Mageth

Further, this reads like it's manufactured pro-school prayer propaganda.

I agree.

[tongue in cheek]
This sentence also caused me to wonder about the veracity of the story:

It was hard on the players, since apparently they have exams this week and with the snow, some couldn't miss their exams, or whatever.

Since when has it been hard for college football players to miss exams? Football practice, maybe but exams?
[/tongue in cheek]

Psycho Economist

Go for it. I would mention that ********, or whatever her real name is leaked enough information out for you to figure out who he was. That may be grounds for invasion of privacy / defamation action, if he's interested. Assuming he hasn't already been badgered by a small company from CF led to do the same thing.

If it is him, let him know about the court cases, too.

ajm51987

Weither it was optional or not has no bearing. Totaly unconstutial, however I don't think the physics teachers actions were the brightest idea.

echoes

Yes, it was Rutherford B. Hayes high school. I was also thinking of emailing the teacher.

What about contacting the ACLU? Any thoughts?

I appreciate all of your input guys.

GaryP

That teacher may need some positive comments right now. Considering my close proximity to him, I've decided to send a message to him today.

Thanks,echoes, for bringing this to our attention.

Psycho Economist

Unless you can demonstrate that you were harmed by the assembly or the e-mail, the ACLU will turn you down. If you know the teacher, you might want to prod him a little... maybe.

Other than that, wait until FFRF or AU gets their amicus curae on.

beoba

Well, its not like they get in the school by being smart.

atheist_in_foxhole

echoes

Thanks.

atheist_in_foxhole: I must say I disapprove of my name being attached to that statement! It's quite libelous!!

GaryP

An article was in today's Columbus Dispatch regarding the assembly;


"I hate to say Joel went overboard,'' Peterson (the principal) said of Penton. "But he did some preaching, and we were all caught off-guard.''

One teacher objected to the presentation because it was occurring at a public institution, according to some at the assembly. The teacher did not return phone calls seeking comment yesterday.

Penton did not respond to a request for an interview.

Peterson said he has received phone calls of protest from a few parents, but others have called expressing support for the assembly.

District policy allows religious or patriotic ceremonies as long as attendance is voluntary, said Jim Wright, school board president.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Matt Kuchers, who works for the Campus Crusade for Christ group at Ohio Wesleyan and arranged for the Hayes visit, said the problem might have had more to do with the length of Penton's message than its content.

Penton's religious testimonial, Kuchers said, took longer than he expected -- more than half of the 30 minutes allotted for their visit -- but was not delivered emotionally or dramatically.

http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.p...3/1650383.html (free IF you subscribe to print edition, otherwise $4.95 per month!)

So the school has a policy of allowing voluntary religious assemblies. Is this admissable? The board president said that maybe it wasn't stressed enough that it was indeed voluntary.

And I guess it's OK to proselytize, as long as you're not emotional and do it quickly