American Atheists Director Carletta Sims has stopped plans to implement a released time program. Students would have been given time off from regular classes to be bused to local churches for religious instruction. "The public schools should be in the business of education, not indoctrination..."

Web Posted: August 12, 1998

halk one up for Tennessee American Atheists, as well as state-church separation and the kids of Sullivan County. Last night, the Board of Education there voted 5-2 to end an experimental released time program which permitted select children to leave public school classes during the day, and be transported to local churches for religious instruction. The vote reversed a 5-2 decision made last year by the board to implement a pilot program at the behest of local religionists; church spokespersons and board members justified the released time, saying that it was a form of protected free speech and religious expression.

    But that was before Carletta Sims, Tennessee State Director for American Atheists, began speaking out against the released time scheme. Sims branded the program an unconstitutional violation of the First Amendment, and pointed out that it clearly favored religion over nonbelief. Sims also noted that released time was removing children from badly needed instructional time in computers and other subjects, and cut into the normal school day.

    Challenging the free speech claim, Sims also decided to demand "equal access" for Atheists and others as a way of challenging the program. She put together an educational unit on Atheism. "If they have released time for Christians," argued Sims, "they have to permit it for everyone else, too!"

    Sims' move ignited controversy throughout the area. One released time supporter claimed that only churches should be able to capitalize on the program, since the Atheism course purportedly represented an "advocacy group," namely, American Atheists.

    Last night, fearing the legal mine field they had ventured into, Sullivan County Board of Education members wisely took a different course, albeit for some reluctantly. Prior to the vote, Sims told the school board members, "America is a melting pot. We all know of numerous religions. There are diversities and cultures all over the United States, but to pick and choose one over the other is wrong... Religious speech should not have priority or precedence over any other free speech. It is unconstitutional."

    Sims was branded as "one lone voice," though, by Paul Bentley, the coordinator for the released time program. He praised administrators for "vision, courage and leadership" in permitting the establishment of the scheme. Superintendent John O'Dell tried to steer a cautious, even timid middle course; he asked those at the heated meeting to not judge those who might not agree with the program as "less of a believer in Christ," although that category clearly applied to Ms. Sims, an outspoken Atheist advocate. O'Dell also warned about expensive litigation, and suggested that churches throughout the community could continue the program before and after the regular school day.

    It was a sweet victory for Sims personally, who had spent much of the last year opposing the released time program, and putting together an Atheist alternative. She defended herself in the media as an Atheist with "the highest moral standards." At last night's board meeting, Sims also had to put up with contemptuous looks from at least one board members and others in the audience who were hostile. "The whole thing was a great accomplishment," Sims told AANEWS after the vote. "The general public received a Class 101 in Atheism through the media, and the students will thank me in the future for guaranteeing that they obtained their computer, music, art and other skills early enough to see them through high school and college."

    What's next for American Atheists in Tennessee? Carletta Sims has found a Ten Commandments plaque in a county courthouse, and will be challenging that. The fight for First Amendment rights is alive and well in Tennessee...

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