On the contrary, the notion that a school having some control over school functions is anti-first amendment is absurd. It is no different than a teacher having control over his/her classroom.
That's where you brought the argument, that isn't where it was originally. But, I'll just make the argument like this;
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
These are not ambiguous terms that were used. They're straight forward.
Im my opinion, anything, since time began, whether or not the SCOTUS ruled one way or another, whether it seems to be counter-intuitive, whether it is a big ole pain in the ass, anything that prohibits or abridges the free exercising of religion or freedom of speech, is directly violating the simply put words of the First Amendment.
Now, my theology/philosophy is panentheistic, I wouldn't be considered your traditional Christian, though I am an ardent supporter of the social teachings of the Church. What I am however more so is an advocate for Religious Liberty.
That being said, anything short of the children starting a reenactment of the Holy Crusades on the school playground, I find not only tolerable, but acceptable and would encourage.
This conversation can get broader in scope, I mean I completely disagree with the pedagogical methods employed in our primary and secondary schools today. Rote memorization is only something that is needed to cover the basics and it is necessary in math and science but yet we find that this method is employed all the way through K-12, and well into college. It isn't until graduate work that we actually see some independent thought shine through. Even then it is limited, usually dealing with the prejudices of professors, and conforming to their tastes.
Our school system isn't one that educates, it indoctrinates -- forcing on our children what the current political fancies of the time happen to be. Don't make a stink. Follow the orders of your superiors without question. Don't express yourself, don't be different, accept everything that is different. Don't offend anyone, just bottle your feelings up inside you.
Do you know what this spawns? Passive Aggressive behavior. Ever go out? To work? To a social function? To the store?? It is on display, the upswing of this abnormality is so predominant, I don't believe I'd think you were being honest if you said you couldn't see it. Now I hope you understand I'm not saying that a grad speech not being allowed to have a prayer is the root cause, it is much bigger than that.
The point is people need to be able to express themselves, there is a time and a place for everything, yes, I whole heart-ed agree. Saying that -- I find a grad speech, time given to an individual student in recognition for his accomplishments, if he feels that that time,
his time should be spent praying to God, than that is the right time and the right place. It is about the individual student, not the prejudices of the audience.
Who said I was offended by what he said? (btw, I am a Christian myself and have recited the Lord's Prayer on numerous occasions.)
I was speaking about the conversation in general, not ours specifically.