if you don't want to pray then don't pray. thats as simple as it gets. just like if I was at a all atheist event and they did something different. I would just not say anything and pray in my head. But who cares. She said her prayer and got her diploma so what are you going to do about it? Nothing.
Right on!! Christians and all the other cults of the world are about to get educated whether they like it or not. We are now in the 21st century and finally beginning to enter an enlightened, freethinking period. Can I get a hell yeah?
I wouldn't have a problem hearing a Hindu prayer. Hearing a Hindu prayer doesn't make you a Hindu. Hearing a Christian prayer doesn't make you a Christian. In fact, saying a Christian prayer doesn't make you one. The 1st Amend. guarantees that the gov. can't make laws prohibiting the free exercise of religion. It doesn't stop you from being exposed to others beliefs. No religion prohibits the hearing of others prayers. Atheists need to accept that there are many Christians in the USA.
I suggest the reading of Christopher Hitchens writings on religion by anyone interested. He has the abilitiy to point out logically and clearly the damage done by religion. Want to see what a theocracy looks like?, look to the middle east, that's why we have freedom of and freedom from religion. Want a close look at the crazies at the edge of christianity, just look at those people protesting American Soldiers funerals - also their right BTW. Welcome to America.
@Hayliegirl34 You must have been asleep when the teachers at Bastrop was teaching you about correct punctuation and spelling. I never "dissed" Bastrop. All I did was call out those who are maligning Damon simply because he's an atheist, as well as reveal the ignorance that fundamentalist Christians seem to have with regard to free speech and the First Amendment. Even Jesus said that those who pray out loud in public are hypocrites (Matthew 6:5-6).
I love how people get offended about prayer and saying God in school because they dont want it forced on their children, yet in california, kids will be forced to learn and embrace homosexuality in public schools. go figure. the devil is very busy.
I think it needs to be pointed out that Damon Fowler in no way affronded any faith..he simply did not want to have it thrown in his face during a public school event. I don;t think that is unreasonable in any way. Prehaps this is my canadian mindset..and I can not understand how one would think of this situtation if I were raised in the USA.
[S]chools may not be enclaves of totalitarianism. School officials do not possess absolute authority over their students. Students...are possessed of fundamental rights which the State must respect, just as they themselves must respect their obligations to the State. - the first amendment of the USA -
"When you pray, don't be like hypocrites. They like to stand in synagogues and on street corners to pray so that everyone can see them. I can guarantee this truth: That will be their only reward."
Mlr you're the man. I agree 100%. I don't care what you believe, you may not have any endorsed religious act in any form of government program, such as school. It's no the right place.
Atheists care about religion because we exist in a society where religious people impose their delusional beliefs by voting in mass numbers. so atheists have to confront these people because their delusions are affecting our lives. when you vote against gay rights, or abortions, or teaching of evolution or stem cell research, you are hindering all of society, based on baseless, pointless, delusional beliefs.
@javon415 And prayer is gonna put a stop to those shootings? Most European countries and Canada are decidedly less religious than we are, yet their crime rates are only a fraction of ours.
@javon415 Why is it that the least religious countries like Sweden are the most peaceful, while the most religious countries like Pakistan are the most violent?
You aint doing nothing to me. I could have peace with my thoughts wherever I go. believe what you want. it's your soul you have to be accountable for, not mines.
@javon415 Ooooo here we go, the 'hell' threat. I'm quivering in my wittle shoes right now because I obviously believe in hell, oh dear D:. Thanks for proving again that you are indeed a dumb ass prick.
Lol I didnt tell you that you were going to hell. those were your words, not mines. all I said was its your soul not mines. no one lives on this earth forever right?
That's exactly what I said. YOU have to be accountable or do you believe you even have a soul? even an atheist has wondered if there is life after death or do they believe they cease to exist all together?
@javon415 No, prayer's never killed anyone. People just get disowned by their parents and verbally threatened by peers if they don't pray with them. No big deal, right? Moron.
"I'm not forcing my unbelief down your throat." And no one in that school forced their belief down the punk's throat. All he had to do was sit down and shut up. There are a lot of things people say and do that I don't agree with. But I don't tell them they can't say it openly. It's called freedom of speech, a concept thay may be alien to you fascist atheists. The 1st amendment does not uphold the right to be free of religion only the right to practice it. You are in the wrong.
@glipzik I'm starting to get the feeling that you're being contrary just for the sake of being contrary, while not offering any evidence of your claims. And you still haven't answered my question - are you saying that the Constitution only protects a select group of people? You cannot have freedom of religion without freedom from it. If the First Amendment only upholds the right to practice religion, then why is the number of non-believers growing in the country?
@glipzik you write pretty good for a fucktard.your right however. freedom of speech. during graduation ceremonies every religion should be heard. a prayer from muslims,buddists,scientologists,hindus,christians,shit!!! we ran out of time. graduations over.
@glipzik For someone who likes to hide behind First Amendment, here's what you should read up on: Establishment Clause from the First Amendment. The 1990s were marked by controversies surrounding religion's role in public affairs. In Lee v. Weisman (1992), the Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional the offering of prayers by religious officials before voluntarily attended ceremonies such as graduation. Thus, the Court established that the state could not conduct religious exercises -
@glipzik at public occasions even if attendance was not strictly compulsory. In Santa Fe Independent School Dist. v. Doe (2000), the Court ruled that a vote of the student body could not authorize student-led prayer prior to school events.
I concur with you. atheist dont care about freedom of speech nor a constitution. they are still trying to figure out whether they are for anarchy or totalitarian.
@javon415 You realise the vast majority of politicians in America are confimed Athiests/Agnostics right including all the founding fathers
John Adams
•I almost shudder at the thought of alluding to the most fatal example of the abuses of grief which the history of mankind has preserved — the Cross. Consider what calamities that engine of grief has produced!
Thomas Jefferson
Christianity neither is, nor ever was, a part of the common law.
So were the founders of your country fascist anarchist.
@glipzik You're a complete ignoramus. There's such thing as separation between church and state, one in which public sector resources, such as a government-run educational system, may not involve the sponsorship of religious practices.
@glipzik why should we have to sit down and shut up when people are do things that are so unconstitutional. We have a right to stand up for our rights and we have a right not be be exposed to religion in an non-religious setting in a secular event. Why don't you read you bible for once because not only did they break the law and threatened this brave young man, they broke a rule that was set by jesus him self (read matthew 6:5-6)
Why do you want to cram your unbelief down our throats? Congress shall make no law...nor prohibiting the free excercise thereof. What was the atheist punk trying to do if not prohibit the free excercise of religion by 199 other students. What makes him so damn important that he cannot respect others
@glipzik I'm actually sitting here scratching my head, slack-jawed. I didn't force you to come to my channel and watch this video, so I'm not forcing my unbelief down your throat. Read Matthew 6:5-6. "Where in the first amendment do we find the words "protects all of us?" I must have missed that one." Are you saying that the First Amendment only protects a select group of people?
Where in the first amendment do we find the words "protects all of us?" I must have missed that one.
The first amendment says congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion. I do not see where any such law has been passed by congress, The vast majority of those students as you can tell by the thumderous applaus were christians. Why must they be deprived of their right to pray to their God because one student is offended? That is nothing but tyranny of one.
@mlr2112 There is a seperation of Church and state therefore religion is confined to the home altar.
•They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.
Benjamin Franklin
I am a Canadian and even I know religion was wwritten out of your constitution then again I am studying your country. Relgion is only protected in the sector of ones home in your country not i nthe general public just as Atheism is. Look at the US as Agnostic kinda.
@glipzik "Why does this punk want to deprive christians of their ist amendment rights?" Damon, did NOT say you can not pray. He did NOT say you can not be christian. He simply said for the school to support a public prayer is against that law and that he would have felt uncomfortable since he does not believe in god. There are moments of silence simply for that reason. They have a moment of silence so you can pray, or do whatever. It is against the Christan bible to even pray in public anyway.
No. Some common sense is in order here. You can preach about the law, but anyone who would become incensed over a public speech, prayer, or conversation, etc. needs to get a friggin life. And grow up. It's called reality, and the way things are. Deal with it. If your personal space, liberties, or properties are being infringed upon you have good reason to complain; but having to HEAR something? That is just ludicrous.
@Joyness333 Again, the fact that a student or group of students praying isn't the problem here. It is school sanctioned prayer that is the problem. There is an enormous difference between the two.
The school should've revoked this commie punk's diploma. Even his parents were smart enough to see how worthless he is. Komrade Fowler needs to go live in North Korea or Cuba or some other secular socialist "paradise" and suck some thick greasy veiny uncircumsized commie socialist cock.
@DarrelfromZeeland Learn to troll better, as it is, you're the one sucking... and why don't you take your love of religious law to the Middle East where it belongs?
Ok i see you have to say somthing about the kids that stood up for there beliefs. Your not looking at anything both ways. Everybody has there own right to say what they want to say. He had the right to email and say he didnt want a prayer that was setup by the school. Ok that didnt happen so then the kids had there right to stand up for there belief. Two things you have to look at here. 1. Why was he so scared for someone to say a prayer if he dont believe? 2. The LORD JESUS ALWAYS WINS! AMEN!!
@wittmaster21 As a former believer in Jesus Christ, I do understand it both ways. The Constitution does not say that students do not have the right to pray. They can pray if they want, so that's not the problem here. The problem is sanctioned prayer at a public school. Fowler stood up for his rights in a predominantly Christian high school, so you can disagree with him if you want, but you can't call him cowardly. The kid has more guts than most Christians do.
@wittmaster21 And again, I want you to close your eyes and think hard about how you would feel if a public school in your school district mandated Islamic prayer.
@wittmaster21 YOUR A REDNECK HICK... IM SO HAPPY YOU DONT LIVE IN AUSTRALIA COZ YOUR A FUCKING TWAT!!!!!!!!!!!! FUCK OFF WITH YOUR RELIGIOUS BELIEFS. YOUR NOT WANTED IN THE 21st CENTURY!
just a few thoughts coming from europe: i live in an european country where we *dont* have separation of church and state in the constitution, *however*, for all intents and purposes, we do. i am 36 years old, and back when i was in middle school i, and all other students had a *choice* of ethics or christianity classes. its just not that big a deal. hearing this story about damon fowler is scary! when are y'all gonna join us in the 21st century?
@zaia3957 It's not going to happen for a while, but things are slowly progressing. The bad news is that we still have to fight willful ignorance, particularly in states like Texas where the board of education (snicker) are gaining control and throwing evolutionary biology out the door while teaching their own version of US history. The good news is that people are finally starting to wake up from their religion-induced stupor here in the US.
@zaia3957 Russian here who lives in US. I don't think America has any plans on joining Europe thinking process. See, to them, in their own view they must fight the good fight of Christian vs anybody. Ex, Jesus Camp where they make christian warriors from kids. Same crap that extremist muslims do to their kids. A never ending circle of hate. It's like they parade here with posters saying god hates gay people. Can I get that confirmation from god. No, he is silent on the matter. its sad really.
@PhotonicDoctor Damn, it saddens me that you're right. But, for the sake of the ~5% of us Americans who actually are civilized human beings... try not to generalize... the principles of our country are sound; they're just a little over-ambitious, maybe. If we cut out the South, I think we could start respecting the principles outlined in our constitution and join the rest of the world in the 17th ::ahem:: I mean 21st Century...
@zaia3957 Freedom of religion is regressing in America. I've been in Europe and Asia for 6 of the last 9 months (for a reason), and am always amazed at how much more free and reasonable the rest of the world is. Give us 10 years, we'll be indistinguishable from Iran... Except with a much bigger military...
.... oh religion.... why cant anyone see it as a way to control the masses in believing theres something else to blame other than themselves and idc what religion you are theres always someone trying to "convert" you .......................................................... theres never anyone to blame except yourself and if you think its a miracle that something good has happened, you have dumb luck on your side...... we are our own gods we form and shape life we want it, and its going badly..
My daughter has had to take her A.P. exams in a church for the last 2 years. We are both Atheists. She has Jewish friends that can't even enter a church, and didn't get to take the exams because of that reason. I think it is very wrong to mix church and state!!!
@relijihad To be fair, In many small towns, churches are the only buildings that can actually provide regular, uninterupted, peaceful testing environments.
Also an atheist here, who is from a small town where the AP tests were given in a church.
In a situation where someone is unable to enter a building due to religious reasons, it gets murkey and annoying, but I just want to point out that there are situations in which churches can just be providing a service to the community, nonreligiously.
um. what about, you know, school buildings? those places built and designed specifically to provide a peaceful, uninterrupted environment for learning? I think you're right, but to claim that holding the tests in a church is a necessity seems overly simple to me.
@eisernemann I'm not saying it's a perfect solution, but in many districts, there simply aren't enough free rooms to have extra students take AP tests.
Whenever avoidable, the test should not be in churches. And if the church in any way tries to have even a hint of actual religion in there such as only allowing christians to test, then NO, it is absolutely unacceptable. But in some cases, it really is just a community building willing to help, as it was in my town.
@tevlen To be fair what small town with a school can honestly say they do not have a public facility for conducting tests. Isn't that a regular activity in the school to begin with? The school has classroom, libraries, gyms, and cafeterias that can all be used to conducting tests without resorting to dragging children into churchs.
@relijihad I had to take some exams in a catholic school. I remember there were quite a few (mostly babtists and methodists) who were a little bit irritated about having to go to a private parochial school on the other side of town instead of one of the schools or administrative facilities in our own public school district. I really don't see why people see this kind of thing as an attack on religion. You can pray in school all you want, just not as a school activity.
Here in Rhode Island a student at Cranston West HS, Jessica Ahlquist has filed suit to have a prayer banner removed from the school auditorium. Even here in the bastion of secular liberalism she has recieved a backlash from Christians who don't understand our Constitution. These people with their willful ignorance need a good lesson in civics, these brave high schoolers just may give it to them!
@disrxt They have to be the bravest of kids to take on this group of idiots that cannot comprehend the seperation of church from state in the constitution. All this trouble over a god that isn't even real.
@disrxt I am so happy I grew up in Minnesota - where the US Constitution is widely respected - if I am ever a parent in a place like this, I will tell my kid to take it down on their own and torch it in the schoolyard. There's always other schools. Direct action is the only solution.
if you don't want to pray then don't pray. thats as simple as it gets. just like if I was at a all atheist event and they did something different. I would just not say anything and pray in my head. But who cares. She said her prayer and got her diploma so what are you going to do about it? Nothing.
rodneyseay08 3 weeks ago
Right on!! Christians and all the other cults of the world are about to get educated whether they like it or not. We are now in the 21st century and finally beginning to enter an enlightened, freethinking period. Can I get a hell yeah?
TheMadBeach 1 month ago
I wouldn't have a problem hearing a Hindu prayer. Hearing a Hindu prayer doesn't make you a Hindu. Hearing a Christian prayer doesn't make you a Christian. In fact, saying a Christian prayer doesn't make you one. The 1st Amend. guarantees that the gov. can't make laws prohibiting the free exercise of religion. It doesn't stop you from being exposed to others beliefs. No religion prohibits the hearing of others prayers. Atheists need to accept that there are many Christians in the USA.
caveatemp 4 months ago
I suggest the reading of Christopher Hitchens writings on religion by anyone interested. He has the abilitiy to point out logically and clearly the damage done by religion. Want to see what a theocracy looks like?, look to the middle east, that's why we have freedom of and freedom from religion. Want a close look at the crazies at the edge of christianity, just look at those people protesting American Soldiers funerals - also their right BTW. Welcome to America.
TheCrindal 4 months ago
Comment removed
Hayliegirl34 6 months ago
@Hayliegirl34 You must have been asleep when the teachers at Bastrop was teaching you about correct punctuation and spelling. I never "dissed" Bastrop. All I did was call out those who are maligning Damon simply because he's an atheist, as well as reveal the ignorance that fundamentalist Christians seem to have with regard to free speech and the First Amendment. Even Jesus said that those who pray out loud in public are hypocrites (Matthew 6:5-6).
mlr2112 6 months ago
Comment removed
Hayliegirl34 6 months ago
@Hayliegirl34 *facepalm*
mlr2112 6 months ago
@Hayliegirl34 And if you know Damon personally, why don't you go ask him why he's an atheist instead of lashing out at him?
mlr2112 6 months ago
@Hayliegirl34 I know Damon too, and going to a church until you're about 8 doesn't mean that's gonna be your life choice.
Freewarriorz 6 months ago
Comment removed
obeytrish 6 months ago
I love how people get offended about prayer and saying God in school because they dont want it forced on their children, yet in california, kids will be forced to learn and embrace homosexuality in public schools. go figure. the devil is very busy.
javon415 7 months ago
I think it needs to be pointed out that Damon Fowler in no way affronded any faith..he simply did not want to have it thrown in his face during a public school event. I don;t think that is unreasonable in any way. Prehaps this is my canadian mindset..and I can not understand how one would think of this situtation if I were raised in the USA.
thezombiereviwer 8 months ago
[S]chools may not be enclaves of totalitarianism. School officials do not possess absolute authority over their students. Students...are possessed of fundamental rights which the State must respect, just as they themselves must respect their obligations to the State. - the first amendment of the USA -
nvisionmd 9 months ago
"When you pray, don't be like hypocrites. They like to stand in synagogues and on street corners to pray so that everyone can see them. I can guarantee this truth: That will be their only reward."
Matthew 6:5
AtheismIsTheWay 9 months ago
I was told an interesting thing by one of my religious friends and thought I would share.
If the only thing that is keeping you from being an axe murderer is god,then you never had any morals to start with.
Pbirv 9 months ago
I guess littleton, co was a fairtytale. or how about the virginia tech school shootings. hey research violence in chicago's inner city schools.
javon415 9 months ago
not the right place*
RedSoxKiller247 9 months ago
Mlr you're the man. I agree 100%. I don't care what you believe, you may not have any endorsed religious act in any form of government program, such as school. It's no the right place.
RedSoxKiller247 9 months ago
Atheists care about religion because we exist in a society where religious people impose their delusional beliefs by voting in mass numbers. so atheists have to confront these people because their delusions are affecting our lives. when you vote against gay rights, or abortions, or teaching of evolution or stem cell research, you are hindering all of society, based on baseless, pointless, delusional beliefs.
JESUStheATHEIST1 9 months ago
You have crazy, gun-toting, sociopathatic teens shooting up the schools and youre worried about prayer? prayer aint never killed anyone at a school.
javon415 9 months ago
@javon415 What school did you go to? I never saw any sociopathic teens shooting students in my school.
TheEpisteme 9 months ago
@javon415 And prayer is gonna put a stop to those shootings? Most European countries and Canada are decidedly less religious than we are, yet their crime rates are only a fraction of ours.
Pbirv 9 months ago
@Pbirv
satan is on a mission.
javon415 9 months ago
@javon415 Why is it that the least religious countries like Sweden are the most peaceful, while the most religious countries like Pakistan are the most violent?
Pbirv 9 months ago
@Pbirv
why dont atheists move to sweden?
javon415 9 months ago
@javon415 Going by that logic, why don't you move to Pakistan? Or Yemen? Or Saudi Arabia? Or Iran?
Pbirv 9 months ago
@javon415 If Satan is actually real, he must have a good hold on you because you sound like a complete prick.
KittyzKatterz 9 months ago
@KittyzKatterz
Oh yeah sure. hey will you be relocating to sweden also?
javon415 9 months ago
@javon415 So that you can have peace with your religious thoughts? Nah I think Ill stick around and help harass the shit out of your idiots.
KittyzKatterz 9 months ago
@KittyzKatterz
You aint doing nothing to me. I could have peace with my thoughts wherever I go. believe what you want. it's your soul you have to be accountable for, not mines.
javon415 9 months ago
@javon415 Ooooo here we go, the 'hell' threat. I'm quivering in my wittle shoes right now because I obviously believe in hell, oh dear D:. Thanks for proving again that you are indeed a dumb ass prick.
KittyzKatterz 9 months ago
@KittyzKatterz
Lol I didnt tell you that you were going to hell. those were your words, not mines. all I said was its your soul not mines. no one lives on this earth forever right?
javon415 9 months ago
@javon415 "it's your soul you have to be accountable for, not mines" yeah I'm sorry, but you can't play stupid if you're already stupid, try again.
KittyzKatterz 9 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@KittyzKatterz
That's exactly what I said. YOU have to be accountable or do you believe you even have a soul? even an atheist has wondered if there is life after death or do they believe they cease to exist all together?
javon415 9 months ago
@javon415 No, prayer's never killed anyone. People just get disowned by their parents and verbally threatened by peers if they don't pray with them. No big deal, right? Moron.
rnalithe00 8 months ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
@mir2112
"I'm not forcing my unbelief down your throat." And no one in that school forced their belief down the punk's throat. All he had to do was sit down and shut up. There are a lot of things people say and do that I don't agree with. But I don't tell them they can't say it openly. It's called freedom of speech, a concept thay may be alien to you fascist atheists. The 1st amendment does not uphold the right to be free of religion only the right to practice it. You are in the wrong.
glipzik 9 months ago
@glipzik I'm starting to get the feeling that you're being contrary just for the sake of being contrary, while not offering any evidence of your claims. And you still haven't answered my question - are you saying that the Constitution only protects a select group of people? You cannot have freedom of religion without freedom from it. If the First Amendment only upholds the right to practice religion, then why is the number of non-believers growing in the country?
mlr2112 9 months ago 12
@glipzik you write pretty good for a fucktard.your right however. freedom of speech. during graduation ceremonies every religion should be heard. a prayer from muslims,buddists,scientologists,hindus,christians,shit!!! we ran out of time. graduations over.
JESUStheATHEIST1 9 months ago
@glipzik For someone who likes to hide behind First Amendment, here's what you should read up on: Establishment Clause from the First Amendment. The 1990s were marked by controversies surrounding religion's role in public affairs. In Lee v. Weisman (1992), the Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional the offering of prayers by religious officials before voluntarily attended ceremonies such as graduation. Thus, the Court established that the state could not conduct religious exercises -
jubbles23 9 months ago
@glipzik at public occasions even if attendance was not strictly compulsory. In Santa Fe Independent School Dist. v. Doe (2000), the Court ruled that a vote of the student body could not authorize student-led prayer prior to school events.
jubbles23 9 months ago
@glipzik
I concur with you. atheist dont care about freedom of speech nor a constitution. they are still trying to figure out whether they are for anarchy or totalitarian.
javon415 9 months ago
@javon415 You realise the vast majority of politicians in America are confimed Athiests/Agnostics right including all the founding fathers
John Adams
•I almost shudder at the thought of alluding to the most fatal example of the abuses of grief which the history of mankind has preserved — the Cross. Consider what calamities that engine of grief has produced!
Thomas Jefferson
Christianity neither is, nor ever was, a part of the common law.
So were the founders of your country fascist anarchist.
BillyT4evr 9 months ago
@javon415 Read the constitution before you go leaving your shit trails from your mouth.
nextgenvids 7 months ago
@glipzik You're a complete ignoramus. There's such thing as separation between church and state, one in which public sector resources, such as a government-run educational system, may not involve the sponsorship of religious practices.
AwesomeRants 8 months ago
@glipzik why should we have to sit down and shut up when people are do things that are so unconstitutional. We have a right to stand up for our rights and we have a right not be be exposed to religion in an non-religious setting in a secular event. Why don't you read you bible for once because not only did they break the law and threatened this brave young man, they broke a rule that was set by jesus him self (read matthew 6:5-6)
DarkTwin567 6 months ago
mir2112,
Why do you want to cram your unbelief down our throats? Congress shall make no law...nor prohibiting the free excercise thereof. What was the atheist punk trying to do if not prohibit the free excercise of religion by 199 other students. What makes him so damn important that he cannot respect others
glipzik 9 months ago
@glipzik I'm actually sitting here scratching my head, slack-jawed. I didn't force you to come to my channel and watch this video, so I'm not forcing my unbelief down your throat. Read Matthew 6:5-6. "Where in the first amendment do we find the words "protects all of us?" I must have missed that one." Are you saying that the First Amendment only protects a select group of people?
mlr2112 9 months ago 2
mir2112,
Where in the first amendment do we find the words "protects all of us?" I must have missed that one.
The first amendment says congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion. I do not see where any such law has been passed by congress, The vast majority of those students as you can tell by the thumderous applaus were christians. Why must they be deprived of their right to pray to their God because one student is offended? That is nothing but tyranny of one.
glipzik 9 months ago
Why does this punk want to deprive christians of their ist amendment rights?
Congress shall make no law depriving the free excercise thereof. You atheist fascists never quote that part.
glipzik 9 months ago
@glipzik What part of "The First Amendment protects ALL of us" aren't you getting?
mlr2112 9 months ago 3
@mlr2112 There is a seperation of Church and state therefore religion is confined to the home altar.
•They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.
Benjamin Franklin
I am a Canadian and even I know religion was wwritten out of your constitution then again I am studying your country. Relgion is only protected in the sector of ones home in your country not i nthe general public just as Atheism is. Look at the US as Agnostic kinda.
BillyT4evr 9 months ago
@glipzik and yet you hypocristians will whine and complain when another religion has their prayer: /watch?v=EZ9To30Hz7A
l337pwnage 9 months ago
@glipzik "Why does this punk want to deprive christians of their ist amendment rights?" Damon, did NOT say you can not pray. He did NOT say you can not be christian. He simply said for the school to support a public prayer is against that law and that he would have felt uncomfortable since he does not believe in god. There are moments of silence simply for that reason. They have a moment of silence so you can pray, or do whatever. It is against the Christan bible to even pray in public anyway.
lannahbear1029 9 months ago
No. Some common sense is in order here. You can preach about the law, but anyone who would become incensed over a public speech, prayer, or conversation, etc. needs to get a friggin life. And grow up. It's called reality, and the way things are. Deal with it. If your personal space, liberties, or properties are being infringed upon you have good reason to complain; but having to HEAR something? That is just ludicrous.
Joyness333 9 months ago
@Joyness333 Again, the fact that a student or group of students praying isn't the problem here. It is school sanctioned prayer that is the problem. There is an enormous difference between the two.
mlr2112 9 months ago
The school should've revoked this commie punk's diploma. Even his parents were smart enough to see how worthless he is. Komrade Fowler needs to go live in North Korea or Cuba or some other secular socialist "paradise" and suck some thick greasy veiny uncircumsized commie socialist cock.
DarrelfromZeeland 9 months ago
@DarrelfromZeeland What is with you Satanists and your blatant obsession with people sucking genitalia, pervert? And that boy was in the right.
Go take your hateful, perverted, false Christian comments to your real deity Satan itself.
silverwolf1994 9 months ago
@DarrelfromZeeland Learn to troll better, as it is, you're the one sucking... and why don't you take your love of religious law to the Middle East where it belongs?
mollyjeorgensen 9 months ago
Ok i see you have to say somthing about the kids that stood up for there beliefs. Your not looking at anything both ways. Everybody has there own right to say what they want to say. He had the right to email and say he didnt want a prayer that was setup by the school. Ok that didnt happen so then the kids had there right to stand up for there belief. Two things you have to look at here. 1. Why was he so scared for someone to say a prayer if he dont believe? 2. The LORD JESUS ALWAYS WINS! AMEN!!
wittmaster21 9 months ago
@wittmaster21 As a former believer in Jesus Christ, I do understand it both ways. The Constitution does not say that students do not have the right to pray. They can pray if they want, so that's not the problem here. The problem is sanctioned prayer at a public school. Fowler stood up for his rights in a predominantly Christian high school, so you can disagree with him if you want, but you can't call him cowardly. The kid has more guts than most Christians do.
mlr2112 9 months ago 6
@wittmaster21 And again, I want you to close your eyes and think hard about how you would feel if a public school in your school district mandated Islamic prayer.
mlr2112 9 months ago 6
@wittmaster21 YOUR A REDNECK HICK... IM SO HAPPY YOU DONT LIVE IN AUSTRALIA COZ YOUR A FUCKING TWAT!!!!!!!!!!!! FUCK OFF WITH YOUR RELIGIOUS BELIEFS. YOUR NOT WANTED IN THE 21st CENTURY!
forbzy1590 9 months ago
@wittmaster21 I don't think you quite understand what mlr2112 is getting at. lol
marimba94 9 months ago
just a few thoughts coming from europe: i live in an european country where we *dont* have separation of church and state in the constitution, *however*, for all intents and purposes, we do. i am 36 years old, and back when i was in middle school i, and all other students had a *choice* of ethics or christianity classes. its just not that big a deal. hearing this story about damon fowler is scary! when are y'all gonna join us in the 21st century?
zaia3957 9 months ago 4
@zaia3957 It's not going to happen for a while, but things are slowly progressing. The bad news is that we still have to fight willful ignorance, particularly in states like Texas where the board of education (snicker) are gaining control and throwing evolutionary biology out the door while teaching their own version of US history. The good news is that people are finally starting to wake up from their religion-induced stupor here in the US.
mlr2112 9 months ago
@zaia3957 Russian here who lives in US. I don't think America has any plans on joining Europe thinking process. See, to them, in their own view they must fight the good fight of Christian vs anybody. Ex, Jesus Camp where they make christian warriors from kids. Same crap that extremist muslims do to their kids. A never ending circle of hate. It's like they parade here with posters saying god hates gay people. Can I get that confirmation from god. No, he is silent on the matter. its sad really.
PhotonicDoctor 9 months ago 3
@PhotonicDoctor Damn, it saddens me that you're right. But, for the sake of the ~5% of us Americans who actually are civilized human beings... try not to generalize... the principles of our country are sound; they're just a little over-ambitious, maybe. If we cut out the South, I think we could start respecting the principles outlined in our constitution and join the rest of the world in the 17th ::ahem:: I mean 21st Century...
mollyjeorgensen 9 months ago
@zaia3957 Freedom of religion is regressing in America. I've been in Europe and Asia for 6 of the last 9 months (for a reason), and am always amazed at how much more free and reasonable the rest of the world is. Give us 10 years, we'll be indistinguishable from Iran... Except with a much bigger military...
mollyjeorgensen 9 months ago
.... oh religion.... why cant anyone see it as a way to control the masses in believing theres something else to blame other than themselves and idc what religion you are theres always someone trying to "convert" you .......................................................... theres never anyone to blame except yourself and if you think its a miracle that something good has happened, you have dumb luck on your side...... we are our own gods we form and shape life we want it, and its going badly..
Wahuffles 9 months ago
Hindu? Nah...if you want a true patented fundie freakout you need a Muslim prayer.
LynxChan 9 months ago
Hindu prayer at a Louisiana graduation .......... I'd pay to see that.
pseudosun 9 months ago
ROCK ON!!!!!
kastnmagic 9 months ago
You're awesome, well said. Damon needs all of our support.
MagusG 9 months ago 2
Extremely well said!!!
misskatie609 9 months ago
My daughter has had to take her A.P. exams in a church for the last 2 years. We are both Atheists. She has Jewish friends that can't even enter a church, and didn't get to take the exams because of that reason. I think it is very wrong to mix church and state!!!
relijihad 9 months ago 24
@relijihad To be fair, In many small towns, churches are the only buildings that can actually provide regular, uninterupted, peaceful testing environments.
Also an atheist here, who is from a small town where the AP tests were given in a church.
In a situation where someone is unable to enter a building due to religious reasons, it gets murkey and annoying, but I just want to point out that there are situations in which churches can just be providing a service to the community, nonreligiously.
tevlen 9 months ago
@tevlen
um. what about, you know, school buildings? those places built and designed specifically to provide a peaceful, uninterrupted environment for learning? I think you're right, but to claim that holding the tests in a church is a necessity seems overly simple to me.
eisernemann 9 months ago
@eisernemann I'm not saying it's a perfect solution, but in many districts, there simply aren't enough free rooms to have extra students take AP tests.
Whenever avoidable, the test should not be in churches. And if the church in any way tries to have even a hint of actual religion in there such as only allowing christians to test, then NO, it is absolutely unacceptable. But in some cases, it really is just a community building willing to help, as it was in my town.
tevlen 9 months ago
@tevlen To be fair what small town with a school can honestly say they do not have a public facility for conducting tests. Isn't that a regular activity in the school to begin with? The school has classroom, libraries, gyms, and cafeterias that can all be used to conducting tests without resorting to dragging children into churchs.
MsMommaRose 9 months ago
@relijihad That is insane!! WOW.... That is just ridiculous to have happen to the Jewish children! VERY WRONG to mix church and state.
kastnmagic 9 months ago
@relijihad This is terrible. What school district do you live in? There are people who can make sure this doesn't happen again...
mollyjeorgensen 9 months ago
@relijihad I had to take some exams in a catholic school. I remember there were quite a few (mostly babtists and methodists) who were a little bit irritated about having to go to a private parochial school on the other side of town instead of one of the schools or administrative facilities in our own public school district. I really don't see why people see this kind of thing as an attack on religion. You can pray in school all you want, just not as a school activity.
TheEpisteme 9 months ago
Well said.
wxlidar 9 months ago
Here in Rhode Island a student at Cranston West HS, Jessica Ahlquist has filed suit to have a prayer banner removed from the school auditorium. Even here in the bastion of secular liberalism she has recieved a backlash from Christians who don't understand our Constitution. These people with their willful ignorance need a good lesson in civics, these brave high schoolers just may give it to them!
disrxt 9 months ago 25
@disrxt They have to be the bravest of kids to take on this group of idiots that cannot comprehend the seperation of church from state in the constitution. All this trouble over a god that isn't even real.
MsMommaRose 9 months ago
@disrxt I am so happy I grew up in Minnesota - where the US Constitution is widely respected - if I am ever a parent in a place like this, I will tell my kid to take it down on their own and torch it in the schoolyard. There's always other schools. Direct action is the only solution.
mollyjeorgensen 9 months ago