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Page: Profile: Wren's Nest News Local
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Article: 18891
[Civil]
Date Posted:
11/16/2007
9:40:20 am EST
Wvox Stats
Views: 6,505
RSS: 18,005
Comments: 14
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State Barred From Enforcing Moment Of Silence In Schools
Author: The Associated Press Source: First Amendment Center Online
Title: STATE BARRED FROM ENFORCING MOMENT OF SILENCE IN SCHOOLS
A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction today blocking the state superintendent from enforcing a new law requiring a moment of silence in Illinois schools.
Judge Robert Gettleman's ruling came after atheist activist and talk-show host Rob Sherman filed a lawsuit against Township High School District 214 in suburban Chicago, where his daughter attends school.
Sherman, whose daughter is a freshman at Buffalo Grove High School, claims the new state law violates the U.S. Constitution. He says the injunction proves the law that went into effect last month "doesn't have a prayer."
Yesterday, Gettleman blocked the Township district from enforcing the state law, calling the statute "likely unconstitutional" and vague.
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Community Thoughts: There are 14 comments posted | Reverse Sort |
| Oops | Nov 18th. at 11:41:18 pm EST
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arinna (Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina) - Email Me
obviously I meant as long as you are NOT making them pray a certain way. Nothing wrong with making them stop and think quietly for a moment. Nobody needs that more than kids do... Except for teachers maybe.
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| After All The Arguing... | Nov 18th. at 11:38:16 pm EST
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arinna (Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina) - Email Me
After all this arguing...They should increase it to 10 minutes of silence.
Seriously, as long as it really is a "Moment of Silence" not a thinly disguised prayer time, then there is no problem constitutionally. I don't see anything wrong with teaching children the value of silent contemplation as long as you are making them pray a certain way.
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| Did I Miss Something? | Nov 18th. at 12:22:49 am EST
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antares (fort scott, Kansas) - Email Me
I don't see anywhere in the article, published by Americans United for the Separation of Church and State, where it says the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) is involved at all. Sounded to me like the plantiff hired a private lawyer..
Antares
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| Silent Prayer Moment.... | Nov 17th. at 11:48:19 am EST
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bigcat (peoria, Illinois) - Email Me
Unfortunately, this is the kind of thing that usually ushers in something else unpleasant, as "a moment of silence" can be interpreted in so many different ways either religiously or politically.
"Moments of Silence" should be reserved for the memories of the departed, or of great sometimes catastrophic events which is where these are found most often.
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| Wow | Nov 17th. at 11:32:57 am EST
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Gray Fox (Albuquerque, New Mexico) - Email Me
I still dn't see where silence equals religion. And anyone here who thinks the ACLU and the Athiests are protecting minority religions' rights, you're deluded. Once they (ACLU/Athiests) drive all the Christians out of the public rhelm, then they'll go after the next in line. Eventually it will be us. Athiests don't give a hoot about other people's rights. Especially about any person of faith. They want all of us to think just like them. Sound familiar? No matter the faith, they want it gone. Ever talk to a fundy Athiest? They think anyone of faith is an idiot/stupid/simple. They want any mention of faith (any faith) out of public life. Once they achieve that, they'll go after the churches, temples, mosques, open circles on public land (parks anyone?) . So maybe instead of saying moments of silence need to be stopped, maybe all people of faith need to be working together to stop those who want to stop us (all faiths) from publically proclaiming who we are. I know for a fact, these Chodes won't stop at moments of silence. Be careful what you all wish for...
Blessed Be
GF
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| Over Reacting... | Nov 17th. at 9:03:56 am EST
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Michael Wolfheart (Rapid City, South Dakota) - Email Me
this talk show host (and, not to be rude and no offence meant, some of the previous posters) is/are over reacting. its just a moment of silence. Silence does not equal prayer and therefore is not something you can claim religious persecution on. *sigh* please people, think before you sue...Just because some people MAY be praying during that time doesn't mean it's meant for that. It could be (and probably is) meant for collecting your thoughts before you begin the school day. If that means a prayer for some people then let them pray, if you're an atheist, you obviously won't be praying so you get to sit there and think about what you are going to do that day and get organized. And then about the "my praying requires bells" thing...like I said, the moment of silence doesn't mean you have to pray, some people might, others might now, its their choice, as long as it's SILENT (thus moment of silence) . And besides, the people that would be praying during the moment of silence could be praying at any time of day, moment of silence or no. So, I say again, think before you sue because silence does not equal prayer.
Gesegnet Sein
Michael Wolfheart
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| Wedge | Nov 17th. at 6:31:21 am EST
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Sphinxring (Olympia, Washington) - Email Me
A breech in the barrier against prayer for some.
A psychic opportunity for others?
What if one was to claim that a moment of silence is against their religion and they have to ring bells to pray, and that since others are praying in that moement they are being singled out to suppress their right to pray by the silence.
I wanna ring my bell!!!
Jingle Bells...
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| The Chaotic Potential | Nov 17th. at 12:15:36 am EST
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karrie9 (Kenosha, Wisconsin) - Email Me - Web
[Web LINK]
The change they were trying to enforce meant “may’’ observe became “shall’’ observe.
If a kid or school staff wanted that moment to be twenty minutes, it was protected, there was no time limit, and there was no enforcement.
That's the way they wrote it and it should raise more than eyebrows.
And since 70 percent of communication is nonverbal, I suppose people could easily make others of different minority paths/religions feel *very* uncomfortable.
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| I Think This Guy Just Wants Attention | Nov 16th. at 8:41:04 pm EST
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Libertarian (Langley, Washington) - Email Me - Web
For his Radio Show. Believe it or not there are fundie atheists. Atheistism is just another belief system and it requires a great deal of faith. That's why I'm not one. In the matter of the lawsuit, Silence is Silence and Prayer is Prayer. You can't equate one with the other. And suppose someone wanted to offer a Silent Prayer, do we now have thought police ? This man needs to simply grow up and doesn't the ACLU. have better things to do ?
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| We Have One | Nov 16th. at 3:17:57 pm EST
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Jinks (Dacula, Georgia) - Email Me
I like it at my school... I like just a moment of silence before the choas is relased lol
This is what they say:
Let us take a few moments to reflect queitly on our day our activites and what we hope to acomplish
I don't have a problem with it at all.
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| Obviously Intended As Prayer Time | Nov 16th. at 10:43:09 am EST
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Wenmagus (Los Angeles, California) - Email Me
The obvious intent of this law is to indirectly “sneak” prayer into public school. This is similar to the gambit of stating that Intelligent Design is science. Both use subterfuge to inject Christian dogma into the public school system
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| ... | Nov 16th. at 10:17:44 am EST
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corvid (granbury, Texas) - Email Me
when is silance preyer. you dont have to prey during this silance, if that ofends you, but you can take the moment to colect your thoughts for the day, or what have you. and if you do prey, you can prey to whom you wish. i dont see the problam. but maybe its just me...
corvid
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