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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
Answer me, Alabama Paul. If he had declared that homosexuality had enabled him to realize his full academic potential and if he had advocated the consideration of homosexuality for anyone aspiring to excel academically, you would vehemently support his commencement address? And, therefore, you would support and advocate the same right for future commencement speakers?

As far as I'm concerned, he earned the privilege to speak his mind regardless of subject matter. If that's what he chose to do, so be it...

I'm out, the hydromorphone is kicking in...
 
Were the taxpayers harmed in some way?

And the price of tea in China is?

Yes they were in their pocket books for some zealot to pontificate ephemeral religious ideals they might not agree with.
 
And the price of tea in China is?

Yes they were in their pocket books for some zealot to pontificate ephemeral religious ideals they might not agree with.

And if he had extolled the benefits of communism, I wouldn't change my stance...
 
As far as I'm concerned, he earned the privilege to speak his mind regardless of subject matter. If that's what he chose to do, so be it...

I'm out, the hydromorphone is kicking in...

So that is a definite and complete YES or a NO?
 
I do not disagree in principle, Jack. However, having a long history of family in South Carolina, since 1715, I doubt that **** will play well in many parts of the nation.

So true but it will play and maybe one of these times it will make some think about equality and what it really means.
 
Some one paid the rent that night. And it was rhe tax payers.

I suppose it's possible to get a list of groups that have used that building over the years. I would be happy to try to obtain said roster if you wonder where your tax dollars are going. A commencement is a public affair, though, and according to the thread, many cheered the young man's bravery. :thumbs:
 
And if he had extolled the benefits of communism, I wouldn't change my stance...

Now that would actually be interesting. I can hear the Lord's prayer on any given Sunday 52 times a year. However I think a counter point should be there in the case of the Marxist. When on the public dime.
 
Why does it matter again? Seems like there is better things to worry about than a speech that no one will even remember.

Seems like equivocation to me. Do you fully support and advocate commencement speakers saying whatever they want (the advocacy of homosexuality, paganism, social nudity, flatulence, Satanism and masturbation in support of academic achievement; none of which are illegal)?
 
I suppose it's possible to get a list of groups that have used that building over the years. I would be happy to try to obtain said roster if you wonder where your tax dollars are going. A commencement is a public affair, though, and according to the thread, many cheered the young man's bravery. :thumbs:

Okay get the list.
 
As far as I'm concerned, he earned the privilege to speak his mind regardless of subject matter. If that's what he chose to do, so be it...

I'm out, the hydromorphone is kicking in...

G'nite, AP. :2wave:

Mezcal tastes better! :thumbs:

Be well.
 
That's not the way I see it. He did a brave and principled thing to resist illegitimate restraint on his expression of his convictions.:peace

And good evening, JCC.

It a travesty. You would think by the time they hand out their diplomas, they would have enough confidence in the student they pick to give the speech without having to edit it and rewrite it. Does this give them some sense of superiority some how.

I think he was a very brave young man who did as he was told and rewrote the speech but before or when he approached the podium to speak he decided it was wrong and tore it up. He made his point by tearing it up.

In my opinion maybe the crux of the problem is with the educator/school and not the student.
 
Then don't expect them to pay for it via their tax dollars.

They pay for education in their community. They do not pay for uniformity of thought and conviction. The valedictorian showed himself to be a brave and principled young man who did a fine thing. Our country would be a better place if hundreds of other valedictorians across the country and across the full spectrum of belief and unbelief also offered principled statements of conviction. :peace
 
They pay for education in their community. They do not pay for uniformity of thought and conviction. The valedictorian showed himself to be a brave and principled young man who did a fine thing. Our country would be a better place if hundreds of other valedictorians across the country and across the full spectrum of belief and unbelief also offered principled statements of conviction. :peace

The guy was pandering to the audience. Just like strippers do. There was nothing interesting in what he said.
 
That's why we pay for public education. He's a successful outcome.

Yeah reciting an ages old common prayer is such a success.:roll:

Now the cry for attention worked pretty well though.
 
Out. :2wave:

Interesting tonight. :thanks:

Be well.
 
I think one needs to be very careful about chanting "freedom of speech".

I personally don't have a problem with the kid reciting a religious passage. It's his time. He can use it as he wishes.

However, suppose he started reciting....
Your suppositions are not what actually occurred, though, which makes all the difference. In this case, yes chanting "freedom of speech" is completely appropriate because of the facts surrounding this situation.
 
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