Judge Bans 'Secondhand Jesus' (state law requiring moment of silence is unconstitutional)

CMR ^ | January 23, 2009 | matthew archbold

[NYer]

A federal judge, clearly responding to an urgent threat of "Secondhand Jesus" infecting young people today, ruled that a state law requiring a moment of silence in public schools is unconstitutional, saying it crosses the line separating church and state.

The country is finally taking some much-needed steps to protect our children from the ravages of secondhand Jesus which have been known to infect children with ideas about abstinence, tolerance, and charity.

Young children are especially susceptible to the effects of "Secondhand Jesus." Recent studies have indicated that there is no risk-free level of "Secondhand Jesus" exposure and even brief exposures can be harmful to children.

According to the Associated Press:

"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.

Judges are essentially ruling that you cannot mention God or refer to Jesus in public under threat of law for fear of contaminating happy atheists with secondhand Jesus.

Sometimes I wonder, if atheists are so happy why are they always filing lawsuits?

[cameraeye]

Will it ever include mohamed?

[NYer]

As christians, we need to appeal this and ask that the 'official' Day of Silence, be declared unconstitutional.

---

What is the Day of Silence®?
The Day of Silence (www.dayofsilence.org), a project of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), is a student-led day of action when concerned students, from middle school to college, take some form of a vow of silence to bring attention to the name-calling, bullying and harassment -- in effect, the silencing -- experienced by LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) students and their allies. This year’s Day of Silence will be held in memory of Lawrence King.

OFFICIAL WEB SITE

Check the site to see if your school is registered to participate.

[squidward]

Let me get this straight, it is now unconstitutional for kids to be quiet in school?

[sniper63]

WTF, It is a moment of silence. It does not state that ypu need to pray during this moment, you can meditate, calm yourself, breath deeply, and relax. These f’n idiots don’t know their a$$ from a hole in the ground. Get a lawyer and sue the a-hole for infringing on someones 1st amendment rights.

[Mind Freed]

I think this is the reason to believe completely in Christ and Christianity. In our society we can mention Allah, Mohamed, Buddha, Scientology, and every other whacked religion out there... But the moment you mention Christianity and Jesus, people start yelling for censorship. Why are people so afraid of Jesus, why are they so afraid of the truth. Could it be the frightening possibility of having someone to answer to? Could it be the possibility of hell? Ignoring the inevitable, won’t save you in the end.

[NYer]

Let me get this straight, it is now unconstitutional for kids to be quiet in school?

No ... the judged ruled that a school may not establish a 'moment of silence' for purposes of prayer.

[aruanan]

I think this is the reason to believe completely in Christ and Christianity. In our society we can mention Allah, Mohamed, Buddha, Scientology, and every other whacked religion out there... But the moment you mention Christianity and Jesus, people start yelling for censorship. Why are people so afraid of Jesus, why are they so afraid of the truth. Could it be the frightening possibility of having someone to answer to? Could it be the possibility of hell? Ignoring the inevitable, won’t save you in the end.

I was in high school when I caught on to this. I noticed that people who talked about religious tolerance and inclusion were actually saying, "All religions are ways to God, except for traditional Christianity."

[NYer]

Why are people so afraid of Jesus, why are they so afraid of the truth.

For the same reasons they feared him 2000 years ago. They fear the Truth.

[Old Professer]

There goes the Obama Hour right before breakfast and sandwiched between ESL and Cultural Diversity and its Benefits - just in time for lunch...

[Unam Sanctam]

A moment of silence is a reasonable accomodation to the free exercise of religion. No one is coerced into praying, meditating or anything else. It is not the establishment of a state religion or coercive in any way. I strongly disagree with this ruling.

[Unam Sanctam]

A moment of silence is a reasonable accomodation to the free exercise of religion. No one is coerced into praying, meditating or anything else. It is not the establishment of a state religion or coercive in any way. I strongly disagree with this ruling.

[markomalley]

As christians, we need to appeal this and ask that the 'official' Day of Silence, be declared unconstitutional.

When I read that, I did a major doubletake, due to the similarity to this:

Creepy...