Jan 12, 2012
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A federal judge has ruled that a Rhode Island high school must tear down a prayer banner that encouraged students to be kind and helpful because it offended non-Christians and was a violation of the U.S. Constitution.
U.S. District Court Judge Ronald Lagueux ruled that the prayer banner at Cranston High School West must be removed immediately because it promotes religion. Jessica Ahlquist, an atheist student, had sued the city of Cranston and the high school after they initially refused to remove the banner.
The prayer, which has been posted at the school for decades, begins with the words “Our Heavenly Father” and ends with “Amen.” It encouraged students to be kind, to do their best in school and to learn the true value of friendship.
Prayer Banner - photo by AP
“We are so proud of Jessica for fighting to protect church-state separation,” American Humanist Association Executive Director Roy Speckhardt said in a written statement. “Seh recognized injustice, stood up for what is right, and persevered in the face of harassment. She fought for the rights of nonbelievers and religious minorities and is an example for everyone.”
City officials defended the mural and called it a historical artifact – noting that it served no specific religious purpose. It’s unclear when or if the school will remove the banner.
David Bradley, the man who authored the prayer when he was a seventh grade student, told WPRO that he is furious about the court ruling.
“I am upset, disappointed and not to say, outraged,” he told WPRO. “It’s a shame that some judge with an appointment out of a Cracker Jack box can make a ruling like that.”
Bradley said the student who filed a lawsuit is being used as a pawn by the American Civil Liberties Union.
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It's the Judge that needs to removed, and seek
Psychiactric help.
what a sick judge… that was no violation of the Constitution.. they should contact the aclj.org to fight for their beliefs and rights.. Jay will win the case for them.
What would the ramifications be if a counter suit were filed in the same courtroom ststing just the opposit of the position held by this individual in that a Christian's rights are being violated in respect to freedom of religion as stated in the Constitution?
I don't have a problem with the prayer, but I do wonder how the people who commented on here would feel if instead of Heavenly Father it said Lord Satan or Goddess Hecate.
Of course a Humanist would applaud this decision… “We are so proud of Jessica for fighting to protect church-state separation,” American Humanist Association Executive Director Roy Speckhardt said in a written statement. >>> DUH! the humanist and the atheist are logically the same… they believe man is god… the humanist (well the name speaks for itself)… the atheist literally means no god, but if you are a human and you have determined this to be true then you have become the principle entity in the equation which would be making you the ultimate judge of godness or the lack of… thereby you become the ultimate Judge… God
Would you please stop insulting crackerjacks. The judge is obviously a commie like most of our government idiots!
2323
The failed Marxist/socialist cult knew they had a shill in government before they filed this case.
What is wrong with these people..have they not seen what has happened since prayer was removed….forgive me for saying this butif that happens..they deserve wha tthey get.
Find me in the Constitution where is says; "prayer is not allowed" RIDICULOUS!!!
Its a genetic prayer, it does not specify any particular God, so what is the problem?
Well, if that is the case, then we should not" swear to tell the truth and nothing but the truth so help me god" quote.
nothing in school that you kids learn will do them no good if God is not in the mix unless you want to teach them about the devil. Where would your kids go by watching you and following yourlead heaven or hell(hell being left here on earth to burn in the lakes of fire and total darkniss. O by the way we the US is at the bottom of the list on edu. in the free world because of goverment meddiling an teaching all the wrong things. get gov. out of the school system and go back to the three R plus. and the charter schools will leave tons of students behind, charter schools should be private fonded.
Be there a God (any God) or not, and especially if we doubt such a "being", the state of the Union is so tenuous that have to hedge our bets just in case. We really need all the help we can get.
They have to do what's legal- not what they think is right. I highly doubt this judge found it reasonable to force the banner to be removed. But he has to do what his job is, based on the laws you as voters have helped keep in place. Attack the laws not the judges.
I am offended by the Communist judge that made the ruling. Why does anyone care about a very few athiests of Jews or whoever and since when do these minorities tell we in the great majority what we can and cannot do. Can't you idiots out there get off of your collective derierres and take a stand? You are going to let this continue until these subversives will own you completely. You won't be able to do anything, say anything or think anything without offending these enemies of your country. The natural next step is going to prison (some are going already). I guess you are all going to hide behind your mothers skirt for fear of offending this small but very vocal group who has a real agenda. If you can't see that by now then you are truly brain dead and get what you deserve.
yes of course.. remove the judge and provide blinders for those who don't want to look at the banner.
This is a Christian nation. If you don't like it, get out.