[Dali]

Missouri

http://midwestdemocracy.com/articles...of-schoolwork/

When Missouri voters cast ballots on the so-called "right-to-pray" amendment to the state's constitution, they'll be deciding whether students should be able to opt out of school assignments that they think run counter to their religious beliefs. Yet that's not spelled out on the Aug. 7 ballot. To its supporters, the amendment enumerates rights already in the U.S. and Missouri constitutions and forces government and public schools to respect religious liberty. To its critics, the amendment poses a problematic fix for something that isn't broken, and ultimately could open school curricula to theological negotiation.

The amendment includes a provision that states no student "shall be compelled to perform or participate in academic assignments or educational presentations that violate his or her religious beliefs." According to npr the amendment has good support and is expected to pass.

Wtf, 'merica?

edit: There's not specific provision saying student's would be allowed to opt out of assignments. Rather the wording is so broad that is one of the fears the way this amendment will be used.

edit 2: Nvm. Original OP was correct. The provision does exist.



edit 3: It passed with 83% of the vote with 2 precincts uncounted. Congrats Missouri omae wa mo shindeiru.

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics...ting-freedoms/

[V_Arnold]

Jesus Christ...

[Dilly]

It's like they're going backwards.

[danwarb]

Gotta protect them from the truth/reality. Don't want them thinking too much.

Opting out is too far, the rest is fine.

[Steelrain]

What the hell Missouri?

[Bazza]

It's like they're going backwards.

As an outsider (English) it definitely seems that way.

[Horse Detective]

And full grown adults are rationalizing this?

[Kettch]

As long as they get a 0, they can opt out all they want.

[Shotgun Kiss]

OK, but give them a fail for that assignment, which will hurt their overall grade for Science in general.

Why should they care about getting a poor grade in a subject they don't believe in?

[EightBitNate]

Jesus Christ...

That's the problem

[Log4Girlz]

Expel them from school. Let them learn at home.

[Drazgul]

As long as they get a 0, they can opt out all they want.

Sounds good to me. Let them wallow in their ignorance.

[squidyj]

As much as I enjoy the show I wish America would hurry up with it's suicide already.

[Horse Detective]

Maybe they should just stay home.

[amar212]

Every day I come to off-topic section and every day I learn something about USA that blows my mind.

You sure have absolutely crazy people overthere that have too much influence in the public sphere.

It will not end good.

[Quackula]

I wonder how long until someone abuses the hell out of this?

"My religion doesn't believe in math so I don't have to do this homework"

[Ushojax]

If you go to school, you follow the curriculum. How could anybody vote for this?

[Shard]

Eh, even if such a thing passed, it would never stand in the courts.

[Avixph]

I don't think religion is the main problem here but the parents are.

[Quackula]

Why do religious types not want their kids to learn about science anyway?

keep your enemies closer and all that

[JambiBum]

I don't think religion is the main problem here but the parents are.

Without the religion there would be no reason for this law to exist.

[Carcetti]

So this is what decading of the future of a world power looks like. The Romans would probably offer sympathy.

[Lafiel]

I don't think religion is the main problem here but the parents are.

Those two things overlap.

[Foffy]

If you go to school, you follow the curriculum. How could anybody vote for this?

B-b-b-because science intentionally wants to abolish religion, of course!

Seriously, I get baffled at people who neglect the sciences because of their hardcore religious beliefs. Granted, as a New Yorkian those who have a faith don't shun science or medicine from my experience, but hearing about this happening in other states makes me wonder what exactly people are like there.

[V_Arnold]

Why do religious types not want their kids to learn about science anyway? keep your enemies closer and all that

The more educated one is, the more options suddenly opening up before them. I can only imagine how much the radical christians would hate to see their beloved children lost to the devices of Satan. Yeah, that is right :(

First, they solve a linear equation. Then they smoke their first joints. Then, they turn into...God knows what.

[Horse Detective]

God will handle this.

[Wilsongt]

There's a reason why American students are on the lower end of the totem pole when it comes to Science and Math...

This is one of the reasons.

[rCIZZLE]

Doesn't bother me if some teenagers want to put themselves behind their college bound peers. Though letting them opt out of individual assignments hurts the integrity of the grading for those classes.

[Steelrain]

So this is what decading of the future of a world power looks like. The Romans would probably offer sympathy.

I think you're confused. This is an amendment to the states constitution (which I doubt will hold water) not an amendment to the U.S constitution.

[Woorloog]

I'm surprised there are not accusitions of witchcraft and sorcery in some states of the US. Is there?

[Avixph]

Without the religion there would be no reason for this law to exist.

Read my post again, it is a problem but the parents are even more of a problem.

[jgminto]

Sorry, my religion doesn't believe in calculus. No test for me!

[Trent Strong]

I'm surprised there are not accusitions of witchcraft and sorcery in some states of the US. Is there?

Not that I know of. But there probably are at least a few Wiccans in every state.

[Ourobolus]

And another state gets added to the list...

[Steelrain]

And another state gets added to the list...

What other state has this amendment?

[Messofanego]

Wait what? I just thought this meant I can get to pray zuhr or asr when it's time, but not this lol.

[JambiBum]

Read my post again, it is a problem but the parents are even more of a problem.

I understood your point. But again, without the religion the parents/legislators wouldn't have a reason to push this. Although they could probably make another one up. I'm not really disagreeing with your point, I just think that religion plays a bigger role here.

[Carcetti]

I think you're confused. This is an amendment to the states constitution (which I doubt will hold water) not an amendment to the U.S constitution.

I know, it's just a terrible direction to go to even on a state level when it comes to a modern western country. All the bad novels I've read are making me see a Mad Max future already :)

[Steelrain]

I know, it's just a terrible direction to go to even on a state level when it comes to a modern western country. All the bad novels I've read are making me see a Mad Max future already :)

Well you can be assured that the amount of lawsuits filed after this thing passes will blot out the Sun.

[Carcetti]

That's a comforting vision!

[Horse Detective]

I don't understand the "respect religious liberty" thing. This is not "respect", this is adapting to the desires of others. Why are these people deliberately wasting time with their shitty proposals?

[Jason Raize '75 - '04]

This is more of a gesture than anything. I've already said that science classes in school aren't known to influence a child's religious beliefs, especially if they live in a devout household where they study their religious scriptures and values on a weekly if not daily basis.

[bengraven]

Right to ignorance.

[Darklord]

Can America please tell these religious nuts to fuck off? Seriously, it seems like they are forcefully trying to make the country go backwards.

[Monocle]

There is such a thing as too much freedom. Some people need to be protected from themselves.

[Ourobolus]

What other state has this amendment?

Oh, I didn't mean specifically regarding this amendment, just the ridiculousness of policies that try to weed out any sort of scientific learning.

[FillerB]

Please get with the program already America. It's just getting hard to watch a country like yours, which all scientific achievements, slowly committing suicide by ignorance. Don't make Idiocracy look like something that might actually become true.

[squidyj]

I'm surprised there are not accusitions of witchcraft and sorcery in some states of the US. Is there?

Funny you should ask

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=291425

[beje]

Oh, I didn't mean specifically regarding this amendment, just the ridiculousness of policies that try to weed out any sort of scientific learning.

Yep, that "Jesusland" map that arises from time to time.

[Escape Goat]

I didn't think the American public school system could fail its children anymore than it currently is.