Federal Judge Prohibits Prayer at Texas Graduation Ceremony

I have always believed in freedom FROM religion as well as freedom OF religion. Just so, freedom FROM speech is the ability to walk away from speech you do not care to hear. At a graduation ceremony I don't think you have the option of walking away. You could cover your ears and scream LA LA LA LA!!!! But that would be disrepectful.

LadyJazzer wrote: That is why we have a Republic, and not a pure Democracy...so that the "Tyranny of the Majority" cannot be forced on to the minority. If we were "majority rule", we would still have slavery.

If those at the graduation cannot live without a public pronouncement of their faith, (even though they are free to say any prayer, to any God they like, at any time), then they are also free to leave.

Why should the majority have to leave? So are you saying that the minority should rule? And how do we please every single minority? What about someone who wants the flags taken down because it offends them? Or is offended by facial hair? Or offended by sports on TV? Or those who think video games should be banned? Or what about those who want cigarettes banned? Or alcohol? When does the stepping on people's freedoms stop? Everything in this world offends at least one person or group. So do we send every lawsuit of things that offend people to the SCOTUS and make them decide? HELL NO! The minority has no right to whine and dictate how the majority has to act or live, especially when it is not hurting them. Other than their ego.

This would have been a more interesting discussion if it was a muslim prayer that was rejected....then watch the righties applaud the decision.

The Viking wrote:

LadyJazzer wrote: That is why we have a Republic, and not a pure Democracy...so that the "Tyranny of the Majority" cannot be forced on to the minority. If we were "majority rule", we would still have slavery.

If those at the graduation cannot live without a public pronouncement of their faith, (even though they are free to say any prayer, to any God they like, at any time), then they are also free to leave.

Why should the majority have to leave? So are you saying that the minority should rule? And how do we please every single minority? What about someone who wants the flags taken down because it offends them? Or is offended by facial hair? Or offended by sports on TV? Or those who think video games should be banned? Or what about those who want cigarettes banned? Or alcohol? When does the stepping on people's freedoms stop? Everything in this world offends at least one person or group. So do we send every lawsuit of things that offend people to the SCOTUS and make them decide? HELL NO! The minority has no right to whine and dictate how the majority has to act or live, especially when it is not hurting them. Other than their ego.

So, the majority has the right to dictate to the minority what religion they have to listen to at graduation ceremonies? That's what we're discussing here, Viking. Not facial hair or flags or video games, etc. We're talking about the observation of religion at a taxpayer funded public school ceremony.

I do believe there is a separation of church and state in this country (whether the right likes it or not) there is no separation of the flag and state....at least to my knowledge.

From what I was told and from what I can read in this decision, The UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT overturned the judges ruling and Freedom of Speech is restored in this school and at this graduation. It is remanded to the district court but since graduation is tomorrow I believe, they should be able to have their freedom of speech at theit own graduation where they earned their degree and inherited the 'right' of freedom of speech by being an American. :woo hoo: :woo hoo: :woo hoo:

http://www.mvisd.com/Order%20GRANTING%2 ... ssolve.pdf


IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that the emergency motion of the appellants
to dissolve the temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction is
GRANTED; accordingly the temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction
entered by the district court are DISSOLVED, and the case is REMANDED
to the district court for possible further proceedings.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the opposed motion of Angela Hildenbrand
to intervene is DENIED without prejudice. She is hereby permitted to
proceed as amicus curiae.

archer wrote: I do believe there is a separation of church and state in this country (whether the right likes it or not) there is no separation of the flag and state....at least to my knowledge.

You can believe in Santa Claus too but that doesn't mean it's real. Just because you wish it were true does not mean it is and definitely is terrible for this country.

Kate wrote:

The Viking wrote:

LadyJazzer wrote: That is why we have a Republic, and not a pure Democracy...so that the "Tyranny of the Majority" cannot be forced on to the minority. If we were "majority rule", we would still have slavery.

If those at the graduation cannot live without a public pronouncement of their faith, (even though they are free to say any prayer, to any God they like, at any time), then they are also free to leave.

Why should the majority have to leave? So are you saying that the minority should rule? And how do we please every single minority? What about someone who wants the flags taken down because it offends them? Or is offended by facial hair? Or offended by sports on TV? Or those who think video games should be banned? Or what about those who want cigarettes banned? Or alcohol? When does the stepping on people's freedoms stop? Everything in this world offends at least one person or group. So do we send every lawsuit of things that offend people to the SCOTUS and make them decide? HELL NO! The minority has no right to whine and dictate how the majority has to act or live, especially when it is not hurting them. Other than their ego.

So, the majority has the right to dictate to the minority what religion they have to listen to at graduation ceremonies? That's what we're discussing here, Viking. Not facial hair or flags or video games, etc. We're talking about the observation of religion at a taxpayer funded public school ceremony.

So what if the minority, or in this case, one whiney spoiled brat, complained about the robes at graduation and felt offended or 'irreparably harmed' because he could not see men in robes. Should all the guys have to not wear robes? Or what if one whiney spoiled brat, complained because they gave out an award for Valedictorian? What if he said he was 'irreparably harmed' because they gave special notice to another student and not him? Should they stop that ritual in graduation ceremonies, because a minority of students in a 'tax funded institution' felt slighted? Where does it end? And don't say it's just about religion. What if tomorrow another student sees this and sues for one of those things to be stopped? You can't take away American's rights just because you don't believe in what they are saying.

The Viking wrote: Should all the guys have to not wear robes? Or what if one whiney spoiled brat, complained because they gave out an award for Valedictorian? What if he said he was 'irreparably harmed' because they gave special notice to another student and not him? Should they stop that ritual in graduation ceremonies, because a minority of students in a 'tax funded institution' felt slighted? Where does it end? And don't say it's just about religion. What if tomorrow another student sees this and sues for one of those things to be stopped? You can't take away American's rights just because you don't believe in what they are saying.

You also can't step on one persons rights to appease others who think religion belongs in public schools when the courts have said it doesn't.

UPDATE:

Federal court lifts ban on Texas graduation prayer

SAN ANTONIO — Public prayer will be allowed at a Texas high school graduation after a federal appeals court on Friday reversed a ban won by an agnostic family that claimed ceremony traditions such as invocations are unconstitutional.

The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals granted the emergency appeal filed by the Medina Valley Independent School District. The San Antonio-area school was ordered by a federal judge earlier this week to forbid students from asking audience members to join in prayer or bow their heads at Saturday's graduation.

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Christa and Danny Schultz, whose son is graduating. The family's suit was being backed by the Washington-based Americans United for Separation of Church and State.

Joe Conn, a spokesman for the organization, declined immediate comment.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43273932/ns/us_news-life/


So, you can all breathe easier... An incantation to an invisible being will be allowed....