Posted on 04/17/2005 5:48:58 PM PDT by murphE
RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA, April 14, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) - A high school student wearing a t-shirt that stated: (front) "Tolerance is the virtue of believing in nothing", and (back) "Truth is truth - homosexuality is wrong" was threatened with suspension. The 'A' student, with no history of discipline problems, was removed from class and sent to the principal's office where she was told to change shirts or leave campus.
Her parents called the Pacific Justice Institute (PJI). "It is regrettable when parents have to choose which right their child will be deprived of - free speech or a public education," said Kevin Snider, Chief Counsel for PJI. One of PJI's attorneys immediately called the school and faxed a letter that same day explaining how students have First Amendment rights which follow them when they step onto a school campus.
Ironically, the school asserted that the censorship was based on "tolerance" and "diversity." A school official explained that a homosexual will be offended by a shirt that says "homosexuality is a sin." "One-way tolerance is not tolerance, but tyranny," said Brad Dacus, President of the Pacific Justice Institute. "Intolerance of students with religious or moral convictions should have no place in public education."
PJI informed school officials that the student will continue to wear that shirt, and other shirts expressing her values and beliefs, at her discretion. The school has since stopped harassing this student.
Students who have been disciplined or otherwise been denied their right to religious-based speech are encouraged to immediately contact the Pacific Justice Institute. PJI provides all of their legal assistance without charge.
Free speech is a right. Government education is a trap. Go for free speech, folks.
I expect that a student who wore a 'Heterosexuality Is Wrong' t-shirt to school would have gotten the same treatment. My rule to my kids is that the 'message' t-shirts don't go to school. Wear 'em to sleep in, after school, all weekend, whatever, I don't care--just not to school. My message to my kids is that 'School is work' and you don't wear things that are inappropriate for the workplace to school.
Bump
"Tolerance is the virtue of believing in nothing"
I agree. This hullabaloo is ridiculous. The kid should be sent home to change clothes. That's why uniforms should be in all schools..they are there to learn, not share their opinions on t shirts. where are the parents? I support the teachers ( even if they are teaching at a government school) on this one all the way.
Maybe, just maybe, the kids will be able to make change when they graduate.
All well and good, but this is horrid journalism. No name of student, no name of school, no name of any school officials involved no dates (the date the article was written is irelevant) ... this entire article could have been invented out of whole cloth.
Ping to self for later pingout.
THe story doesn't say (much of anything), but it could be that he wore this shirt on "homosexual" day at school (can't remember what it was really called). It was a day where everybody was supposed to be quied all day to show solidarity for homosexual rights. Many schools have teachers encouraging thier students to join, and I think theere are t-shirts and buttons.
If there are no t-shirts allowed with any pictures or words, I agree that none should be allowed.
Charles
A little discrimination should be in order. No political slogansin t-shirts.. I know that fifty years ago I could not have worn something like this in a school. Now something like a button. Maybe.
Good point. As a protest it should be allowed. School ought to be neutral.
"I know that fifty years ago I could not have worn something like this in a school."
No school I attended allowed T-shirts unless worn under a real shirt, which had to be buttoned and tucked in.
> Free speech is a right. Government education is a trap. Go for free speech, folks. <
That is one of the very reasons my parents chose to homeschool me!
That's one reason we're homeschooling. There's no such thing as "value-neutral" education, and we want the values taught to be OURS.
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