Was the ACLU correct to defend the right of Christian students to have religious entries in a yearbook pic?

Question

The ACLU defended a Christian student, arguing that he had a constitutional right to religious speech in his yearbook entry?

Do you agree with the ACLU this this is okay?

Source: http://www.aclu.org/studentsrights/expression/12845prs20040511.html

Answer 1

Well, I'm heartened to know that for once the ACLU defended a Christian's freedom of religion. By the way, did you know that the ACLU once defended Lt. Col. Oliver North?

Answer 2

Well, of course, students should have rights to express themselves in any way they want. So, if the yearbook entry allows free speech about pets or sports teams, it certainly shouldn't restrict speech just because it happens to express a religious belief. THAT would be a restriction of the free exercise of religion, which WAS, after all, the purpose of the constitutional protection.

Now, if the school is subsidizing this yearbook, that makes it a little less obvious. I've been a big critic of the way schools have taken over so many student organizations and publications, because in the end, they end up restricting behavior in obtuse ways like this. I'm not convinced that even the subsidy should change the result, but certainly, if the school allowed students to fund the yearbook through yearbook purchases (like they did for generations before this one), then its even an easier decision.

Answer 3

The ACLU looks attempting to repair its public attractiveness. they have been attempting to repair it ever because of the fact the election of 1988 while Bush the Elder stored calling Mike Dukakis a "card-donning member of the ACLU," and that marketing campaign approach appeared to have worked. for this reason, the ACLU grew to become into wanting to place out a mass mailing (to those that weren't even their own individuals) asserting the indisputable fact that they have got additionally defended Oliver North's rights.

Answer 4

So much for the ACLU being the puppet of satan. When will people ever learn? The ACLU defends CIVIL RIGHTS! Everyone's civil rights!! If they didn't defend a pedophile's rights or a pornographer's rights... then they couldn't defend a Christian's rights either! They defend civil rights, and it doesn't matter who's rights.

And yes, it was correct that the UCLU defended the rights of the Christian student.

Answer 5

For once in a long time (since the 60's) I agree with them unless the entry could be called hate speech. If the entry suggested that gays should be killed, then the entry would not be defensible for example.

I assume they also would defend the right of a Muslim or atheist to proclaim their beliefs in a way that does not constitute hate speech.

Answer 6

Who is the head of the ACLU?

Dick Armey former Conservative Republican Congressman
A real Conservative who was purged by the Bush Facist.

So where are the NeanderCons who whine about the ACLU?

Answer 7

But, but, I don't understand....Isn't it the religious right who thinks the ACLU is a bunch of communists?

Watch the cons squirm.

Answer 8

But... but... but... The ACLU hates Christians, that's what the Right Wing says.

The ACLU has done more for Christians than Pat Robertson and James Dobson will ever do for them.

Answer 9

Yes, even though I can't stand the ACLU. Every blue moon they'll defend a Christian to try to show you that they don't hate Christians. Actions speak louder than words however.