Girl Prohibited From Singing Religious Song

[tinybear]

Parents Sue N.J. School for 'God' Song Ban

By JEFFREY GOLD
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) - A public school prohibited a second grader from singing a religious song at a talent show, prompting a lawsuit Friday alleging violation of the girl's constitutional rights.

A federal judge declined an emergency request to compel Frenchtown Elementary School to allow 8-year-old Olivia Turton to sing ``Awesome God'' at the Friday night show, but allowed the lawsuit to go forward.

School officials in the western New Jersey community had said the performance would be inappropriate at a school event.

Read more: http://cnn.netscape.cnn.com/ns/news/...71.htm&sc=1110

Isn't this a bit much? What's the harm in letting the girl sing this song? If she'd chosen a song about sex and smoking pot would it have been permitted, do you think?

[Starboy]

Quote by: tinybear Parents Sue N.J. School for 'God' Song Ban By JEFFREY GOLD NEWARK, N.J. (AP) - A public school prohibited a second grader from singing a religious song at a talent show, prompting a lawsuit Friday alleging violation of the girl's constitutional rights. A federal judge declined an emergency request to compel Frenchtown Elementary School to allow 8-year-old Olivia Turton to sing ``Awesome God'' at the Friday night show, but allowed the lawsuit to go forward. School officials in the western New Jersey community had said the performance would be inappropriate at a school event. Read more: http://cnn.netscape.cnn.com/ns/news/...71.htm&sc=1110 Isn't this a bit much? What's the harm in letting the girl sing this song? If she'd chosen a song about sex and smoking pot would it have been permitted, do you think?

Seems perfectly reasonable to me. If the religious nuts think they have a right to censor material they deem inappropriate and offensive then in all fairness they should understand that others may deem their religious views, prayers and song as being just as inappropriate and offensive.

Starboy

[tinybear]

Precisely what's so offensive?

[Starboy]

Quote by: tinybear Precisely what's so offensive?

The song in and of itself is not offensive. What makes it offensive is that it is just another peice of crap that is part of a barrage of crap slung by the Christians in this country. People are getting fed up. They are not taking it anymore.

Starboy

[tinybear]

If the song of itself isn't offensive, what's the problem?

[tusaki]

I think it's ridiculous. If anyone wants to sing anything, they should be allowed to. Whether it is the Star Wars theme song, a Shinto Mantra or a Christian song. Freedom of Religion is not prohibiting religious people from expressing themselves out of fear of angering people who think differently. Only songs which are specifically aimed at hurting others or their worldviews should not be allowed.

[caspian88]

I agree with Tusaki. The Constitution says that Congress shall not establish a state religion or prevent people from worshipping freely. Also relevant to this topic is the freedom of speech - "NO" law is stated quite clearly in the First Amendment. Singing a religious song does not violate the First Amendment.

Now, I feel that religion should be kept entirely out of the state, and that the First Amendment isn't worded strongly enough, but that's what it says.

[Starboy]

Quote by: caspian88 I agree with Tusaki. The Constitution says that Congress shall not establish a state religion or prevent people from worshipping freely. Also relevant to this topic is the freedom of speech - "NO" law is stated quite clearly in the First Amendment. Singing a religious song does not violate the First Amendment. Now, I feel that religion should be kept entirely out of the state, and that the First Amendment isn't worded strongly enough, but that's what it says.

Hey I agree with you but tell that to the Christian nuts that have so spooked broadcasters that they didn't even want to air Saving Private Ryan. The whole mess wouldn't be rediculous if the Christians hadn't made it rediculous.

Starboy

[tinybear]

Never mind what Christian 'nuts' do. Why is there such a big fuss over a little girl singing an innocuous song at school?

[Starboy]

Quote by: tinybear Never mind what Christian 'nuts' do. Why is there such a big fuss over a little girl singing an innocuous song at school?

Look if it is no big deal then why can't the girl just sing a different song?

Starboy

[tinybear]

Because she should be allowed to sing that one.

[Starboy]

Quote by: tinybear Because she should be allowed to sing that one.

If she is not trying to make a "Chrisitian" point then she would just sing a different song. By my guess is that she is trying to make a "Christian point". It is the same poing that Christians have been making in the US for the last 10 years. Only Christian sensibilites are respected, screw everyone else.

Starboy

[tinybear]

What do you suggest? Banning Christmas carols?

[Starboy]

Quote by: tinybear What do you suggest? Banning Christmas carols?

All religious ceremonies or observations of any kind should not be allowed at tax payer supported facilities. I might have some sympathy for the Christians if it were not for the fact that you can not swing a cat in the US without hitting at least a dozen churches of all kinds. It is not as if the country has not allowed plenty of places for people to express their sentiments to their creator. There are plenty of bibles, churches, magazines, TV shows, movies, pamphlets, radio shows, and plays and so on. But for some reason the Christians will not be content until the government is Christian, respects Christian law and sentiments and screws everyone else. That is their agenda. If the girl is not part of that agenda then all she has to do is save her song for her church and pick a different song. I will say this. If there was a speech competition in a church and I decided to give a talk on evolution I am sure that there would be a similar controversy. The Christians have become assholes. They reserve indignation entirely for themselves and no one else is allowed to have indignation over their practices.

Starboy

[CallousGiant]

Why are you sterotyping all christians as what you call 'religous nuts'. Some christians have strong views, as do some non-christians, but not everyone does. You really think the 8 year old girl is trying to make a point? Or perhaps she simpl is a christian who believes in god, likes the song and wants to sing it? What is wrong with that? Sure, some christians try and force their views, but so do non-christians, and you can hardly sterotype an entire sector on the behavior of a small minority.

[tusaki]

I agree with starboy that some christians have been trying to promote their religious agenda through public institutions. However, the fact that some do that (notice I say "some") does not make prohibiting singing christian songs at a public school any less bad. Tit for tat doesn't solve the fundamental issue.

[Starboy]

Quote by: CallousGiant Why are you sterotyping all christians as what you call 'religous nuts'. Some christians have strong views, as do some non-christians, but not everyone does. You really think the 8 year old girl is trying to make a point? Or perhaps she simpl is a christian who believes in god, likes the song and wants to sing it? What is wrong with that? Sure, some christians try and force their views, but so do non-christians, and you can hardly sterotype an entire sector on the behavior of a small minority.

You would have a point if the nuts were not running the white house. Too much Christian crap has been tolerated under the rubric that the extremist do not represent the majority of Christians. The evidence is to the contrary. If the extremists do not represent the majority of Americans they are not that far off. It just so happens that the extremists are Christians. Too bad for Christians that are not extremists. There comes a time when you find that the institutions you are a part of no longer represent your principles and there is a parting of the ways. I am waiting for that to happen with the not so extremist Christians.

Starboy

[Starboy]

Quote by: tusaki I agree with starboy that some christians have been trying to promote their religious agenda through public institutions. However, the fact that some do that (notice I say "some") does not make prohibiting singing christian songs at a public school any less bad. Tit for tat doesn't solve the fundamental issue.

In principle I agree with you but if I found myself in similar situation I would just sing a different song. That is of course if my intent was not to make a "Christian" point.

Starboy

[tinybear]

Hey how about "He's Got The Whole World In His Hands"? Does anybody think we should ban that song in schools?

[CallousGiant]

Quote by: Starboy You would have a point if the nuts were not running the white house. Too much Christian crap has been tolerated under the rubric that the extremist do not represent the majority of Christians. The evidence is to the contrary. If the extremists do not represent the majority of Americans they are not that far off. It just so happens that the extremists are Christians. Too bad for Christians that are not extremists. There comes a time when you find that the institutions you are a part of no longer represent your principles and there is a parting of the ways. I am waiting for that to happen with the not so extremist Christians. Starboy

There are extremists in all religions all points of views on a matter, every topic for discussion. People have opinions, some feel more strongly than others, some feel the need to simply vote against, for example, animal testing, others feel the need to protest, others go further and may go to sabotage. The entire group should not be judged on the small majority who have the strongest opinions. Its not just christians pressing their views on people, it is all religions, political parties, races, and sectors of society. You should not focus on one group and say they are to blame, if you want to have a go at extremists, have a go at all of them, rather than being prejudice against christians purely because you do not believe in the same things as they do.