Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, October 28, 1993 TAG: 9312030386
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A12 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
In 1983, several Hawkins County, Tenn., parents objected to their children being forced to read an assigned series published by Holt containing stories that offended their religious beliefs. Originally, parents, teachers and the principal worked out an arrangement allowing children to read an alternate series. No problem so far, and no banning.
But the school board voted to ban the alternate readers and expelled the children for refusing to read the offensive texts. Although Farris didn't share some of the parents' objections, he defended their right to keep their children in school and ``opt out'' of reading religiously offensive material. ``Cinderella'' and ``The Wizard of Oz'' were included in the series, but were not the focus of the complaints; neither were they mentioned in the court decisions.
The judge described the case by saying ``the plaintiffs are not requesting that the Holt series be banned from the classroom ... These plaintiffs claim that they should not be forced to choose between reading books that offend their religious beliefs and foregoing a free public education.''
By supporting the board's position, Beyer believes public schools may force children to read material that you may find morally and religiously offensive.
In claiming that this case involved book banning, Beyer presents Virginians with a dilemma. Either our current lieutenant governor is a liar or can't read court documents. In either case, he should be replaced with Farris.
SAMUEL J. WALLIN
ROANOKE
by CNB