Reply to In God We Trust sign prominently posted in FCPS Middle School main office

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I walked into the office to pick up my daughter yesterday and noticed an 8.5 x 11 sign stating "In God We Trust" in a prominent location in the main office.

This seems at best inappropriate and at worst like a brazen attempt to bring personal religious beliefs into a public space (unfortunately I do think it is legal). I happen to know, because of the Principal's Instagram account, that she is extremely religious. I respect her personal beliefs and her right to express them in a private context.

But as someone who has carefully raised their children without religion and God, this sign is offensive to me. Whether or not it is intentional, it effectively [i]others[/i] and intimidates constituents of that school who don't believe in God. Even if it only offends a few people, isn't that enough? Why is this necessary?

I know. It's on our money and it's in the pledge, but my kids can opt to not say the God part in the pledge. They can't opt not to go into the main office.

I filled out a discrimination complaint online, but I doubt anything will come of it (there are certainly more immediate issues in that arena for that office to address).

I am considering writing a kind and good faith note to the principal from an anonymous email address. Any (kind and in good faith) thoughts on that approach or ideas for ways to resolve this without backlash against my kids?

Thanks.

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I would take this seriously if you have previously complained about the public display of BLM signs.

Have you?[/quote]

Not OP, but what does that have to do with freedom of religion?
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One of the co-founders, Patrisse Cullors,  is on record as it being a "spiritual movement". The movement infuses a syncretic blend of African and indigenous cultures’ spiritual practices and beliefs, embracing ancestor worship; Ifa-based ritual such as chanting, dancing, and summoning deities; and healing practices such as acupuncture, reiki, therapeutic massage, and plant medicine in much of its work, including protest. Some see BLM as secularizing the new civil rights movement as it is often portrayed in the media. Instead, BLM's marginalization of patriarchal and hierarchical modalities of religion informs its members' reinterpretation and expression of faith, political expression, radical organizing, and community-building.

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BLM is not a religion. GTFO. [/quote]

You knew that one of the counders is a ordained in Ifa right and its a core part of her movement and practices?

https://berkleycenter.georgetown.edu/responses/the-fight-for-black-lives-is-a-spiritual-movement
https://crcc.usc.edu/far-from-being-anti-religious-faith-and-spirituality-run-deep-in-black-lives-matter/
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=291479432259187

“Spirituality is at the center of BLM,” said Cullors during a June 13 Zoom call with Dr. Melina Abdullah, co-founder of BLM Los Angeles, as they discussed the methods by which they “practice traditions from West African places.”

“When we come out into the streets, and we pray – the first thing we do when we hear of a murder is we come out and we pray, we pour libation we built with community where the person’s life was stolen,” said Abdullah.

The term libation is, by definition, “the act of pouring a liquid as a sacrifice (as to a deity).”

As Abdullah described the act performed on the street, she added, “And it took almost a year for me to realize that this movement is much more than a racial and social justice movement. At its core, it’s a spiritual movement. Because we are literally standing on spilled blood. And you can’t pretend like that’s work – that’s just like some organizing work.”

Hebah Farrag, assistant director of research at the USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture, examined one of Abdullah’s rituals. And she explained that as Abdullah was pouring libations on the ground, those present chanted "Asé.” She clarified that the Yoruba term is "often used by practitioners of Ifa, a faith and divination system that originated in West Africa” – occult practices. (Emphasis added.)

And Cullors did not argue with Farrag’s assessment, but she actually pointed to the article and its writer to help the viewers properly understand the spiritual foundation and practices of the BLM movement.

“It’s a very important practice,” said Cullors. “Hashtags are for us way more than a hashtag. It is literally, almost resurrecting spirits so they can work through us to get the work that we need to get done. I started to feel personally connected and responsible and accountable to them. Both from a deeply political place, but also from a deeply spiritual place.”

Abdulah explained that when they “say the names,” they “invoke that spirit, and then those spirits actually become present with you.”

“Maybe I’m sharing too much,” she said, “but we become very intimate with the spirits that we call on regularly.” 
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Ok. So?

Like I said, BLM is not a religion. GTFO.
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