01-of-24 | Texas School Board Revisions and Church & State Discussion

On May 27, 2010, God Discussion hosted at special edition of its Blog Talk Radio program concerning the Texas State Board of Education's changes to its social studies curriculum and text books. It is possible that the revised textbooks will be used in more than two dozen states.

The program included numerous guests who provided background information on the curriculum changes, their take on church and state issues, and resources available for parents and others who are concerned about Texas' revised version of history being taught in their state's classrooms. Interviews included members of both the atheist and faith-based communities.

The first clip gives some background information and introduces Ellen Johnson of Enlighten The Vote (http://www.enlightenthevote.com).

Ellen is the past president of American Atheists. She has twice testified before the United State Commission on Civil Rights. In 2002 she organized the Godless Americans March On Washington and she was the organizer of the November 11, 2005 "Atheists In Foxholes" March On Washington. In 2003 she established the Godless Americans Political Action Committee, now called EnlightenTheVote.com and serves as its Executive Director.

In 1998, she met with the Office of Public Liaison for the Clinton White House to discuss the subject of giving Atheists a "place at the table" in the discussion of issues of concern to our nation's Atheists.

She is also a frequent guest on national radio and TV shows including the Fox Network's "Hannity & Colmes," "The O'Reilly Factor," "Larry King Live," " The CBS Early Show, Glen Beck on Headline News, CBS Sunday Morning, a Barbara Walters Special and C-SPAN's prestigious public affairs program "Washington Journal."

Ms. Johnson is an Honorary Associate of the Rationalist International, and an Honorary Board Member of "Scouting For All," a nationwide group that seeks to end discrimination against Atheists and gays within the Boy Scouts of America.

In May of 2008, Ms. Johnson and Ken Loukinen completed the thwarted 1963 Freedom Walk of Atheist Bill Moore, who attempted to carry a letter of racial harmony from Tennessee to the Governor of Mississippi and was murdered two days into his walk. That same year over 700 people were arrested attempting to finish the famous walk. Ellen and Ken walked the letter from Attalla, Alabama to Jackson, Mississippi and finished Bill Moore's walk.

Sites:
http://www.goddiscussion.com
http://www.enlightenthevote.com

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Texas
• schoolbooks
• textbooks
• curriculum
• elections
• government
• Ellen
• Johnson

[themanofearth]

HEY HEY!

Awesome! I'll promote the vids in my next video. :-)

[GodDiscussion]

@themanofearth Thanks, my friend! I have about half of these done ... it's quite the project, that's for sure.