Declaration of Independence
banned at Bay-area school
Back to the
Religion Under Attack Page Back to the Education Page
Bob's Note: FRAUD ALERT: Greetings Readers, I've been advised by an interested party that the media reporting on this case was inaccurate. To remedy this I am adding the email exchange with a kind reader after this article.
By Dan Whitcomb
REUTERS1:09 p.m. November 24, 2004
LOS ANGELES – A California teacher has been barred by his school from giving students documents from American history that refer to God – including the Declaration of Independence.
Steven Williams, a fifth-grade teacher at Stevens Creek School in the San Francisco Bay area suburb of Cupertino, sued for discrimination Monday, claiming he had been singled out for censorship by principal Patricia Vidmar because he is a Christian.
"It's a fact of American history that our founders were religious men, and to hide this fact from young fifth-graders in the name of political correctness is outrageous and shameful," said Williams' attorney, Terry Thompson.
"Williams wants to teach his students the true history of our country," he said. "There is nothing in the Establishment Clause (of the U.S. Constitution) that prohibits a teacher from showing students the Declaration of Independence."
Vidmar could not be reached for comment on the lawsuit, which was filed Monday in U.S. District Court in San Jose and claims violations of Williams rights to free speech under the First Amendment.
Phyllis Vogel, assistant superintendent for Cupertino Unified School District, said the lawsuit had been forwarded to a staff attorney. She declined to comment further.
Williams asserts in the lawsuit that since May he has been required to submit all of his lesson plans and supplemental handouts to Vidmar for approval, and that the principal will not permit him to use any that contain references to God or Christianity.
Among the materials she has rejected, according to Williams, are excerpts from the Declaration of Independence, George Washington's journal, John Adams' diary, Samuel Adams' "The Rights of the Colonists" and William Penn's "The Frame of Government of Pennsylvania."
"He hands out a lot of material and perhaps 5 to 10 percent refers to God and Christianity because that's what the founders wrote," said Thompson, a lawyer for the Alliance Defense Fund, which advocates for religious freedom. "The principal seems to be systematically censoring material that refers to Christianity and it is pure discrimination."
In June, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear the case of a California atheist who wanted the words "under God" struck from the Pledge of Allegiance as recited by school children. The appeals court in California had found that the phrase amounted to a violation of church and state separation.
Find this article at:
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/state/20041124-1309-life-declaration.htmlE-mail exchange correcting the above article.
I am a conservative Christian parent (one of about 6) at Stevens Creek School, the school accused of banning the Declaration of Independence. You discussed the Reuters article last November, and I thought you might like an update.
It seems rude of me just to register and post my own message, so I thought I would ask you if you would consider posting it for me.
First, the Declaration was never banned at Stevens Creek School. It is hanging on the library wall, printed in the 5th grade text book, and taught by every 5th grade teacher. Even Dr. Richard Ferrier of the Declaration Federation supports the school; he recently counseled Alan Keyes to remove a petition from Keyes' web site that urged his followers to harass the school.
So how did this urban legend get started? According to the Alliance Defense Fund (the prosecutors), it was a case of sloppy reporting. I'll attach their press release below. This press release isn't on their web site, probably because they are a little too embarrassed. If you call them, they will verify it is theirs. When our overly evangelical teacher proposed an over the top 45 minute lesson that included some handouts, the principal rejected his lesson, not the Declaration. It's a pity that the ADF didn't make themselves clear when they had the ears of all America on Sean Hannity's prime time show. Instead they waited 3 months and quietly issued the press release below saying ... whoops, you didn't read our fine print.
Despite the ADF's lawyer-speak, the man on the street believed that the principal had removed the Declaration from the school and was X-ing out the word God from all historical documents. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Ironically, the principal is a Presbyterian and a Republican. She has strong feelings about God in the classroom herself. The "misunderstood" ADF headline incited over 3000 hate messages to the school, ranging from the more benign, "I hope you burn in Hell for all eternity," to the more sinister late night calls like, "I know where you live and you work at that God forsaken school." We had two sheriffs full time on campus for two months, and it scared the daylights out of our children.
Even the ADF legal case doesn't hold water. The Cupertino Union School District has filed a Motion to Dismiss. We should hear the ruling on March 28th. In the mean time, you might want to check http://www.stevenscreekparents.org to read the Motion. I can't tell you how weary we are of lawyers. Personnally, I am glad that the principal acted to protect our children from our resident evangelist. He is a sweet and sincere man, but I don't believe he realizes how his enthusiasm for his own brand of religion intimadates and belittles his students of different faiths, including different Christian faiths. I am steadfastly against giving our public schools the right to teach religion. That's my job. I take my children to the church of my choice each week, and we read the Bible at home. Comparative religion classes may be useful in junior and senior high school, but fifth graders are much too young to understand they can disagree with a teacher and stand up for themselves.
Please contact me if you would like any further information. Thanks for your time. Sincerely, A A -------------------- ALLIANCE DEFENSE FUND STATEMENT January 27, 2005 € FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT ADF MEDIA RELATIONS: (480) 444-0020
ADF dispels misunderstandings about lawsuit against Cupertino Union School District SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. Some media reports have incorrectly characterized the lawsuit filed on behalf of teacher Stephen Williams against the Cupertino Union School District as challenging a complete ban by the school of the Declaration of Independence from the entire school. That characterization is wrong.
The text of our Nov. 23, 2004, news release on this lawsuit clearly stated that Mr. Williams was prohibited from using the Declaration in his classroom despite having sound academic reasons to do so. Additionally, the actual complaint is a public document and is (and has been) available at our Web site at www.alliancedefensefund.org/userdocs/WilliamsvCupertinoComplaint.pdf.
What is at issue in this lawsuit is not the reputation or general quality of education at Stevens Creek Elementary School, where Mr. Williams teaches. It is the question of whether school officials violated the U.S. Constitution when they placed particular limitations upon Mr. Williams, and only Mr. Williams, pertaining to the teaching of his class. This is the question that led to informal efforts to resolve the problem and, when those failed, to court.
After the lawsuit was filed, extensive media coverage and a vigorous public debate developed on the issue. Unfortunately, some people expressed themselves in a hateful, angry manner toward the school and others involved in the controversy. ADF deplores such uncivilized behavior on all fronts: such crude behavior by any person does nothing to further reasoned discussion of the fundamental rights at issue.
We the Parents have responded, thusly:
Cupertino parents request that lawyers' group take further actions to correct mistakes Cupertino, 2/2/02: We, The Parents, a group of parents at Stevens Creek Elementary issued a statement today regarding the ADF‚s response to their Open Letter of last week. The letter requested that the ADF issue a public apology and a retraction of their November 23 press release which falsely stated that the Declaration of Independence had been banned at their school.
The ADF, in a press release on 1/27/05, deny that the Declaration of Independence has been banned from Stevens Creek Elementary. Such a ban was widely reported following the ADF's November 23 press release headlined "Declaration of Independence banned from classroom", but the ADF now describe these reports as a mischaracterization of the truth. They also decry the behavior of those who "expressed themselves in a hateful, angry manner toward the school and others involved in the controversy," which the parent group believes was the direct result of the inflammatory headline of the November 23 statement.
"We truly feel this is a David vs. Goliath kind of a victory! The small mouse squeaked so loud the elephant had to move," said Jean Marie Danielson. "We welcome this first step from ADF to putting the record straight, but still look forward to receiving a public apology for the harm they have caused our school and our children," stated Richard Crouch. "What we have seen so far looks more like an effort to minimize their own legal liability."
ADF still claims in their latest press release that "Mr. Williams was prohibited from using the Declaration in his classroom despite having sound academic reasons to do so." John Bartas, co-founder of the group, responds "that claim sounds ridiculous when you know that the document is printed entirely in the text book used by all fifth grade students and teachers. The lawsuit states that Williams wanted to use was his own 'excerpts', not the complete and original Declaration."
Nathalie Schuler, media relations volunteer for the group, stated that the ADF has blamed the media for misrepresenting their claims and has not taken responsibility for its own actions. "We still see their original misleading and inflammatory press release on their website. Recently the school received another email with a clear call to action‚ asking Christians‚ to contact the school and convey their feelings, and to do more than just speak out. This e-mail reproduced the original ADF press release. We think this will continue to happen as long as they don't withdraw it and publicly apologize for misleading the public in the first place."
The group also questions the validity of the claim by the ADF that Williams was singled out by the principal because he is a Christian. "There are other fifth grade teachers at our school who are also Christian and they are not required to turn in lesson plans," explained Larry Woodard, a parent at the school and former supporter of the ADF. "Since the ADF mislead the public on the Declaration ban, what does that say about the credibility of the rest of their claims?" asked Woodard.
The group continues to request a public retraction and apology from the ADF. The full text of the Open Letter to the ADF can be found of the parents website, www.stevenscreekparents.org Indeed, ADF continues to lie on their website. Even as of today, the headline associated with their November news release still says: "Declaration of Independence Banned from Classroom". _________________________________________________________________ Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! Download today - it's FREE! http://messenger.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200471ave/direct/01/
Greetings x,
What an interesting illumination.
I am grateful for your contacting me regarding the article. What it may illustrate, from what you've written, is that we have another case of sloppy journalism that should be linked to the Government-Media section of my website.
On rare occasions people write me to clarify or to show me why a particular article is untrue. What I do after some investigation then is to put a warning advisement on the article and post the information provided me by the writer/informer. For instance, as much as I detest Hillary Clinton, someone took the time to prove that an article was false that I had posted to her page. I put an advisement on the link and on the article about it's falsity, even though it could help her slightly when her adversarial research team accesses the information on her that I've archived over many years.
Please advise me which of the pages has the article that you've located on my website. Next please advise me which other webmasters you've contacted regarding the article in question so I can check with them and see what they know about it. Finally if there is a contact email for documentation I'd appreciate your help in supplying it.
Thank you for your contacting and advising me. I'll be interested in your response.
Bob Schatan
http://www.papillonsartpalace.com/husband.htmDear Bob:
Thanks so much for your interest.
Since late January, I've made it my goal to write to every web site that carried the original Reuters story. I only have about 3,000 to go. Your coverage is at http://www.papillonsartpalace.com/decSlarat.htm. The original Reuters article that you covered is no longer readable on the net; if you type in the address, I think you can view the title but the script has been removed.
I think they are worried that our school district will sue them for slander, but actually, we don't have the heart for a long, ugly legal battle. Also, keeping our issue in the news may provoke more hate messages, and we are worried some wacko will show up with an AK47. It's been pretty scary here. Our parents have put up our own web site to tell our story (http://www.StevensCreekParents.org).
We view the legal case as a confidential matter between the teacher and the principal. I know that the teacher lodged a union complaint last year, but the resolution was for the principal. At that point he had the option of appealing through the normal school channels, but decided to take the case outside, presumably for the publicity. More info on the particulars of the case will be available after dismissal on March 28, or when the case goes to discovery.
Most of the web sites that have told our side of the story are left-leaning, probably because they would like to use our case to discredit Hannity and Fox News. We just fit their talking points.
It's a bit galling to see letters from our parents run on sites like "Liberal Oasis, where the left is right and the right is wrong." There have been articles on us on the Wall of Separation, News Hounds, Media Matters, Daily KOS, See The Forest, Eriposte, I Speak Of Dreams...hundreds really.
I've been doing my best to search out my right-leaning brethern, and found some sympathy on Say Anything, Hube's Cube, Zero Intelligence,and Patriot Vocals. Sorry. I'm probably driveling on. Let me know if you need any more info. Again, thanks for your interest. --x
Greetings x,
Once I get a little time I'll modify the article you specify. Would you mind if I post your excellent emails to me on this subject as well?
Bob
I'd be delighted if you posted my emails, but please omit my name. I stand by what I say, but I don't want the hate messages coming to my home. My kids have already been scared enough.
Thanks, x
Greetings x,
I certainly agree with your worry about getting threatening responses. There is so much of that crap flying around the Internet that it makes you wonder what those people have that creates joy in their lives.
I have only one email spot on my home page and another on my wife's home page on purpose. It forces people to work their way all over the website trying to find out how to reach me. That process forces most of the idiots to give up. All that would change if my email was listed directly on the Freedom page or its links.
But besides all that, I use a few of the hate emailers and play with their heads. I've got a few posted including one from a Moslem woman who wanted to have an "intelligent" discussion with me, a Jewish guy. I saw through her charade instantly and then goaded her into demonstrating her extremism then I further got her to reveal herself in subsequent exchanges. She sent me an article off of the liberal Christian Science News website and I found an excellent counterarticle on that same article which I emailed to her. She stopped writing after that. All the article did was to show how monstrously the Moslem cult maltreats its women and she couldn't handle it.
But this website is only one part of my very busy life.
I find great joy in gardening, cooking, my wife's wonderful artworks, designing and soon to build cabinets with Art Nouveau design elements for our cozy little home here in Oregon and my work as a male nurse. My wife by the way is now legally blind and spent last year surviving cardiac chemo/radiation then cardiac surgery then bowel cancer surgery. And a few weeks ago she was out performing with the Oregon Old Time Fiddler's Association of which she is a member. I am still her biggest fan.
I hope you took the time to visit her side of the Papillon's Art Palace website. She made me take off the section called Chronicles of a Musician's Life. Weirdly enough she's embarrassed that she played with the Philadelphia Philharmonic Orchestra, the New Jersey Pops, and many other excellent symphonies.
Find joy in your life!
Bob
Dear Bob:
What a lovely email. I am so sorry about the challenges you and your wife have faced in the past years. Your web site is a great celebration of life, joy and wonder.
Struggle can keep us focused on what is truly important. My little press problem must seem very trivial, and I'm feeling a little guilty for bothering you with it. Your wife must be a remarkable woman.
I have to admit that I've never felt closer to the infinite than listening to the Brandenburgs, and I could never resist a well played fiddle. I hope you have plenty of recordings of her work. Her soul is in there.
Oregon? I'm so jealous. My grandparents came to "Silicon Valley" in 1906 after getting wiped out in the SF earthquake; they raised cherries on a ranch that was next door to the Winchester spread (of Winchester Mystery House fame). After growing up here amid dirt roads and cherry blossoms in the '50s, the sea of glass high rises and fancy malls a la Rodeo Drive has given me a case of culture shock in my own backyard. Oregon seems so peaceful by comparison.
There may be some hope for my little community school. There was a nice editorial about us in the Wall Street Journal this morning; I'll copy it below. Who knows. Our tiny school may become the mouse that roared against the ADF, their cadre of lawyers and their $15million budget.
Hope springs eternal. Best, x
Editorial from the Wall Street Journal
HOUSES OF WORSHIP
Faith and the Fifth Grade Did a California school ban the Declaration of Independence? Not quite.
