High School Cheerleaders in Trouble for Bible Verse Banners - Page 6

SzczerbiakManiac · 10-01-2009, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazzman

Would anyone be offended by being wished, "As-Salamu Alaykum?" It means "Peace be upon you," but since it's associated with Islam, should an atheist be offended by it, or appreciate it for what it is?

I don't know Arabic, so I will trust your translation. I have zero problem with someone merely wishing me peace in any language. It's when they want God/Allah/Buddha/Flying Spaghetti Monster to create that peace for me that my craw starts to stick.

Well, maybe someone wishing that last deity bless me would make me giggle.

innerSpaceman · 10-01-2009, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazzman

No, I'm pretty sure that the Constitution applies everywhere. Maybe it's different down in Cali (don't know why it would be) but school policies do not trump the Bill of Rights.

I don't agree with it, but apparently school policies trump student's free-speech rights on a constant basis. What planet have you been living on?

Ghoulish Delight · 10-01-2009, 10:35 AM

Free speech does not mean "You have the right to say whatever the fvck you want, whenever the fvck you want, without consequence." It means "You have the right to say whatever the fvck you want, whenever the fvck you want, without censure from the government."

I can't run around work screaming at the top of my longs that I hate every single person who works there and expect no repercussions. All I can expect is to not get arrested for it. I can surely be told to shut the fvck up, and I can be fired. That is not a violation of my free speech rights.

Being told "What you are saying is not appropriate for the setting you're in" is not a violation of free speech rights. It's civility.

Gemini Cricket · 10-01-2009, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

I can't run around work screaming at the top of my longs that I hate every single person who works there and expect no repercussions.

Which makes me wonder why GD hates Long's so much.

Sorry, couldn't resist. That's what 3 hours of sleep does to me.

Alex · 10-01-2009, 10:41 AM

If the school were a private organization then that would be completely true.

But if the government (in the form of the public school) is going to bar speech based purely on the content of it (which is what is happening if they're told they can't write scripture but can write other things) then they need to have a reason beyond simple civility.

That reason would be that the cheerleaders are somehow acting as representatives of the state and therefore there sign is establishment. I disagree. I suspect that the Supreme Court would agree (that is shouldn't be allowed) though I don't know if this particular level of remove has been ligitaged. They've certainly spoken on what the football coaches can do.

I agree that being all religious about running onto the field is obnoxious. But I think it is a very significant step to go from "politesse suggests you not do this" to "you will not be allowed to do this."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

I can't run around work screaming at the top of my longs that I hate every single person who works there and expect no repercussions.

No, but if you are allowed to run around screaming on the street, they can't bar you just because what you scream happens to be religious.

mousepod · 10-01-2009, 10:45 AM

I went back and read the original article that was linked in the OP.

I guess it is all about Jesus in that town, and majority does indeed rule.

Quote:

“Families entrust public schools with the education of their children, but condition their trust on the understanding that school activities will not purposely be used to advance religious views that may conflict with their religious beliefs,” the system’s release states. “As a result, the courts prohibit rabbi-led prayers at school sporting events, Wiccan posters in gymnasiums and reading the Quran over the school public announcement system.”

Betty · 10-01-2009, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mousepod

I went back and read the original article that was linked in the OP.

I guess it is all about Jesus in that town, and majority does indeed rule.

So - Christian posters okay - Wiccan (and other) posters not???

How is this okay?

Alex · 10-01-2009, 11:01 AM

That's not what the school district's statement said. It was explaining that they wouldn't allow Christian messages just like they wouldn't allow other religious messages.

SacTown Chronic · 10-01-2009, 11:06 AM

I took part in a prayer circle before a basketball game that I was coaching last MLK Day because our hosts were a private Christian school. I participated in the prayer because it does me no harm or inconvenience to do so. And I knew when we scheduled the exhibition game against a Christian school that there would be prayer. It's kinda part of the deal with those schools. Also, our hosts were kind enough to invite anyone who did not want to participate to step outside, no judgements attached. Cool people like that, I'll go along to get along. Why not?

Take the same situation at a public school, and I would have walked my team off the court until the nonsense was over. A very silent, very public protest, if you will.

mousepod · 10-01-2009, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

That's not what the school district's statement said. It was explaining that they wouldn't allow Christian messages just like they wouldn't allow other religious messages.

You're right, Alex. I misread the context of the quote.

10-01-2009, 10:35 AM	#53
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	Free speech does not mean "You have the right to say whatever the fvck you want, whenever the fvck you want, without consequence." It means "You have the right to say whatever the fvck you want, whenever the fvck you want, without censure from the government." I can't run around work screaming at the top of my longs that I hate every single person who works there and expect no repercussions. All I can expect is to not get arrested for it. I can surely be told to shut the fvck up, and I can be fired. That is not a violation of my free speech rights. Being told "What you are saying is not appropriate for the setting you're in" is not a violation of free speech rights. It's civility. __________________ 'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.' -TJ
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10-01-2009, 11:01 AM	#58
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	That's not what the school district's statement said. It was explaining that they wouldn't allow Christian messages just like they wouldn't allow other religious messages.
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10-01-2009, 11:06 AM	#59
SacTown Chronic the myth of the dream Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 2,217	I took part in a prayer circle before a basketball game that I was coaching last MLK Day because our hosts were a private Christian school. I participated in the prayer because it does me no harm or inconvenience to do so. And I knew when we scheduled the exhibition game against a Christian school that there would be prayer. It's kinda part of the deal with those schools. Also, our hosts were kind enough to invite anyone who did not want to participate to step outside, no judgements attached. Cool people like that, I'll go along to get along. Why not? Take the same situation at a public school, and I would have walked my team off the court until the nonsense was over. A very silent, very public protest, if you will. __________________ Is it the fingers, or the brain that you're teaching a lesson?
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