The state of Texas has passed a law to ostensibly protect students who express their personal religious views while at school.
Critics have pointed out that the first amendment already covers this.
From the Houston Chronicle:
The new law’s supporters say it will protect students who, for example, write about their faith in homework, distribute religious items to other students and even wish our troops overseas “Merry Christmas.” Yet courts have consistently reined in the few overzealous school officials who have improperly restricted such activities.
After all, the First Amendment clearly protects the right to religious expression for all, including students. But what binds our diverse nation together is the principle that the government should never be used to favor one faith over all others. The First Amendment protects that principle. This new law weakens it.
The law mandates that schools turn public events, such as morning announcements and football games, into so-called “limited public forums.” Student speakers are then permitted to use those events to promote their own religious beliefs or even attempt to convert their fellow students.
I’m skeptical of this law, and any law that claims to provide MORE freedoms. It doesn’t seem to work that way.
The principle at stake is not hard to understand. One member of Houston’s legislative delegation has already demonstrated it.
During the last legislative session, Sen. Dan Patrick of Houston walked off the Senate floor when a Muslim imam opened the day with a prayer. A Christian, Patrick claimed his presence would have implied an endorsement of religious beliefs he does not share.
Students, on the other hand, cannot leave a school function at which their presence is required. If a speaker uses a school event to evangelize, the school will not be a neutral actor. It will be forcing all students to participate in a function that promotes religious views they and their families may not share.
Consider some scenarios. When a Wiccan student council president closes morning announcements each day with a prayer to the Mother Goddess, will Christian families object? What happens when the captain of the football team decides to use his pep rally speech to mock the faith of opposing players and, potentially, the faith of some students in his own school? Under this law, the hands of school officials are tied.
I’m curious what would happen. What would they do? Their hands may be tied, but I doubt that would stop them from exerting pressure. It will be interesting to see it play out. For now we can be optimistic and hope that this will allow more free expression of Pastafarianism.
The Chronicle article is very good and can be found here.
I agree with you, Satan, but not entirely. I have no problem with religion being taught in elective theology classes. I don’t think religious doctrine, thinly disguised as ID, should be taught as science in public schools. It should not be taught against people’s wills.
What does this all have to do with Jesus and Santa battling over the north pole and killing the dinosaurs in the process?
I think I would have paid attention better in school if that was the case. I love dinosaurs.
The Nope – you just brought my brain to a screeching halt. Thanks! I needed that.
I do what I can.
Thank you, The Nope, for making me laugh! You made me happy :) The christian fascism that is muscling in on individual freedoms at every chance it can get gives very few opportunities for happiness. Now, in schools here in Ohio, the First Amendment protects the rights of kids to wear their crosses to school. However, kids who wear pentacles to school are ordered to take them off, and are sent home and punished if they do not comply. Right now in the US, freedom of religion generally means freedom of christianity to bulldoze everyone else’s rights to have their own beliefs. THERE is where i have a problem.
But it is kinda fun to have an all-powerful imaginary friend — i can see the attraction of the god thing!!!!!!
FYI – A completely Government school – The Prep School for West Point – has a class on the christian Bible, called “the Bible as/in Literature” or at least it did in 1993. That is not exactly what I’d call separation of church and state.
I got harrassed daily in basic training because someone found out I’d insisted on having Pagan put on my dogtags. I had not gone around announcing loudly to everyone my beliefs there, as I had been told to keep my head down and follow orders and I’d be fine to get through it, and that is exactly what I tried to do. Christian nutjobs hunted Me down to harrass me, and I am very happy that there were still a couple drill sergeants who believed in the 1st amendment, and forced at least the overt crap to stop. It saddens me that I may have to start pushing witchcraft in schools soon just to defend my kids against christianity. I already shudder over them constantly singing songs like “God bless America,” but let it pass because they are a part of our history.
@ lightningbug
Oh boy is Ohio glad I am not there! I would escort my kids to class every day wearing My pentacle!
I really hate how “freedom of religion” only ever seems to apply to one religion.