CHICAGO – Now that a federal judge has voided a state law that mandated a moment of silence in Illinois schools, the group who lobbied against the law is seeking further action with a proposed law of its own.

Marsh Boner, a born-again atheist and Chicagoland shock jock, led the charge against the proposed law and heads up the group “The Human Atheistic Front Against Silence” (HAFAS).

The group played a key role in the battle against the mandated moment of silence, convincing U.S. District Judge Begotten M. Trawler that the moment of silence was an attempt to force “students at impressionable ages to contemplate religion.”

The law only sought a moment of silence each morning during the period when general announcements are made and the Pledge of Allegiance recited, but Boner says the failed legislation betrays a “deeper, sinister move afoot in the ongoing war against atheism being conducted by this country.”

As a result, HAFAS is proposing that state and, eventually, federal oversight be provided at all public schools to ensure that “no period of silence shall last more than 5 (five) seconds.”

Are these children studying, praying or just thinking? HAFAS doesn't want to risk finding out.

“A lot of people think about schools as noisy places,” admitted Boner. “But think about kindergarten nap time, detention, even tests and quizzes.

“Moments of silence – whether organized or spontaneous – are potentially dangerous portals to prayer, and they have no place in public schools.”

Under HAFAS’ plan, a “smoke detector-like” chime would sound every four seconds, and the devices would be installed in every room of every public school in the state. The chimes would be emitted at a level of “no less than 110 decibels.”

A power mower operating at a distance of three feet from the observer generates roughly 107 decibels. Sustained exposure of 90-95 decibels can result in hearing loss. But since the chimes, which are to last one second, are separated by four seconds of silence, HAFAS argues students would not be subjected to sustained exposure.

“In any case, we can’t take the risk that an innocent child’s fragile grasp of the atheistic world view might be swept away by silence and its attending risk of free thought,” said Boner.

Outrage to the proposed plan was widespread, with educational advocates expressing concern about the impact the sounds would have on learning, testing and, in younger grades, napping.

Boner is hoping to find a sponsor for his suggestion in the Illinois General Assembly, and hopes someday to see it enacted as a federal law.

Originally posted 2009-01-25 21:55:26. Republished by Blog Post Promoter