Did you hear about the spat involving Brownsville Independent School District trustees Minerva Peña and Catalina Presas-Garcia over the National Day of Prayer event held at Sams Stadium?
It seems that the stadium – which is used for everything from football games, graduation ceremonies and even for exercise by residents in the community – was used for the Christian prayer event , but its rental never went before the school board for approval.
Instead, it was Peña who ran interference for the group "HOPE," which stages these events to foster Christian beliefs in communities.
Not that the stadium has never been the scene of prayer. Given the lackluster performance of some of our local high school football teams, we're sure that a more than few prayers have been uttered by their supporters and more than one desperate Hail Mary pass has been tossed by quarterbacks.
Peña told a local broadcaster that the fact that she is a board member does not take away her right to practice her beliefs.
Presas-Garcia said that while other board members were not informed of the event, Peña was involved in planning it and Superintendent, Dr. Carl Montoya, approved it.
And she adds that the fact that the BISD allowed a religious group who coordinated the event to further their religious beliefs, it could have put the district at odds with other denominations which were not included in the program.
"We have to understand that there's been other situations in the past that have gone to court where they have been challenged," Presas-Garcia told Action 4 News, saying that there is an ongoing question on the separation of church and state.
"What if a group of atheists want to rent the stadium to push their beliefs that God does not exist and they're denied?," she said. "This issue should have come before the board for its approval so those questions could be discussed."
According to BISD policies listed on it’s website, the superintendent has the power to approve for non-profit, non-school related events at school facilities. It does not specifically address religious events at public facilities.
However, someone has pointed out that for the past three years or so the district has rented space in the Burns Elementary School to the Lord of Divine Mercy Church and no one had said anything about it. The worshiper said the church, before it acquired its own building, rented from the district and held its Sunday school classes and services in the cafeteria and classrooms.
"I don't think it ever went before the board then, either," he said. "Catalina was on the board when that was happening."
That church now has its own temple at 650 E. Alton Gloor.
However, someone has pointed out that for the past three years or so the district has rented space in the Burns Elementary School to the Lord of Divine Mercy Church and no one had said anything about it. The worshiper said the church, before it acquired its own building, rented from the district and held its Sunday school classes and services in the cafeteria and classrooms.
"I don't think it ever went before the board then, either," he said. "Catalina was on the board when that was happening."
That church now has its own temple at 650 E. Alton Gloor.
Peña would not speak with the media about her role in coordinating the event by the group and the BISD administration. And even though other school property has been used for religious functions in the past, this was the first time that the stadium had been rented out to a religious group to hold one of their functions.
"I'm a Catholic and I believe in God," said Presas-Garcia. "I pray to Him in the privacy of my home, in church and during the day, but a publicly-owned facility shouldn't be seen as favoring one religion over another."
More than a dozen Christian churches led prayers asking for guidance and protection for families, city officials, public servants and the greater church itself.
One wag pointed out that given the performance of some local entities such as the local judiciary, the school district, the city and the county, a little guidance from the Almighty might not be such a bad thing, albeit with some adherence to the U.S. Constitution.
BISD, the station pointed out, gives students the right to exercise their religious beliefs. For example, students are allowed to pray around the flagpole.
24 comments:
BISD board reminds me of the old saying: " Tragan Santos y escupen diablos"!
I am a Wichan, can I contact Carl to rent me the place so I can dance nude at moonlight?
He should be able to say yes!
Because BISD should not discriminate!
I'm an admirer and supporter of both Catalina Presas-Garcia and Minerva Pena. In this instance, I respectfully disagree with Catalina.
Well done Minerva.
Catalina - let this one go.
I will respectfully request that our local Iman lead our Moslem brethren in prayer facing the East. By the same token we invite the local Rabbi and Congregation to join us too. God Bless Sam's Stadium !!!!!!
Minerva Peña says let us join hands and allow our beloved DPS to issue more traffic tickets. We need the money. The power of prayer with traffic citations,
If you agree to dance nude in the moonlight at Sam's Stadium, we can probably sell the place out. BISD will do anything to get warm butts in seats....if there is a payday.
Why is this Maclovio bozo putting out adds to spay and neuter pets? Who does he think he is...wacko Pat Ahumada....they are both idiots!
Religion is nothing more than an hereditary brain wash that passes on from generation to generation, lately, politicians had discovered that it is easier to manipulate the masses through religion than with political rhetoric.
BISD needs to re-think this policy. Sams Stadium is a taxpayer-funded venue and should not be hosting these events. Nation of Islam next?
Why is Catalina Presas-Garcia so angry with God, who she constantly claims protects her. She is not going against the Board Members in this attack, she is going against the very faith she proclaims with her mouth every time she states that her God protects and loves her. This woman is totally lost.
You mean: Comen Santos y Cagan diablos. An old Holy Inquisition saying. Motto of BiSD board.!!!
Every church in the City was invited to participate. Dozens of people when out to contact and invite ALL the churches and places of worship in Brownsville to be part of this event. Even Catholics were involved. Caty Presas-Garcia knows this but she is using this as a desperate means to make herself shine. Que Triste Mujer! God Bless You Caty.
It is well know in the Brownsville Community that KGBT Reporter Daisy Barrera is Caty Presas-Garcia's personal PR woman. Daisy Barrera will go on TV and lie about BISD just to keep her right hand "Caty" happy. Do the research on Daisy and Caty and KGBT Channel 4 stories on BISD. Shame on KGBT Channel 4 for allowing such lies to be broadcasted on the news about BISD. KGBT Channel 4 is the worst for reporting factual Valley news. The Ryan Wolfe mentality is hurting KGBT Channel 4 news. Oh Well.
JIM BARTON is crying about not getting press releases from the D.A. Somebody tell him a real reporter disdains press releases. You have questions about something, you fucking go ask the people that need to answer them. Barton wants Melly to do his legwork!
Sams Stadium must go by the rules set up by the Sams Foundation that donated the money for the stadium. They still have a say in the rules.
I know you prefer the daily paper with its paid off PR reporter.
The real problem is not all Board Members think ahead and or analyse the issues. Don't blame Presas-Garcia it's the IDIOT Pena who want's to be recognized for her stupidity.. She defetnitly need a brain like the Crow from Wizard Of Oz... Now the next issue will be allow everyone what's good for one is good for all... Or will the Board Change the Policy to keep other groups from doing their worshiping at the stadium?
It is Wiccan and the practice you are referring to is "skyclad".
La que come santos y caga diabalos es Minerva Pena in all religions at that.
IS POLICY AND PROCEDURE, AND BESIDES THE SAM DUDE HAD STIPULATIONS WHEN HE MADE THE SAM STADIUM DONATION!!
LA PORTER BELLE SE CREE MUCHO!!!
UUUUYYYYY!!!! UUUUUYYYY!!
I can't wait for next year when we celebrate the Book of Jewish fairy tales, all it's teachings, and the hypocrites who claim to follow it's teachings. Kudos to those who would keep church and state separate.
Public Schools: Teaching Democracy, Not Dogma
Public schools play a central role in American life. They mold children into good citizens by teaching the core values of pluralistic democracy: freedom and tolerance. Our public schools must therefore be hospitable to students of all faiths and no faith. Public schools should teach an understanding of and respect for diversity, as well as a spirit of acceptance and inclusion. They should also help develop citizens who respect our nation's legacy of religious freedom and the separation of church and state.
Public school teachers rightly function as important authority figures in the lives of their students. But, under the Constitution, their authority may not extend to matters of religious belief. According to the Supreme Court, the First Amendment requires that public school students never be given the impression that their school officially sanctions religion in general or prefers a specific faith in particular. Further, students must never feel coerced by peer or public pressure into adhering to the dictates of any religion.
Contrary to the claims of opponents of church-state separation, public school students enjoy very broad rights to act in accordance with their religious values and to practice their religious beliefs while at school. From words of grace whispered quietly before a meal in a cafeteria to prayer groups gathering before school at the flagpole, every day all over the country, students engage in constitutionally protected religious expression on public school grounds.
Despite the Supreme Court's clear rules against school sponsorship of religious activity and endorsement of religion, the religious right and others opposed to the separation of church and state have repeatedly attempted to inject sectarianism into the schools. For example, they have consistently sought laws mandating a moment of silence and the teaching of the biblical account of creation as an alternative to science. Imposition of an organized moment of silence is almost always unconstitutional since both the purpose and effect of a moment of silence are plainly to advance religion. Further, the Supreme Court has held that it is unconstitutional to require science teachers to teach creationism or to forbid them from teaching évolution
Separation of Church and State:
A First Amendment Primer
Violations of the Separation of Church and State
Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black best expressed the purpose and function of the Establishment Clause when he said that it rests "on the belief that a union of government and religion tends to destroy government and degrade religion." Some Americans reject this dictum, promoting the idea that the government should endorse the religious values of certain members of the community to the exclusion of others. In fact, such violations of the separation of church and state take place with disturbing frequency in American government, at local, state and Federal levels. Recent incidents include the following:
An Alabama judge regularly opens his court sessions with a Christian prayer. Further, he has refused to remove a plaque containing the Ten Commandments from his courtroom wall. Alabama Governor Fob James has threatened to call in the Alabama National Guard to prevent the plaque's removal.
Local municipalities have erected nativity scenes, crosses, menorahs and other religious symbols to the exclusion of those of other faiths.
The Board of Aldermen of a Connecticut city has opened its sessions with a prayer that beseeches citizens to "elect Christian men and women to office so that those who serve will be accountable . . . to the teachings of Jesus Christ . . . ."
A variety of religious groups are demanding that their faith-based social service programs receive public funding although these programs engage in aggressive proselytizing and religious indoctrination.
On the "National Day of Prayer," local authorities acting in their official capacities have led citizens in sectarian prayer.
A 1st Amendment Primer-
Separation of Church and State is not in the 1st amendment of the constitution of the United States of America.
Read below;
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. - See more at: http://constitution.findlaw.com/amendment1/amendment.html#sthash.A4c1AZ7C.dpuf
I do not see the words..Separation of Church and state. I do however read the seething for God and those who believe there is a God. Welcome to Nazi Brownsville..brown shirts anyone?
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