Skwim
Veteran Member
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Earlier today, [1-16-20] the Trump administration issued a statement supposedly strengthening students’ right to pray at school… which is the government equivalent of a band getting applause for shouting out the name of the city they’re in. There’s no real work involved but fans love the lip service.
"Lip service" you say. Hmmm . . . That would include the women too, wouldn't it?
Let’s be clear: Kids can always pray in school. No one has ever tried to take that right away from them, including atheists. It’s only when the line is crossed — when coaches lead the prayers, or staffers participate in the prayers, or a public address system is used to broadcast those prayers — that legal action must be taken.
Not that the white evangelicals surrounding Trump care for that nuance. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos said in a phone call that the government would be “protecting” students’ right to worship, a right that already exists.
“Our actions today will protect the constitutional rights of students, teachers and faith-based institutions,” DeVos said. “The department’s efforts will level the playing field between religious and nonreligious organizations competing for federal grants, as well as protect First Amendment freedoms on campus and the religious liberty of faith-based institutions. I proudly share President Trump’s commitment to religious freedom and the First Amendment.”
The Education Department also plans to issue guidance that will require local school districts to certify that they have no rules or regulations that conflict with students’ right to pray at school. It will also require states to notify the Education Department if there are complaints against a school district regarding the right to pray. The department does not have similar reporting requirements for states when a school district is accused of other types of discrimination.
That certification is unnecessary since that’s how public school already work. But you can bet right-wing groups will declare it a victory. As for the complaints, it’s not clear what qualifies. If a coach prays with students — which is illegal — but Christian parents complain because they want the coach to break the law, are schools required to tell the government about it? If so, what’s the administration going to do?
It’s all just a way to appease angry conservative Christian who demand the ability to force their religion down everyone else’s throats.
source
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Let’s be clear: Kids can always pray in school. No one has ever tried to take that right away from them, including atheists. It’s only when the line is crossed — when coaches lead the prayers, or staffers participate in the prayers, or a public address system is used to broadcast those prayers — that legal action must be taken.
Not that the white evangelicals surrounding Trump care for that nuance. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos said in a phone call that the government would be “protecting” students’ right to worship, a right that already exists.
“Our actions today will protect the constitutional rights of students, teachers and faith-based institutions,” DeVos said. “The department’s efforts will level the playing field between religious and nonreligious organizations competing for federal grants, as well as protect First Amendment freedoms on campus and the religious liberty of faith-based institutions. I proudly share President Trump’s commitment to religious freedom and the First Amendment.”
The Education Department also plans to issue guidance that will require local school districts to certify that they have no rules or regulations that conflict with students’ right to pray at school. It will also require states to notify the Education Department if there are complaints against a school district regarding the right to pray. The department does not have similar reporting requirements for states when a school district is accused of other types of discrimination.
That certification is unnecessary since that’s how public school already work. But you can bet right-wing groups will declare it a victory. As for the complaints, it’s not clear what qualifies. If a coach prays with students — which is illegal — but Christian parents complain because they want the coach to break the law, are schools required to tell the government about it? If so, what’s the administration going to do?
It’s all just a way to appease angry conservative Christian who demand the ability to force their religion down everyone else’s throats.
source
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