Honestly, would anyone on here defending the kid have a problem if there was a class speaking assignment (non Christmas related) and a kid got up to talk about his family's Islamic view or their atheist views and try to offer proofs against the existence of a higher power? Or another stretch, if a kid started talking about his family's occult views, relating this back to the thread where a poster was concerned about how the occult is being spread by Hollywood? Deep down I bet there are some people who are defending this girl but at the same time would not want their own kids exposed to those beliefs.

 

On the flip side, it also would not surprise me if a kid did start talking about Islamic, atheist or occult views and the teacher actually praised the kid for teaching about a subject that will foster tolerance towards other faiths since tolerance seems to be their buzz word.

Honestly, would anyone on here defending the kid have a problem if there was a class speaking assignment (non Christmas related) and a kid got up to talk about his family's Islamic view or their atheist views and try to offer proofs against the existence of a higher power? Or another stretch, if a kid started talking about his family's occult views, relating this back to the thread where a poster was concerned about how the occult is being spread by Hollywood? Deep down I bet there are some people who are defending this girl but at the same time would not want their own kids exposed to those beliefs.

 

On the flip side, it also would not surprise me if a kid did start talking about Islamic, atheist or occult views and the teacher actually praised the kid for teaching about a subject that will foster tolerance towards other faiths since tolerance seems to be their buzz word.

 

Here's the thing. If this was an assignment to discuss your family's favorite winter time traditions, I'd have zero issue with the school's decision. However, Christmas is a Christian, religious holiday. To not expect or allow them that discussion is ridiculous.

 

It's all about the topic. If the family's Islamic or Atheist view's were relevant to the assigned topic, I'd have no issue with it.

It's all about the topic. If the family's Islamic or Atheist view's were relevant to the assigned topic, I'd have no issue with it.

 

That's cool. I added the "not Christmas related" to get people away from this specific example and think of the topic in general terms. I just think there are several people who like you would be OK with the kid's topic but then, turn around and differ from you and be offended if their kid heard a similar speech about a non Christian faith or hearing someone try to prove all faith is false.

 

Too me, I think you need to be consistent. Either all faiths can be discussed by the kids or none can be. But I think many people will fall into one of two camps. Either they find talking about Christian views as offensive but find discussing other views as enlightening and promotes tolerance. The other camp would say it is fine to discuss Christian views but don't expose or indoctrinate my kids into Islam, atheism or the occult.

That's cool. I added the "not Christmas related" to get people away from this specific example and think of the topic in general terms. I just think there are several people who like you would be OK with the kid's topic but then, turn around and differ from you and be offended if their kid heard a similar speech about a non Christian faith or hearing someone try to prove all faith is false.

 

Too me, I think you need to be consistent. Either all faiths can be discussed by the kids or none can be. But I think many people will fall into one of two camps. Either they find talking about Christian views as offensive but find discussing other views as enlightening and promotes tolerance. The other camp would say it is fine to discuss Christian views but don't expose or indoctrinate my kids into Islam, atheism or the occult.

 

How am I not being consistent?

Why does all the "crazy stuff" happen in California? :lol2:

Why does all the "crazy stuff" happen in California? :lol2:

 

They vote Democrat and all the hollywood liberals live there.

You are aware that Christmas is a religious holiday, right?

 

How can you assign an assignment about a Christian holiday, and not expect someone to go the religious route? The assignment itself seems like it flies against the separation of church and state.

 

I love me some Santa Clause, Xmas Trees, cookies, and presents!

I'll give the teacher a slight break (not much) as it seems like a directive from the school.

 

I'm certainly not a constitutional scholar but I find it hard to believe this would violate the whole separation of church/state issue. If that's the school's argument then they're essentially saying the school endorses anything and everything that comes out of a student's mouth. That doesn't make any sense.

 

Article 1 - Section 1: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. The most oversimplified part of the Constitution. "Separation of church and state" is the most commonly used vernacular , mostly by those wanting to trample on others religious beliefs. This was put in place in 1791 to keep the government (and it's entities) from forcing individuals to think or believe a certain way.

 

I would argue that our Public School systems are a de facto entity of public government and will use a bully pulpit to further their own agenda when they see fit.

 

After all, everyone knows individuals in America are not smart enough to think for themselves, that's why we have public schools to tell us what we need to think and know..right ?

They vote Democrat and all the hollywood liberals live there.

 

I thought about that first part.

 

Went back and looked and since 1992 California has gone to the Democrats.

 

However prior to that year, the GOP candidate took the state in '88, '84, '80, '76, '72, and '68. What happened? Going by that data the Dems have held CA for 6 elections but the Reps held it for the 6 prior. interesting state that CA.

Article 1 - Section 1: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. The most oversimplified part of the Constitution. "Separation of church and state" is the most commonly used vernacular , mostly by those wanting to trample on others religious beliefs. This was put in place in 1791 to keep the government (and it's entities) from forcing individuals to think or believe a certain way.

 

I would argue that our Public School systems are a de facto entity of public government and will use a bully pulpit to further their own agenda when they see fit.

 

After all, everyone knows individuals in America are not smart enough to think for themselves, that's why we have public schools to tell us what we need to think and know..right ?

 

Put in place to keep the marriage of Government to Religion (i.e. a State or National Church) and allow the free practice of any or no faith by the citizens.

The bottom line the teacher over reacted. If this is the school policy to embarass a girl over her religious beliefs, then I would suggest that this law should be fought in court. Doesn't pass the smell test on religious freedom. If the school is not promoting religion then there is no foul. I can't see how any reasonable person can't read the details and see the school over stepped here. I'm no bible thumper but come on how can you defend this teacher.

I thought about that first part.

 

Went back and looked and since 1992 California has gone to the Democrats.

 

However prior to that year, the GOP candidate took the state in '88, '84, '80, '76, '72, and '68. What happened? Going by that data the Dems have held CA for 6 elections but the Reps held it for the 6 prior. interesting state that CA.

 

It probably would of turned democrat sooner if Ronald Reagan wasn't so popular in that state. The southern part of California is just very liberal.

It probably would of turned democrat sooner if Ronald Reagan wasn't so popular in that state. The southern part of California is just very liberal.

 

I concur. But when looked back even further it was also GOP in '60, '56, and '52. Something changed.

Article 1 - Section 1: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. The most oversimplified part of the Constitution. "Separation of church and state" is the most commonly used vernacular , mostly by those wanting to trample on others religious beliefs. This was put in place in 1791 to keep the government (and it's entities) from forcing individuals to think or believe a certain way.

 

I would argue that our Public School systems are a de facto entity of public government and will use a bully pulpit to further their own agenda when they see fit.

 

After all, everyone knows individuals in America are not smart enough to think for themselves, that's why we have public schools to tell us what we need to think and know..right ?

 

I don't follow. Are you saying there shouldn't be a separation? Or are you saying you don't like the court's interpretations of what constitutes a lack of separation?

I concur. But when looked back even further it was also GOP in '60, '56, and '52. Something changed.

 

Hollywood actors and society in a whole.