After World Changers of Florida won a court battle to allow free Bibles be placed within Orange County, Florida schools, atheist organizations are demanding the equal right to "passively distribute" anti-Christian and even pornographic materials in the schools to students.
For background, read Teacher Fired for Bible Gift at New Jersey School and also read Georgia High School Bible Classes Held at Churches as well as Idaho School Takes Bible to Supreme Court
-- From "Florida atheist group wants equal time after Bible giveaway at school" posted at FoxNews.com 1/17/13
The atheist group Central Florida Freethought says a recent Collier County court ruling gives them the right to distribute books such as "Why Jesus?," "What is a Free Thinker?" and "Why Women Need Freedom from Religion" after the World Changers Religious Organization was allowed to place Bibles in the schools.
An attorney for "Freedom From Religion Foundation" sent a letter to Orange County Public Schools objecting to the district's policy allowing outside groups into schools at all. If the district doesn't change its policy, they will go ahead with the plan to distribute their atheist literature, MyFoxOrlando.com reports.
The general counsel for Orange County schools said their policy will stand, with very specific rules for what can be distributed.
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From "Atheists, others want equal access to schools after Bible distribution" by Lauren Roth, Orlando Sentinel 1/17/13
Rabbi Steven Engel of Congregation of Reform Judaism in Orange County, said he was "deeply disturbed" that the New Testament was given out in schools. "This is absolutely wrong. It violates the separation of church and state very clearly." He said allowing the distribution on campus makes it appear government is endorsing a particular religious viewpoint.
"The court has ruled Bibles are OK," said Woody Rodriguez, the district counsel for Orange County schools. He contested Engel's interpretation of the law. "I rely on legal books as my guiding light," Rodriguez said. "I've got to follow what the court order said."
Imam Muhammad Musri, president of the Islamic Society of Central Florida, said there may be a double standard at work.
"If this action was taken by a Muslim group placing the Quran on tables, I'm sure there would be some uproar about it," Musri said. "We're better without it," he said of the handouts.
But Atif Fareed, chairman of American Muslim Community Centers based in Longwood, was more open to the idea. "More power to the Christians if they want to go out there and spread the Word," he said. "People need more religion in their lives, not less."
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From "Atheist, agnostic books to be offered to Orange County students" posted at WKMG-TV6 (Orlando, FL) 1/17/13
According to a news release from the Central Florida Freethought Community, the group is in the planning stages with the Orange County school board to discuss how they can distribute to students.
Books, pamphlets, and brochures from the Freedom From Religion Foundation, American Atheists, and the Secular Student Alliance are on their way as of Wednesday to Central Florida and distribution will begin as soon as the promised written permission is received from the School Board and volunteers are cleared to come on campus, CFFC officials said.
Officials said some of the items being considered are “An X-Rated Book: Sex & Obscenity in the Bible,” “Ten Common Myths About Atheists," and more.
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From "Atheists to Distribute Literature at Fla. Public Schools in Response to Bible Giveaway" by Katherine Weber, Christian Post Reporter 1/18/13
According to a memo previously provided to The Christian Post by Media Relations for Orange County Public Schools, those who distributed the bibles on Wednesday followed the guidelines of school policy, which included background checks on volunteers.
Additionally, volunteers could only participate in "passive distribution," meaning they can leave an unmanned display table on school grounds where students would congregate, and may only be present at the tables to replenish the Bible stock.
Diego "Woody" Rodriguez, general counsel for the Orange County School District, ensured the Christian News Network that the policy will stand and continue to impose strict regulations on what type of literature can be distributed on school campuses.
"Anything that contains pornographic material, any references to advertising, alcohol, tobacco, illegal drugs, or anything disruptive to school district and their educational facility [is prohibited]," Rodriguez told the media outlet.
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From "Fla. Conservative Group Distributes Bibles at Public Schools" by Michael Gryboski, Christian Post Reporter 1/16/13
Greg Harper, vice president of Education for World Changers, wrote in a blog entry, "We have given out thousands of Bibles over the last few years and we are working to expand the program to many other school districts."
"Our members and volunteers from many local churches will place Bibles on tables during the lunch periods for students to pick up."
"Passive distribution means the Bibles may be placed on one unmanned table for distribution in a location where students normally congregate during non-instructional time," reads the memo [ from Orange County Public Schools]. "The representatives may only be allowed to replenish Bibles if they run out and must remove any undistributed literature at the end of the distribution day."
As Bibles are distributed to high schools in Orange County, volunteers hope to do likewise on Thursday for high schools in Collier County.
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