American Atheists State Director Carlie Sims challenges a public school "released time" program that gives students time off from classes in order to attend religious instruction. "When you've got lemons, make lemonade!"

Web Posted: August 4, 1998

hen church groups and parents in Blountville, Tennessee demanded that the local public schools provide their kids with "released time" in order to leave class and receive religious instruction, American Atheist representative Carletta Sims had an idea -- when you've got lemons, make lemonade. Sims, the new Tennessee State Director for American Atheists, responded by putting together a detailed proposal for an instructional alternative for students that would include a program on Atheism. "We're calling their bluff," declared Sims. "If religious groups want 'released time,' then Atheists -- and any other group -- should be able to take advantage of the program."

    Sims emphasized that she opposes the idea of "released time."

    "But religious groups are pretty one-sided and selective, and they want something like this to apply only to them," Sims told aanews.

    Ms. Sims presented her case last month before the Sullivan County Board of Education. That body last year gave the go-ahead for a released time program for 8th graders at Lynn View Middle School; with parental permission, the children can opt out of library time, physical education or computer instruction to go instead to a nearby church for religion-based instructions. 28 students participated in the program last year.

    Sims' move put the School Board in a tough position, one acknowledged by Board Member Charles Bridwell. "We have no choice not to approve released time for Sims' program if we do it for the churches," he admitted.

   Sims told the Kingsport Times-News, "As an atheist, I have the highest moral standards. I would like to share that with the children of Lynn View school." She criticized the released time program as proposed by the churches, though, saying that violated state-church separation, and tacitly approved Christianity over all other religions, as well as atheism. Sims also noted that released time is cutting into badly needed instructional classes. "Some computer classes are almost empty," she warned. "We owe it to our children to get those classes filled now, not later."

    A decision on the program is expected shortly.

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