Christian valedictorian forced to apologize following graduation message

[buckee]

Christian valedictorian sues over forced apology following graduation message

A graduate of Lewis-Palmer High School in Denver has filed a lawsuit against the school for taking disciplinary actions against her for talking about her faith during her May 2006 graduation ceremony.

Erica Corder, who was one of 15 valedictorians in her graduating class given opportunities for 30-second speeches that day, says she was escorted to the assistant principal's office following the ceremony and told that she could not be given her diploma because of her speech. Mat Staver of Liberty Counsel, the Christian law firm representing Corder, says she was then given direction on a corrective action.

"The principal, Mark Brewer, then required that she not only apologize, but have a specific statement in an email which he sent to the entire high school community -- stating that if she had asked for permission, she would not have received it," says the attorney. Liberty Counsel also notes that Brewer later described Corder's comments at the podium as "immature."

According to Staver, school officials in the case crossed the bounds of decency and constitutionality when they punished her and then forced her to write that letter of apology. "This situation clearly is outrageous," exclaims Staver. "Valedictorians have the right to express their religious viewpoints while at graduation, and school officials have absolutely no right to threaten the withholding of a diploma from someone who's already graduated."

The young Christian student received her diploma after the apology was distributed. But Staver says Corder was embarrassed publicly for the exercise of her Constitutional rights, and alleges school district officials have held her up for public criticism in statements to the local community and media for the past year. When the district refused to change its speech policy, he says Corder decided to sue.

According to a press release from Liberty Counsel, Corder complied with the disciplinary actions out of fear. She was worried that the school would withhold her diploma and put disciplinary notes in her file that could hamper attempts to enter the teaching field. Staver says the school district's actions in this case are "shocking."

http://www.onenewsnow.com/2007/08/christian_valedictorian_sues_o.php

[RangerClay]

That is so sad. Now I will have to look over my shoulder everytime I say, "Thank God".

[muggs]

I really fail to understand why people who believe in Christianity find it so hard to understand that people who don't believe in the same doctrine, might not want to be inundated with such talk, especially at a venue that is State funded (reference the US Constitution, and it's founding prinicpal of seperation of Church and State).

I understand that Christians believe that their beliefs are the only unquestioned path to salvation etc... but the key word there is their beliefs. In my opinion, a graduation speech is no place for someone to express their faith. Whether they're a follower of Christ, Buddha, Alla, whomever...it's just not the place for it.

That being said, I'd hope if a muslim student chose to discuss his or her faith during a similiar scenario, they'd be forced to apologize as well. Unfortunately, you can bet your bottom dollar they wouldn't be ask to apologize, matter of fact, with the whole PC issue people would be afraid to mention it at all. That's really what concerns me the most. It's the whole double-standard/ reverse discrimination that gets me.

[buckee]

come into play here Muggs

I really fail to understand why people who believe in Christianity find it so hard to understand that people who don't believe in the same doctrine, might not want to be inundated with such talk, especially at a venue that is State funded (reference the US Constitution, and it's founding prinicpal of seperation of Church and State).

I understand that Christians believe that their beliefs are the only unquestioned path to salvation etc... but the key word there is their beliefs. In my opinion, a graduation speech is no place for someone to express their faith. Whether they're a follower of Christ, Buddha, Alla, whomever...it's just not the place for it.

That being said, I'd hope if a muslim student chose to discuss his or her faith during a similiar scenario, they'd be forced to apologize as well. Unfortunately, you can bet your bottom dollar they wouldn't be ask to apologize, matter of fact, with the whole PC issue people would be afraid to mention it at all. That's really what concerns me the most. It's the whole double-standard/ reverse discrimination that gets me.

Where does freedom of speech come into play here muggs? would it be OK if someone mentioned they were an atheist in their speech then. Of course it would be OK.

This isn't about school curriculum, this is about a speech and freedom.

It's discrimination alright, and nothing reverse about it.

If I was asked in school to do an essay on evolution and wrote about how I don't believe in it and gave my reasons why, then got up and read it in front of the class, would my essay be disqualified and I be forced to apologize ?

If you were asked to do an essay on Christianity in school, and wrote about why you didn't believe in it, and stood up in front of the class to read, would your essay be disqualified, and you made you apologize ?

Athiest are ramming their faith down everyones throats these days, and that is discrimination, especially when it involves taking away those of faith the ability to freely speak and share or discuss what they believe and why.

[muggs]

You make some good points Steve. But really, in this siuation I think the idea of Seperation of Church and State would supercede Freedom of Speech here. Heck, we have the right to bear arms too, does that mean kids should carry a gun into the classroom too?

And really, I don't see how Athiest are "ramming their faith down" anyone's throat. If anything, they're only asking that Christians don't do that exact same thing to them. JMO.

[johnf]

We have a freedom of religion not from religion. We have a freedom of speech unless that speech endangers others ie. "fire" in the theater. This girl's comments in no way endangered anyone. She was using the venue that she had to acknowledge what she believes helped her through school and she has the right to do that. She had completed all graduation requirements. When that is done, no school official has the right to take that away.

We are a nation of freedom. Sometimes when we excersize those freedoms, people are offended. It's much like hunting in a way. If you felt the need to talk about how much you like hunting would you want to be punished?

She had the right to say what she wanted, yes even if she were budist, muslem or athiest.

Under Federal law she had the right to enter into "student led prayer". I'm a leader in a Christian club at school and have done my homework. It is the law. If she can pray legally, then it would stand to reason she could thank her maker.

[rhine16]

Wow, I graduated 3rd in my class, thus making me be a speaker at graduation. I, along with the valedictorian and salutatorian, all mention ur faith/God in our speeches.

This is crazy.

[PotashRLS]

God help us all.