Is the following unconstitutional?

rickinnocal

No, it is not unconstitutional, and the ACLU does not say that it is.

Here, for example, is a case where the ACLU filed suit to PREVENT a school from censoring a valedictorians religious expression.
http://www.aclu.org/studentsrights/expression/12845prs20040511.html

What IS unconstitutional is "school imposed" prayer. Here is a case where the ACLU filed suit after a school included a formal prayer and a benediction on students attending graduation exercises.
http://www.aclu.org/religion/schools/16326prs20010516.html

You need to see the difference between a prayer which is an expression of an individuals personal religious belief - which is perfectly legal - and a school sanctioned religious statement - such as an officially sanctioned prayer at a graduation - which is the school officials imposing their religion on others, and is illegal.

Richard

wizjp

ACLU is full of crap here.

Constitution bans a state sponsored religion.

Kid had a right to free speech.

He used it.

iamct01

The constitution limits powers of government not people. The student has the right to be selfish to the other people`s religions other then their own. Now if school personal (government employee) were involved then the Constitution can be used. You should just let the student know they you thought they were being selfish and that if you pray or give in public you are not doing it for him, you are doing it for yourself.

Call Me Bwana

It is completely constitutional. Any restriction of said speech for religious content is a violation of that student's free speech and freedom of religion rights.

No agent of the government has the right or the authority to restrict the religious content of a private citizen's speech, even at a government function. The Founding Fathers would be in adamant agreement with me upon that point, I'd wager.

Michael C

"The Constitution says nothing about personal expressions of religion". Your statement is completely wrong. It says the freedom of Speech is protected. It makes no stipulations as to what that Speech has to be about to be protected.

A M

http://freedom-forum.com/index.php

Forget War Buy More

Could you please point to the incident you are referring to?

gentle giant 2

They say that your right to swing your arms stops at the tip of my nose. Rights carry consequent responsibilities.
An individual who is making a speech at a school graduation, be he the valedictorian or other, has every right to express his thanks to his deity but it is rude and boorish to force the audience, many of whom may not beleive as he does, to sit there captive while he prays aloud.
I consider the ACLU to have as much value as an uncovered cesspool
and rarely agree with them but. while I do not think the valedictorian broke any laws, nor did the school officials, who were not privvy to the kids plans, it was poor behavior.

SuMmEr

There's a reason we don't say the pledge of allegiance in school anymore, BECAUSE IT HAD TO DO WITH RELIGION. Religion is not allowed to be preached in schools, you are allowed to practice your religion but not at the hands of others who do not believe what you believe.

It's not unconstitutional.

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