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Political & Elections -> Political & Elections - 2014 -> Judge bans prayer at graduation
Post Info TOPIC: Judge bans prayer at graduation
pima


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Date: Jun 3, 2011
RE: Judge bans prayer at graduation
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It was on drudge today. Don't know if it is still there.

Cartera,

I am sure you have been to HS graduations. Unless yours were different than ours, you would agree that a BS FLAG needs to be raised.

According to the attorney for the child who complained, the school has a history of having student led prayers in which everyone stands and prays. She says that those who choose not to do so are ostracized. She added that other parents moved away from her client's family during their older son's graduation when they did not stand and join in the group prayer.

Seriously?

Come on that is like trying to find 5 seats together at the 1st showing of a Harry Potter film. Nobody moves once it starts. Plus, nobody cares who is sitting next to you, all you care about is that one scene, and for graduation it is hearing your child's name.

Again, seriously? Please find me one person who would disrupt the ceremony by getting up, and doing the excuse me, excuse me 10 times as they exit because the 5 people next to them didn't rise for the prayer. If you can, I will say you found a person who cared more about the prayer than the graduation.

TOTAL BS!





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Cartera


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Date: Jun 3, 2011
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I wasn't successful in finding an unbiased source, but did find one article that at least explained that the speakers are allowed to talk all they want their own religious beliefs and say that they thank God for where they are today. What they can't do is lead the group in prayer or ask others to stand or  bow their heads in prayer. The students can wear religious garb is they choose. According to the attorney for the child who complained, the school has a history of having student led prayers in which everyone stands and prays. She says that those who choose not to do so are ostracized. She added that other parents moved away from her client's family during their older son's graduation when they did not stand and join in the group prayer.

The ruling sounds reasonable to me. The valedictorian's freedom of speech is in tact. She just can't lead everyone in prayer.



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DonnaL


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Date: Jun 3, 2011
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Is there a link?



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pima


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Date: Jun 3, 2011
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Not only did he ban prayer, but also stated anyone who violates the order will face jail time for contempt of court.

Judge Biery’s ruling banned students and other speakers from using religious language in their speeches. Among the banned words or phrases are: “join in prayer,” “bow their heads,” “amen,” and “prayer.”

He also ordered the school district to remove the terms “invocation” and “benediction” from the graduation program.

“These terms shall be replaced with ‘opening remarks’ and ‘closing remarks,'” the judge’s order stated. His ruling also prohibits anyone from saying, “in [a deity’s name] we pray.”

Should a student violate the order, school district officials could find themselves in legal trouble. Judge Biery ordered that his ruling be “enforced by incarceration or other sanctions for contempt of Court if not obeyed by District official (sic) and their agents.”

I don't know really where I stand here regarding prayer, but it appears that this was only 1 student who was opposed, and the majority of the kids wanted a prayer.  It makes me wonder if the students who wanted prayer went and sue would they win on Freedom of Speech issues?

I also think it is a little over the top to say if the student body goes up together without the knowledge of the district and does a flash mob mentality, you are going to throw the officials in jail?

Ever been to a graduation?  Even before it begins, parents are told to not clap until the end, or shout/disrupt.  Have you ever made it through one without people screaming out their kids name?  Or the principal giving 1 or 2 polite reminders to hold the applause? 

I can see it now, people are going to shout AMEN constantly. 

I also don't get parents like this student.  By going forward with the suit, it just made their child a parahia. 



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