Unreasonable Faith has done a story this last week about the Indianapolis public school system adpoting a policy that prohibits the viewing of atheist websites, along with some other alternative spiritualities (one should note, that apparently it's okay to view websites on major religious doctrine). Currently the FFRF is fighting the issue and urging people to voice their concerns.
Voice your thoughts - particularly if you're a person of faith. Do you think it's okay for religious discrimination like this to occur in public schools?
Yes, it's unconstitutional, but atheists can be pretty rude in their websites (I've seen a lot.)
I've also seen a lot of Christian people, websites, and rallies that have been very rude - to cite just one example: "God Hates Fags". Should we block that content too because it might offend someone? No.
None of us live in Indiana however so let's no fuss over it.
As for not fussing over it because it's in a location some of us don't live in - should I not give a crap about kids starving in Africa because they don't live on the same continent? I'm not going to ignore an injustice because it's happening next door, a few blocks down the road, in another country, state, or province.
It depends on why they blocked the websites. Were kids getting distracted by them? If so, it would be perfectly fine for the school to block those websites and not other religious websites. However, if that wasn't the reason, it is un-constitutional. If the Supreme Court gets a hold of this case, they'll simply apply the lemon test, and conclude that blocking certain websites solely because they disagree with the schools' views inhibits certain religions, while it advances others.
It depends on why they blocked the websites. Were kids getting distracted by them?
I agree, also if there was hatred or discrimination towards other beliefs on the websites I can understand why it was blocked. It doesn't matter who's doing the discriminating atheist or Christian or Hindu they should all be blocked if hatred can be found.
I agree, also if there was hatred or discrimination towards other beliefs on the websites I can understand why it was blocked. It doesn't matter who's doing the discriminating atheist or Christian or Hindu they should all be blocked if hatred can be found.
If you read the policy though, it doesn't say anything about atheist websites being blocked where there is hate speech or discrimination - it purely says "atheism".
Though later in the document it does in fact have a separate section for hate/racism, but the policy absolutely singles out minority religious affiliations.
Religion, as stated in the American Constitution, must be separated from state.
You are vastly mistaken. Seperation of Church and State was the subject of a letter written by Jefferson to a Baptist Minsiter who was afraid of a single denomination becoming the State Religion as Anglicanism was in England, Catholicism in Spain, or Presbyterianism was in Scotland. Had nothing whatsoever to do with the Constitution at all.
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof"
That provides very much so the basis for the separation of church and state, and is a part of the United States of America's constitution. You are the one mistaken in this case.
Indeed it is not. It is the 'make no law respecting an establishment of religion' part that prevents mainstream religions from legitimizing the persecution of atheists. It's much the same about persecuting apostates or homosexuals - they're not a religion either.
And there's a difference between a religion and a cult. Satanism is a cult.
Depends on the definition you want to use.
cultâ â"noun 1. a particular system of religious worship, esp. with reference to its rites and ceremonies.
it is not illegal nor unconstitutional for a school to ban any websites which they believe will slow down or distract the learning process. The First Amendment is not applicable in this situation.
It's a law that they can ban whatever they want, as long as it is disruptive to the learning process. Unfortunately, some schools abuse this power at times.
Nevertheless, there's nothing you can do about this.
Nevertheless, there's nothing you can do about this.
Quite to the contrary - residents can write their local or federal representatives, they can speak to and complain to the school board. You know, get involved in the democratic process.
Quite to the contrary - residents can write their local or federal representatives, they can speak to and complain to the school board. You know, get involved in the democratic process.
okay, yes, they can complain and try to get something started, but there's a slim chance you'd get anything done about it.
but because they're a school, they have the right to ban anything that even one student uses to disrupt learning process.
