A textbook is essential to uphold the First Amendment, ... There's been nothing cast in this direction until now. |
Americans are deeply divided over homosexuality in our society. But if school officials and community members use the ground rules of the First Amendment, they can reach agreement on how public schools can guard the rights of all students in a safe learning environment. |
Behind this is the tension around the country about how to go about doing a Bible elective, and a lot is at stake. |
Generally speaking, private and religious schools are not subject to the First Amendment. |
I believe this really upholds the First Amendment and is sound educationally. |
I don't think it's going to go away at all. With the strong Roman Catholic population in Massachusetts, it may be easier in other places to pass such legislation. |
I think change in this area could be quite dramatic. All the 5-4 decisions could go the other way. |
I think the school is very smart to put this in the handbook, |
In my view, schools ought to allow students to express various points of view as long as it's not hostile. I don't think, in my view, the T-shirts don't rise to the level of creating a hostile environment. I do think that some things go overboard. |
O'Connor could be the key vote here. She would support keeping RFRA applicable to the federal government, which is one of the issues in that case. |
Some of the courses I've encountered around the country over 20 years would not pass muster in a court of law. They're closer to Sunday School than legitimate academic courses. |
That was when the court decided to weaken the Tinker standard. The school really does have to show it would be a serious disruption. |
The broader issue is there are many U.S. conservative Christians who feel that public schools have become hostile to their faith. |
The power of these recommendations is that they come from leaders representing a broad spectrum of religious conviction. At the table were people with Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Native American and humanist perspectives, as well as individuals from advocacy groups ranging from the American Civil Liberties Union to the American Center for Law and Justice. |
There is a difference between what is required and what is the right thing to do. |