Don't Censor Religious Valedictorian Speech

Public school boards should not censor valedictorian speeches containing religious references.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• public
• school
• censor
• valedictorian
• speech
• religion
• separation
• church
• state
• censorship
• atheism
• government
• free

[robotaholic]

I didn't know you were an atheist until you just said so - I am too, and i agree with freedom of speech to death-

she has the freedom to be retarded- let her tard out ya know... lol

she obviously aced school- let her talk-

what a bunch of flack not letting her talk

haha u listen to am right wing sometimes too lol - i know its interesting

do you think that if she was prosteletizing tho that it is censorable?

[JeremysShadowGallery]

Over in the sidebar: Brittany McComb speech... not the same one as I'm talking about. If I were sitting there listening to the speech I would be thinking how dumb it was and how out of place it seemed. BUT; I'm willing to let her speak. She's the one who would suffer any backlash personally, not the school. I think the school officials are too scared of catching flak. Regardless of the legalities, the case against her starts because people find it offensive. So it's offensive...

[JeremysShadowGallery]

It's more offensive to me that she not be allowed to speak her views, no matter how silly they may be. I think the atheist, freethinker, liberal, and other religious communities should realize that in this case, censoring her crosses the bounds of what is rational in building a secular sanctuary. I'd rather be in a society where I am uncomfortable from time to time by allowing people to be who they are than everyone pretending to be something else to appease me...

[JeremysShadowGallery]

At the heart of this problem is the fact that we should encourage people to be who they are. I see liberal friends who have no problem with someone prancing around in Marilyn Mansonesque garb and piercings and tats... and I don't have a problem with it either. But it works both ways. My best view of society is where Jesus freaks can wear their WWJD gear and Marilyn Manson fans can wear their gear in harmony without one group having to change the other. That is a very loose metaphor.

[SanguineBullet667]

If you support religious speeches during public school events, then you are anti-Constitution and anti-America.

[hirkala]

I am not religious by any standard but I had to laugh at myself when at the end of your closing statement I very firmly said aloud, "Amen." She was not forcing a religious impression upon anyone listening, as the public school's doctrine suggests is wrong (and I agree is fair) but is merely stating the facts of her life in her speech. The mic would never had been unplugged had she stated that her favorite color was green but at the very mention of the word "God" someone panicked