On May 27 2011 14:32 sermokala wrote:I find the theory of evolution as tought by the science elite to be personally offensive and strongly against my personal views. I find all the "science" behind it to be strongly painted against my religious views. Its the same as if the bible was made into the curriculum for English sense it was the first mass printed book.
What the hell? Please tell us you are trolling. Please. If not, that is so sad.
You think that we're all nothing but a freak accident on the uncompromisable scale of the universe? How sad. See what I did there?
On May 27 2011 14:34 meegrean wrote: If I were him, I would have just stayed silent. Punishment far outweighs the benefits... Is he trying to be a martyr or something?
If I were a betting man I would put money on it that he did it for attention and it just spiraled out of control to what it is now.
For attention? He contacted the principal in private. Someone leaked his name.
Exactly. To all the people trying to rationalize it as an attention grab, he tried to keep it private but the school administrators wanted to persecute him so they released his name and had the whole community and his family kick him out.
On May 27 2011 14:19 {CC}StealthBlue wrote: Okay so what if a Muslim student was in the graduation class?
Ah, you beat me too it. I live in an area of Kansas that is fastly becoming suburban, but the rural, bible-belt mindset is slow to leave. I'm not saying that I'm the only liberal in my school, but we could all fit in the bed of a truck.
A few years ago, someone start a FCA club up, a Fellowship of Christian Athletes group that would meet and pray before school. My first thought? 'Hey, that's pretty cool.' I had absolutely no problem with it. Even on days when we would have late arrival (school started two hours later than normal) they would bring in a youth pastor and pray together. I rolled my eyes and kept walking by.
Then they started suggesting we should have in-school prayer, as in between classes. I agreed. As long as they brough in an Imam for me to pray with. Being white and an openly admitted atheist, they all looked perplexed. They thought I was joking and couldn't understand why I would say that. Like the thought of including other religions had never occured to them.
So I'm all for bringing religion into school. Just as soon as I'm allowed to, in the middle of class, get down on my knees and pray to Mecca.
Because your white and an atheist why would you need an Imam? That Youth pastor was probably asked to do it and he came willingly whats wrong with that? As long as hes a visitor and not an employee of the state its perfectly fine.
My point was that if they wanted Christian prayer, then I'm bringing in every religion right along with it. Hence the Imam.
On May 27 2011 14:36 TheLink wrote: Oh, just thought up a good comparison.
I went to a predominantly Muslim school (I'm agnostic), and during school events/graduation dinner I was forced to eat halal meat as nothing else was provided. Should I have declared that this was illegal and forced my own graduation dinner to be cancelled? I mean I'm against animal cruelty and the whole slit the throat and let them bleed out thing.
I am sure if you had asked before hand for a separate meal, it could have been accomodated.
Not really, the halal food concept stretches to cooking as well. If you cook non halal food in a pan, that pan is no longer suitable for cooking halal food. (if you're super strict, and Muslims pls correct me if I'm wrong)
I can't believe this is becoming an argument between atheists and Christians. Regardless of your religion, you should not advocate for the government to overthrow your own individual Constitutional rights. The individual protesting school prayer at graduation is exercising one of his personal liberties. Constitutional rights protects you as a unique individual, and the government can't infringe on your personally guaranteed Constitutional rights, including separation of Church and State.
You mean It being written by a priest to explain how god created the universe and everything in it? What are you talking about its structure and tone? The modern theory of evolution isn't some single threat of thought about how animals developed into what we are today its been convoluted into a mess of Religious hate against god with assumptions like the big bang and carbon dating. Do you even realize how wildly inaccurate carbon dating is and how rock solid its used in "science" debates?
I don't quite understand what you are trying to say anymore. Are you arguing against science in general? Specific fields of science? Are you suggesting scientific revisioning? Are you saying state should not be allowed to sponsor science when its results or conclusions are inconsistent with the religions or beliefs of individuals?
On May 27 2011 14:39 MaestroSC wrote: I honestly LOVE people who say "he is 18 why would he have to listen to his parents"
he doesnt....unless he wants their help lol.
Congrats guy u tried to stop a prayer that obviously the majority wanted, cause you are a selfish prick and could only think of yourself and what you want.
The guy obviously did it for attention and nothing else. Do you really think he was offended? Lets be honest he was just being a dick and tried to be a pain in the ass for fame/attention.
congrats u got every1s attention.
Hope it was worth it lolol.
He is getting exactly what he asked for. Everyone knows who he is.
LOL at this kid realizing as long as he wants to use mommys and daddys money they make the rules.
I would have done the same exact thing to my kid for being a little prick. "Enjoy your freedom....without my money."
I love reading the posts about this kid and his "rights" and "freedoms" lol. Fine enjoy your freedom and rights. Keep up the good fight. now stfu and be a martyr in silence I hope it was worth it. sorry the entire world doesnt function in hypotheticals.
Way to exercise your 1st Amendment rights to denigrate his.
On May 27 2011 13:47 EmeraldSparks wrote: Everybody involved should probably be sent to a gulag.
including the kid?
Well, he can go if he wants to.
I heard atheists are big on gulags.
This post has very great depth and I admire it.
On May 27 2011 14:14 Zzoram wrote: I'm sure all of America would be outraged if a public school with a sizable Muslim population held prayers to Allah but not Christian prayers during graduation. Christianity holds an undoubtedly priviliged place in America despite claims of religious equality and freedom.
Theres actually a practicing muslum in my class for graduation. Hes given a pass out of class at the proper times so he can pray in silence and during tests he just does it in class right there. The common consensus is "I don't give a shit" Its like America is Team liquid and the church is another poster. Its been around for so long and contributed so much (and done great sins as well) that the mods put him higher then the newer people.
But really Guys its the deep south and the kid was being a smart ass the way he simply "demanded" that the prayer be canceled. They still have chaplains in the military and they still pray in the sport house's before each game in the successful schools. I'm not saying anything about the situation was right but the Person who wrote this (lets be honest) blog is horribly biased and acts like the majority of america is Christian still. Which it frankly isn't.
TLDR: I don't want to study evolution and have to have that shuved down my throat to get a good grade in that class but I keep my mouth shut and get though it and don't call the ALCU.
The Muslim student is doing a personal prayer, that's fine. The school could've had a moment of silence for all the students to do their own personal prayers. When an individual representing the school does an official prayer on behalf of the school, that's where the violation of the constitutional right occurs.
Evolution is science, it's ok to teach science in science class.
Prayers are religion, it's not ok for the school to have an official prayer since government isn't allowed to favor one religion over another.
I find the theory of evolution as tought by the science elite to be personally offensive and strongly against my personal views. I find all the "science" behind it to be strongly painted against my religious views. Its the same as if the bible was made into the curriculum for English sense it was the first mass printed book.
Except that you would probably look at its history, the way it was written. How events influenced its structure, the tone etc.
You would not get up and tell everyone to believe everything in the book.
As for evolution, there is evidence to back it up. The whole idea is for it to be examined and questioned. The foundation of science is questioning, hence if you do an science subject you are expected to question things. If you don't like it, don't go to science class.
You mean It being written by a priest to explain how god created the universe and everything in it? What are you talking about its structure and tone? The modern theory of evolution isn't some single threat of thought about how animals developed into what we are today its been convoluted into a mess of Religious hate against god with assumptions like the big bang and carbon dating. Do you even realize how wildly inaccurate carbon dating is and how rock solid its used in "science" debates?
Do you realize that carbon dating is only used for things 60,000 years old to things a few thousand years old? And that other dating methods are used for time periods outside that range?
Why can't these people live side by side in peace? We have atheists asking to get punched, and on other days, some religious people are asking to get punched. Individual beliefs are getting in the way of the social norm.
If he didn't want to pray, he could've just taken a nap instead of going and threatening to inform the ACLU. This world isn't meant for the person. That's, unfortunately, isn't how this world works.
On May 27 2011 14:32 TheLink wrote: I wonder if tomorrow we're going to get a news story saying "children defy anti-prayer law by praying out loud in school, are given detention" and then we argue over whether its right to punish someone for their opposition of a perceived unjust law.
An anti-prayer law is equally as unconstitutional as the original issue and in fact violates the same amendment.
There is no anti-prayer law. Just that no prayer can be part of government activity. Individual students can pray on their own, but having a school representative lead the prayer at a school event is what is illegal.
I find the theory of evolution as tought by the science elite to be personally offensive and strongly against my personal views. I find all the "science" behind it to be strongly painted against my religious views. Its the same as if the bible was made into the curriculum for English sense it was the first mass printed book.
Evolution is backed by studies, experiments, statistics, and is widely verifiable by many people.
Christianity is backed by nothing but a 2000 year old book.
The two are not in any way comparable. You're situation is flawed.
On May 27 2011 14:36 mastergriggy wrote: Maybe you can explain to me where in the bill of rights the school has to cancel the tradition because some guy opposes it? I mean god forbid it goes both ways.
It's an unconstitutional tradition. Law is the basis of the nation state, not religion and not tradition.
Actually tradition is a source of rights, but only where law and doctrine don't say anything, if I remember correctly.
I find it hilarious though that these things can cause a ruckus in the U.S.
In Sweden which is one of the least religious countries in the entire world everyone goes to church at the end of semester until they finish high school.
Why? Because it's a tradition and no parent is really scared that listening to a priest for half an hour is gonna twist the minds of their children.
i more than completely agree with him opposing the prayer. i think its utter crap that a school would do that. sure if they wanna pray, pray all damn day. but dont SUBJECT others who do not want a part of it to it.
Fair is fair, and if they cant see that its just goes to show how ignorant they are. but damn, if the parents really thew him out wtf? they need to be fuckin need taught a lesson..
I find the theory of evolution as tought by the science elite to be personally offensive and strongly against my personal views. I find all the "science" behind it to be strongly painted against my religious views. Its the same as if the bible was made into the curriculum for English sense it was the first mass printed book.
Evolution is backed by studies, experiments, statistics, and is widely verifiable by many people.
Christianity is backed by nothing but a 2000 year old book.
The two are not in any way comparable. You're situation is flawed.
New Testament was fully compiled only 300 years A.D. so it's only 1700 years old.
On May 27 2011 13:47 EmeraldSparks wrote: Everybody involved should probably be sent to a gulag.
including the kid?
Well, he can go if he wants to.
I heard atheists are big on gulags.
This post has very great depth and I admire it.
On May 27 2011 14:14 Zzoram wrote: I'm sure all of America would be outraged if a public school with a sizable Muslim population held prayers to Allah but not Christian prayers during graduation. Christianity holds an undoubtedly priviliged place in America despite claims of religious equality and freedom.
Theres actually a practicing muslum in my class for graduation. Hes given a pass out of class at the proper times so he can pray in silence and during tests he just does it in class right there. The common consensus is "I don't give a shit" Its like America is Team liquid and the church is another poster. Its been around for so long and contributed so much (and done great sins as well) that the mods put him higher then the newer people.
But really Guys its the deep south and the kid was being a smart ass the way he simply "demanded" that the prayer be canceled. They still have chaplains in the military and they still pray in the sport house's before each game in the successful schools. I'm not saying anything about the situation was right but the Person who wrote this (lets be honest) blog is horribly biased and acts like the majority of america is Christian still. Which it frankly isn't.
TLDR: I don't want to study evolution and have to have that shuved down my throat to get a good grade in that class but I keep my mouth shut and get though it and don't call the ALCU.
The Muslim student is doing a personal prayer, that's fine. The school could've had a moment of silence for all the students to do their own personal prayers. When an individual representing the school does an official prayer on behalf of the school, that's where the violation of the constitutional right occurs.
Evolution is science, it's ok to teach science in science class.
Prayers are religion, it's not ok for the school to have an official prayer since government isn't allowed to favor one religion over another.
I find the theory of evolution as tought by the science elite to be personally offensive and strongly against my personal views. I find all the "science" behind it to be strongly painted against my religious views. Its the same as if the bible was made into the curriculum for English sense it was the first mass printed book.
Except that you would probably look at its history, the way it was written. How events influenced its structure, the tone etc.
You would not get up and tell everyone to believe everything in the book.
As for evolution, there is evidence to back it up. The whole idea is for it to be examined and questioned. The foundation of science is questioning, hence if you do an science subject you are expected to question things. If you don't like it, don't go to science class.
You mean It being written by a priest to explain how god created the universe and everything in it? What are you talking about its structure and tone? The modern theory of evolution isn't some single threat of thought about how animals developed into what we are today its been convoluted into a mess of Religious hate against god with assumptions like the big bang and carbon dating. Do you even realize how wildly inaccurate carbon dating is and how rock solid its used in "science" debates?
Uhh, i highly doubt the argument for the theory of evolution was made for the purpose of hating religion lol. and how the fuck does the Big Bang theory get tied into human evolution lol? you sound like youre ranting and throwing all of the things that piss you off into one bundle. Just because they contradict your belief doesnt mean they were all created to attack your beliefs.
Oh and how wildly inaccurate is carbon dating? I honestly dont know anything about carbon dating so if you could send me a link about its inaccuracies id greatly appreciate that
On May 27 2011 14:36 mastergriggy wrote: Maybe you can explain to me where in the bill of rights the school has to cancel the tradition because some guy opposes it? I mean god forbid it goes both ways.
It's an unconstitutional tradition. Law is the basis of the nation state, not religion and not tradition.
Actually tradition is a source of rights, but only where law and doctrine don't say anything, if I remember correctly.
I find it hilarious though that these things can cause a ruckus in the U.S.
In Sweden which is one of the least religious countries in the entire world everyone goes to church at the end of semester until they finish high school.
Why? Because it's a tradition and no parent is really scared that listening to a priest for half an hour is gonna twist the minds of their children.
It was always really boring though
I think that Sweden has already passed through a phase that America is currently going through. We are seeing religion steadily shrink.
I find the theory of evolution as tought by the science elite to be personally offensive and strongly against my personal views. I find all the "science" behind it to be strongly painted against my religious views. Its the same as if the bible was made into the curriculum for English sense it was the first mass printed book.
Evolution is backed by studies, experiments, statistics, and is widely verifiable by many people.
Christianity is backed by nothing but a 2000 year old book.
The two are not in any way comparable. You're situation is flawed.
I don't think this is the right approach. Really the distinction is that Christianity is not derived through the scientific method, is explicitly a religion and the state does not sponsor religion. Criticisms of motivations for religious beliefs only preach to the choir (no pun intended).
On May 27 2011 13:47 EmeraldSparks wrote: Everybody involved should probably be sent to a gulag.
including the kid?
Well, he can go if he wants to.
I heard atheists are big on gulags.
This post has very great depth and I admire it.
On May 27 2011 14:14 Zzoram wrote: I'm sure all of America would be outraged if a public school with a sizable Muslim population held prayers to Allah but not Christian prayers during graduation. Christianity holds an undoubtedly priviliged place in America despite claims of religious equality and freedom.
Theres actually a practicing muslum in my class for graduation. Hes given a pass out of class at the proper times so he can pray in silence and during tests he just does it in class right there. The common consensus is "I don't give a shit" Its like America is Team liquid and the church is another poster. Its been around for so long and contributed so much (and done great sins as well) that the mods put him higher then the newer people.
But really Guys its the deep south and the kid was being a smart ass the way he simply "demanded" that the prayer be canceled. They still have chaplains in the military and they still pray in the sport house's before each game in the successful schools. I'm not saying anything about the situation was right but the Person who wrote this (lets be honest) blog is horribly biased and acts like the majority of america is Christian still. Which it frankly isn't.
TLDR: I don't want to study evolution and have to have that shuved down my throat to get a good grade in that class but I keep my mouth shut and get though it and don't call the ALCU.
The Muslim student is doing a personal prayer, that's fine. The school could've had a moment of silence for all the students to do their own personal prayers. When an individual representing the school does an official prayer on behalf of the school, that's where the violation of the constitutional right occurs.
Evolution is science, it's ok to teach science in science class.
Prayers are religion, it's not ok for the school to have an official prayer since government isn't allowed to favor one religion over another.
I find the theory of evolution as tought by the science elite to be personally offensive and strongly against my personal views. I find all the "science" behind it to be strongly painted against my religious views. Its the same as if the bible was made into the curriculum for English sense it was the first mass printed book.
Except that you would probably look at its history, the way it was written. How events influenced its structure, the tone etc.
You would not get up and tell everyone to believe everything in the book.
As for evolution, there is evidence to back it up. The whole idea is for it to be examined and questioned. The foundation of science is questioning, hence if you do an science subject you are expected to question things. If you don't like it, don't go to science class.
You mean It being written by a priest to explain how god created the universe and everything in it? What are you talking about its structure and tone? The modern theory of evolution isn't some single threat of thought about how animals developed into what we are today its been convoluted into a mess of Religious hate against god with assumptions like the big bang and carbon dating. Do you even realize how wildly inaccurate carbon dating is and how rock solid its used in "science" debates?
Oh and how wildly inaccurate is carbon dating? I honestly dont know anything about carbon dating so if you could send me a link about its inaccuracies id greatly appreciate that
Um, this is strictly unconstitutional. And *surprise* there is actually legal precedent in the Supreme Court that says how this is unconstitutional. People's opinions don't matter; the law forbids it.
So, the first Lee v. Weisman (1992) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_v._Weisman which was about prayer at a public high school's graduation! I wonder how that is relevant! Anyways, in that case a Jewish rabbi was invited to give a prayer, and the state had to argue taht the prayer wouldn't be unconstitutional due to it being a 1) voluntary ceremony (you don't have to attend graduation to receive diploma) and also 2) nonsectarian.
As anyone can go read on wikipedia, the court ended up dismissing those arguments and ruled the holding that including a clergy-led prayer within the events of a public high school graduation violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. As Justice Kennedy wrote of the "voluntary" graduation ceremony.
"To say a teenage student has a real choice not to attend her high school graduation is formalistic in the extreme. True, Deborah could elect not to attend commencement without renouncing her diploma; but we shall not allow the case to turn on this point. Everyone knows that, in our society and in our culture, high school graduation is one of life's most significant occasions. A school rule which excuses attendance is beside the point. Attendance may not be required by official decree, yet it is apparent that a student is not free to absent herself from the graduation exercise in any real sense of the term "voluntary," for absence would require forfeiture of those intangible benefits which have motivated the student through youth and all her high school years." 505 U.S. 577, 595.
recap so far: any clergy-led prayer at a high school graduation is strictly unconstitutional; any argument that the prayer is "voluntary" is dismissed. But wait you'll say! This apparently was a student prayer! A student is not a clergy/rabbi/imam/whatever.
I base this off the video posted that shows what I assume to be a student holding the prayer. However, let's look at Santa Fe Independent School Dist. v. Doe (2000) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Fe_Independent_School_Dist._v._Doe. In that case, people challenged student-led student-initiated prayer over the intercom during pre-football game activities. The court found that to be unconstitutional; quoting wikipedia about this case:
It held that these pre-game prayers delivered "on school property, at school-sponsored events, over the school's public address system, by a speaker representing the student body, under the supervision of school faculty, and pursuant to a school policy that explicitly and implicitly encourages public prayer" are not private, but public speech.
Now, this graduation prayer is also given on school property at a school sponsored event, and any student giving the prayer is assumed to be representing the student body and thus the school.
summary: Lee vs Weisman basically bans prayer from public school graduation ceremonies. Santa Fe case was ruled after Lee, but that further banned student-led prayer at school-sponsored events (which I assume a graduation ceremony would fall under).
tl;dr: prayer has been found unconstitutional by the US Supreme Court at public high school graduation ceremonies before, and similarly the Court finds student-led student-initiated prayer at other school-sponsored events to be unconstitutional. If the prayer is given in any way over the intercom system (microphone) or whatever, it is unconstitutional. Arguments that a graduation may be "voluntary" are found to be irrelevant, struck down in the Lee case.