Pubdate: Sat, 24 Mar 2007 Source: Burbank Leader (CA) Copyright: 2007 Burbank Leader Contact: http://www.burbankleader.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/63 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Bong+Hits+4+Jesus (Bong Hits 4 Jesus) In Theory: SHOULD THIS BANNER BE BANNED? The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday heard arguments over whether a banner a student displayed in 2002 on his school's campus could be censored by the school. "Bong hits for Jesus," was the message on the banner. The student, Joseph Frederick, who was suspended from the school for displaying the banner, reportedly said the message was a "free-speech experiment" and "was not intended as a drug or a religious message." The school has argued that it has a right to muffle the speech that promotes illegal behavior and does not adhere to school policy. But an alliance of groups, including the ACLU, gay rights groups and Christian lawyers, argues that with such power, a school could engage in "viewpoint censorship" and get rid of all contentious speech -- including religious speech. How do you think the Supreme Court should decide this case? ********************************************************************** Kids will be kids, and will often test their limits, both at home under their parents' authority, and at school under a broader social authority. Minors do not necessarily receive all the same freedoms of behavior as do adults, and school administrators do set rules and standards for appropriate speech, dress and behavior to produce an effective environment for learning both academics and skills for living in the world. While an adult being forced to conform in speech and attire may have a case for legal action, to encourage frivolous lawsuits by students who have run afoul of school codes of conduct may be more socially damaging than the possibility of an overly conservative school environment. The young man, who was ostensibly conducting a "free-speech experiment," was more likely experimenting with how much he could get away with, and possibly with how big a laugh he could elicit from his buddies, by blatantly displaying an absurd and irreverent banner. To equate the school's actions with serious censorship, and to accept the increasing ease with which individuals may ultimately profit in the courts by twisting the Constitution to their benefit, really defies common sense. Baha'is are taught to respect and obey civil law. As parents, we teach our children to be respectful of teachers, courteous to other children and that there are consequences to one's actions. This general code of behavior should extend to the observance of reasonable rules at school and to an attitude of dignity in regard to religious expression. BARBARA CRAMER Secretary Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is Glendale ********************************************************************** Freedom of expression is every citizen's basic right as guaranteed by the Constitution; the 1st Amendment is a cornerstone of American democracy and serves a foundation for everything we hold dear. In many cases, it is religious groups, especially those in the minority, such as people of the Jewish faith, who benefit most from this amendment. The right to express ourselves as we see fit provides us the opportunity to practice our religion without fear of the persecution that is all too common in other parts of the world. However, as with anything positive, we must be careful not to abuse this right or we risk undermining it and losing the protection it offers. It is critical that common sense guide our application of the Constitution so that we don't unwittingly damage the underpinnings of our way of life. Above all, we need to draw the line in extending a right when it paves the way for illegal activities, harms our society or infringes upon another person's rights. In this specific case, the student disregarded common sense and used language that clearly promotes an illegal activity: drug use. Using the 1st Amendment as a cover for this action distorts the Constitution and sets a potentially dangerous precedent. The argument that "Bong Hits for Jesus" is neither a religious or drug-related message simply strains credibility. No high school principal would keep his or her job for long if they allowed pro-drug messages in an educational setting -- and I imagine few thoughtful observers really believe this prank was intended as a "free-speech experiment." RABBI SIMCHA BACKMAN Chabad Jewish Center ********************************************************************** This is an unfortunate case to go before the Supreme Court because the content of this student's expression is nonsense. The student wanted to be seen, and not so much heard, for his thoughtful concerns as protected by our 1st Amendment right. One wonders if the banner he displayed had read, "My Principal is a Pedophile," would have been so championed by all the groups that have defended him. I believe in free speech, but when you are in my house, I may have some rules to follow, just as I believe the chaperone for the high school student had while on this schoolsanctioned outing. Had the student gestured by giving the finger out of the bus window to police officers passing by, I think punitive measures for that free expression would be in order. School is a great place to exercise free speech and administrators should offer ample opportunity for such, but where does discipline and respect come in? If a teacher tells a student to sit down, and the student in turn responds with some epithet, does the teacher have any recourse, or does she just take it lest she be sued by the ACLU for violating the little angel's freedom? If the student wanted to make a scene, he should have done it completely apart from any school connection so that he alone would bear the consequences. I don't think anyone should lose their Constitutional privileges at school, but they're still under supervision, and they represent the character of the institution. Nobody should be oppressed for expressing religious or political views, and they should be encouraged, but where is propriety in this case? These kids today . "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it" (Proverbs 22:6). THE REV. BRYAN GRIEM Senior Pastor MontroseCommunityChurch.org ********************************************************************** The Supreme Court should rebuke, but not restrain, Joseph Frederick. Whether it was serious or just an experiment, Frederick's statement is a clear example of what the Bible calls foolishness. Fools don't fear God. Fools babble, they are arrogant and they are careless. Fools reject rebuke and discipline and are quick to quarrel. The only time a fool appears to be wise is when he shuts his mouth. But this doesn't happen much, because it is characteristic of fools to multiply words. God's clearly stated will is that we silence the ignorance of the foolish by doing right ourselves. Fools will never be silenced by taking away their right to express themselves. Trying to restrain them is like trying to restrain the wind, or trying to grasp oil in one's hands. Scripture teaches us that the wisest speech is wholesome and helpful for building others up according to their needs. Wise words always benefit those who listen. With our hearts set on loving God and those around us, we would all benefit to daily pray as the Psalmist did: "Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips." (Psalm 141:3). PASTOR JON BARTA Burbank Valley Baptist Church ********************************************************************** The law protecting free speech does not allow me to yell "fire" in a darkened movie theater, nor should it give me the right to use hateful words against individuals or groups of people. I wholeheartedly support every person's right to free speech; and yet at the same time, I believe that free speech implies a certain responsibility. On one occasion I had to ask someone to leave church because of a vulgar four-letter word displayed boldly across the front of their sweatshirt. They may have the right to wear what many find offensive, but I as a pastor have the right to ask them to remove such articles or leave while on church property. Popular culture often seems to push the limit for the simple sake of shock value. Such actions are often meant to offend the sensibilities of others. The blatant disregard of others, I believe, has led to much of the polarization we see in all facets of society today. I'm not suggesting that the Supreme Court rule against the young person in this case, but I do believe that school should be an environment for learning, and that publicizing one's personal point of view should be done responsibly and on one's own time. FATHER PAUL J. HRUBY Pastor Church of the Incarnation Glendale ********************************************************************** First of all, the phrase "Bong Hits for Jesus" makes me laugh. It's a dumb phrase, and I'm not sure I know what it means. (I do know what a bong is, by the way.) Still, I'm going to side with the ACLU, the gay groups and the Christian groups that are joining forces on the side of the young man's right to hang his sign, stupid as it is. Some speech is simply offensive because the speaker wants to be offensive. Before I was a minister, I worked in another state as a TV news reporter/ anchor. In those days, I spotted a bumper sticker that seemed to try to offend as many people as possible. The sticker said, "Nuke the gay whales for Jesus." Again, stupid as that sentiment seems, it made me smile. Nobody sued anybody over that bumper sticker, and I'm glad. This is America, and free speech is free speech, no matter how dumb or how offensive. You and I are not allowed to yell "Fire!" in a crowded theater; and as I learned from a grade school teacher when I was a boy, my freedom ends where your nose begins. Still, a sign, and a stupid one at that, and the school administration reacted with a heavy hand? Not only am I siding with the ACLU, the gays, and the Christians on this one; I would almost bet that they'll win, because they should. THE REV. C.L. "SKIP" LINDEMAN Congregational Church of the Lighted Window United Church of Christ La Canada Flintridge - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake