Godless Dave

Because that would only be attended by the people who already believe, and that's not good enough for them. They want to force down the throats of non-believers. The want the feeling of power that official sanction gives them. They want to include Christianity in all aspects of life - everyone's life.

Mageth

Last week, my nephew's secular HS graduation was held in a xian church auditorium. I mentioned to my family that I thought this was questionable and could result in a lawsuit from atheists or those of other faiths, particularly if there were religious symbols displayed in the auditorium (I didn't go so I don't know).

Any thoughts on the constitutionality of this?

Rhea

I love those air-horns the europeans use at sporting events. it would have been totally appropriate for that graduation, don't you think? and fits so snigly under a gown...

i mean hey, if the moment of silence is not really silent, then we should all "celebrate as we se fit", right?

Toto

I'm not sure that there's a problem unless this was a subterfuge for introducing religion.

Some churches have auditoria that are just rented out to the public for commercial functions, including weddings, parties, swing dance classes, etc. The high school may have just needed more space.

GaryP

A High School near me does the same thing.

They use the "World Harvest" church which some of you may have seen on TV (the hyperkinetic Rod Parsley is the "pastor"). They say it's because they don't have enough room and I would guess that is true.

I think it is OK legally. Although if there were a bunch of Christian symbols about, it may be questionable.

Of course this is the same school district that opens board meetings with prayer and which has a "prayer request" box located in the H.S. office.

[ June 05, 2002: Message edited by: GaryP ]</p>

GaryP

You might be interested in this student led benediction at Midwestern State University a couple of years ago. <a href="http://robsherman.com/information/television/video/benediction.ram" target="_blank">robsherman.com</a>

I almost hate putting this on because the young lady was obviously a little unbalanced.

I hope she got needed medical assistance.

The Resistance

What if the students "spontanously" started to sing John Lennon's "Imagine" or Britney Spears "Baby, Hit Me One More Time." Would the teachers and faculty stand for it? If not, then why would they allow The Lord's Prayer to be sung?

scigirl

Actually some schools do allow this kind of stuff. In fact, it's fairly common at high school graduations - since sometimes the senior class actually puts together the ensemble.

At my brother's high school graduation last year, they played a Rage Against the Machine Song (edited of course). The kids voted on it, and the school actually allowed it!

The theme of their graduation (printed on the announcements, etc) was from "Guerrila Radio":

It has to start somewhere
It has to start sometime
What better place than here
What better time than now

While I abhor the fact that Christians try to use graduation to shove religion down people's throats, I equally abhor censorship, and not allowing kids to do what they want at their own graduation. When I went to high school, we weren't allowed to decorate our caps, we weren't allowed to wear shorts under our gowns if we were female ( I think they did check, can't remember now), etc etc. And it turned me into a bitter old woman!

I think there are a lot of cool songs, or poems out there, which capture the essence of graduation (like Imagine, or like a poem by shakespeare perhaps) but that might offend an atheist, or a christian, or whoever. So what if a poem mentions God, or Zeus, or some other religion. Nearly every damn piece of literature out there makes some reference (either + or - ) about religion. I think there is a huge difference in making the whole student body hold hands and recite the Lord's Prayer, and between playing a song in the background that might say God.

Ultimately I think the decision should lie with the senior class. Stupid high school graduation rules to me are like the administration getting to say one last time, "Conform you must conform," one last attempt to squelch individualism from the kids.

Of course, I am kinda biased, because 1) I think the ACLU goes too far, and 2) I'm from a fairly progressive state in this regard (but in other regards, Montana is as ass-backwards as the deep deep south in the 1920's . . . . )

scigirl

tragic_pizza

The 1920's? You should see it NOW.

rage

Do any of you know how this relates to Public (NOT private, but state sponsered) Colleges?

Seems as though everyone focuses on the High Schools, but when I went to my friends graduation from college, there were prayers said. I pointed out to his sister that this was most likely unconstitutional (It was lead by the dean), and she (a christian) agreed with me.

What is the thoughts on Public Colleges? I graduate in a couple of years and wondering if I could contest this? (Yeah, so I don't think I would be caused irreparable harm, and even though it wouldn't be my primary motivation, it would be fun to see the amount of people who I pissed off w/ it. Top on the list would probably be my fundie/pentecostal parents)



I am not sure how they recieve all of their funding as public college, I know it isn't all from the state. Am I way off here in thinking it is unconstitutional for there to be faculty lead prayers at public colleges?

Your thoughts?