Students are not prohibited regarding their speech in public school, as it relates to their own religion. The school faculty/staff is. My neice was valedictorian of her school this last year, and she asked the school administration about her speech at graduation, and they reluctantly admitted that they don't have the right to limit her speech, even at graduation ceremonies. She gave one of the best speeches I've heard yet from a school student, and the whole place erupted with applause. She was not overt in her speech, but was certainly giving credit of her success to her faith.android wrote:No it doesn't. It only restricts said valedictorians ability to preach at a government sponsored event. She or he still has the complete and total first amendment right to preach on the street corner, in church or on TV or anywhere else they can afford and to whoever wants to listen. They just can't preach at a government sponsored event with a captive audience.The Annoyed Man wrote: 1) violates the freedom of speech clause of the valedictorian's 1st Amendment rights, and it violates the establishment clause of the valedictorian's 1st Amendment clause.
Prayer is a private communication between you and God. I don't see how government could ever restrict this even if it tried. Public prayer is either so that other believers in you faith can "pray along" and admire your artistic use of the language or to preach to those who you want to convert.
I have never seen one single instance of a Christians right to practice religion being denied. I have seen many instances where a Christians desire to preach to those that are not interested have been denied. There is a huge difference. Bowing your head in quiet prayer is allowed in any public school in the country. Trying to lead the class in public prayer is not. It is easy to see the difference unless you are blinding by the desire to proselytize every non-believer that passes by.
Amen.The Annoyed Man wrote:
This stuff cuts both ways.
This is the same reason students have the right to assemble around the flag pole on the national day of prayer. The school administration cannot do anything about it.