This is a tough one for me. While I don't want to see any particular religion promoted, I don't want to see first amendment rights violated either.
Exactly what do you think the words "free exercise thereof" meants?
Why is it a tough one for you? What do you not understand about free speech? Note the key word: "free." That means we're free to speak. In a public high school. Note that word, too: "public."
You try to quash my freedom to speak freely about my "particular religion," and see what happens.
In this case, it was an individual making the statements, not the official policy of the school.
Those are two different issues. Obviously, you do not want the government to run a church based school. But you also should not censor individual student's (and teachers I might add) statements of their personal beliefs.
Separation of church and state as a concept was NEVER intended to keep an individual from being exposed to other peoples ideas. In fact, at it's root is a philosophy intended to make sure YOU ARE exposed to other peoples ideas.
I am solidly behind this brave young lady.
The gov't is NOT establishing a church; an individual who earned the right to speak, was silenced. This is a public event, and a citizen was denied the right to address a crowd; not because of attempts to incite a riot, not because of slander, not because of an intent to promote an atmosphere of hate, but to thank publically God for their accomplishments.
If the topic had been "My American Jihad", the speech would likely be manditory attendance.
Let see:
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.
I don't see anything in there that says speaking of one's faith is a form of the government "promoting any particular religion".
You might want to study up on the other 9 amendments in the Bill of Rights .. they're breathtaking.
"Standing in the middle of the road is very dangerous; you get knocked down by the traffic from both sides." --Margaret Thatcher
"This is a tough one for me."
Not for me, real easy. Why, in this country, would you not be able to say this. You have got to be kidding me. I guess if she reference Allah, that would be alright.
The correct solution - which will never happen - is simply to abolish public screwels.
Might read Joesph Story - A Familiar Exposition of the Constitution of the United States" Published in 1840 ,and
1859 A condensed version of his seminal Commentaries on the
Constitution of the United States Of America.Section 444 speaks to the First amendment and declares that the General if not universal sentiment in America was that Christianity ought to recieve encouragement from the State... anattempt to level all religions or to make it a matter of Statpolicy to hold all in utter indifference would have created universal disapprobaon if not universal
indignation." Cited directly by the US House Judiciary report on the Establishment clause by Mr Meacham US House of representatives Mar.27,1854.Story was th son of one of the Indians of Boston Tea Party , a graduate of Harvard Law (when that meant somehing good) Is memorialized in the
permanent displays of the US suprem Court building- and sadly has been edited out of our education concerning our
Constitution- for convienence sake?
Why do you have a problem with individuals promoting religion? Do you have a problem if they promote anti-religious ideas?