'Bong Hits 4 Jesus' Case Goes to High Court

AOL News ^ | 03/17/2007 | SUSAN DONALDSON JAMES

[2ndDivisionVet]

Joseph Frederick, a student rebel halfway through his senior year of high school, tried the patience of his principal when he displayed a drug-referenced sign reading "Bong Hits 4 Jesus" at a public parade in Juneau, Alaska, in 2002

[Zeroisanumber]

[padre35]

Hmm what got him into trouble the bong reference or the Jesus reference?

[chasio649]

I'm sorry...but that is FUNNY... ;)

[AntiGuv]

That's a funny graphic, but also somewhat ignorant. Contrary to popular misconception, cannabis was well-known in the ancient world and was evidently used in Jewish rituals. Though there is some dispute over that, whatever the case there is nothing even approximating a 'thou shalt not get high' commandment in the bible.

[raccoonradio]

Dr Demento has played a parody song of "What if God Was One of Us?" called "What if God Smoked Cannibis?"

The Rutherford Institute, a "Nonprofit, legal and educational organization that specializing in the defense of religious liberty and human rights", runs radio public service announcements about "your first liberties". The BongHits4Jesus case was a recent one and I believe they're part of it.

The dKosopedia listing for Rutherford institute calls them
"one a (sic) collection of legal organizations established to provide legal asistance to wingnut Isic) causes. Conservartives (sic) might decry legal activism by judges but they are more than willing to exploit every opportunity to use the law to attack the social justice and environmental movements. Described as a "resource center" in its own literature, the Rutherford Institute was formed in 1982 by attorney John W. Whitehead to help right-wing causes."

[raccoonradio]

>>The school charges that Frederick's banner promoted drug use and had an offensive religious message. Frederick said the language, which he had seen on a snowboard, is meaningless.

[raccoonradio]

I should add that a couple other PSAs put out by the Rutherford Insitute:

--defended the right of a little girl to express her
religious faith by passing out cupcakes with Bible
verses on them at Easter (something like that)

BUT, one:

--attacked "The US Patriot Act" as an infringement of
our freedom.

[ApplegateRanch]

If he really wanted to cause trouble, he should have tried "Hash tokes for Mohammad".

And as long as he's teaching in China, let's hope he applies for citizenship, and stays there.

[AZRepublican]

http://federalistblog.us/2007/03/scotus_only_assumes_you_have_1st_amendment_rights.html

[TFFKAMM]

A friend of mine put it:

Jesus smoked pot
Buddha dropped acid
Mohammed snorted METH!

[Wheee The People]

Frederick said the language... is meaningless.

Yeah dude. I b dwn w dat.

[AnalogReigns]

Contrary to popular misconception, cannabis was well-known in the ancient world and was evidently used in Jewish rituals. Though there is some dispute over that, whatever the case there is nothing even approximating a 'thou shalt not get high' commandment in the bible.

Actually in Bible days THE most common intoxicant was the same one that we have in virtually all societies today, namely alcohol.

While moderate use of wine and other alcoholic drinks is allowed, and sometimes even encouraged, drinking to the point of intoxication is clearly shown as sin--in numerous places in scripture, both Old and New Testaments.

One would have to be smoking something not to see the direct connection between the prohibitions on drunkeness in the bible, and getting intoxicated, or 'high' on drugs or any other mind altering substance.

Ancient Jews, like all people at all times, were sinners too--so their practices, religious or not--are not a reliable guide for right and wrong. God's word however is fully solid, and God's word uniformly condemns intoxication.

[AnalogReigns]

By the same token, on the issue at hand--as I understand the case--the principle of a public school was way out line in trying to control the speech of a kid not in school.

Had it been a private school, the case may be more complicated, depending on the contractual arrangements between the the school and the student/parents. With a public school though, what are they thinking to try to limit what someone says outside of school?

[Jorge]

While moderate use of wine and other alcoholic drinks is allowed, and sometimes even encouraged, drinking to the point of intoxication is clearly shown as sin--in numerous places in scripture, both Old and New Testaments.

This is way too much truth for this board. Repent!

[Prodigal Son]

The next day, he was disciplined after he remained seated during the Pledge of Allegiance.

This was also in the article. How in the heck can you discipline someone for not standing during the pledge? I never liked having to say the pledge every day either. The Jehovah's Witnesses always left the room. I don't think a kid should be made to stand for it if he doesn't want to.

[AntiGuv]

Well, I didn't say anything about alcohol, but since you bring it up I certainly don't disagree that Ephesians condemns drinking to excess. My point remains, however, that cannabis was hardly unknown in the ancient world. To the contrary, it was very well-known and so if Jesus or Paul wanted to condemn its recreational use they were certainly more than capable of doing so, and yet they didn't.

[Huntress]

This sounds to me like "zero tolerance" run amok. The principal appears to be weak, and thus considers every little infraction is an affront to her authority and overreacts accordingly. I bet the only reason this kid kept pulling these silly stunts is that he knew it would pi$$ her off.

[happygrl]

Speaking as a Christian and an American, Jesus is Big enough to Take This.

Good grief.

That principal needs to get a sense of humor.

I bet Jesus would go up to that kid with a twinkle in his eye, put his arm around his shoulder and say, My Way is the Real High Life.

[happygrl]

Yeah dude. I b dwn w dat.

12 posted on 03/17/2007 9:35:28 PM EDT by Wheee The People

Wheee the People ?!!!!!

I can't hardly type, I'm laughing so hard....