Thoughts? Did they violate her first amendment rights, or did the school act responsibly by prohibiting religious menti
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Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — Politics
Penelope — 4 years ago(June 02, 2021 04:59 PM)
Thoughts? Did they violate her first amendment rights, or did the school act responsibly by prohibiting religious mention that precluded other religions - favoring one religion over another?
A high school valedictorian's speech is allegedly being censored and facing pushback for being "very Christianized," according to a letter sent Tuesday.
Savannah Lefler, a senior at John Glenn High School in Michigan, recently submitted a draft for an "Honors Night" speech, which contained language criticizing other philosophies and asserting "[t]he purpose of life is to live a life devoted to Christ."
The school's principal responded, in part, by suggesting Lefler's speech wasn't inclusive enough of other faiths.
"We have a diverse student body and staff. It is one of the things I love about the John Glenn community," said principal Michael Wegher at the end of last month.
"That diversity goes well beyond race and ethnicity, it certainly would include religious beliefs as well. We have students and staff who would identify as Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindi, Sikh, Jehovah's Witness, atheist, etc. We must be inclusive and respectful of their beliefs as well," Wegher said.
"With this said, we do need to see a revision that sticks to a non-secular [sic] approach. I am not opposed to thanking God for the great honor bestowed upon you, but we cannot take the approach that is currently laid out in your speech."
The letter to the principal, sent by First Liberty on Tuesday, alleges that Lefler asked for additional clarification during a phone call.
"You … stated that the second part of the speech, which references Plato, Darwin and other religions, was acceptable because it discusses different philosophies," First Liberty attorneys told Wegher in the letter.
"The problem, you explained, was the next portion of the speech in which Ms. Lefler explains her personal belief that the purpose of life is to live a life devoted to Christ. You explained that this portion was ‘very Christianized’ and needed to be changed in order to not offend people with other viewpoints."
Wegher did not respond to Fox News' request for comment. In a lengthy statement last week, Wayne-Westland Community Schools didn't address accusations of censorship.
Instead, it offered a more general description of the ceremony: "Traditionally, student speakers are selected as part of the festivities and celebration. Every student that has the honor of speaking at this ceremony has demonstrated a deep commitment to their educational success and we celebrate their accomplishments with them."
"When students are thrust onto the stage of an honors celebration, we recognize that we have an academic responsibility to walk with them in that process. Public speaking at an event of this magnitude is similar to playing in a championship game. It is a difficult challenge. When students play a sport, coaches are there to walk with them to help them engage and succeed at the highest level. When students speak at these events, our school leadership is there to walk alongside and coach them to success."
Tuesday's letter was the second within a week in which First Liberty demanded a Michigan high school refrain from censoring religious speech.
Last week, Hillsdale High School reversed its decision to censor a valedictorian's speech that mentioned Jesus Christ.
In both instances, First Liberty argued that the school mistakenly interpreted student speeches as communicating on behalf of the school. U.S. Department of Education guidance, as the firm notes, says that graduation speeches are considered private and constitutionally protected.
In his email, Wegher had told Lefler: "I appreciate your desire to speak from the heart and share your beliefs and philosophies with others. Unfortunately, we are a public educational institution and must legally abide by the 1st Amendment of the US Constitution. Through past Supreme Court cases, rulings have stated that government institutions, including public schools, cannot favor one religion over any others. This would include honors speeches since it would be an official communication from the school."
According to First Liberty's letter, Wegher set up a time to meet with the school's legal advisers on June 2 – the same day as Lefler's speech.
"Too often, we have seen well-meaning school officials thinking they are complying with the Establishment Clause mistakenly go too far and censor the private speech of students, violating students’ rights under the Free Speech Clause," said First Liberty general counsel Mike Berry and senior counsel Stephanie Taub.
"We request that you allow Ms. Lefler to express her private religious beliefs in her Honors Night speech."
A representative for Wayne-Westland Community Schools did not immediately respond to Fox News' inquiry about First Liberty's letter. -
Cerridwen — 4 years ago(June 02, 2021 05:06 PM)
EDIT after having read part of the speech itself:
While I believe the speech is absolute garbage, and is definitely not what anyone attending a high-school graduation wants to hear, the girl should be allowed to deliver it. This isn't because I think her free speech will be violated, but solely to deny the Christian right a martyr.
Hark! Harold the angel sings. -
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Steve Lake — 4 years ago(June 02, 2021 06:05 PM)
She is not "promoting " her faith. She was not actively proselytizing .
What she was doing was reaffirming her faith. As her faith is obviously a huge reason for both her academic success and emotional maturity.
The only poster who had his account banned 4 times without ever breaking any rules each of those times. -
FreeHugs — 4 years ago(June 02, 2021 06:14 PM)
According to the article, she was
criticizing other philosophies and asserting "[t]he purpose of life is to live a life devoted to Christ.
That sounds like proselytizing to me. If she said something general like "my faith has helped me through the year" or "with faith and hard work, all challenges can be overcome" that would have been fine. -
rouge — 4 years ago(June 02, 2021 06:22 PM)
Speaking as an Orthodox Christian, I think God will be okay if he isn’t mentioned in one speech.
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.
come here -
hungrytheheretic — 4 years ago(June 02, 2021 08:03 PM)
Well you just aren't very bright, Tykohn. The article itself fully explains that this is not the case and the student has the right to express her own views. Your lack of reading comprehension on top of being a liberal douchebag is astounding, but not surprising.
Bring. More. Sheep. -
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rouge — 4 years ago(June 02, 2021 05:55 PM)
I was just at a graduation where the valedictorian rambled about her BFFs and karaoke nights. I wish schools would mitigate that… they’re invited up there to speak on behalf of their class
But seriously speaking, I’m of the opinion that the school does have the right to censor her speech regardless of the content. When I graduated, all speeches had to be reviewed and approved ahead of time. Any deviation, no matter the subject, would be met with scrutiny or rejection. I bet they had the same rule.
come here -
MONGY — 4 years ago(June 02, 2021 06:37 PM)
i think speeches of almost all kinds are a huge waste. something like bald Nikita K at the UN making a ruckus is worthwhile. but anybody who later on says they were "motivated" or "influenced" by a high school grad speech is a clod.
the person who had this honor of giving a valedictorian speech at my HS walked up to the podium, looked out at the class assembled on the football field, glanced at the families in the stands, said " Good bye", and then left. i believe he went to MIT and then a dual law&MBA at harvard. -
rouge — 4 years ago(June 02, 2021 06:42 PM)
the person who had this honor of giving a valedictorian speech at my HS walked up to the podium, looked out at the class assembled on the football field, glanced at the families in the stands, said " Good bye", and then left. i believe he went to MIT and then a dual law&MBA at harvard.
Badass
come here -
Jan_El_Senor — 4 years ago(June 02, 2021 06:10 PM)
I'd have to see the actual speech to decide. I'm leaning towards siding with the school because the topic of faith seems off-topic for a valedictorian speech.
Though using the terminology 'very Christianized' seems like it was intended to invite press coverage and drama.
Grade "A" Fully Loaded
"Sexy as Hell" -
Steve Lake — 4 years ago(June 02, 2021 06:19 PM)
The topic can be anything the valedictorian wants it to be. As long as the topic is not advocating for violence against anyone.
Or isn't promoting or calling on others to commit crimes.
Meaning No Antifa or Black Lies Matters references can be or should be allowed.
The only poster who had his account banned 4 times without ever breaking any rules each of those times. -
FreeHugs — 4 years ago(June 02, 2021 06:25 PM)
The school has now said they will allow her to proceed with a disclaimer saying the school does not endorse the speech.
https://www.christianpost.com/news/school-to-allow-valedictorian-to-give-christianized-speech.html
From that article:
Lefler’s speech encouraged students not to waste their lives, presented the Gospel and shared how trusting in Christ allows one’s purpose to be fulfilled.
“Seeing that man is completely unable to achieve perfection, God made a way for us to be reconciled to Him through the perfect life of Jesus Christ, who is God in flesh,” Lefler’s speech draft read.
“He not only lived perfectly, but he was killed on a cross and took the punishment that humans deserve,” her speech continued. “Then he rose from the dead three days later, thus vindicating His holiness and divinity. This allows us to fulfill our purpose in glorifying God because we can now stand before Him blameless if we repent and trust in Christ and His finished work. May His name be praised forever!”
Lefler’s speech encouraged her classmates to “seek the truth," citing John Piper’s book Don’t Waste Your Life. She argued that the purposes of life reflected by the teachings of Plato, Charles Darwin and other religions are “wrong.”
“The purpose of life is to live a life devoted to Christ,” the draft of her speech read.
The student's speech draft also stated that "man is unholy, bad, and unjust."