Sixteen-year-old Jessica Ahlquist successfully sued her high school last month to have a prayer banner taken down, a move that may have made her the most hated teenager in Rhode Island. Ahlquist has been flooded with threats (a state representative went as far as to call her an "evil little thing") -- and money since. Ahlquist's supporters have given her $42,000 in scholarship money. Hemant Mehta, who runs the Friendly Atheist blog, led the fundraising efforts. "So many atheists around the country are amazed by what she did. It's not easy to take a stand on a decision that's so unpopular," Mehta said.
Do you agree with the court's decision?
Here's the prayer:
Our Heavenly Father,
Grant us each day the desire to do our best,
To grow mentally and morally as well as physically,
To be kind and helpful to our classmates and teachers,
To be honest with ourselves as well as with others,
Help us to be good sports and smile when we lose as well as when we win,
Teach us the value of true friendship,
Help us always to conduct ourselves so as to bring credit to Cranston High School West.Amen
Hmmm..
It's a nice sentiment. Why not just take out 'Our Heavenly Father' & 'Amen'?
WOW, I love how all of you asume that it was a public school..... realy, it could be private, so stop assumming.
Also, how do you know that this prayer banner wasn't put up by some students. A prayer banner is used to bless a person who is generaly sick or is facing hard times. Ever heard the phrase "My prayers go out to you and your family"? That is what a prayer banner is.
Speaking of knowing English to live here, you keep using the wrong word on your compound sentences!!! You keep using the word AN, when you mean AND, get it right or as you say go back to your home country. Also we have freedom of Religion here so anyone of any belief are allowed to come here and practice as they see fit.
I agree with the Judges decision. Public schools should not have prayer banners up for display. She/he was right to rule in Jessica's favor.
We teach the ancient Greek, Roman and Egyptian gods because they cannot be separated from the culture, mores, attitudes and actions of the time. However, the United States has always had a culture of separation of Church and State. Our Constitution accepts all persons - belivers and non-belivers. We are all supposed to have the same rights under the law. Is that going away because of the rise of the religious right. We must not let ourselves be forced to accept what these white, lower middle class men want to force down our throats. We cannot let them control our lives!!!! .
I support you, Jessica.
popular this week
- Shared
- Commented
- Viewed
biggest movers
- see search results1.the beatles
- see search results2.kelly preston
- see search results3.legion of christ
- see search results4.glee
- see search results5.zodiac killer
- see search results6.paris hilton
- see search results7.jessica alba
- see search results8.loch ness monster...
- see search results9.joanna johnson
- see search results10.florida mother
