General Discussion

jberryhill

(62,444 posts)

12. Normally, I'd say take it down

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 10:46 AM

Jan 2012

One consideration here is that the thing had been on the wall for 49 years.

Now, that alone is no reason to keep it on the wall.

My question, and no I haven't drilled down into the details, would be whether the banner had taken on a primary significance as being more of a decoration that had taken on the character of being part of the general atmosphere, as opposed to a primary significance of its being a prayer per se.

Things like this can, over time, be primarily perceived as a decoration more than an expression of religious devotion. One would have to look at the totality of circumstances.

I would assume these arguments were raised and answered in the proceeding.

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Vote: What's your view on school prayer in Rhode Island school? (Jessica Ahlquist) [View all] sinkingfeeling Jan 2012 OP

I don't have a problem with it as long as they don't push it on the children. I remember growing up southernyankeebelle Jan 2012 #1

It even being there is pushing it onto students obamanut2012 Jan 2012 #2

Well I know many non-believers who are very moral and I would consider them more of a friend then southernyankeebelle Jan 2012 #4

But everyone has to participate in the prayer obamanut2012 Jan 2012 #8

I agree. What is wrong at the beginning of the school day they have one minute of silence. No one southernyankeebelle Jan 2012 #16

It is unconstitutional obamanut2012 Jan 2012 #19

There is plenty of time to pray before entering the classroom. Zorra Jan 2012 #23

Forget teaching morals and ethics in public schools...how about the basics? Jean V. Dubois Jan 2012 #6

I said that because that's the reason many cite obamanut2012 Jan 2012 #9

exactly. limpyhobbler Jan 2012 #59

FOR YOU it wasn't a big thing to have a prayer MattBaggins Jan 2012 #3

Of course they do. I do feel all of this is political bullshit. Really I don't need someone to southernyankeebelle Jan 2012 #5

What's political bullshit? obamanut2012 Jan 2012 #10

Religion has become a political bouncing ball. I'm of sick of it. southernyankeebelle Jan 2012 #15

Then those against separation of Church and State need to get over it obamanut2012 Jan 2012 #20

I am a strong believer in separation of church and state. You want prayer send your kid to private southernyankeebelle Jan 2012 #28

It's not the end of the world if a banner is placed on a wall. No one is asked to pray to it. southernyankeebelle Jan 2012 #24

Just pointing out, this wasn't about a prayer, but about a prayer banner hanging on the wall. sinkingfeeling Jan 2012 #7

I know. But who is the banner hurting? southernyankeebelle Jan 2012 #17

Every student or employee of the school who isn't a believer in 'God'! Why is sinkingfeeling Jan 2012 #18

Everyone, and it is also unconstitutional obamanut2012 Jan 2012 #21

The problem is that the school is endorsing a particular religion by displaying such a banner Neurotica Jan 2012 #30

Oh please! Arugula Latte Jan 2012 #22

What is wrong with the sign that everyone even a non-believer could agree with. I need to southernyankeebelle Jan 2012 #27

well, it starts out "our heavenly father" newspeak Jan 2012 #31

She supported the US Constitution, which is the way it should be. dmosh42 Jan 2012 #11

Normally, I'd say take it down jberryhill Jan 2012 #12

It's brand new to every new student who comes into the school COLGATE4 Jan 2012 #13

Yes, those are nice conclusory statements jberryhill Jan 2012 #34

Having taught Con Law I didn't think COLGATE4 Jan 2012 #35

Then why not share jberryhill Jan 2012 #36

When a legal issue requires legal analysis COLGATE4 Jan 2012 #38

Why are you on about the banner? jberryhill Jan 2012 #39

I have to admit - COLGATE4 Jan 2012 #40

What is prayer anyway? Tracer Jan 2012 #14

Well it is obvious that the children aren't reading it because we do have alot of bullying in school southernyankeebelle Jan 2012 #25

What does prayer have to do with bullying?... SidDithers Jan 2012 #32

Yeah, because religious kids never bully others jberryhill Jan 2012 #37

kids bully kids who are different--i was a prot in a very catholic area dembotoz Jan 2012 #65

It was correctly found to be illegal. It is a PUBLIC school, not a religious school... truebrit71 Jan 2012 #26

I agree with the judge. Unconstitutional. eom amyrose2712 Jan 2012 #29

It is correct that it be removed. hamsterjill Jan 2012 #33

There is no reason for it to be there. Ilsa Jan 2012 #41

Filing this lawsuit was totally counterproductive. Nye Bevan Jan 2012 #42

Violating the First Amendment to the Constitution COLGATE4 Jan 2012 #51

Say someone filed a lawsuit to stop Christmas Day from being a Federal holiday. Nye Bevan Jan 2012 #53

It's not counterproductive because it helps solidify the legal principal that this kind of stuff is limpyhobbler Jan 2012 #60

OK, better file that lawsuit to stop Christmas being a federal holiday. Nye Bevan Jan 2012 #63

What if the Supreme Court ordered the name "Christmas" be changed to "Dec. 25 Federal Holiday"? limpyhobbler Jan 2012 #64

She had the guts to do what's right. Quantess Jan 2012 #43

Principles shouldn't be sacrificed for popularity Major Nikon Jan 2012 #44

She should have devoted her energy towards something like helping the poor or homeless. Nye Bevan Jan 2012 #45

Are you kidding? Quantess Jan 2012 #46

If the students were being forced to kneel before a crucifix Nye Bevan Jan 2012 #47

Pariah? You're shitting me, right? Major Nikon Jan 2012 #48

Not only is she unpopular, she will never be elected to any significant public office. Nye Bevan Jan 2012 #54

Many(if not most) of the founding fathers were deists who advocated separation of church and state Major Nikon Jan 2012 #55

And that is precisely why the fight may have been justified. LeftishBrit Jan 2012 #68

If she had said "yes, I'm an atheist, Nye Bevan Jan 2012 #69

She did not 'make' most of the school hate her LeftishBrit Jan 2012 #66

This message was self-deleted by its author LeftishBrit Jan 2012 #67

I think it depends on the school and the circumstances... Hippo_Tron Jan 2012 #49

It's never just a banner Major Nikon Jan 2012 #50

Perfectly said! K&R COLGATE4 Jan 2012 #52

done, k+r limpyhobbler Jan 2012 #56

Separation of Church and State. End of story. ScreamingMeemie Jan 2012 #57

Now at 82% yes, unconstitutional. JoePhilly Jan 2012 #58

Instead of suing the school I would have taken the sign down with a crowbar and/or bolt cutters. limpyhobbler Jan 2012 #61

If I taught in a school that hung such a banner, proud2BlibKansan Jan 2012 #62

Get rid of it. Ship of Fools Jan 2012 #70

I don't think school should promote religion. Meaning no OFFICAL school prayer or religion over Justice wanted Jan 2012 #71