Tennessee allows for the distribution of Atheistic literature at Elementary school in response to al - Polidicks

[url]http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/03/29/tennessee-atheists-win-right-to-distribute-literature-after-schools-give-bibles-to-students/[/url] [QUOTE]An atheist group in Tennessee won the right to distribute literature at an elementary school after the school allowed the Gideons group to distribute Christian Bibles to students. The Friendly Atheist blog reported that the Tri-State Freethinkers group in conjunction with the ACLU challenged the decision by Casey County School District Superintendent Marion Sowders to allow the Gideons to distribute copies of the New Testament at the county’s three elementary schools. The Freethinkers and the ACLU sent the school district a letter demanding equal access and, surprisingly, the request was granted. On Friday, the group was allowed to leave copies of the book Humanism, What’s That?: A Book for Curious Kids by Helen Bennett. As with the Gideons, actual group members were not allowed to contact students, but the books were left for interested students to pick up and peruse. Some Christian parents expressed outrage. Carmen Foster contemplated keeping her kids home on Friday, but changed her mind. “I work hard everyday of my life as a mother to teach my kids what we believe,” she told WKYT. “If I don’t have enough confidence to send them out in the world, then how strong am I with what I’m teaching them.”[/QUOTE] I have a Gideons bible that I've hardly touched from elementary. This stuff should be saved for higher grade levels.

Theres atheistic material?

Neither is going to make a difference. When you're in elementary school you believe whatever your parents believe. It's not until middle or high school that you begin to question it.

Fair enough, the government and public institutions can't specifically promote one religion and deny everything else. Whether or not the kids even give a shit is a different matter entirely.

[QUOTE=Sprockethead;44464127]Theres atheistic material?[/QUOTE]Science textbooks.

[QUOTE=Bumbanut;44464185]Science textbooks.[/QUOTE] Depends on the state.

Wait, are we talking actual anti-religious literature, or just borderline topics, like evolution? I mean, it's good they're taking perspective fairness into an account, in Tennessee, no less. But I just hope they don't turn into what they're going against--forceful preaching in education, by any means. This is unlikely, though. I mean, it's Tennessee, for god's sake. They're not gonna turn into a majorly liberal state, no matter how many school systems go non-biased.

[quote]Mrs. Green is teaching her daily science class one day when suddenly she receives terrible news: A popular student named Amanda has been struck by a car on her way to class and is now hospitalized with serious injuries. "Let’s all pray for Amanda," says one earnest classmate. "Surely God will make her well if He hears our prayers." Mrs. Green is confronted with the dilemma that every public school teacher must be ready to deal with. While the church-state separation laws won’t allow school prayer, Mrs. Green wants to do something to help her students cope with a life-threatening situation that has raised deep questions. Thus begins a conversation between teacher and students that forms the basis of this thoughtful work. Starting with the historic concept of separation of church and state, the curious youngsters’ insistent questions lead to a consideration of philosophic issues: Why shouldn’t they pray for Amanda in class? Why do some people believe in God while others don’t? Is there life after death? What gives life meaning? In the course of what becomes a parent-approved after-school discussion, Mrs. Green presents a humanistic point of view, making the following points. Humanists look at life as a natural process, so they don’t believe in the supernatural. They rely on science to explain the meaning of life, not on religion, though they support each person’s freedom to choose to believe or not to believe. Rather than speculating about what comes after death, humanists prefer to focus on life on earth. Humanists generally espouse the values of universal education, freedom of thought and free expression, open-minded pursuit of the truth, tolerance of others’ differences, mutual respect, and preservation of the environment. Complete with discussion questions, suggestions for activities, and a bibliography, this innovative approach to presenting humanism to young adults will be welcome by parents and teachers looking to expose their children or students to a secular philosophic perspective.[/quote] Alternatively, a folding pamphlet that has a present design on it and "[B]SANTA ISN'T REAL[/B]" on the inside.

[QUOTE=Sprockethead;44464127]Theres atheistic material?[/QUOTE] Fedora Weekly No seriously though, it's probably really crappy Richard Dawkins books.

[QUOTE=Helix Snake;44464167]Neither is going to make a difference. When you're in elementary school you believe whatever your parents believe. It's not until middle or high school that you begin to question it.[/QUOTE] I must be special because I was an atheist by 3rd grade and an angsty cunt by 4th.

[QUOTE=Tureis;44464457]I must be special because I was an atheist by 3rd grade and an angsty cunt by 4th.[/QUOTE]You're saying you were 8-9 years old when you sat down and thought "is there really an omnipotent God watching over me or is it just a fictional tale invented by the human mind"?

[QUOTE=Bumbanut;44464503]You're saying you were 8-9 years old when you sat down and thought "is there really an omnipotent God watching over me or is it just a fictional tale invented by the human mind"?[/QUOTE] Yes, I was probably heavily influenced to ask the question by my sister who also was having doubts.

[QUOTE=Helix Snake;44464167]Neither is going to make a difference. When you're in elementary school you believe whatever your parents believe. It's not until middle or high school that you begin to question it.[/QUOTE] In elementary school I flipped off my buddy Jeremiah because "I didn't believe in his god."

[QUOTE=Bumbanut;44464503]You're saying you were 8-9 years old when you sat down and thought "is there really an omnipotent God watching over me or is it just a fictional tale invented by the human mind"?[/QUOTE] When I was 8-9 I sure as hell didn't think "There is an omnipotent God watching over me" I doubt kids care one way or another.

Seems a bit young to be doing this type of thing. But hey, if you're gonna be promoting/instructing on religions in schools, at least have the decency to promote/instruct on a bunch of them.

[QUOTE=JoeSkylynx;44464437]Fedora Weekly No seriously though, it's probably really crappy Richard Dawkins books.[/QUOTE] Haha atheists and fedoras, you're so witty and original man, nice one. But seriously how does it feel to regurgitate a shitty stereotype on a minority group? I bet it makes you feel special doesn't it. This shit is getting old guys.

[QUOTE=Bumbanut;44464503]You're saying you were 8-9 years old when you sat down and thought "is there really an omnipotent God watching over me or is it just a fictional tale invented by the human mind"?[/QUOTE] That's when most kids start to question religion and stuff. Mainly because they find out Santa etc Isn't real not too long before that so their perception of reality is shaken abit.

[QUOTE=SnakeHead;44464697]Haha atheists and fedoras, you're so witty and original man, nice one. But seriously how does it feel to regurgitate a shitty stereotype on a minority group? I bet it makes you feel special doesn't it. This shit is getting old guys.[/QUOTE] The fact the minority in the minority actually does carry the stereotype and act very vocally when people make a very bad joke which could simply be passed with a box rating? I get a pretty good laugh actually.

[QUOTE=Duskin;44464715]That's when most kids start to question religion and stuff. Mainly because they find out Santa etc Isn't real not too long before that so their perception of reality is shaken abit.[/QUOTE]Fuck you man I believed in Santa until I was 12.

Tennessee is shit. Please save me. Surprised that something decent happened for once.

This reminds me of this time I tried to argue evolution with a creationist in Middle School. It didn't pan out...

Atheistic? Wouldn't it just be Atheist or is that a word that I learned today :v:

[QUOTE=Zillamaster55;44465654]Atheistic? Wouldn't it just be Atheist or is that a word that I learned today :v:[/QUOTE] Atheist works fine, but atheistic is indeed a word.

I reject the idea that there is any kind of equivalence between the Bible and "atheistic literature". One is fact. The other is fiction.

[QUOTE=Used Car Salesman;44466256]I reject the idea that there is any kind of equivalence between the Bible and "atheistic literature". One is fact. The other is fiction.[/QUOTE] Agnosticism is the closest you'll come to truth in beliefs. People who pretend to know there's no god are just as bad as people who pretend to know otherwise.

[QUOTE=Bumbanut;44464503]You're saying you were 8-9 years old when you sat down and thought "is there really an omnipotent God watching over me or is it just a fictional tale invented by the human mind"?[/QUOTE] I was about 6-7. It's a pretty absurd tale, it wasn't hard to go "hang on a second".

[QUOTE=BBKF;44466272]Agnosticism is the closest you'll come to truth in beliefs. People who pretend to know there's no god are just as bad as people who pretend to know otherwise.[/QUOTE] There is zero evidence for the existence of God, and there is plenty of compelling evidence to suggest there isn't one in any form as described by religion. The two are not comparable. It's like comparing someone who looks up and says "The sky looks blue, so I guess the sky is blue" and someone who says "I don't care what it looks like, the sky is green."

[QUOTE=JoeSkylynx;44464437]Fedora Weekly No seriously though, it's probably really crappy Richard Dawkins books.[/QUOTE] Or worse: Ayn Rand novels.

[QUOTE=CAPT Opp4;44464195]Wait, are we talking actual anti-religious literature, or just borderline topics, like evolution? I mean, it's good they're taking perspective fairness into an account, in Tennessee, no less. But I just hope they don't turn into what they're going against--forceful preaching in education, by any means. This is unlikely, though. I mean, it's Tennessee, for god's sake. They're not gonna turn into a majorly liberal state, no matter how many school systems go non-biased.[/QUOTE] The relatively new term "Antitheism" comes to mind. Unless they don't abide by that term, Atheistic literature would mean evolution-like literature and Antitheistic would mean anti-religious literature. The way the title is worded, however, poses a more sided answer. Either way, it proposes a new texture on the diversity of beliefs being taught

[QUOTE=BBKF;44466272]Agnosticism is the closest you'll come to truth in beliefs. People who pretend to know there's no god are just as bad as people who pretend to know otherwise.[/QUOTE] Might as well be agnostic about everything. Agnostic about Zues, Space goblins, etc.