Judge blocks public high school graduation in church

[mrveggieman]

Hey guys what's your spin on this?

http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news...chool_gra.html

[Star_Cards]

I don't see why they couldn't have the graduation there. It's just a venue. As long as the church wasn't going to have someone get up before, during, or after the graduation and sell people on their church or religion, I don't see an issue to having it there.

[mrveggieman]

I don't have a problem with it either but would anyone have a problem with it if the graduation were to be held in a mosque instead of a church?

[Star_Cards]

good question. I'd guess that some would.

[*censored*]

I don't see why they couldn't have the graduation there. It's just a venue. As long as the church wasn't going to have someone get up before, during, or after the graduation and sell people on their church or religion, I don't see an issue to having it there.

Agreed. It's just a building. The point of graduation is the ceremony itself, not where it's held. If there's nothing religious about the ceremony, there should be no one taking offense. Frankly, I'd be more offended by a graduation ceremony held on a football field that features a Christian prayer to start it off (oh wait, I saw that at a public school in Texas) than a non-religious graduation ceremony held in a church.

[ensbergcollector]

I don't see the problem. Obviously, the size of the church makes it a good choice for the ceremony. the facilities are probably nicer than anything the school has. I do however understand on a basic level why this was not allowed. My issue is with the stance of the judge. Did you read her comments?
"Enfield schools sends the message...that it favors the religious over the irreligious and that it prefers Christians over those that subscribe to other faiths, or no faith at all"

really? having a ceremony at a church says that you prefer christians to non? Thus my problem with judges. They get to make unilateral decisions based on whatever they feel like.

[habsheaven]

Perhaps the judge made her decision and subsequent comments based on ALL the FACTS of the case? Just a thought.

[ensbergcollector]

Perhaps the judge made her decision and subsequent comments based on ALL the FACTS of the case? Just a thought.

it is a possibility, but based on the way judges normally decide things, i doubt it. The truth of the matter is, many of these judges only get moved up in position when someone appoints them. In order to make a name for themselves, they have to make controversial or shocking judgements.

[habsheaven]

it is a possibility, but based on the way judges normally decide things, i doubt it. The truth of the matter is, many of these judges only get moved up in position when someone appoints them. In order to make a name for themselves, they have to make controversial or shocking judgements.

That's a pretty cynical view to have but I guess you are entitled to it and granted there are times that that appears to be the case.

[ensbergcollector]

That's a pretty cynical view to have but I guess you are entitled to it and granted there are times that that appears to be the case.

i admit it is cynical. However, follow any major judge appointment and what is the main thing talked about? their high profile cases. Those cases which distinguish them as liberal or conservative.