The ACLU saves the day again!!

[AteUp]

http://www.whas11.com/topstories/stories/WHAS11_TOP_gradprayer.18efe843.html

Complaint prompts removal of prayer at Shelby County graduation

07:19 AM EDT on Wednesday, May 24, 2006

SHELBYVILLE, Ky. (AP) -- The principal of Shelby County High School said the school will not have formal prayer at graduation exercises next month after receiving a complaint from a student and the American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky.

Principal Gary Kidwell met Monday with the Board of Education and a lawyer as residents held a prayer vigil outside. On Tuesday, Kidwell said the school will break from the tradition of student-led invocations and benedictions at graduation June 2.

The school "will be compliant with the law and also provide a respectful and dignified program for all students," he said.

Traditional prayers at a school banquet and an awards ceremony also will not be held, he said.

Last week, a court ordered a Russell County High School student who had been designated to pray at graduation not to do so. Students rose on their own and recited the Lord's Prayer during the principal's remarks. The student who had been designated to lead the prayer included religious messages in her remarks to graduates.

Arshiya Saiyed, 17, who is Muslim, identified herself Tuesday as the Shelby County student who filed the ACLU complaint. She said other students share her view, a contention echoed by Kidwell.

Arshiya said she understands that student speakers at Shelby County also might include a prayer in their remarks, but she hopes they will respect her objections to the formal prayer.

"If they choose to pray ... we hope it's a respectful prayer" for a religiously diverse audience, said Arshiya, who plans to study international relations and political science at Centre College and then attend law school.

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that student-led prayers at high school football games and clergy-led prayers at high school graduations are unconstitutional.

The Liberty Counsel, a Florida law firm representing the student who spoke at Russell County's graduation, argues that if students elect a peer to give a message, without specifying that it be a prayer, that student has a right to pray.

[BDT]

http://www.whas11.com/topstories/stories/WHAS11_TOP_gradprayer.18efe843.html

Complaint prompts removal of prayer at Shelby County graduation

07:19 AM EDT on Wednesday, May 24, 2006

SHELBYVILLE, Ky. (AP) -- The principal of Shelby County High School said the school will not have formal prayer at graduation exercises next month after receiving a complaint from a student and the American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky.

Principal Gary Kidwell met Monday with the Board of Education and a lawyer as residents held a prayer vigil outside. On Tuesday, Kidwell said the school will break from the tradition of student-led invocations and benedictions at graduation June 2.

The school "will be compliant with the law and also provide a respectful and dignified program for all students," he said.

Traditional prayers at a school banquet and an awards ceremony also will not be held, he said.

Last week, a court ordered a Russell County High School student who had been designated to pray at graduation not to do so. Students rose on their own and recited the Lord's Prayer during the principal's remarks. The student who had been designated to lead the prayer included religious messages in her remarks to graduates.

Arshiya Saiyed, 17, who is Muslim, identified herself Tuesday as the Shelby County student who filed the ACLU complaint. She said other students share her view, a contention echoed by Kidwell.

Arshiya said she understands that student speakers at Shelby County also might include a prayer in their remarks, but she hopes they will respect her objections to the formal prayer.

"If they choose to pray ... we hope it's a respectful prayer" for a religiously diverse audience, said Arshiya, who plans to study international relations and political science at Centre College and then attend law school.

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that student-led prayers at high school football games and clergy-led prayers at high school graduations are unconstitutional.

The Liberty Counsel, a Florida law firm representing the student who spoke at Russell County's graduation, argues that if students elect a peer to give a message, without specifying that it be a prayer, that student has a right to pray.


I think I'm going to be sick.

Somebody needs to pray for this poor girl and the people in the ACLU they need it. I'm not going to say anything else because I'll be on a rant.

[Bruttus]

It's bull$hit like this that makes me happy I send my kids to a private school. On the other side of the coin my tax dollars are funding public schools that cater to the vast MINORITY of people.:mad:

[Monster-Chaser]

If I was the Valadictorian(sp) giving the comincment speech, I would throw a prayer in there just to piss off her and the ACLU and anyone else who shares her views.:D

In that prayer, I would also make sure I mentioned God the Father, Jesus, those fighting in Iraq, our President, and for those who are not of my faith!:D

[C.L.Button]

If I was the Valadictorian(sp) giving the comincment speech, I would throw a prayer in there just to piss off her and the ACLU and anyone else who shares her views.:D

In that prayer, I would also make sure I mentioned God the Father, Jesus, those fighting in Iraq, our President, and for those who are not of my faith!:D

I agree !!! :D

[AteUp]

It's horsehockey and this is an example of what is wrong with the middle east now. That girl claims that she is being infringed upon yet she is infringing on other's beliefs. Isn't sensitivity to other's beliefs best shown by allowing them to pray to whomever god they choose and you the same? Why not just chuck some rocks at them while they pray? Unbelievable! By "protecting" the rights of the few, we are trampling on the many.

[eddiejohn4]

Here in detroit the muslim community twice a day blasts a horn that signifys its time to pray, why do we tolerate this which is a blatent distraction to non muslims, where is the ACLU?. It is comming to a head in this country, the attacks on our traditions of worship needs to be adressed by the majority. We have the right to pray, WE have the right to say the pledge of alleigence.

The separation of church and state does not imply that we cannot have prayer in schools or public offices, but rather that they cannot be mandated and no one religion is enforced. We need to reafirm that its freedom to or not to pray not the protection from. We need to stop these liberal judges from legislating from the bench.

This country is being attacked from within by these liberal knukleheads.

[Art]

I don't have any problem with prayer in school but my take on it is that if you are gonna let one group pray then you need to let every religious group pray at the ceremony, especially at schools where there is a lot of different religions being practiced. I just feel that if you are only gonna allow one group to pray, then yeah, prayer should be axed from a public event unless it is fair for everyone..

[2speed]

I have to say something here , man o man send these people back to
were ever they came from,, this country was founded by men who belived
in God and the BIBLE and if we the people don't stand up for what is right
our right's we be taken away...I am going to make a stand for whats right.
Lets take our country back.....:mad: :mad:

[grouser68]

I agree, they should pray if they want, but........don't shoot the messanger! If the girl is a citizen then she has the right to ask that the LAW is upheld! I say, shoot the lawmakers! The post here about the Soldier getting a ticket from the CO, everyone agreed the CO was right, seems this girl is right too! We should think about getting these laws changed, then we wont have to complain so when a story like this pops up! It is sad though.

P.S. This is the really funny part.....the "liberal knuckleheads" have'nt been in power in 6 years! rofl

[AteUp]

I agree, they should pray if they want, but........don't shoot the messanger! If the girl is a citizen then she has the right to ask that the LAW is upheld! I say, shoot the lawmakers! The post here about the Soldier getting a ticket from the CO, everyone agreed the CO was right, seems this girl is right too! We should think about getting these laws changed, then we wont have to complain so when a story like this pops up! It is sad though.

P.S. This is the really funny part.....the "liberal knuckleheads" have'nt been in power in 6 years! rofl

Just because the president and governor are republicans doesn't mean "liberal knuckleheads" aren't in power. There are still plenty in office.

[Pooge]

According to modern americas way of thinking Mr. Spock had it backwards when he said "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few"......

- Live long and prosper

[raktrakr]

the aclu tried that at russell co. for an athiest and it didnt pan out. the students cited the lords prayer and the athiest asked the aclu once again if something could be done about it and they said no

[grouser68]

Just because the president and governor are republicans doesn't mean "liberal knuckleheads" aren't in power. There are still plenty in office.

TOO FUNNY ATE! TOO FUNNY!

[naturalelite]

I don't have any problem with prayer in school but my take on it is that if you are gonna let one group pray then you need to let every religious group pray at the ceremony, especially at schools where there is a lot of different religions being practiced. I just feel that if you are only gonna allow one group to pray, then yeah, prayer should be axed from a public event unless it is fair for everyone..Do you honestly think the ACLU would get involved if this girl in question was the one that was going to be praying. I know we have different ideas about what is right and wrong with this country and I can respect different opinions.I say this because I was at a grade school graduation a few weeks ago when a muslim girl prayed at the end of the ceremony. At no point was anyone offended by her praying what is the difference????I don't have a problem with different religions, races, creeds, or anything else. I just wish they didn't have a problem with me being myself in my country.

[grouser68]

Do you honestly think the ACLU would get involved if this girl in question was the one that was going to be praying. I know we have different ideas about what is right and wrong with this country and I can respect different opinions.I say this because I was at a grade school graduation a few weeks ago when a muslim girl prayed at the end of the ceremony. At no point was anyone offended by her praying what is the difference????I don't have a problem with different religions, races, creeds, or anything else. I just wish they didn't have a problem with me being myself in my country.
AMEN BROTHER!