At What Point?

NEWARK, N.J. — A public school prohibited a second grader from singing a religious song at a talent show, prompting a lawsuit Friday alleging violation of the girl’s constitutional rights.

A federal judge declined an emergency request to compel Frenchtown Elementary School to allow 8-year-old Olivia Turton to sing “Awesome God” at the Friday night show, but allowed the lawsuit to go forward.

School officials in the western New Jersey community had said the performance would be inappropriate at a school event. A message seeking comment from a school board attorney about the judge’s ruling was not immediately returned.

Even the heartiest of anti-religion zealots would have to agree this is just ridiculous. Why can’t she sing the damn song? I mean, are people going to burst into flames upon hearing it or something?

Source: Washington Post via TongueTied

This entry was posted in Silly. Bookmark the permalink.
  • http://nonannystate.blogspot.com The Other Mike S

    This is bullshit, and I hope the parents sue for monetary damages. This in no way crosses the church/state boundary. It does cross the religious persecution boundary, though.

    I’ll bet you five bucks that if the kid wanted to sing something with Allah Akbar in the verse, she’d be allowed to proceed.

  • http://www.insignificantthoughts.com Vinny

    I keep going back to it, but I think it’s worthy of note.

    In the public schools in New York City, children are taught extensively about Zen, Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, and Hindu.

    Note what’s missing.

    You be the judge.

  • pam

    Good points made by both of you.

  • lorraine

    she can’t sing the song because it “avowls Divinity”. Teaching about religion is not the same as preaching it. The song preaches about the strength and power of god. In public school not all children are christian.

    Schools are funded publically…if this song was allowed a lawsuit may have been started by a non-christian….or worse yet an athiest or a pagan(native Americans…are pagan)

    This is a very small town and it could become bankrupt by just the suit itself…the family is new to public school…their first year in fact….they knew better….they want money, and 15 minutes of fame…

  • lorraine

    ok

  • http://www.insignificantthoughts.com Vinny

    she can’t sing the song because it “avowls Divinity”. Teaching about religion is not the same as preaching it. The song preaches about the strength and power of god. In public school not all children are christian.

    So what? Effectively what you’re saying is it’s okay to talk about God as long as you do it in private, and in secret, lest they offend someone who might sue them.

    That’s a pretty odd interpretation of free speech if you ask me. The school endorses nothing by allowing her to sing a song, and anyone who files a lawsuit should have it summarily dismissed. That’s how you deal with this, not relegating a kid singing a song to a back room because their mention of God might offend.

  • http://www.linoge.net/weblog/ Linoge

    Schools are funded publically…if this song was allowed a lawsuit may have been started by a non-christian….or worse yet an athiest or a pagan(native Americans…are pagan)

    Bulldren. Well, rather, I have no doubt that someone would attempt to bring suit against the school system. However, a student standing up in front of other students and making a proclaimation that he or she is Christian by singing a song such as this one (even though the song technically makes no such proclaimation) has no bearing, whatsoever, on the school, the school system, or the town. If a teacher, or other paid member of the school body were to do the same, that is significantly different. But an independant school attendee does not reflect on the school, in any way, shape, or form.

    Not all children in school are homosexual, yet does that stop the homosexuals from distributing “interesting” pamphlets to those school children? Does anyone (besides those of us with a clue) attempt to stop them? Not all children in school are of caucasian descent. Does that mean we have to stop teaching the histories of europe?

    I am sorry some people’s viewpoints are not sufficiently strong that they cannot withstand other people’s opinions being expressed. I am doubly sorry that our “modern” society has decided to side with the first group of individuals, however. If you do not like what someone is saying, present your own viewpoint… you know… debate. But do not try and stop them from saying what they want (excluding causing imminent physical harm to others) just because you happen to disagree. Frankly, my dear, I do not give a damn.

  • http://www.hauntedparsonage.us/blog/ Chuck

    Under the same supposed logic used by this school administration, a large portion of the music used in school choral and band programs would have to be eliminated from use. A sizeable portion of the music used today, especially classical music was written for churches.

    Can you imagine it: no more “Amazing Grace”. No more “Requiem”. No more “Ode To Joy”.

    And this was in a talent show, which I must presume was not a part of the normal classroom routine, but an extracurricular activity.

    Now, if they want to get religion out of the schools, they should do something about the high school football programs. AT elast down in the South, that’s a religion unto itself!

    -cjb-

  • http://nonannystate.blogspot.com/ The Other Mike S

    This is bullshit, and I hope the parents sue for monetary damages. This in no way crosses the church/state boundary. It does cross the religious persecution boundary, though.

    I’ll bet you five bucks that if the kid wanted to sing something with Allah Akbar in the verse, she’d be allowed to proceed.

  • http://nonannystate.blogspot.com/ The Other Mike S

    This is bullshit, and I hope the parents sue for monetary damages. This in no way crosses the church/state boundary. It does cross the religious persecution boundary, though.

    I’ll bet you five bucks that if the kid wanted to sing something with Allah Akbar in the verse, she’d be allowed to proceed.

  • http://www.insignificantthoughts.com/ Vinny

    I keep going back to it, but I think it’s worthy of note.

    In the public schools in New York City, children are taught extensively about Zen, Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, and Hindu.

    Note what’s missing.

    You be the judge.

  • http://www.insignificantthoughts.com/ Vinny

    I keep going back to it, but I think it’s worthy of note.

    In the public schools in New York City, children are taught extensively about Zen, Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, and Hindu.

    Note what’s missing.

    You be the judge.

  • pam

    Good points made by both of you.

  • pam

    Good points made by both of you.

  • lorraine

    she can’t sing the song because it “avowls Divinity”. Teaching about religion is not the same as preaching it. The song preaches about the strength and power of god. In public school not all children are christian.

    Schools are funded publically…if this song was allowed a lawsuit may have been started by a non-christian….or worse yet an athiest or a pagan(native Americans…are pagan)

    This is a very small town and it could become bankrupt by just the suit itself…the family is new to public school…their first year in fact….they knew better….they want money, and 15 minutes of fame…

  • lorraine

    ok

  • http://www.insignificantthoughts.com/ Vinny

    she can’t sing the song because it “avowls Divinity”. Teaching about religion is not the same as preaching it. The song preaches about the strength and power of god. In public school not all children are christian.

    So what? Effectively what you’re saying is it’s okay to talk about God as long as you do it in private, and in secret, lest they offend someone who might sue them.

    That’s a pretty odd interpretation of free speech if you ask me. The school endorses nothing by allowing her to sing a song, and anyone who files a lawsuit should have it summarily dismissed. That’s how you deal with this, not relegating a kid singing a song to a back room because their mention of God might offend.

  • http://www.insignificantthoughts.com/ Vinny

    she can’t sing the song because it “avowls Divinity”. Teaching about religion is not the same as preaching it. The song preaches about the strength and power of god. In public school not all children are christian.

    So what? Effectively what you’re saying is it’s okay to talk about God as long as you do it in private, and in secret, lest they offend someone who might sue them.

    That’s a pretty odd interpretation of free speech if you ask me. The school endorses nothing by allowing her to sing a song, and anyone who files a lawsuit should have it summarily dismissed. That’s how you deal with this, not relegating a kid singing a song to a back room because their mention of God might offend.

  • http://www.linoge.net/weblog/ Linoge

    Schools are funded publically…if this song was allowed a lawsuit may have been started by a non-christian….or worse yet an athiest or a pagan(native Americans…are pagan)

    Bulldren. Well, rather, I have no doubt that someone would attempt to bring suit against the school system. However, a student standing up in front of other students and making a proclaimation that he or she is Christian by singing a song such as this one (even though the song technically makes no such proclaimation) has no bearing, whatsoever, on the school, the school system, or the town. If a teacher, or other paid member of the school body were to do the same, that is significantly different. But an independant school attendee does not reflect on the school, in any way, shape, or form.

    Not all children in school are homosexual, yet does that stop the homosexuals from distributing “interesting” pamphlets to those school children? Does anyone (besides those of us with a clue) attempt to stop them? Not all children in school are of caucasian descent. Does that mean we have to stop teaching the histories of europe?

    I am sorry some people’s viewpoints are not sufficiently strong that they cannot withstand other people’s opinions being expressed. I am doubly sorry that our “modern” society has decided to side with the first group of individuals, however. If you do not like what someone is saying, present your own viewpoint… you know… debate. But do not try and stop them from saying what they want (excluding causing imminent physical harm to others) just because you happen to disagree. Frankly, my dear, I do not give a damn.

  • http://www.hauntedparsonage.us/blog/ Chuck

    Under the same supposed logic used by this school administration, a large portion of the music used in school choral and band programs would have to be eliminated from use. A sizeable portion of the music used today, especially classical music was written for churches.

    Can you imagine it: no more “Amazing Grace”. No more “Requiem”. No more “Ode To Joy”.

    And this was in a talent show, which I must presume was not a part of the normal classroom routine, but an extracurricular activity.

    Now, if they want to get religion out of the schools, they should do something about the high school football programs. AT elast down in the South, that’s a religion unto itself!

    -cjb-