Indiana: A few steps ahead of Texas since 1816

[BerenTebogo]

Only thing I'll say on the subject at this point is that even though we're still continually faced with these issues where the law is pretty fucking clear - Indiana handled themselves far better than Texas, Mississippi (or was it Misouria? Midwest all blends together for me) and many other states in the past decade or so.

http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/ba...rst-amendment/

Pray for the First Amendment

Via Hemant Mehta comes this story that could not have happened at a more appropriate time.

church_and_stateOne of the most basic principles of the United States, written out in the very first Amendment of the Bill of Rights, is that the government will neither endorse nor deny any specific religion, or interfere with anyone’s ability to worship or not.

This is pretty straightforward. You have the right to your religion, and I have the right to mine. You even have the right to not have a religion. But no matter what, you have the right to not have your religion interfered with.

Eric Workman, a (now-graduated) high school student in Greenwood, Indiana, understood this. That’s why, when his school administration decided to let the seniors vote on whether they wanted to have an official school-sanctioned prayer at graduation, he tried to get it stopped. He wound up having to take the case to the ACLU, and a judge ordered that no school-sanctioned prayer could be held at the ceremony.

There’s a lot to discuss here, but the most important things to remember during any of it are these:

1) Eric is correct, and

2) Eric is Christian.

That’s right, he’s not some baby-eating atheist waiting to escort the souls of the graduating class to Satan’s doorstep. He’s a Christian, but even in that extremely conservative area he understands that the Constitution, and our Founding Fathers, got it right.

Another extremely important thing to remember is that no one was keeping these students from praying. They had the right to pray as much as they wanted to before, during, and after the ceremony. The class president stood up and thanked God in her speech, and she had every right to do so, just as Eric had the right to talk about how important secularism is in school (the complete text of his speech is on reddit).

The only thing being prevented here was state-sponsored support of religion. That’s it. With all this in mind, watch the coverage this got on the local news.

Today is Memorial Day in the United States, where we take time to remember those who have died, and specifically those who have fought and died for the country. In my opinion, they didn’t fight to protect our country, they fought to protect the idea of our country. The principles for which it stands, the ideas and ideals that give people the chance to reach their full potential. That’s what America is supposed to be about, and the framework that provides that chance is the Constitution. It does not limit what the people can do*, it limits how the government can in turn limit them. You are allowed to speak freely. You are allowed to vote.

And you are allowed your religion, or lack thereof. The government cannot stop that, but neither can it actively support it. That way, everyone has the same rights, and it keeps the government from turning into a theocracy. This should be something advocated by not just the non-religious, and, in fact, should be most loudly supported by the most religious. It’s their rights being protected too.

The administration of Greenwood High School lost track of that simple fact, but ironically, their own education system worked. One student did learn it, and schooled the administration.

* And the one time it tried to limit personal freedom — the 18th Amendment, prohibiting alcohol — was a massive, stupid, and expensive disaster from which many people still haven’t learned anything.

http://friendlyatheist.com/2010/05/3...uation-speech/

Greenwood High School is the place where students voted to have a graduation prayer, a judge said no, and then the school told speakers they would not screen their speeches beforehand.

The class president invoked the Christian god (which she had a legal right to do).

The valedictorian, Eric Workman, talked about the importance of church/state separation.

Many of you have asked for a transcript of his speech.

I spoke with Eric and got a copy of it.

Damn… This kid has body parts made of brass.

This is impressive:

Hello, everyone. Tonight is a rather auspicious occasion, marking the closing of one door and the opening of several others. The Greenwood Community High School Class of 2010 has experienced much together — our journey has encompassed seven years, four of which have established a foundation for the rest of our lives. During these four years, some of us have found our niche in English, Foreign Language, Social Studies, Business, Physical Education, The Fine Arts, Mathematics, and/or The Sciences. For me, I found my place in the latter. Science never stops asking “why” until it has uncovered “how” and never stops asking “how” until it has determined “why.” Science uses both logic and reason to assess the world around us — to explain and improve our relative universe. Science is a product manifested from secular humanism; it is devoid of delusion, ideological zealotry, and blind ignorance. Science is, in essence, the purest form of intellect. In addition to finding a passion for science, though, I also learned that taking a stand for principles far surpasses the respect, the acceptance, or the repudiation of anyone.

Thomas Jefferson once said, “In matters of principle, stand like a rock.” I have never fallen short of President Jefferson’s credo in this respect, as I am sure you are aware. You may not agree with my decision to fight for civil liberties, but I expect you to respectfully listen while I elucidate. The First Amendment to the United States Constitution states, in part, that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.” This implies that no entity, agent, or facet (however subsidiary) of the government is to ever endorse, promote, or encourage any form of religion or religious doctrine. This, as you may or may not know, includes school-sponsored prayer.

In September of last year, our remarkably doltish administration called upon us all to vote in deciding whether or not we wanted the Constitution of the United States to be flagrantly violated. Understanding the law and knowing right from wrong, I vehemently opposed such an atrocious act from ever taking place. However, my one voice and the voices of others were shouted-down by most of you. Our rights and the law were disregarded. You see, subjecting government-endorsed prayer to a majority rule is, in and of itself, unconstitutional, let alone the government approbation of said prayer. Founding Father Thomas Jefferson is quoted as having said, “All, too, will bear in mind this sacred principle, that though the will of the majority is in [most] cases to prevail, that will to be rightful must be reasonable; that the minority possess their equal rights, which equal law must protect, and to violate [them] would be oppression.”

Individual freedoms were subjugated, the United States Constitution was omitted, and most of you were unfazed. I, however, was fazed — I, however, took action to redress this grievance. On March 11th, the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana filed a lawsuit on my behalf to legally halt any and all school-sanctioned prayer at tonight’s commencement ceremony. On April 30th, Federal District Judge Sarah Evans Barker issued an injunction to do just that. In her ruling, Judge Barker stated that “the degree of school involvement ma[de] it clear that [any graduation] prayer [would] ‘bear the mark of the state,’ and accordingly [transgress] the Constitution.” I solemnly hope that you all do understand that the Greenwood Community School Corporation had its hand in this from the beginning, that the Greenwood Community School Corporation thought (and still likely thinks) it was and is above the law, and that neither the Greenwood Community School Corporation nor any other government entity is above the law. In challenging my lawsuit, the Greenwood Community School Corporation accrued a debt of legal fees and court costs to the ACLU, totaling approximately $18,000. For the School Corporation’s legal representation, you can expect the debt to be exorbitantly greater.

It is rather unfortunate that Joe Farley and his Milquetoast myrmidons chose to allocate funds to battle, in futility, a precedent that has held firmly in law since its issuance from the United States Supreme Court. These tens of thousands of dollars could have been better used to maintain the teaching positions being cut in the coming academic year due to a lack and administrative mismanagement of funds. Nonetheless, $18,000 will be spent appropriately, helping the ACLU to further its mission to protect and defend freedom.

Now, before I leave you with your thoughts, I would like to thank and acknowledge those who have, above all, influenced and inspired me for the better. Firstly and foremost, I thank my mother, Kathy, for believing in me and my abilities. Her love, care, and guidance have been immeasurable assets in my journey through life thus far. Secondly, I thank my sister, Tiffany, for being my rock in times of hardship. She will never know how grateful I am to have her in my life. Thirdly, I thank my grandparents, Richard and Betty, for providing me with the love and encouragement that enriches me, my life, and my future. Their hearts have touched mine more than they know. Fourthly, I thank Becky Kehler for shaping me into the scientist I am today — an individual who does not stop asking “why” until he has uncovered “how” and who does not stop asking “how” until he has determined “why.” It was she who gave me both the unparalleled opportunity and vast resources necessary to thrive and prosper as a research scientist in High School. Fifthly and finally, I thank Suzanne Schulz for teaching me to never compromise myself or my principles for anyone or anything. Her candor and unyielding disposition have been hallmarks in shaping me and my outlook on the world.

Thank you for permitting me the chance to speak with you tonight. It has been a pleasure for me and, hopefully, a teaching moment for you. Before we part, though, I leave you with these words:

“One ought never to turn one’s back on a threatened danger and try to run away from it. If you do that, you will double your danger. But if you meet it promptly and without flinching, you will reduce the danger by half. Never run away from anything. Never!” — Sir Winston Churchill

Congratulations, Class of 2010; the best is about to begin!

Local news video coverage here:
http://www.theindychannel.com/video/23716117/index.html

[Tyche]

Well, I'm sure he won't be applying to a certain school in South Bend.

[Caiyuo]

Damn… This kid has body parts made of brass.

Jesus. I'm surprised the headline wasn't "Well in Indiana they say his balls grew three sizes that day"

[Yabby]

*Slow Clap*

[Acturus]

Way to go, fatty!

http://blogforbooks.com/wp-content/Picture-63.png

[chazzyphizzle]

He is in the minority here, but kudos.

[archibaldcrane]

Sath, what the fuck is this, I thought you wanted to burn all fatties?

[Souj]

I spent a few minutes trying to figure out how this had any connection to Indiana Jones.

[Tyche]

After reading this a few times, the kid comes off as a self-satisfying attention whore. Also, the superintendent (and probably principle) should lose their licenses because noone that stupid should teach children.

[Pirian]

Way to go, fatty!

http://blogforbooks.com/wp-content/Picture-63.png

I'd do him out of principle even though he's a fatty and I'm not gay. This guy is awesome

[Tyche]

He's christian, so you'd have to wait til Indiana legalized gay marriage.

Hold on, I think that's a paradox.

[archibaldcrane]

After reading this a few times, the kid comes off as a self-satisfying attention whore.

I can imagine how smug he felt, and how completely ambivalent the student body was, as he rattled off sentences like "It is rather unfortunate that Joe Farley and his Milquetoast myrmidons" with his fat blubbery face.

[Pirian]

He's christian, so you'd have to wait til Indiana legalized gay marriage.

Hold on, I think that's a paradox.

Wait, who said anything about marrying him? I'm just offering up a congratulatory fuck.

[Tyche]

I wish I had the video of our valedictorians speech. I'm pretty sure it was filled with Donnie Darko quotes.

Then again, if it says anything, our valedictorian had a kid right out of high school, entered the services, and abandoned the kid. Our Salutatorian got his undergrad from northwestern and is getting his masters from MIT. His speech sucked though.

[Tyche]

Wait, who said anything about marrying him? I'm just offering up a congratulatory fuck.

NO SEX TIL MARRIAGE!

[Pirian]

NO SEX TIL MARRIAGE!

Fuck, you got me there.

[Pirian]

Then again, if it says anything, our valedictorian had a kid right out of high school, entered the services, and abandoned the kid.

The valedictorian at my girlfriends high school works at a strip club now, lol.

[Araius]

Man, he showed me up. My valedictorian speech in Indiana was mostly about how we shouldn't go to college and gave props to our military guys. Only because my original speech slamming the administration didn't get approved by said administration and they threatened to withhold my diploma. I lacked fatty's brass balls.

[Eaglestrike]

Eh, I disagree with one of his early points. The first amendment is in regards to the federal government, he says this extends to all its subsidiaries but I find no issue with a small group acting on their beliefs. I mean it even clearly states this was a class-wide vote by the seniors to have a little thing such as a prayer at graduation. This isn't a government entity forcing religion on people, it's people choosing to do something based on their own free will. Yeah, yeah, majority rules means minorities are screwed but do people really burn to a crisp if they bow their head during a prayer, which is just a few extra words tacked onto a speech they'd be hearing anyway?

I'm all about separation of Church and State, it's a very smart principle, but I think some people are far too strict and gung-ho about it.

[archibaldcrane]

Eh, I disagree with one of his early points. The first amendment is in regards to the federal government, he says this extends to all its subsidiaries but I find no issue with a small group acting on their beliefs.

The court agrees with him.