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[dallow_bg]

Of all the things to sue for...god damn it.

It's terrible for people to make her life "a living hell," but seriously, this isn't a big deal. I can understand if the school forced her to recite the prayer or something, but that doesn't seem to be the case.

Almost exactly the motto my elementary school had.
I liked the sentiment as a child.

 

[Freezie KO]

Don't pray in our schools, and we won't think in your church.

 

[Laughing Banana]

Who claimed this? Oh right, nobody.

His way or wording may seem like an exaggeration but I don't think anyone can deny that there is a certain atmosphere of hostility towards religion in GAF.

Anyway, this strikes me as something that is completely unnecessary to bring to litigation territory. Just like... using a double-barreled shotgun to shoot a cockroach or something.

 

[Korey]

Whats the big fucking deal? Did it hurt her, is her life ruined, did she get aids from reading it, was she forced to read it every morning before class? I cant imagine the amount of money wasted to get it taken down.

Fucking deal with it. Any background info on the girl?

Yea, here's a blog post she wrote. A lot of good info on what went down: http://jessicaahlquist.com/2011/05/a-quick-history/

She, and we, are dealing with it.

There's not going to be a prayer to an imaginary, non-existent being hung on the walls of a place of learning! I can already see the collective IQ of Cranston, RI rising as we type.

 

[foodtaster]

Don't pray in our schools, and we won't think in your church.

tell me more

 

[Raonak]

im ok with this.


the fact that she actually had to go to the point of having to go to court is whats suprising. Would've assumed they would have taken it down as soon as they got a complaint.
But i guess america is a pretty religious country.

 

[Count Dookkake]

Litigation was only needed because the religious asshats in charge did not want to respect the law.

Whats the big fucking deal? Did it hurt her, is her life ruined, did she get aids from reading it, was she forced to read it every morning before class? I cant imagine the amount of money wasted to get it taken down.

Fucking deal with it. Any background info on the girl?

What a creepy thing to ask.

 

[DanteFox]

Christianity shouldn't be promoted in public schools that are funded by the government.

Technically there's nothing in that banner that makes it exclusively Christian.

 

[lush]

Don't pray in our schools, and we won't think in your church.

This is terrible.

 

[Joel Was Right]

Jessica: I won a court case when I was 16!
Friend: Really? That's cool. What was it about?
Jessica: Oh, it was about trying to get this religious banner removed from the school hall
Friend: A religious banner? What did it say? Was it offensive to non-believers, homophobic etc..
Jessica: Well, it was a prayer that we do good, strive for the best, treat others with respect etc.
Friend: ...
Jessica: Yeah, we can't let religion into places like that so I sued the school

 

[GoldenEye 007]

On strict principle this is a right decision. But probably one not worth the effort and money spent. I mean, no scripture was stated and nobody is forced to follow it, recite it, etc. Nor does it cite a specific religion.

I imagine a couple words will be deleted and that's about it.

Is she going to sue to remove "In God We Trust" from the currency, btw? If she is going for the strict constitutionalist angle.

 

[Dega]

Posts like these make me laugh, because they display a lack of understanding between the discussion of a subject and the endorsement of subject.

haha

 

[Kosmo]

But the discussion or expression of religious (or not religious) affiliation is going to happen whether or not the sign is there. Putting a rule over those possible future instances is doing just that.

The students are going to face even more of these stances when they graduate and go into the world. If anything the school should prepare these students to not sweat the small stuff (like a lawsuit over a well-meaning banner) and focus on real problems.

Exactly. For God's sake, the Supreme Court Building has the Ten Commandments on it. Should we tear it down or bomb it out like the Taliban did to those Buddhist statues?

 

[Orayn]

Technically there's nothing in that banner that makes it exclusively Christian.

Promoted religion over non-religion, though.

Exactly. For God's sake, the Supreme Court Building has the Ten Commandments on it. Should we tear it down or bomb it out like the Taliban did to those Buddhist statues?

More of a practical consideration in that case.

 

[Drkirby]

Why to waste time and money. Does it really matter if that's in the school? The sign isn't hurting anyone, it should've been fine to stay there.

It offended the girl, thus hurting her feelings, thus hurting someone.

I do feel they should just make a new banner that takes the core message and just removes the religious aspects. Its a nice school motto.

 

[dallow_bg]

This is terrible.

I'm sure it sounded deep.

 

[Freezie KO]

This is terribly accurate.

Fixed.

 

[smokeandmirrors]

Should we tear it down

Yes we should

 

[delta25]

These stories always make me laugh. At my high school we had a bible class that students could take. I liked that class

Unless there's a gun being pressed against your temple, I'm cool with having religion mixed within education system, its a choice that should be made by the individual and not the law. As long as it not being forced I don't see what the big deal is.

 

[Kosmo]

It offended the girl, thus hurting her feelings, thus hurting someone.

I do feel they should just make a new banner that takes the core message and just removes the religious aspects. Its a nice school motto.

No, she explicitly said she was not offended and she thought it was a godo message. She was just "worried" (aka one of her parents probably put her up to it or she thought she could get some notoriety out of it) it was no Constitutional.

 

[Korey]

But the discussion or expression of religious (or not religious) affiliation is going to happen whether or not the sign is there. Putting a rule over those possible future instances is doing just that.

The students are going to face even more of these stances when they graduate and go into the world. If anything the school should prepare these students to not sweat the small stuff (like a lawsuit over a well-meaning banner) and focus on real problems.

Not sure if you're aware of this, but our country is run by religious fundamentalists. An atheist has a 0% chance of being elected President. Things need to change, and change begins with a high school student who sued the shit out of her school for violating the Constitution of the USA.

 

[Takao]

I wish I had the money to sue my school over potentially exposing me to asbestos ...

 

[Dega]

Unless there's a gun being pressed against your temple, I'm cool with having religion mixed within education system, its a choice that should be made by the individual.

Yup, I took it cause it was easy though. lol

 

[lush]

Fixed.

What does it mean to you? Comes across as ignorant bullshit to me.

I'd imagine if I were the person to do so, I'd have replied with "smh".

 

[Sober]

Of all the things to sue for...god damn it.

It's terrible for people to make her life "a living hell," but seriously, this isn't a big deal. I can understand if the school forced her to recite the prayer or something, but that doesn't seem to be the case.

Too bad just removing "Our Heavenly Father" and "Amen" is too reasonable of a solution.

 

[foodtaster]

Not sure if you're aware of this, but our country is run by religious fundamentalists. An atheist has a 0% chance of being elected President. Things need to change, and change begins with a high school student who sued the shit out of her school for violating the Constitution of the USA.

her next target

Note: This is at a federal building

 

[ghostofsparta]

I find it funny how much some simple things like this bother some Atheists so much.

I really don't care that it got taken down but if it makes you guys happier about yourselves then whatever.

 

[Mario]

His way or wording may seem like an exaggeration but I don't think anyone can deny that there is a certain atmosphere of hostility towards religion in GAF.

I heard GAF is the new front in Obama's War On Religion.

 

[DevelopmentArrested]

Good. Keep this shit out of public schools, it poisons everthing as it is already.

 

[Count Dookkake]

To those who suggest the solution of removing the "Our father" and "amen":

Who is being addressed post-removal?

 

[GrizzNKev]

Not sure if you're aware of this, but our country is run by religious fundamentalists. An atheist has a 0% chance of being elected President. Things need to change, and change begins with a high school student who sued the shit out of her school for violating the Constitution of the USA.

Right - the point of this is that people are legally justified to take this kind of action. Being ignorant or complacent shouldn't be encouraged, which is what appears some people are saying. Is it really that difficult to understand that the school was, no matter how insignificantly small, in the wrong?

 

[woolley]

Not sure if you're aware of this, but our country is run by religious fundamentalists. An atheist has a 0% chance of being elected President. Things need to change, and change begins with a high school student who sued the shit out of her school for violating the Constitution of the USA.

Yeah, I'm sure forcing a school to remove a harmless banner in a high school is really gonna start a fundamental change in American's thinking.

Give me a break.

 

[Pollux]

On GAF all things religion are bad and should therefore be removed from existence.

As a member of the non-Athiest group...I know lol.

Y'all remember that poll that came out we had a thread on it, where atheists were the most distrusted/hated group in society even more than rapists? It's suing over meaningless shit like this that pisses average people off lol.

 

[dallow_bg]

To those who suggest the solution of removing the "Our father" and "amen":

Who is being addressed post-removal?

Your chi.

 

[Laughing Banana]

Too bad just removing "Our Heavenly Father" and "Amen" is too reasonable of a solution.

There's probably someone who will say: "Help us? Help us? Who is going to help us? Oh I know it's GOD isn't it?" and sue anyways.

 

[Sober]

To those who suggest the solution of removing the "Our father" and "amen":

Who is being addressed post-removal?

It makes it a more personal, reflective message?

 

[foodtaster]

lol atheists. bow to your superior buddhist brothas.

 

[GoldenEye 007]

To those who suggest the solution of removing the "Our father" and "amen":

Who is being addressed post-removal?

With the explicit addressee removed, your question is irrelevant. It can be whoever you want. At that point, why would it matter?

 

[Orayn]

I heard GAF is the new front in Obama's War On Religion.

Man, don't tell them about the gold bullion he sends me in the mail to badmouth religion on the internet.

Y'all remember that poll that came out we had a thread on it, where atheists were the most distrusted/hated group in society even more than rapists? It's suing over meaningless shit like this that pisses average people off lol.

You really think this is why people distrust atheists? Not the hundreds of years of religious tradition teaching that nonbelievers were immortal, unethical, etc?

 

[GoldenEye 007]

I await her next lawsuit banning money.

 

[Korey]

Yeah, I'm sure forcing a school to remove a harmless banner in a high school is really gonna start a fundamental change in American's thinking.

Give me a break.

This sets a good precedent for no religious prayers hung on school walls ANYWHERE in the nation. No prayers hung on school walls = impressionable kids not having religion shoved in their face = smarter kids overall.

Religion is already dying among the younger Americans but we're not out of the woods yet. Every little bit helps.

 

[Count Dookkake]

With the explicit addressee removed, your question is irrelevant. It can be whoever you want. At that point, why would it matter?

Then its fucking stupid.

 

[Orayn]

I await her next lawsuit banning money.

I'm sure she'll settle for the hollow victory of getting "IN GOD WE TRUST" taken off of future printed bills and minted coins. I know I would.

 

[DanteFox]

Oh man, that blog. That girl is being molded into an archetype such that I can probably predict every major opinion she holds without even talking to her.

 

[Laughing Banana]

I heard GAF is the new front in Obama's War On Religion.

Man, don't tell them about the gold bullion he sends me in the mail to badmouth religion on the internet.

Man, I don't know why stating that there is a certain air of hostility towards religion in GAF is such a big deal for you guys. I am not saying that there is a conspiracy where GAF atheists sending text message to one another saying "A MEMBER IS MAKING A RELIGIOUS THREAD! ATTACK NOW!" or silly stuff like that, it's just that it is what it is.

But this is off-topic talk, I guess.

 

[SoulPlaya]

This sets a good precedent for no religious prayers hung on school walls ANYWHERE in the nation. No prayers hung on school walls = impressionable kids not having religion shoved in their face = smarter kids overall.

Religion is already dying among the younger Americans but we're not out of the woods yet. Every little bit helps.

So, that's the solution to America's dumb youth. Getting rid of religion!

 

[Sober]

Then its fucking stupid.

Like I said, if you remove the "our heavenly father" and "amen", it merely is a reflective message, both personal and as a community, to be good people.

But, we can't have that, now can we?

 

[Satyamdas]

You really think this is why people distrust atheists? Not the hundreds of years of religious tradition teaching that nonbelievers were immortal, unethical, etc?

I thought you guys believed you are nothing but worm food after death?

 

[woolley]

This sets a good precedent for no religious prayers hung on school walls ANYWHERE in the nation. No prayers hung on school walls = impressionable kids not having religion shoved in their face = smarter kids overall.

Religion is already dying among the younger Americans but we're not out of the woods yet. Every little bit helps.

People get religion from the most from their families. It's parents that bring kids to church their whole lives and talk about god around the house. The banner being in school or not in school isn't going to change someones beliefs.

 

[bean breath]

On strict principle this is a right decision. But probably one not worth the effort and money spent. I mean, no scripture was stated and nobody is forced to follow it, recite it, etc. Nor does it cite a specific religion.

I imagine a couple words will be deleted and that's about it.

Is she going to sue to remove "In God We Trust" from the currency, btw? If she is going for the strict constitutionalist angle.

Class on Christmas day is next.