"...followed by a brisk mauling."

Ginger Strivelli,from Weaverville, NC, was slightly perturbed when her twelve-year-old son brought a Bible home from his public school. She spoke to the school’s principal, who said that for years, Gideon’s International had dropped off copies of the Bible that were given out to interested students. When Ginger seemed upset, possibly because of a little something called “separation of Church and State,” the principal assured her that, as is allowed/required by the First Amendment, the school would hand out donated texts from any religion. Ginger went home, mollified. And promptly returned with a stack of books to donate. Spell books. Because Ginger Strivelli is pagan, and a practicing witch.

Now, as alluded to previously, the First Amendment allows schools two choices with regards to religious texts. The school can either hand out donations of ANY specific religion, or, it can choose to deny religious donations and thus hand out NO books. But it has to be one of the other, you see? Otherwise the school is technically advocating a particular religion, and that’s frowned upon by our supposedly secular government. Now, since the school has ALREADY passed out the Gideon’s Bible, they’re required to accept donations of any other religion as well. So Ginger returned to the school, arms heavy with some of her favorite Wiccan texts to give out. The principal, probably with a slightly strained smile, took a look at Ginger’s donation. And turned her away.

Now, beyond the issue of fairness, legal experts generally agree that the First Amendment, applied to this particular situation, requires that since some religious materials were accepted by the school, all should be. Applied, in fact, the First Amendment indicates that to turn away some religious donations in favor of others is illigal.

The Weaverville school board has announced that it is reviewing its policies in regards to this incident, and while doing so will not be able to accept any donations of the kind.