What I Learned at Graduation: I Have No Rights

In this weeks vodcast, John Whitehead takes a look at the latest instance of political correctness run amok in the schools.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Freedom of Speech
• Censorship
• public schools
• graduation
• John Whitehead
• The Rutherford Institute

[magichandpuppet]

As an atheist, I have no problem at all with this student's speech or her religious references since she is after all a student (not employed by the state). However, I hope that the same fairness I would apply to this student speaking of how important God and Jesus are to them as to another student who points out in their speech that God and Jesus are just make believe, invisible, imaginary friends.

[spiffybumble]

and one lone girl briefly mentioning God's importance in her life during a 2 or so hour ceremony is the equivalent of yelling fire in a crowded theatre? Best to totally silence that riot instigator! Rights be damned. Who knows, other students might get the idea they have the freedom in this country to mention what they hold dear in their own lives-in public-gasp!. Sorry for the sarcasm - just baffled so many I talk to and read about aren't mad the 'thought police' seem to be taking control.

[shadowgirl9891]

@spiffybumble My history teacher back classified school as a socialist environment. I mean, it feels like that. I remember in school I handed fliers out on the bus for a Christian event and they threw them all over the bus. And, before I got out the bus driver told me how she had to pick them up and that I shouldn't have done it. But, I was only practicing my faith. But, you know I don't know if I was right or wrong, because I didn't want to argue with her. So, I just kept quiet.

[muzicluvs93]

First off, I am not an Athest, Chirstian, Jewish, Wiccan, Muslim, Hindi or any other belief system. I do believe in a God but that is all. This is soo hypocritical, it is basically a requirement for Politicians to at least have a faith yet we can allow people in schools to even say the words "God" or "Christ" ONCE! Make up your minds!!! either we have freedom of religion and speech for all ages or none at all. I know that seems extreme be in all honesty what happens all the time all the time. :/

[DeadlyChinchilla]

This is not a "free speech" issue. This is a "mandatory graduation ceremony in a public school" issue. If she wanted to give that speech to her family and friends who *voluntarilly* attended, great! Good for her. NOT at a mandatory function (and yes, many ceremonies are required).

She was told before her speech not to give religious references, and she AGREED. Then she went on stage & decided to disrespect the school and the law. The school could be SUED & absolutely did the right thing.

[justicetrooper]

It's true that there are no free speech rights in many schools. I was taught this by nearly every teacher I had. "You're a child. You don't have the freedom of speech." Was what they would tell us.

[SkorpioD1991]

@magichandpuppet

Part 3: Lastly, I don't condemn others, as I have no right to; I have done wrong like everyone else at one point or another. I did not grow up the white-bread, la-di-da lifestyle that Christians are associated with; I learned very early that life is not all flowers & rainbows (Christ said it wouldn't be). I believe SIMPLY because I keep getting reminders that He is here. Things have happened in my life that couldn't "just happen". That's why there is no fault in a little faith

[SkorpioD1991]

@magichandpuppet

Part 2: The problem is not religion itself, it's the religious (for the record, the Bible condemns the same behavior in Christians that non-Christians do, such as arrogance and judgment of others; "Judge not lest ye be judged"). HOWEVER, I think it is very naive & conceited when people call the religious "old-fashioned" or "close-minded" (or ruder words) because many Christians have been very reasonable, intelligent people (C.S. Lewis comes to mind; read him sometime). (cont)

[SkorpioD1991]

@magichandpuppet

Here's my take. I support separation of church and state to a point, because I believe strictly in a "god-individual" relationship, though the Bible tells Christians (in its own words) to try to save as many people from Hell as possible. I also believe that Creationism should NOT be taught in science classes because it's simply NOT a science. Frankly I would think Christians should be offended if it WAS, since they are supposed to believe that faith "transcends" science.(cont)

[magichandpuppet]

@SkorpioD1991 - no it would not be pointless provocation. It might actually help bring courage to more people who recognize that religion is a b.s. to come out of the closet. Or, it might actually help make a stand to protect intellectuals from having religious bigotry imposed on them. In fact, there may be an infinite number of possible reasons someone would state the obvious: There is no god. Who are we to be so arrogant to assume only one possible motive?

[SkorpioD1991]

@magichandpuppet

Perhaps...but your former example is a person endorsing their own beliefs (which is okay but should be done modestly), while the latter is an example of downright tearing down the beliefs of others, which isn't QUITE as okay. I mean, what would be the point in pointing out that God and Jesus are imaginary in a graduation speech when you're supposed to focus on what DOES motivate you? It would be pointless provocation.