Freethought Association of West Michigan

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9-23-98 meeting (#32)

Freethought Association of West Michigan

at Urban Institute of Contemporary Arts

Jeff announced that on Sunday, October 11, at 1 p.m. there will be a

Freethought lunch in Allendale. Call regarding a dish to pass.

Various publications were distributed featuring humanism.

A number of people have expressed in having social events. If anyone is

interested in planning and scheduling such activities, your help would be

appreciated.

A freethought campus group has been officially established at Grand Valley

State University with the first meeting consisting of six students.

A weekly local newspaper called "The Paper" would like to write an article

about our group. Discretion in the use of names will be stressed to avoid

possible difficulty with families, employers, and business contacts who have

opposing views.

Roger Greeley of Kalamazoo, well known lecturer on Robert Ingersoll, labeled

as the "Immortal Infidel", has agreed to speak to us in several weeks.

Tim Van Haitsma presented the topic "Separation of Church and State". Though

the early colonists were happy to escape the religious persecution of Europe,

intoleration was rampant in the colonies. With the leadership of Jefferson

and Adams, the ingenious concept of separating religion and politics was

promoted and adopted. The 1st amendment provided the 'establishment

clause', assuring that religious groups cannot be funded, nor can they be

given preference. Though the obvious benefit to our country has been

enormous, its erosion is being attempted by the

religious right.

Since the 1st amendment starts out stating "Congress shall not. . . ." the

question was asked as to whether entities other than Congress could subvert

the clause. Court decisions have implied that local groups are subject to the

federal mandates even though specific language does not address it.

Prior to the 1940's the states handled controversial religious issues. Since

then the federal government has entered the picture. In Grand Rapids there

had been a court decision that allowed public school teachers to teach in

religious schools. The Supreme Court regarded this unconstitutional, but then

a subsequent decision allowed the practice. Since public schools receive

reimbursement for this activity, the opposition has disappeared.

On the college level, many schools that were tied closely to religious

groups, have weakened this tie in order to obtain funding from the federal

government. For instance, chapel cannot be required. In lower school grades,

religion can be taught on a comparative and historical basis, with

justification as it has been a significant part of our culture and history.

There is considerable irony that despite the caution over religious influence

in our county, the use of name of God is used freely on our coins, pledge of

allegiance, and in government and political assemblies. When religionists

claim their activities are based on the will of God, one should not lose sight

of the fact that the definition of God varies greatly.

Why the Religious Right is Wrong by Richard Boston superbly covers the issue

of church/state separation.

Next meeting will be Wednesday, October 7, at 7 p.m. at the Urban Institute

for Contemporary Art. Marshall Grate will moderate "Foundation for Morals and

Ethics".

________________________

Children's Letters to God:

Dear God,

Instead of letting people die and having to make new ones, why don't you just

keep the ones you have now? - Jane

Dear God,

Please send me a pony. I never asked for anything before. You can look it up. -Bruce.