• This is a political forum that is non-biased/non-partisan and treats every person's position on topics equally. This debate forum is not aligned to any political party. In today's politics, many ideas are split between and even within all the political parties. Often we find ourselves agreeing on one platform but some topics break our mold. We are here to discuss them in a civil political debate. If this is your first visit to our political forums, be sure to check out the RULES. Registering for debate politics is necessary before posting. Register today to participate - it's free!

Valedictorian Defies School District and Recites Lord's Prayer [W:618]

Should the school have banned the reading of the prayer by the student?

  • Yes

    Votes: 24 27.3%

  • No

    Votes: 60 68.2%

  • Undecided

    Votes: 4 4.5%
  • Total voters
    88
Paschendale said:
As above. This boy demonstrated his desire to exercise power over the crowd with his religion.
Click to expand...
What a load of crap.

His desire was to protest the school's policy, nothing more.
 
Jerry said:
What a load of crap.

His desire was to protest the school's policy, nothing more.
Click to expand...

Again, I have to say LOL. You have no idea what his intentions were.
 
ChrisL said:
The school can mandate that speeches be subject to preapproval, just as ANY speech at any venue.
Click to expand...

I'm not aware that any speech at any venue is subject to pre-approval. Certainly no speech I have given (there have been a few) was ever subject to approval. In any case, the school has given after-the-fact approval.

“He’s a graduate now, so there’s nothing we can do about it even if we wanted to,” John Eby told WYFF. “But the bottom line is we’re not going to punish students for expressing their religious faiths.”:cool:
 
Jack Hays said:
I'm not aware that any speech at any venue is subject to pre-approval. Certainly no speech I have given (there have been a few) was ever subject to approval. In any case, the school has given after-the-fact approval.

“He’s a graduate now, so there’s nothing we can do about it even if we wanted to,” John Eby told WYFF. “But the bottom line is we’re not going to punish students for expressing their religious faiths.”:cool:
Click to expand...

I thought the point we were arguing was whether or not it is appropriate? Of course, the only punishment they could dole out would be to hold his diploma, and I don't think anyone wants that. Some people just want stubborn misconceived people who don't understand the principal behind separation of church and state to get it through their thick skulls that if you want to pray then go to church and keep it out of school. Schools are for learning, and NOT about religion. There are already private religious schools for those of you who want to include your religious beliefs in your child's education. There is a lot of diversity in our schools now, and not ALL students are Christian or believe in God or Jesus or Allah or whatever. These kinds of things just make things more complicated for the school and everyone else involved. It could all be simply avoided by NOT DOING IT. I don't think that's asking a lot either.
 
ChrisL said:
I thought the point we were arguing was whether or not it is appropriate? Of course, the only punishment they could dole out would be to hold his diploma, and I don't think anyone wants that. Some people just want stubborn misconceived people who don't understand the principal behind separation of church and state to get it through their thick skulls that if you want to pray then go to church and keep it out of school. Schools are for learning, and NOT about religion. There are already private religious schools for those of you who want to include your religious beliefs in your child's education. There is a lot of diversity in our schools now, and not ALL students are Christian or believe in God or Jesus or Allah or whatever. These kinds of things just make things more complicated for the school and everyone else involved. It could all be simply avoided by NOT DOING IT. I don't think that's asking a lot either.
Click to expand...

"Here I stand. I can do no other." --Martin Luther:peace
 
Jack Hays said:
I'm not aware that any speech at any venue is subject to pre-approval. Certainly no speech I have given (there have been a few) was ever subject to approval. In any case, the school has given after-the-fact approval.

“He’s a graduate now, so there’s nothing we can do about it even if we wanted to,” John Eby told WYFF. “But the bottom line is we’re not going to punish students for expressing their religious faiths.”:cool:
Click to expand...

So he committed a duplicitous act while pushing down an open door. What a triumphal representative of the religious mindset he is...
 
Jack Hays said:
Ah. Then it looks like the question has not been settled.

"Under current law in some jurisdictions, . . .":mrgreen:
Click to expand...

That's because it's up to the school what rules they set when it comes to speeches. :mrgreen:
 
Jack Hays said:
Martin Luther at the Diet of Worms, 1521. One of the great stands on the basis of conscience in the history of our civilization.:cool:
Click to expand...

Point being?
 
Jack Hays said:
Or not, apparently, depending on the jurisdiction.:cool:
Click to expand...

Nope, schools are allowed to set precedence (to a point) based on what they feel could be offensive material, religion included.
 
Jack Hays said:
A principled stand derived from conscience is to be celebrated, not attacked. (And I'm agnostic, btw.):cool:
Click to expand...

So, in OTW, your "beliefs" have such power over you that you can't control your actions in public? I'm not buying it.
 
ChrisL said:
So, in OTW, your "beliefs" have such power over you that you can't control your actions in public? I'm not buying it.
Click to expand...

Quite the opposite, actually. A principled act of conscience is the product of mature self-control.:cool:
 
Jack Hays said:
Quite the opposite, actually. A principled act of conscience is the product of mature self-control.:cool:
Click to expand...

Not if you can't stifle yourself during a relatively short graduation speech.
 
ChrisL said:
I wonder how people would feel if the kid wanted to recite the Devil's Prayer? Maybe he's a satanist?
Click to expand...

Would the kid use blood? That might be interesting.
 
Jack Hays said:
But not others, so the question remains unresolved.
Click to expand...

No it doesn't. The question has been answered. Individual school districts do have a right to limit and/or restrict a student's free speech while at school or school-sponsored events. If the school board thinks that religious content is acceptable, then they can allow it with a disclaimer that it does not represent the school's position. I hope I've cleared up your confusion. You welcome in advance. :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom