School district sued over graduation held in church

CNN ^ | March 8, 2007 | AP Story

[Islander7]

TRENTON, New Jersey (AP) -- The state chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union is suing the Newark public school district, saying a school's decision to hold its graduation ceremonies in a Baptist church violated a Muslim student's religious freedom.

The New Jersey ACLU said Wednesday that it was suing the school district because its decision to hold graduation in the church prevented West Side High School senior Bilal Shareef, a Muslim, from attending. Shareef's religious beliefs forbid him from entering a building with religious images, the civil liberties group said.

The incident violated provisions in the state constitution prohibiting public institutions from showing a preference for certain religious sects over others; compelling people to attend a place of worship; and segregating or discriminating against public school students because of their religious principles, the ACLU-NJ asserts.

"Schools should not sponsor activities that exclude some students from participation on the basis of religious belief," said ACLU-NJ's legal director, Ed Barocas, who is representing Shareef and his father.

[Islander7]

The ACLU supports Muslim religious rights?

[TommyDale]

"...saying a school's decision to hold its graduation ceremonies in a Baptist church violated a Muslim student's religious freedom."

Oh, really? Did they tell him he was never allowed to go to his Mosque and worship? What kind of crap is this? It's a building, idiots!

[massgopguy]

Well I guess he won't be going to BC, Notre Dame or Holy Cross. Too bad. More room for my daughter.

[w1andsodidwe]

I guess the Muslim student is so shaky in his faith that merely being present in a Baptist church would cause him to immediately convert.

[pitinkie]

Must be a Sunni.

[bird4four4]

Of course if my religion forbids me from being having a teacher who is a transgendered crossdressing hermaphrodite, the ACLU will be right beside me on that right?

[Bommer]

How did graduating in a church violate his rights? They believe in Christ as well

[July 4th]

My local district does this because it's the only reasonably priced local venue to provide enough space for a student and all of his/her family to attend the graduation. One could argue that it was held in a church for safety and necessity.

[the final gentleman]

"Schools should not sponsor activities that exclude some students from participation on the basis of religious belief."
__________________________________________________________

Muslims should not enter their children in schools that differ from their beliefs.

And all schools worthy of being schools do.

[Vigilanteman]

Shareef's religious beliefs forbid him from entering a building with religious images, the civil liberties group said.

If this is true, let's make sure as many voting locations as possible are located inside churches, synagogues and Buddhist temples. Maybe I'll also start carrying one of those Saint icon image cards some of my Catholic friends have to ward off Muslims like garlic is to vampires.

[massgopguy]

I've only been in one Baptist Church and I don't remember see of the Icons or Images we have in the Catholic Church. Can any Baptists out there enlighten as to the trappings of a typical Baptists Church?

[Mr. Lucky]

They believe in Jesus of Nazareth. They do not believe He is Christ.

[TommyDale]

Even if his religious beliefs forbid him from entering the building, how did this deny him the right to go down to his Mosque to worship? This was not a mandatory worship event, it was a graduation.

[TommyDale]

So then it shouldn't be a threat. I would LOVE to get selected for jury duty in a case like this!!!

[IllumiNaughtyByNature]

ACLU can't separate the church from the Church.

[newcthem]

Too bad the ceremonies weren't held is some sh*thole with a few live rounds and bomb making materials lying around, then the sand-maggot would have felt right at home.

[wastedyears]

Forbidden from entering a building with religious images, unless they're images of his own religion.

Of course

[MeanWestTexan]

I certainly don't know of any restrictions placed on muslims going into Churches. The Church of the Holy Sepulcher was invaded by Amaleks, er I mean Palestians, for example.

That said, I CAN tell you from the Orthodox Jewish perspective, which may be the same, that Orthodox Jews are not supposed to go into Churches because that could be seen as an endorsement, even accidental, of the Christian religion, which is viewed --- by some Jews --- as Polytheistic, and thus a violation of the most important mitva, not to worship any God, but God.

I am presuming the problem --- if there is legitamately is a problem --- doubtful with the ACLU --- the muslim objection is the same.

[P-Marlowe]

When I was in second grade our public school was overcrowded so the entire second grade class was moved to the Baptist Church down the street. The Baptist Church became the public school. We used their facilities, their desks, their playgrounds, their swings. There was probably a bible in every desk too, but I can't remember.

[dmz]

I guess the Muslim student is so shaky in his faith that merely being present in a Baptist church would cause him to immediately convert.
__________

Do you know a lot of Baptists who would go to graduation were it held in a mosque, and if not, would you suggest that it is due to the shakiness of their faith?

{ducking}