Poll: School District about to Get Sued

[Dino_B]

Okay, maybe I didn't understand the proceedings fully since I'm in a different country. I understand your point and the other person who replied to my comment. I agree with this, a prayer in private is best and least hurtful to those that would take offence. Question then: could there be reached a compromise, if some students wanted to pray would they be able to, at the end, just organize themselves and go to a place in the school specifically designated? I'm not a religious person, but here in my University there are specific prayer rooms in buildings for this. Even the catholic high schools in this town have a cathedral where those who choose can go to. So, questions remains, could this person's school do the same or would it be some for of violation as well?

 

[Zay-el]

The kid in question needs to stop being such a whiny *****. Here's an interesting fact: I'm an Atheist with Jewish origins, who attended in a Benedictian high school for 5 years, including graduation and never, not even for a moment was I ever shunned or offended in any shape or form.

He probably KNEW prayers were part of the graduation, well before it happened. He knew and even so, decided to play victim and deeply insult both the school and any classmates that actually believed. Why was this necessary?

I had to attend a sermon every month+special occasions. We had a prayer BEFORE first class and at the END of the last of the day. We had evening prayers, when I lived in the hostel as well. WE GREETED OUR TEACHERS WITH "LAUDETUR JESUS CHRISTUS"(Praised be Jesus Christ), AND MY LUNGS HADN'T DISINTEGRATED FROM IT!!

I'm sorry, but I get incredibly mad, when a story like this pops up. It's one thing if they suddenly require him to do something, but he's probably been to that school for several years and as far as I know graduation ceremonies, lower year students ALSO have to attend. No, I do NOT accept any sort of whining in this matter and that kid's very lucky he isn't around me right now. Atheists get badmouthed quite often anyway, but to set ourselves on fire with such utter bullsh*t, is absolutely intolerable.

 

[AdumbroDeus]

This man is a hero.

Not because he got prayer taken out of a ceremony, but because he stood up for his constitutional right to be free from Religion.

I agree that prayer isn't a big deal. If you don't believe in a god, then you believe they're just talking to themselves. However, Religion has no place in an institution of education. The emotional ties one has to their religion brings to much of a bias into the system.

He may be hated by his community, but he's a hero in my book.

See, this is what irritates me the most.

It is "Freedom *OF* Religion" not "Freedom *FROM* Religion"

Some how this got twisted into "You can't pray in front of me because I find it offensive."

Anyone who doesn't want to be involved in the praying process, just don't pray! One person speaking up because he doesn't like prayer and trying to force others not to pray just because he doesn't share their beliefs goes against the letter and intent of the US Constitution.

This is not a matter of individuals praying in front of him, this is the school establishing this particular form of Christianity as the right way to do things by explicitly endorsing it via prayer. This governmental pressure violates both the establishment and free exercise clauses.

That's why this is wrong, part of the graduation program isn't the right place for religious exercises or for that matter declaring allegence to secular humanism no matter what the majority in the ceremony think.

The kid in question needs to stop being such a whiny *****. Here's an interesting fact: I'm an Atheist with Jewish origins, who attended in a Benedictian high school for 5 years, including graduation and never, not even for a moment was I ever shunned or offended in any shape or form.

He probably KNEW prayers were part of the graduation, well before it happened. He knew and even so, decided to play victim and deeply insult both the school and any classmates that actually believed. Why was this necessary?

I had to attend a sermon every month+special occasions. We had a prayer BEFORE first class and at the END of the last of the day. We had evening prayers, when I lived in the hostel as well. WE GREETED OUR TEACHERS WITH "LAUDETUR JESUS CHRISTUS"(Praised be Jesus Christ), AND MY LUNGS HADN'T DISINTEGRATED FROM IT!!

I'm sorry, but I get incredibly mad, when a story like this pops up. It's one thing if they suddenly require him to do something, but he's probably been to that school for several years and as far as I know graduation ceremonies, lower year students ALSO have to attend. No, I do NOT accept any sort of whining in this matter and that kid's very lucky he isn't around me right now. Atheists get badmouthed quite often anyway, but to set ourselves on fire with such utter bullsh*t, is absolutely intolerable.

You went to a Benedictan HS, there's a major difference. I wanted that so I went to a Franciscan HS. This kid went to a public HS, so while he should expect the views of his classmates are religious because of the area, the school STILL has it's obligation to be religiously neutral.

You want a school that endorses your religion? Go to a private religious school like I did. Otherwise the school is an arm of the government and is required to respect the establishment clause.


This kid was a hero for standing up to the community like that, and regardless of your religious views, he should be respected. I only wish the christians in that community were simularly laudable.

 

[ZtH]

I'm frankly surprised at the level of ire this kid is recieving. Sorry, but the school is in the wrong for endorsing the prayer the way they did. If the valdictorian or whoever wishes to include that in their speech they may, but it should never be a required or integral part of the ceremony. Also, the kid should be lauded for this not hated. Private institutions can do this if they wish, but public schools should not subject anyone to this type of indoctrination.