Ninth Circuit Slams Student’s Religious Expression

Got this in my email today...


04.25.2006​

Ninth Circuit Slams Student’s Religious Expression

San Francisco, CA—Religious liberty advocates are expressing alarm over a decision by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals which could drastically limit the rights of students to express their religious beliefs.

Late last week, the Ninth Circuit upheld a lower court’s ruling which rejected the free speech claims of a student who was removed from his class, threatened with suspension and urged not to bring his faith to school after he wore a t-shirt—in response to the pro-homosexual Day of Silence—which called homosexuality “shameful” and cited a Bible verse. The decision, Harper v. Poway School District, was written by the Ninth Circuit’s Judge Reinhardt, who has previously gained notoriety for rulings favoring abortion, homosexual rights and assisted suicide, while rejecting parents’ rights to protect their children from sex surveys in school.

The 54-page Harper decision relies on controversial studies which assert homosexual students are more likely to endure bias and therefore need special protection from opposing views. The court concluded: “t is well established that attacks on students on the basis of their sexual orientation are harmful not only to the students’ health and welfare, but also to their educational performance and their ultimate potential for success in life. Those who administer our public educational institutions need not tolerate verbal assaults that may destroy the self-esteem of our most vulnerable teenagers and interfere with their educational development.”

Other key aspects of the case, including state-based rights and a sweeping school policy which bans a broad range of student speech, have yet to be decided. Because of the far-reaching implications of the issues at stake, the case could eventually reach a larger panel of Ninth Circuit judges or even the U.S. Supreme Court.

Brad Dacus, president of Pacific Justice Institute, commented, “This is, without exaggeration, one of the worst student free speech decisions the Ninth Circuit has ever issued—and that’s saying a lot. We are hopeful this decision will eventually be reversed and remembered as an embarrassing moment of hypocrisy for those who advocate tolerance and diversity. Although this was not a PJI case, we will continue to vigorously defend students’ rights. With the Day of Silence taking place this week, we urge students who encounter censorship to contact us immediately.”

Please visit our website,www.pacificjustice.org , to respond to our poll question: Should schools be allowed to silence students who oppose homosexuality?
______________________________ ____________________________________________________________
The Pacific Justice Institute is a non-profit 501(c)(3) legal defense organization specializing in
the defense of religious freedom, parental rights, and other civil liberties.
P.O. Box 276600
Sacramento, CA 95827-6600
Phone: (916) 857-6900
Fax (916) 857-6902
Internet:
www.pacificjustice.org

 

I am so right there with you.
This is nuts.
But not surprising.

The Ninth Circuit has ALWAYS been very activist libral in their "Decision". Anyone remember the whole issue over prayer in school and the litle gir;'s daddy, who took it t court? She did not even live with her daddy, but it was just too juicy for the ninth circuit court to pass up.

I hear their name and roll my eyes.

 

Ava Rose, with all due respect, I do find your comments offensive. I am very much against homosexuality. I believe it's a choice; one that goes very strongly against God's will and will destroy our civilization. But these people are SINNERS, just like you and I are. We can condemn their actions, but they are still redeemable with God's love.

 

Jackie, that was her point.

She is not allowed to offend anyone, but the most offensive people can?
You made her point for her.
Get it?

Why can one group declare their freedom of speech, however even in this forum, (Much less in the strets) we are not allowed to declare our freedom of speech? (Without "Offending" someone, that is)

i completely understood, regardless how I feel about the Gay/lesbian issue. And that is surprizing as I have been on record knocking someone who called them freaks.

But that is not the point. The point was (Short of yelling fire in a crowded theatre, or giving away government secrets) we should have the same fredoms as the so-called freaks. But we do not.

I hate the fact that I cannot be proud of MY race. I hate the fact that I cannot hold a parade for MY heritage without being seen as a racist! THAT is NOT fair, and everyonne knows it.

From what I gather, Ava Rose's comment was simply an expression of this frustration of having to put up and be tollerent of everyone else. Yet at the same time, not being allowed to express HER oppinions. (That is without "Offending" someone.)

I am tired of being offensive, simply by the act of being white, christian and conservative. I do not have to move a muscle to be offensive. This is rediculous.

jen

 

No, I disagree. I don't have a problem with her saying that their behavior is "wrong" or "sinful", etc. I believe we need to speak the truth. I applaud the young man for standing up for truth in his school. But we still need to speak it IN LOVE. And I feel her words were NOT spoken in love.

She has the right to say whatever she wishes. I am expressing to y'all my feelings about the post, not "complaining" to Amanda about it to have it pulled or anything. That's because I've come to respect her opinion, even when I disagree with it. If someone who had never before posted had said the same thing, I might have complained.

 

I was actually surprised by what Ava said. I didn't even notice who posted it until after I read the comment. It's not vocabulary I'd expect to hear from someone so obviously Christian.

Back to the topic-

at Kevin's high school you couldn't wear shirts with slogans. You could wear an 'insignia'- for lack of a better term- like Izod or something like that. Something that showed a brand, but didn't make commentary. Kids violating this policy were made to put on their jackets or call home to get another top brought in. If there was something in lost and found that fit they were given that.
Kevin once told me a girl was given an art smock to cover her t-shirt. This went for all kids, not just a chosen few.

 

Jennifer, thank you for understanding that there was frustration behind the post. I was very frustrated. I am frustrated with the world attacking Christ's deity and everyone calling that freedom, while I cannot make a comment without offending. However.....as a Christian a better countenance is expected. If I do not control my tongue than it is I who offend Christ and that I cannot tolerate. Thank you for seeing my point through my harsh and uncalled for post.

Jackie, although I was frustrated I will have to say that you are completely right. Actually, I posted while being frustrated about something completely different and then I read the thread and got more frustrated. I went back and read my post and realized just how awful it sounds and I do feel bad about it. I must admit I have a problem controling my mouth when I get frustrated...I always have. It is my problem and no one should have to be subjected to it. I apologize to everyone who read it. Had I taken the time to read it I would have deleted it. There was no need to be so harsh. I will hang my flesh at the door the next time I enter the forum. I do apologize.

 

I am so sorry. I feel terrible that I can harm my testimony for Christ in that way. I am the one who has offended Christ. I feel just terrible. I read this thread at a time when I was pretty stressed and I let my flesh get the best of me.

 

AvaRose,
I know I have put my foot in my mouth plenty of timez!
Yes, I admit it!

(Everyone stop laughing!)
(Sticks tounge out)

Cheers!
crazy jen

 

I'VE NEVER DONE THAT!!! (as lightning comes down from Heaven to strike me) Seriously, we all have our frustrations, and all sometimes speak out like that from time to time. As Becky said, such comments are very out of character for you. We know for the Godly woman you are, and appreciate your apology.

 

AMEN!

Ava, we all put our foot in our mouths sometimes, but this is why I love this forum so much. Everytime something like that happens, everyone is so forgiving and we all go back to the way things were.:love: See how much more love comes from a Christ centered environment? Why do some people in this world not get that!?!?

 

Thank you ladies for being so forgiving. I got the post deleted so anyone lurking won't associate this forum with that post. I sincerly appreciate your forgiveness. I couldn't stop thinking about what a jerk I was.

 

If this forum was not a forgiving forum, they would have kicked MY butt out weeks ago!
(Razzberry!)

 

You wouldn't have been allowed in the door!!! (Just teasing, Jen! :love

 

I think we should also lighten up on the 'white power' stuff, too, for exactly the reason Ava deleted her post. People of that mindset looking for trouble could get sent here, and I don't know about anyone else, but I hope that doesn't happen.

 

If you are refering to me...

I never said anything about "WHITE POWER".
For you to take it to THAT extreame is dumb and inflamatory.
And it makes my point much more clear.

My exact words were:
"I hate the fact that I cannot be proud of MY race. I hate the fact that I cannot hold a parade for MY heritage without being seen as a racist! THAT is NOT fair, and everyonne knows it."

Where in that do you read: "WHITE POWER"?
Because I said, "My Race"?

You turned my words around.
And I find that completely unfair for you to put me in league with bigots and evil people.

White power is an inflamitory phrase that you introduced into this dialouge.

jen

 

Race is a difficult issue. There are so many ways to get offended. Since there are more races than homosexuals, our schools should concentrate more on the acceptance of ALL races. We should never feel as if one race is the undoing of another. We should all be proud of our race and not feel ashamed. That applies to all races. It is odd that miniornities are encouraged to be proud while the majority is encouraged to keep a low profile. I think that too adds to resentment and prejudice. Being a white woman married to a black man and having bi-racial children....how to handle race issues is an important subject. However, it is an important subject regardless. My black mil, wants her grandchildren to be proud of being half black AND half white.

Race, as said, is a touchy subject. Too often, the mention of racial pride hits raw nerves. We are afraid of appearing racist. People in the majority feel they cannot be proud because it may insult other races. However, that is not the concern of those in the minority. In fact, racial pride for minorities is the backlash of racism. So, in a sense it is a way to recover from past scars and show that oppression will not be tolerated any longer. It is a frontal assult on past sins of those who hated due only to skin color. Due to that it seems odd or the majority to then take on a sense of pride. We feel like we are saying we are proud that we are NOT a minority, instead of just being proud of who we are.

I do recall a thread in not the so distant past that dealt with this issue. I believe it dealt with the frustration of Mexican Americans being proud to be Mexican. It was ok to be proud to be Mexican but you are a bigot if you just wanted to be proud to be an American. I don't think "White Power" ever came up then. I don't think it is coming up now. I honestly think there is a breakdown in effectively communicating about race without the risk of offending. We are afraid to appear as bigots. However, a bigot exclaims that he or she hates another based on race, creed or religion. Being proud of who you are does not consititue a bigot.

The post I deleted was inflammatory. It was clear in it's intent to insult and offend. It was a sick testimony of how twisted you can think when you let frustration get the best of you. That is not what defines this forum. However, had I said I was proud to be heterosexual, I wouldn't see anything wrong with that.

We walk fine lines when we speak of race, sexual orientation, and religion. I am currently reading a book, called Jesus Among Other Gods, by Ravi Zacharias. I want to quote you something in his book--I think it defines our balancing act---

---The difficulty has really not been in knowing what to say, but in knowing what not to say. We are living in a time when sensitivities are at the surface, often vented with cutting words. Philosophically, you can believe anything, as long as you do not claim it to be true. Morally, you can practice anything, so long as you do not claim that it is a "better" way. Religiously, you can hold to anything, so long as you do not bring Jesus Christ into it. If a spiritual idea is eastern, it is granted critical immunity; if western, it is throughlycriticized. Thus, a journalist can walk into a church and mock its carryings on, but he or she dare not do the sam eif the ceremony is from the eastern fold. Such is the mood at the end of the twentieth century.

A mood can be a dangerous state of mind, because it can crush reasn under the weight of feeling. But that is what I believe postmoderism best represents--a mood.--Ravi Zacharias

He goes on to express how he did not want to offend the Buddists, or Hindus, yet he would inevitably do so with his Chrisitan view that Jesus is the only true way. He walks a tightrope we all find ourselves on. Some of us fall, as I did. Thankfully, I fell into the net of forgiveness this forum provides. However, I think I am the only one who has crossed the line.

Anyway, this discussion, although not originally intended by the poster of the thread, reminded me of the struggle the author of the book I am reading faced.

 

Jen, what I meant was if someone is out there looking for likeminded people they might get sent here because your statement might get included with any results they bring up. It's a possibility.

I meant no harm with what I said, and you're right that the term I used can also get them sent here. However, I meant no ill will and if you're sensing that you'll just have to let it go because it's just not how I meant it.

 

Alrighty, girls!
(Clapping Hands together to get attention, not applause...)

Everyone, off the playground for ten minutes!
Go to the washroom and wash your hands and faces!
Off now!
Go!
Everyone is too hot.

Then, we can all come back and eat Rocky Road Ice Cream, which we ALL know is the absolute best ice cream in the world!

Am I right?
(Cheesy Grin!)

 

NO!!!! I DON'T LIKE NUTS!!! (See me jumping up and down and turning red) I WANT STRAWBERRY!!!!!! :lol: