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Hippo_Tron

(25,453 posts)

49. I think it depends on the school and the circumstances...

Sat Jan 28, 2012, 02:50 AM

Jan 2012

Legally the girl is right. Whether or not it was worth it to go through all that to get a it removed is another story. I don't know the circumstances at the girl's school, I don't know who might have been offended by it and why, and I don't know if it maybe was conducive to further bullying.

There was a great West Wing episode about school prayer where Toby says something to the effect of: "It's unfortunate we never talk about the kid who gets the crap beat out of him because he didn't say the voluntary prayer in home room".

Clearly if the banner had a part in fostering an environment that's hostile towards non-Christian students, then it was a battle that was well worth fighting and one that I would be willing to fight myself. But if it's just a banner and the school is an otherwise very tolerant climate, I'm not sure it was entirely necessary.

I am inclined to say that given the hostility this girl has faced ex-post, it's hard to believe that the school was a totally tolerant environment to non-Christians ex-ante.

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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