Hey guys,
Yesterday the Cranston school committee voted not to remove a banner with a prayer on it from the auditorium of Cranston West. The prayer calls on “Our Heavenly Father” to protect and guide students, and has been displayed at the school since 1963.
There had been only one complaint against the banner citing that it was a violation of the First Amendment’s right to the separation of church and state.
“The constitutional squabble broke in July when the Rhode Island Affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union asked the district to remove the prayer, saying it violates the First Amendment and the constitutional principle of separation of church and state.”The Cranston school committee listened to over two hours of discussion and public comment before voting 4-3 to keep the banner, as well as a second banner at one of the city’s middle schools.
Should the banner be allowed to remain? Does it in anyway violate First Amendment rights? Would Christian students feel differently from non-Christian students regarding the prayer?
What do you think?
http://www.projo.com/news/content/cranston_prayer_vote_03-08-11_62MSQ0S_v11.1cb4662.html
Since 1963, if there has only been one complaint, then there is no reason to take it down. The banner is not forcing religion on anyone. If people feel it is truly offending, it should be taken down but I do not think it is upsetting anyone because it hasn't in the past 47 years.
ReplyDeleteWell i think its fine to have the banner there. If people believe in a different religion why don't they ask to have another banner put up there? If there is no problem with having that banner up there why can't they have another one? It is not violating the first amendment because someone put it there because they have "freedom of speech," it would be violating the amendments if it was an offensive term. If people don't like the banner they don't have to pay attention to it. It has been up there since 1963 why would they have to take it down now?
ReplyDeleteThere have been no complaints for almost 50 years about this prayer, so the banner should not be taken down. It is not like a majority of people want the banner removed. Only one person was against the banner. I don't think that this should have been as a big a deal as it was made out to be. It's not like there was a strike or something concerning the banner.
ReplyDeleteNo i don't think the banner should be removed. There's only been one complaint since 1963 and it's not forcing religion on anyone. Besides half of the students at the school and probably a majority of the people who have entered the school probably didn't even realize the banner said "Our Heavenly Father" or that the banner was even there. Also this banner is not referring to which God.
ReplyDeleteWho is it that is that attached to that banner? I think they are fighting for the sake of fighting, as opposed to fighting for something the actually believe in? How important is that banner really? I've seen it, it isn't that great...
ReplyDeleteI don't understand what possessed the person who put the banner up to do so, as it is just rather off-putting. A public school teaches several different races and religions. I would just feel a little awkward as a Muslim or Jewish person walking the halls of my school and seeing a prayer such as that on the wall. Being a Christian, I do not see such a huge problem with it, and even trying to see it from an outside perspective is difficult because I would just walk by the banner everyday and think nothing of it. However, I can see where people of other religions and points-of-view are coming from.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, I think the banner should remain up. Only one complaint has been made, so there has not been a massive uproar...yet. If there is a large-scale protest about the banner, I believe it should just be taken down to avoid further conflict. In essence, I think that this banner isn't a big issue, but if the people begin to lead the charge to get the prayer taken down, the system should simply take it down to avoid a larger protest.
-Jake M.
Although I don't have a problem with it, I think the banner should be taken down. In 1963, the country was a much different place. The United States is now very open to diversity and it is stated in the school hand books that all races and religions are accepted. I don't have a problem with people wanting the banner removed. What I do have a problem with is making such a big deal about this. Sure it may be offensive to some, but there has been only one complaint since it was first hung. The Rhode Island school system has much more to worry about ahead of banners. If no one wants it down, it's not a problem.
ReplyDelete-Brandon M.