Illinois Moment of Silence in Schools Ruled Unconstitutional

Fox ^ | 1/22/2009 | Fox

[Red in Blue PA]

CHICAGO — A federal judge has ruled that a state law requiring a moment of silence in public schools across Illinois is unconstitutional, saying it crosses the line separating church and state.

"The statute is a subtle effort to force students at impressionable ages to contemplate religion," U.S. District Judge Robert W. Gettleman said in his ruling Wednesday.

The ruling came in a lawsuit designed to bar schools from enforcing the Illinois Silent Reflection and Student Prayer Act. It was filed by talk show host Rob Sherman, an outspoken atheist, and his daughter, Dawn, a high school student.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

This judge needs to have his head examined.

[ronnyquest]

Except that separation of church and state, as liberals so often tout and as defined in the Constitution, does not prohibit prayer in the classroom, nor nativity scenes in the town square. They forget entirely that our nation was founded on religious principles by religious people, that most people in the world worship some higher power, and that they are not empowered to deny religious practices in schools at the federal level.

States and local municipalities can do as they wish as long as such actions are not prohibited expressly under the founding documents.

[mvpel]

But easter decorations plastered all over Amtrak trains are not, apparently.

[Red in Blue PA]

Betcha a dollar that if it was a moment of silence to wish the Dear Leader well, it would not have been unconstitutional.

[Always Right]

These judges have crossed the time a long time ago. Now Obama is going to appoint three idiots just like this to the Supreme Court. Of all the horrible havoc Obama will bring to our country, his Supreme Court nominees will perhaps be the worst. Well, next to his surrendering the war on terror.

[Dixie Yooper]

Does this mean the teacher no longer has the right to tell her class to BE QUIET!

[MEGoody]

Good grief, this judge is a real maroon (as are the folks who filed this silly suit).

[Always Right]

Yes, the worship of Obamessiah is allowed and encouraged!

[EQAndyBuzz]

Nominated by William J. Clinton on August 16, 1994, to a seat vacated by John F. Grady; Confirmed by the Senate on October 7, 1994, and received commission on October 11, 1994.

[EQAndyBuzz]

Just a thought here. If this is termed unconstitutional because it crosses the boundary of separation, wouldn’t acceptance of gays and pre-marital sex also cross the line because of a violation of a childs religious upbringing?

And if so, how come we do not file suit?

[silverleaf]

Dingety Dang, there go the TM courses being introduced to help some kids focus their inner selves...

[grellis]

Exactly what I was wondering!

[sniper63]

First: If you don’t like it don’t participate.
Second: You are infringing on the rights of the other students who want to participate.

Third: Try Home schooling you delinquent daughter and she would not be subjected to this.

[ryan71]

No moment of silence because kids may “contemplate” religion.

No doubt all of the schools TV’s were tuned in to the inauguration so they could worship Slobama.

[jilliane]

My friends’ children attended Illinois school with the daughter whose father brought forth the original suit. Not sure if it’s the same people named in the article but the original petitioner drove a car with an anti-religion license plate and the student was a nut job who went around parroting her dad’s obnoxious views. They felt it was against their rights to keep having to listen to her.

[jilliane]

Talk about legislating from the bench!

[WaterBoard]

U.S. District Judge Robert W. Gettleman - What a Mensch.



Gettleman, Robert William

Born 1943 in Atlantic City, NJ

Federal Judicial Service:

Judge, U. S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois

Nominated by William J. Clinton on August 16, 1994, to a seat vacated by John F. Grady; Confirmed by the Senate on October 7, 1994, and received commission on October 11, 1994.

Education:

Boston University, B.S./B.A., 1965

Northwestern University School of Law, J.D., 1968

Professional Career: Staff law clerk, U.S. Court of Appeals, 7th Circuit, 1968

Law clerk, Hon. Latham Castle, U.S. Court of Appeals, 7th Circuit, 1968-1969

Law clerk, Hon. Luther Swygert, U.S. Court of Appeals, 7th Circuit, 1970

Private practice, Chicago, Illinois, 1970-1994

Race or Ethnicity: White

Gender: Male

http://underneaththeirrobes.blogs.com/main/2004/11/questions_prese_2.html

[relictele]

Memo to males in Dawn’s high school: exclude her completely from the dating scene. I imagine her kook of a father has already stigmatized her but let her find out what the sharp end of free association feels like.

[chatham]

Another Schmuck Judge should be put out of office and off the taxpayer dole.