--- Following message extracted from AAOS @ 1:374/14 ---
By Christopher Baker on Wed May 03 23:38:29 1995
Titusville, FL 407-264-2994
[FAXed to Central FLorida media and cross-posted to FidoNet]
From: Robin Murray-O'Hair
To: All
Date: 03 May 95 18:40:46
Subj: Problem with Prayer Project [1] [page 1]
-THE PROBLEM WITH PRAYER PROJECT-
A call for Atheists to give their personal accounts of the
problem with school prayer to our country's leaders
May 4, 1995
(The National Day of Prayer)
to
June 17, 1995
(32nd Anniversary of the School Prayer Decision)
American Atheists, Inc.
P. O. Box 140195
Austin, TX 78714-0195
Telephone: (512) 458-1244
FAX: (512) 467-9525
BBS: (512) 302-0223
E-mail: PWPP@atheist.org
*****************************************
On May 4 -- by presidential proclamation the National
Day of Prayer -- American Atheists will begin THE PROBLEM WITH
PRAYER PROJECT. To document the negative effects of
school-sponsored religion, THE PROBLEM WITH PRAYER PROJECT will
gather the personal, true narratives of Atheists and nonbelievers
affected by school prayer. All testimonies should be received by
June 17, the thirty-second anniversary of _Murray vs. Curlett,_
the Supreme Court decision which removed Bible reading and prayer
recitation from the public schools.
These first-person histories will be assembled into a
unique and moving documentation of THE PROBLEM WITH PRAYER.
Presented with resulting compilation, Congress and state
legislatures will be able to hear the individual voices of
Atheists and nonbelievers on this important and divisive topic.
THE NEED FOR THE PROJECT
School prayer advocates have long portrayed objections to
school prayer as coming from a disgruntled few -- or even from
only "the woman who took prayer out of school," Madalyn O'Hair,
founder of American Atheists.
THE PROBLEM WITH PRAYER PROJECT means to prove them
wrong by collecting and disseminating the actual statements of
Atheist students, parents, teachers, and school administrators
who object to prayers, moments of silence, religious exercises,
and religious instruction in public schools. It is more than just
a mere "disgruntled few." Citizens from all walks of life see the
problem with prayer.
[page 2]
School prayer advocates claim that mandatory prayers and
religious exercises cause no harm to students forced to mouth
what they do not believe.
THE PROBLEM WITH PRAYER PROJECT will assemble the
accounts of Atheists who had to suffer through government-
sanctioned religion in schools. These testimonies will show the
insulting and demeaning nature of forced religious observances.
THE RESULTS OF THE PROJECT
The compiled essays and testimonies received by THE PROBLEM
WITH PRAYER PROJECT will be printed in bound volumes. The actual
manuscripts submitted will be reproduced in these volumes in
order to preserve the unique tone of each.
The compilations will then be presented to members of
the U.S. Congress after they return from their July 4 recess.
Later in 1995, copies will be sent to members of state
legislatures considering school prayer or moment of silence laws.
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Essays and testimonials on the following themes are
eligible for submission:
**Your experiences as a student in a public school in which there
were or are prayers, moments of silence, religious exercises or
instruction, or other promotions of religion.
**Your experiences as an Atheist parent whose child is or was in
a public school in which there is or was prayer or another First
Amendment violation.
**Your experiences as an Atheist teacher, employee, or
administrator in a public school in which there is or was prayer
or another state/church separation violation.
**Your explanation of why school prayer or other religious
ceremonies infringe on your civil rights as an Atheist.
Only nonfiction will be accepted. Your essay should
accurately depict your experiences, reactions, and opinions.
ELIGIBILITY
All Atheists are invited to participate in THE PROBLEM
WITH PRAYER PROJECT. You need not be a member of American
Atheists for your submission to be considered. Submissions from
minors will be accepted. To be included, you must be a U.S.
citizen or resident.
Submissions from the following persons are particularly
encouraged:
**Current public school students
**Former public school students
**Parents of children who attended or are attending public school
**Public school teachers, employees, or administrators
[page 3]
WHAT NOT TO SUBMIT
The following types of material will not be used in THE
PROBLEM WITH PRAYER PROJECT:
**Fiction and poetry
**Hearsay. Your account must be from your own personal
experience, not from that of friends or relatives.
**Accounts of religion in private schools. THE PROBLEM WITH
PRAYER PROJECT deals only with religious intrusions into the
public school system.
**Accounts of religious activities in colleges, junior colleges,
or universities. Material will be used which deals with religion
only in grades K-12.
FORM
Manuscripts should be typed or neatly printed in ink on
white paper no larger than 8 1/2 by 11 inches. Maximum length is
750 words. Manuscripts must be in English.
If selected for inclusion, your manuscript will be
reproduced as is, so it is important that it be legible and neat.
PHOTOGRAPHS
THE PROBLEM WITH PRAYER PROJECT invites the inclusion of
photographs with written submissions. Photographs of yourself now
or at the time you were in a school with school prayer would
enhance your entry. Photographs should be no larger than four
inches by four inches.
RULES
All submissions to THE PROBLEM WITH PRAYER PROJECT must
be accompanied by the official submission form.
American Atheists, Inc. reserves the right to reject any
submission to THE PROBLEM WITH PRAYER PROJECT at any time for any
reason.
No donation or fee is required with any submission to
THE PROBLEM WITH PRAYER PROJECT.
PUBLICATION OF PERSONAL INFORMATION
No personal address or telephone numbers will be published
as part of this documentary project. Only names and states of
residence will be given. The address of a participant will be
disclosed only when permission is given by that participant.
[page 4]
DEADLINE
The deadline for inclusion in THE PROBLEM WITH PRAYER
PROJECT is June 17. Submissions received after that date will be
considered for future resources produced by THE PROBLEM WITH
PRAYER PROJECT.
WHERE TO SEND YOUR SUBMISSION
Submissions must be mailed to: American Atheists, P O
Box 140195, Austin, TX 78714-0195. Fax and electronic
submissions will also be accepted. Submission forms are available
by postal mail or by email. On Fidonet FREQ the file
PWPP-INFO.TXT from American Atheist Online Services at
1:382/1006. On Internet, e-mail pwpp-info@atheist.org for
submission form and guidelines.
THE PROBLEM WITH PRAYER PROJECT SUBMISSION FORM
Mail to: American Atheists, Inc., P.O. Box 140195, Austin, TX
78714-0195 FAX: (512) 467-9525 Email: PWPP@atheist.org
RELEASE
I hereby submit my true narrative (and photograph) for
inclusion in THE PROBLEM WITH PRAYER PROJECT. I certify that my
submission represents my personal experiences and opinions
regarding religion in the public schools. I understand that
American Atheists is not obligated to include my submission in
the final compilation of submissions. I herewith give my
permission for inclusion of my story (in whole or in part,
together with my photograph). I understand that I am to receive
no money or royalty for the same. I understand that if the
results of THE PROBLEM WITH PRAYER PROJECT are published or
offered for sale in book form that I will receive no royalties. I
am motivated only by the principle of advancing the understanding
of separation of state and church and expect no monetary or other
rewards of any nature whatsoever.
PUBLICATION OF NAME AND STATE
If my submission is selected for inclusion in THE
PROBLEM WITH PRAYER PROJECT documentary project, I agree that my
name and state of residence will be published.
[ ] Yes, I agree.
[ ] No, I do not agree.
PERMISSIONS
RELEASE OF INFORMATION TO LEGISLATORS: If a member of Congress or
state legislator requests my address or telephone number, THE
PROBLEM WITH PRAYER PROJECT may release it to him/her in order
that I may be contacted directly.
[ ] Yes, I agree.
[ ] No, I do not agree.
[page 5]
RELEASE OF INFORMATION TO MEDIA: If a representative of the news
media requests my address or telephone number, THE PROBLEM WITH
PRAYER PROJECT may release it to him/her in order that I may be
contacted directly.
[ ] Yes, I agree.
[ ] No, I do not agree.
Signature:..................................
(This form must be signed to be accepted.)
Name:.........................................
Address:......................................
City:.........................................
State:...................Zip:.................
Daytime Phone:................................
Evening Phone:................................
Fax:..........................................
Email:........................................
************************************
************************************
DONATION
(Donation NOT required with any submission to THE PROBLEM
WITH PRAYER PROJECT.)
[ ] I want to help! I understand that there will be costs for
printing and distributing the results of THE PROBLEM WITH PRAYER
PROJECT. I am sending, freely, a donation to help with those
costs.
Name:.........................................
Address:......................................
City:.........................................
State:...................Zip:.................
[ ] Enclosed is my check or money order (payable to American
Atheists, Inc.) for $...........
[ ] Charge my [ ] VISA [ ] MasterCard for a donation of
$.........
Card #:...........................
Expiration Date:...........................
Signature:...........................
Donations to American Atheists, Inc. are tax-deductible.
* Keep Church and State SEPARATE!
* Origin: American Atheists Online (512) 302-0223 (1:382/1006.0)
-30-
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