I didn't read it, but I think prayer should be allowed, but nobody should be forced to join in. They should just keep quiet during the prayer, don't attract any attention etc to let the other pray in peace.
Poll: School District about to Get Sued
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I think he went a little far, but he's in the right completely and the response he has had is completely ridiculous. Anything he does now is pretty justified really.
You should be able to pray, if you want to. But the school shouldn't have the right to force you to pray if it's a public school. If it's a Christian school, then go ahead and pray. I really don't mind if people pray in public, as long as they don't force me to pray.
I do not take part in religious events in school. This has got me into plenty of trouble before, however it usually ends in teachers apologizing to social workers who I call, or simply my parents. I'm not a huge fan of social workers and the like, but they're there to work with you in cases such as religion.
My position on the matter is that prayer is absolutely allowed in schools by individuals. Authority figures paid by the government should never tell those they are in charge of that it is time to pray.
Religion is allowed on public property, but only under the following circumstances:
1. It is PRIVATELY funded.
2. Any other group is given the same option.
Religion is allowed on public property, but only under the following circumstances:
1. It is PRIVATELY funded.
2. Any other group is given the same option.
Well, if people are being forced to pray you have a problem.
If people are being forced not to pray, you also have a problem.
If people are being ostracized for exercising a lawful right not to pray, you have a much bigger societal problem.
I call it, ACCS, or American Christian Community Syndrome.
If people are being forced not to pray, you also have a problem.
If people are being ostracized for exercising a lawful right not to pray, you have a much bigger societal problem.
I call it, ACCS, or American Christian Community Syndrome.
I would say. That yes the ceremony is a problem. Simply because it endorses an exclusionary policy. Life does not require the secular to be separated from the devout. Humans have created wonderful languages that adapt throughout centuries to be capable of conferring numerous connotations for nearly any conceivable event. It only takes a few extra moments of thought to provide a speech that everyone can be inspired by whilst providing all groups their rights.
Instead of holding a moment of pray, they can have a moment of reflection or introspection.
Instead of thanking G-wiz, they can simply state they are thankful for the opportunity they received.
It is not hard to consider others and show them courtesy.
Instead of holding a moment of pray, they can have a moment of reflection or introspection.
Instead of thanking G-wiz, they can simply state they are thankful for the opportunity they received.
It is not hard to consider others and show them courtesy.
Hey I'm not the one suing because *whiny voice* i have to PRAY!?? *end whiney voice* Its called sit in silence kid. seriously.JJMUG said:
I'll answer you in points:Mechanix said:
A) It's the school with the highest amount of matriculants, and is in South Africa. A Jewish school is a rare thing. Plus there are only one or two good public schools
B) If someone doesn't want to pray, they should stand silently and respectfully, not make it a whole issue of it. The guy who asked this was wrong, he should have just stayed silent.
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?
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.
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.
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.DocMcCray said:
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.
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.Zay-el said:
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.
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.