Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - Teacher's aide suspended for wearing a cross

elaphe · 05-11-2003, 03:55 PM

This is a public school teacher, right? Fighting for her First Amendent rights? Doesn't the First Amendment also enshrine the separation of church and state?

"Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."

If I am reading this right, the United States Government cannot create its own religion or force it down people's throats. I think that as an employee of the state, her personal freedoms must take a back seat to the government's or its institutions' (like public schools) duty to uphold everyone's freedom. The rules did not forbid her wearing a cross, or any other religious article which would violate her personal freedoms. It only mandates that she not broadcast her religious beliefs when working which could infrige upon someone else's right to religious freedom.

No harm, no foul. I think she will loose.

05-11-2003, 03:55 PM	#17 (permalink)
elaphe Tilted Location: British Columbia, Canada	This is a public school teacher, right? Fighting for her First Amendent rights? Doesn't the First Amendment also enshrine the separation of church and state? "Amendment I Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances." If I am reading this right, the United States Government cannot create its own religion or force it down people's throats. I think that as an employee of the state, her personal freedoms must take a back seat to the government's or its institutions' (like public schools) duty to uphold everyone's freedom. The rules did not forbid her wearing a cross, or any other religious article which would violate her personal freedoms. It only mandates that she not broadcast her religious beliefs when working which could infrige upon someone else's right to religious freedom. No harm, no foul. I think she will loose. __________________ "Forty-two," said Deep Thought, with infinite majesty and calm.