I have no issue with a moment of silence. The "generic prayer" slope is a little more slippery if you're an atheist but I also don't take much issue with that.JoltinJoe wrote:Also, as an side, with respect to generic prayer in schools, you can expect that this will become a hot issue within the next four years.
Appellate rulings within the past generation have held that, even though a student may not be "compelled" to pray along, there may be a stigma associated with not praying along in a school environment, given the reality of "peer pressure" and the need to "fit it." This contrasts with a public meeting setting, where an adult is presumed to have the maturity to act in accordance with his or her own conscience and belief.
For the most part, I'm ok with that reasoning, but I do think that students should be offered a minute of silence at the beginning of the day to reflect, or pray, if that is their choice. For the life of me, I can't figure out why such laws would be unconstitutional. No one knows what you are doing in your head during that minute: reflecting, praying, or lusting after the head cheerleader a row over from you.
However, you're concept of "generic preference" as it relates to this instance is complete lawyering bullshit.
so long as the act does not "establish" any particular religion.
In this case, while the poster was a generic display of religion, it favored no particular Christian religious faith
So it's OK as long as the faith has multiple denominations? Or does that only apply to Christians?Of course, any other staff member could likewise display a poster that shows the same kind of generic preference toward Islam, or Judaism, Hinduism, etc.
What defines a "particular religious faith"?
Christians disagree about whether "Christ is the lord and that's what Christmas is all about".
Please explain again what "generic" preference means?
Jesus.....
