10/1/2008 - October 2008 SLI Newsletter
October 2008
Dear Friends and Supporters,
We have been very busy in recent weeks on parental rights and religious liberties issues. As usual, with the beginning of the school year, we continue to have problems with transfers of students from nonpublic to public schools. It appears that public school officials simply cannot understand the policy that requires them to accept students at grade level, unless there is information to indicate the student should not be placed.
We have represented two families on these issues in recent weeks. In both circumstances, placements were made in accordance with the policy, after our intervention. We are glad to report that school officials usually see the light, after they have had an explanation. We are also grateful for the continuing assistance of Dr. Joe Morton and the state Department of Education on these issues.
We have also been providing assistance to the National Council on Bible Curriculum in Public Schools (NCBCPS). You will recall two years ago the efforts of the Bible Literacy Project to pass a statute requiring only their book to be used in the teaching of the Bible as history, art and literature in Alabama public schools. That book, The Bible and Its Influence, had far too much editorial that was not scripturally correct. We believe the publishers have ulterior motives. On the other hand, the NCBCPS book, The Bible in History and Literature, is a very objective textbook which can be used in public schools, without violating the Establishment Clause.
We have appeared before the state textbook committee on two occasions now to ask for approval of The Bible in History and Literature as an approved textbook for use in Alabama public schools. In one of those hearings, we were opposed by an ACLU lawyer from Washington, D.C. We will give a more complete report on this issue when we have completed the process.
Finally, perhaps the most important thing we can do this year is to urge you to register to vote and to cast an informed vote. Our Educational Update this month provides the basic information you need to know on how to register to vote and to vote absentee. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, SLI is not permitted to campaign for candidates. However, we think you know how very important this year’s presidential election is. Please be sure that you, your family, and all of your friends and acquaintances have registered to vote. Help them to understand how to vote and to be sure to cast their vote on election day.
Our Educational Update this month also has information about the 40 Days for Life. This is an important pro-life event. We urge as many of you as possible to participate in the effort, even if it only means praying in your own home.
Please remember us with your prayer and financial support. These make our efforts possible. Thank you for helping us.
Yours very truly,
A. Eric Johnston
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