ACLU Attacks 'Moment Of Silence'

Subj: ACLU Attacks 'Moment Of Silence' During Time Of National Mourning! Date: 9/13/01 12:55:09 PM US Mountain Standard Time From: tvcnews@traditionalvalues.org (Traditional Values Coalition)

T R A D I T I O N A L V A L U E S C O A L I T I O N PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release September 13, 2001

For more information contact: Steve Aiken, 202-547-8570

ACLU Attacks 'Moment of Silence' During Time of National Mourning! Washington, DC - "The shameful attempt of the ACLU to have the Supreme Court block a moment of silence in Virginia's public schools is an affront to this nation during a time of national tragedy," said Traditional Values Coalition Chairman Rev. Louis P. Sheldon today.

"To try to prevent children from bowing their heads in silence over the terrorist attacks upon this nation shows just how incredibly insensitive the ACLU has become," noted Rev. Sheldon.

Rev. Sheldon is responding to U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist's refusal to grant the ACLU its request to block a mandatory moment of silence in Virginia's public schools. The ACLU has challenged the moment of silence as an unconstitutional violation of the separation of church and state.

Last year, Virginia Governor James Gilmore signed legislation requiring a mandatory one-minute moment of silence before each school day. During this period, children can pray, meditate, or do any other non-disruptive silence activity. No child is forced to pray or meditate.

"Last night, we saw the Senate and House join together in a time of corporate prayer and Bible reading over Tuesday's terrorist attack upon America," said Sheldon. "At a time like this, every person in this nation should have the right to pray to God for strength and comfort. The ACLU wants to deny this right to children in Virginia who have been terribly traumatized by the attack on the Pentagon. Many of them lost parents and friends in this disaster. Supporters and the leadership of the ACLU should be ashamed of themselves for their horrible insensitivity toward children during a time of national mourning."

"Children all over this nation are asking their parents, pastors, and teachers about God, death, and violence," noted Rev. Sheldon. "My own granddaughter has asked me these questions since the terrorist attack. These children need spiritual guidance during this time-not ACLU assaults on religious freedom."

Traditional Values Coalition has just called for passage of a congressional resolution that establishes a National Day of Repentance and Reconciliation. This resolution is being sponsored by Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS) and House Majority Whip Tom DeLay (R-TX).

"I spoke to House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL) last night after the Senate/House prayer vigil and he told me, 'This is the hour to consider this resolution. . America wants prayer.' Despite what the ACLU thinks, America needs more prayer, not less, as we face the possibility of war in the next few days," said Rev. Sheldon.

____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________ The Traditional Values Coalition is an interdenominational public policy organization comprising more than 43,000 churches across the continental United States and Puerto Rico. For more information, contact Steve Aiken at 202-547-8570. TVC's Web site is: www.traditionalvalues.org.

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