By the way, the school responded to Damen's protest by putting him DEAD LAST in the line up for the graduate students, so the crowd could spend minutes booing him and giving their displeasure.
Freedom from religion has made sure the school puts him back in place by alphabetical order, and now has given Damon a 1000 USD college tuition, which pales in comparison to the many donation drives now going to pay for not only his tuition, but his boarding and any extras to create a Damon fund for other high schoolers who will stand up to schools who don't seem to want to join us in the modern age.
I do agree that freedom of religion also means the right to chose no religious beliefs at all. Atheist boy hasn't been told he has to believe in God. If he would have just tolerated this 2 minute prayer and whatever long winded speeches are scheduled he would be graduating with the blessing of his family and peers. Instead he decided to make some noise and play victim.
And the Christians could have prayed before they arrived at the graduation or once they had left the graduation. The prayer didn't have to be part of the ceremony. They were just being ignorant.
By the way, the school responded to Damen's protest by putting him DEAD LAST in the line up for the graduate students, so the crowd could spend minutes booing him and giving their displeasure.
Freedom from religion has made sure the school puts him back in place by alphabetical order, and now has given Damon a 1000 USD college tuition, which pales in comparison to the many donation drives now going to pay for not only his tuition, but his boarding and any extras to create a Damon fund for other high schoolers who will stand up to schools who don't seem to want to join us in the modern age.
I don't say this very often or about very many people, but what a bunch of f---ing c--nts.
Location: Wondering when # became hashtag and not a number sign.
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Originally Posted by Thor
By the way, the school responded to Damen's protest by putting him DEAD LAST in the line up for the graduate students, so the crowd could spend minutes booing him and giving their displeasure.
Freedom from religion has made sure the school puts him back in place by alphabetical order, and now has given Damon a 1000 USD college tuition, which pales in comparison to the many donation drives now going to pay for not only his tuition, but his boarding and any extras to create a Damon fund for other high schoolers who will stand up to schools who don't seem to want to join us in the modern age.
Absolutely ridiculous. They should be ashamed of themselves...but again this was all too predictable IMO.
Hopefully no physical harm is done...and I am sure there is enough of a security prescence to make sure it doesn't.
If the claim about putting him last in line is true (do you have a link for that, Thor?) it amounts to administration-sanctioned bullying and harassment by the faculty and graduation ceremony organizers. It's one thing for his peers to hurl insults and slurs at him, but the quote-unquote responsible adults at his school should know better. I hope the school district is hit with a mammoth of a lawsuit and the taxpayers of this town are on the hook for a huge bill for their shameless hateful behaviour.
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Location: Wondering when # became hashtag and not a number sign.
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So the graduation happened...and they prayed anyways, led by a student.
Who'd a thunk it?
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Earlier this week, a student who identified himself as an atheist sent an e-mail to school officials stating he would file a complaint with the American Civil Liberties Union if a prayer was included in the program. Morehouse Parish School System attorney Steve Katz advised school officials to remove prayer from the program, citing case law that stated prayer could not be part of a school-sanctioned event.
The program handed out to over 1,000 people who attended the event at the football stadium listed “A Moment of Silence.” Graduating senior Laci Mattice came to the podium and said her faith compelled her to thank God for blessing the class of 2011.
“I know ask my fellow students who wish to join in to recite the Lord’s Prayer,” Mattice said. The seniors standing on the football field were joined an overwhelming majority of attendees
According to posters on the "Support Damon" Facebook page, they claim that the Lord's Prayer was recited by a student over the PA system at the ceremony (they say they have a video which will be uploaded later). Student-led prayer at schools is legal so long as it a) isn't overtly supported by the faculty and b) students may voluntarily participate or not. Since the PA was used, this seems to violate both counts. This school is going to get sued so effing hard.
Can we all agree Growing Pains was awesome though?
Not really. Mike's blond girlfriend was hot. Too bad the religious nut had her kicked off the show because she posed in Playboy. His replacement girlfriend wasn't as hot.
If the claim about putting him last in line is true (do you have a link for that, Thor?) it amounts to administration-sanctioned bullying and harassment by the faculty and graduation ceremony organizers. It's one thing for his peers to hurl insults and slurs at him, but the quote-unquote responsible adults at his school should know better. I hope the school district is hit with a mammoth of a lawsuit and the taxpayers of this town are on the hook for a huge bill for their shameless hateful behaviour.
I'll find the link, it was a post on his support page on facebook by him, once this day is over all the facts will be out, including if that claim is true.
Not really. Mike's blond girlfriend was hot. Too bad the religious nut had her kicked off the show because she posed in Playboy. His replacement girlfriend wasn't as hot.
Oh come on, show me that smile.
Don't waste another minute on your crying.
Location: Wondering when # became hashtag and not a number sign.
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It was planned all along....but only by the parents and kids from what I can tell.
This kid pissed off a lot of people.
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“I’m wondering why,” said Kari Payton, class valedictorian. “This is something that’s been done for years - forever - and now that we’re graduating we can’t show reverence and honor to our God?”
Jasmine Davis’ feelings on the issue were shared by many others.
“Why does one person get to decide what more than 200 of us do?” Davis said. “It’s obvious (the student) is in the minority, yet the rest of us are being denied to pray to our God.”
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As the group crowded the front steps of the church, they discussed a plan that will still allow prayer to be heard at graduation. During the time of “silent reflection,” adults in the bleachers in the football stadium at Bastrop High will stand, followed by the students, who will turn to face the stadium as the group recites the Lord’s Prayer.
“We’ll still get our prayer in,” said Mason Caldwell. “If (the protesting student) hadn’t done this, it wouldn’t have given us the chance to join with our parents and families and friends, and all pray together.”
