Past Events
Resisting Intelligent Design Sept. 15, 2008
Photo by James K. Smith |
When science teacher Karen Sinex came to speak to our chapter, she was met by a large enthusiastic crowd of supporters. In fact, the meeting started late because people had to go search for extra chairs. Ms. Sinex had firmly resisted an attempt to introduce Intelligent Design into her classroom and people had come to hear her tell her story and to demonstrate their support. |
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Ms. Sinex said she was shocked by these statements but that she did not give up. And, by their next meeting, the school board was ready to put this issue behind them. They asked Ms. Sinex to make one very minor change in a teaching material she used and then they decided to send a letter to the pastor indicating that was all they would do. |
Photo by James K. Smith |
After Ms. Sinex spoke at our chapter meeting, Bruce Adams, our chapter president, commended Ms. Sinex for her courage and told about our involvement with this issue. For several months all we could do is offer moral support and advice behind the scenes. However, after the pastor spoke at the first board meeting, this was a public issue and Ms. Sinex felt forced to make her side public too. So we placed calls on her behalf to the superintendent and the chair of the school board to let them know we were interested and to hear their side of the story. (They did not return our calls.) We also helped rally support for Ms. Sinex. We coordinated with the local teacher’s union representative who had also been working with Ms. Sinex and who attended the next school board meeting with us and Ms. Sinex.
At our meeting, a member of the audience asked why we did not file a law suit. Bruce explained that while the district showed little support for Ms. Sinex, that is not illegal. In spite of all the talk, the only official action the school board took was in support of the proper curriculum. If the board had taken any action we thought might be illegal, we would have immediately contacted the legal department of Americans United.
When our chapter meeting was over, the energy level in the room was still high. Many people did not want to leave. They had a lot more to say and stayed to talk informally in small groups. Then they left, having been inspired by a teacher who was willing to take a stand for her students’ right to be taught science in science class.
There is more about Ms. Sinex’s story on our Local Issues page.
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Historic “First Freedom First Simulcast” in Portland March 26, 2008
Politics and Religion in the 2008 Election Feb 11, 2008
Is faith a legitimate issue in an election? Professor Steven K. Green addressed this and other questions at our special chapter meeting, Feb. 11, 2008, at the Multnomah Arts Center. He explained the historical role of religion in American politics and talked about the increased emphasis on candidates’ religions in the current election. This event was taped and aired several times on public access television. 2007 Rev. Barry Lynn Speaks June 21, 2007
Our Chapter and Anne Bloom’s Books hosted the Rev. Barry Lynn for a speech and book signing at the First Baptist Church in downtown Portland. Well over 100 people attended and were treated to a terrific speech about current church/state issues. Rev. Lynn was informative, timely and entertaining. The speech was recorded by KBOO radio for later broadcast.
Special Event - The Rev. Cedric Harmon - March 12, 2007
AU’s Associate Field Director Cedric Harmon, a Baptist Minister, addressed a crowd of almost 50 chapter members and friends. In his dynamic presentation, Rev. Harmon spoke about why church/state separation is a religious issue. He emphasized the importance of having religious leaders, as well as nonbelievers, understand the value of maintaining this nation’s separation of church and state. This event was a big step for our chapter. We wanted to reiterate that separation of church and state is a religious issue. We invited Rev. Harmon to come from Washington, D.C. and we advertised the event through churches. We made a special point of inviting leaders of various faith groups and were gratified that several of them attended.
2006 Ten Commandments: Chapter Meeting - Sept. 18, 2006 AU member, retired Professor Arnold Panitch of Portland, discussed the Ten Commandments monuments placed in our public parks, courthouses and civic plazas. He reviewed the history of the monuments and wall plaques and recent US Supreme Court cases. Arnie was party to a suit against the City of Cincinnati in 1965, protesting a nativity scene on the City Hall steps. He also has firsthand knowledge about the Ten Commandments monument in Julia Davis Park in Boise, Idaho, and how it was moved to a churchyard. Professor Steven K. Green speaks at our meeting - January 25th, 2006 Professor Steven K. Green, who served for nine years as General Counsel and Director of Policy for Americans United for Separation of Church and State, spoke at our chapter's January meeting. He gave a lively and informative talk, based on his vast experiences. He has participated in several cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, including Zelman v. Simmons-Harris (2002); the Cleveland school vouchers case; Mitchell v. Helms (2000), authorizing state-paid computers and educational equipment to religious schools; and Santa Fe Independent School District v. Doe (2000), striking prayer at public school football games. Green also has extensive legislative experience, having testified before Congress and several state legislatures. He helped draft federal and state laws affecting religious liberty interests, including the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (1993) and the Religious Land-Use and Institutionalized Persons Protection Act (2000). Green is a widely sought speaker and a prolific author. He is currently writing a case book on church-state law to be published by Baylor University Press.
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Photo by James K. Smith




