’s Program on Freedom of Religion and Belief. “It is unacceptable for government officials to decide which religious beliefs are true and which are not and then use the public school system as a means of proselytizing children.”

The lawsuit challenged the school board’s decision last year to teach a controversial Bible course created by the National Council on Bible Curriculum in Public Schools (NCBCPS), a private group that promotes its own particular interpretation of the Bible. The NCBCPS has been criticized by recognized biblical scholars for its religious bias and unsound scholarship.

Under the agreement, Ector County schools may not teach the current course after this school year. If the board decides to offer a different Bible course in the future, the course must follow strict legal standards for objectivity and may not be based on the NCBCPS curriculum.

“Public schools may offer courses about the Bible if they do so in an objective and balanced way,” said Judith E. Schaeffer, Legal Director of People For the American Way Foundation. “But the evidence is overwhelming that these constitutional principles have been ignored in Ector County schools. Students have been taught one religious interpretation of the Bible. That’s not only violating the Constitution, it’s also giving students a bad education.”

The elective course was being taught in two high schools in Odessa, Texas — Permian High School and Odessa High School.

Among other things, the Bible course required students to give “true” or “false” answers to questions that should be a matter of religious faith. Public school teachers sought to promote religious life lessons by having students memorize biblical passages and then discuss how the passages affected their lives, the groups filing the lawsuit said. The course also presented an unbalanced view of American history that promoted specific religious beliefs that is in conflict with objective scholarly standards.

Douglas C. Hildebrand, an ordained elder and deacon at a local Presbyterian Church and one of the longtime Odessa residents who was a plaintiff in the lawsuit, said it is inappropriate for one set of religious beliefs to be promoted over others.

“Religion is an essential component of my life and the life of my family, but this course did nothing more than advocate certain religious views that are not shared by everyone,” Hildebrand said. “It seems as though a church had invaded the public school system - and it wasn’t my church.”

Lisa Graybill, Legal Director for the ACLU of Texas, said sound scholarship was never the primary objective of the course.

“This class was never about educating students, but rather the promotion of one particular set of religious beliefs to the exclusion of all others,” Graybill said. “There are a number of ways in which religion’s role in society, history and literature can be constitutionally taught to students, but that was clearly not the objective of this particular course.”

The NCBCPS course has been seriously criticized by Bible scholars for its lack of accuracy, ignorance of scholarly research, and biased promotion of a particular religious interpretation of the Bible. Although the NCBCPS defends its curriculum as being constitutional, its own website at one time revealed a different agenda, urging people to contact NCBCPS as a “first step to get God back in your public school” – a designation that was removed after the lawsuit was filed.

According to Daniel Mach, the Director of Litigation of the ACLU’s Program on Freedom of Religion and Belief, Ector County school officials now have a much clearer understanding of what the Constitution does and does not allow.

“The agreement gives the school board a clear roadmap if it decides to adopt a new course,” Mach said. “We trust that any future curriculum will be appropriate for students of all faiths – including nonbelievers – and that it will respect the religious liberty of all Odessans.”

A copy of the original complaint is available online

Additional information about the case and the issue of teaching about religion in public schools can be found online Bible in Public Schools or Religious Freedom.