ACLU criticizes graduation (violate students' First Amendment religious rights)

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Omaha World Herald-AP

COLUMBUS, Neb. (AP) — The American Civil Liberties Union has sent a letter to the Lakeview Community Schools district in Columbus, saying the high school graduation ceremonies violate students' First Amendment religious rights.

The graduation program features clergy-led prayers at the beginning and end of the ceremony.

In a letter dated Thursday, the ACLU of Nebraska said it didn't matter that Lakeview's ceremonies are conducted by an outside group. The ACLU says its review of district materials shows the ceremonies carry an overwhelming message that they are endorsed by the district.

"The current ceremony coercively subjects students to religious messages as the price of attending high school commencement," said ACLU Nebraska Legal Director Amy Miller. "This leaves some students and their families feeling like second-class participants at their own graduation."

Read more: http://www.omaha.com/article/20111103/NEWS01/711039833#aclu-criticizes-graduation

[Journeyman]

1. What happened to baccalaureate ceremonies? . . .

When I graduated high school (some decades ago), those students who wanted a religious component to their graduation held a special ceremony, off campus, on the Sunday prior to commencement. They were able to do whatever they desired and those who wanted no part of it had no part of it. Everyone graduated happy.

What happened to simple, basic manners?

[HowHasItComeToThis]

2. THAT WAS THE WAY FOR DECADES

BUT THE BORED AGAIN CRUSTACEANS NEED TO SHOW OFF

[defendandprotect]

7. Religion has to be RECOGNIZED by government as legitimate ... if it becomes an outsider,

it becomes even a more questioned activity --

This is male-supremacist religion -- not something suitable for schools which are

allegedly trying to teach democracy and equality for all --

[Bill McBlueState]

10. good point

People forget that we actually had a pretty good resolution to all this stuff over most of the 20th century. The greeting "Happy Holidays" was one feature of the arrangement; it only became controversial when Fox News decided it was.

[lbrtbell]

3. I am so sick of Xtians forcing their BS down our throats! - n/t

[No Elephants]

4. Another thread about religion that threatens to get ugly.

Can we please at least make a distinction between RW Christians and LW Christians?

[defendandprotect]

6. You can try ... but this is all male-supremacist religion ... isn't it --- ????

A doubly foul message to be sending students in any of our schools!

[astral]

5. Are kids still allowed to pray at football games?

I take prayer is to be allowed (a) inside your home (b) inside your car, but only if you have no non-religious passengers on board and (c) inside your church, oh, and (d) on top a mountain.

Nobody is allowed to pray in public in front of anyone who doesn't believe in prayer, is that the ultimate goal here?


Just wondering how far this 'outrage' goes.

[defendandprotect]

8. Once you bring your personal religious beliefs out into the public arena ... they are open

to question and challenge --

Organized patriarchal religion is seeking the protection and acknowledgment and

recognition of government in trying to re-enter our schools and school activities.


This is male-supremacist religion and is not a desirable message for our students

in sschools where we are teaching democracy, freedom and equality for all.


Religion is a personal belief system -- it has nothing to do with government or

public education.

[Mariana]

9. Of course kids can pray at football games.

They have always been able to pray anywhere and anytime they wish, of course, as long as they're not disruptive about it - just the same as everyone else. Does prayer only count if people who aren't interested can be compelled to listen to it?

And really, why would anyone WANT to show off like that? So everyone can see how righteous they are? "Look at me, I'm PRAYING!" If they're Christians, they're directly disobeying Christ, who made his opinion of people who pray publicly to attract attention to themselves perfectly clear. It's really weird that so many Christians approve of this behavior.

[hughee99]

11. Not a publicly owned mountain. Also, it's okay when congress starts session.

Basically, you can pray in the same places you can smoke.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

12. I used to pray all the time in public school...

I would pray the day would end.
I would pray the teacher wouldn't call on me.
I would pray for no pop quizzes.

And you know what? I kept it to myself, didn't demand everybody else join me and I didn't make everyone else listen to me pray.

How come prayer has to be organized and in front of an audience where a good percentage don't want anything to do with it? Why is prayer better when if pushes the boundaries of the separation clause?

[Fumesucker]

14. Matthew 6:6

And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

Why would any Christian even *want* to pray in public?

[and-justice-for-all]

13. I agree with the ACLU..nt