Delta, Colorado high schools and middle schools will be distributing atheist and Satanic literature to the student body beginning this April.
The Western Colorado Atheists and Freethinkers say they are working with the Freedom From Religion Foundation to offer Delta students, an alternative way of thinking.
The Delta County School District says that their policy reads that they cannot discriminate against any groups or organizations when it comes to non-curricular materials. The only exceptions are if the material promotes hostility or violence, commercial purposes by advertising a product, interferes with the schools, promotes candidacy in an election or is obscene or pornographic, according to a press release by the Delta School District.
Before you wonder whether or not Satanists and atheists are needling religious folk, this was not some unprovoked political statement.
In December, Gideon bibles were distributed to Delta County students. The Western Colorado Atheist and Freethinkers say the distribution of those bibles prompted their desire to distribute atheist material as well.
"This is the other side of that,” explained Kurt Clay, the assistant superintendent. “The policy says we cannot discriminate what is handed out, we just have to follow the process.”
This is the other side of that. There is a solution that would offend less people.
The Delta School District says they are looking into revising their policy, or makes changes to it, to allow the district to continue providing materials that benefit students, but do not include religious matters or beliefs.
Western Colorado Atheist and Freethinkers says they are hoping to see this change of policy, to separate religion and schools.
Yeah. Just keep religion out of public schools and you still get to believe in the things you believe in.