High School Graduate Doesn’t Get Diploma after Urging Audience to Seek Jesus

[RileyG]

That doesn’t constitute as “aggressive” or “pushing your religion on others” he has just as much a right to freedom of speech as those who promote ungodliness. School rules do not overrule the US Constitution. Jesus also taught to spread the gospel to all nations. What do you think He and His apostles were doing during and after His ministry? I bet if he had gave a woke speech you wouldn’t have a problem with it.

I can also agree with this- but there is a time and place to spread the Gospel.

 

[Tuur]

Besides which, they simply didn’t hand him a diploma, which is a piece of paper that most people lose track of about a month after graduating. It really doesn’t matter.

It matters that:

1. They attempted to censor his speech.
2. They punished him for exercising his 1st Amendment right specifically because he proclaimed his faith.

 

[Tuur]

So if the little brown kid said the same thing but about Islam and M instead, your sentiment would be to let them preach? What about if they’re Satanist and want to let you know that Satan’s blessings are upon you should you accept him? Totally cool? Or does the “let him preach” only apply to when we are preaching for the home team?

Somehow I doubt the school administration would have objected.

 

[RileyG]

It matters that:

1. They attempted to censor his speech.
2. They punished him for exercising his 1st Amendment right specifically because he proclaimed his faith.

If it’s a public school-they cannot promote anyones religion. That’s the law.

 

[BNR32FAN]

"Woke speech" does violate the First Ammendment rights of others. In the US, we have no established religion, and it is a violation of students civil rights to subject them to proselytism.

To subject them by the government. You’re not quoting it correctly. The student does not represent any government agency or entity.

 

[BNR32FAN]

We have separation of Church and state for a reason. He should just apologize and get his diploma.

The student isn’t affiliated with a government agency and he has the right to freedom of speech. By law he cannot be censored by the government pertaining to his religious beliefs.

 

[BNR32FAN]

If it’s a public school-they cannot promote anyones religion. That’s the law.

The school can’t but people who are not part of a government agency can because of their right to freedom of speech.

Amendment I​

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

The first amendment prohibits the government from respecting an establishment of religion it doesn’t prohibit citizens from doing so.

 

[BNR32FAN]

I can also agree with this- but there is a time and place to spread the Gospel.

Where, in church where everyone already believes? The first amendment prohibits the government from establishing any law prohibiting people from exercising their religious practices or their freedom of speech and expression.

 

[RileyG]

Where, in church where everyone already believes? The first amendment prohibits the government from establishing any law prohibiting people from exercising their religious practices or their freedom of speech and expression.

If it’s at a school, then it’s already secular. They can’t have preference for one religion over another.

 

[BNR32FAN]

If it’s at a school, then it’s already secular. They can’t have preference for one religion over another.

The student is not a government employee. Please quote exactly where the Constitution says that people lose their freedom of speech and expression when they’re in a school or when they’re ANYWHERE in the United States.

 

[RileyG]

The student is not a government employee. Please quote exactly where the Constitution says that people lose their freedom of speech and expression when they’re in a school.

I guess it would be up to the school board then? I’m no expert on the constitution.

 

[BNR32FAN]

I guess it would be up to the school board then? I’m no expert on the constitution.

The school board might be able to make rules against it, I don’t know that still seems like government interference on religious practices and freedom of speech but they can’t make any laws against it.

 

[BNR32FAN]

I guess it would be up to the school board then? I’m no expert on the constitution.

To me the reprimand seems pointless to a graduated student. It’s like having to listen to a reprimand from your boss at a company you don’t work for anymore. Obviously he’s not going to do it again so what’s the point?

 

[FireDragon76]

To subject them by the government. You’re not quoting it correctly. The student does not represent any government agency or entity.

The student does represent the school in the function of addressing students at a graduation ceremony.

 

[BNR32FAN]

The student does represent the school in the function of addressing students at a graduation ceremony.

No he’s not, he is giving a speech about his own personal feelings, experiences, and opinions. He is NOT representing school policies.

 

[FireDragon76]

No he’s not, he is giving a speech about his own personal feelings, experiences, and opinions. He is NOT representing school policies.

Put yourself is somebody else's shoes. Suppose that an atheist were to give a graduation address in which she proclaimed, based on her experience and feelings, how wonderful it is to be freed of superstitious beliefs and religion, and encouraging the audience that if they have doubts, to abandon their religion... I think you'ld be singing a very different tune, then.

 

[BNR32FAN]

Put yourself is somebody else's shoes. Suppose that an atheist were to give a graduation address in which she proclaimed, based on her experience and feelings, how wonderful it is to be freed of superstitious beliefs and religion, and encouraging the audience that if they have doubts, to abandon their religion... I think you'ld be singing a very different tune, then.

And I think you would as well, but that just part of the dilemma with freedom of speech, isn’t it? Sooner or later someone is going to say something you don’t like and you’re just going to have to deal with it.

 

[FireDragon76]

And I think you would as well, but that just part of the dilemma with freedom of speech, isn’t it? Sooner or later someone is going to say something you don’t like and you’re just going to have to deal with it.

This isn't merely about what we like or don't like. Religious beliefs are far more than just opinions. In the United States, religious identity is considered, in our legal system, an intrinsic and inalienable part of a person, with the right to choose whatever religious beliefs as is dictated by their conscience, and therefore we have a separation of Church and State.

 

[FireDragon76]

I find it strange that some would equate respect and consideration with cowering to ungodliness. St. Paul said that we should live in peace with all people, as much as is possible. This isn't the Roman empire, and Christianity isn't illegal. If people want to hear the Gospel, they can go to a church and hear it preached, they can go to a bookstore and buy a Bible, etc. Asking that the government not endorse a particular religious creed through indoctrination in schools is hardly a sign of oppression.

 

[AlexB23]

Yes. That's essentially what I'm saying.

Agreed. Anyways, I am leaving this thread, cos there more important stuff for me to do.