But That Might Lead to..Satan Talk!
Monday August 27, 2007
Witch School
Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images
"Students could cite their religious convictions to condemn gay and lesbian students. They could promote their faith as the only true religion. They could pray for the conversion of specific students. They could even promote atheism, Satanism or paganism."Yes, they fear that protecting religious speech might actually lead to- religious speech!
Comments
My only concern is that when representatives of the “popular” religious group is done speaking, there suddenly won’t be enough time left for any of the others to speak. (Will that surprise anyone? I doubt it.)
Also, yes, I’m sorry to say that I can see some kids using this to heckle and bully others. Many adults can’t calmly and rationally discuss the differences in their religions. Without proper guidance, how do they expect kids to?
I agree Michelle, but I think Jennifer Emick missed the point that editorial was trying to make: that ensuring students may speak about their religious beliefs at school with potentially captive audiences does not protect anyone but the speaker. The people who supported this legislation were primarily Christian, and assumed they would always have the mic. Therefore, by reminding these people that other religions might be represented was not ignorant or intolerant. The editorial was trying to put the Christians in the same place as all the other religions: it might just be the “opposing” viewpoint that gets protected instead…