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From: jbf@ccieng5.UUCP (Jens Bernhard Fiederer)
Newsgroups: net.politics,net.religion,net.flame
Subject: Re: implication of a recent bill
Message-ID: <371@ccieng5.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 10-Apr-84 12:08:00 EST
Article-I.D.: ccieng5.371
Posted: Tue Apr 10 12:08:00 1984
Date-Received: Wed, 11-Apr-84 07:12:19 EST
References: <2683@rabbit.UUCP>
Organization: CCI Central Engineering, Rochester, NY
Lines: 33


>On second thought, though, I see a trap door in the bill.  Suppose that
>this bill passes and I am the principal of a public school.  Suppose further
>that I am one of these people who has long wanted to force religion on
>everyone, but my hands were tied until now.

>What is there to stop me from decreeing that all extra-curricular activities
>(such as sports, drama club, glee club, whatever) must begin and end with a
>prayer?  My rationale would be this:  I am now required to permit religious
>extra-curricular activities, but I CAN PROHIBIT ALL OTHERS!  Thus, I will
>allow prayer+football, prayer+swimming, prayer+drama, and so on.

>Let's keep the camel's nose out of the tent.

Your first thought seemed more reasonable than the second.  Remember that
permitting religious activities on campus does not imply allowing discrimination
on religion (in fact, it stops one kind of religous discrimination).  Your
'trap door' is too far-fetched.  By the same rationale, since both black
and white students are permitted on campus, the same principal could decree
that the leader of each group be a white student (he has discretion over which
groups are allowed, and could prohibit at his choice).  This is still
blatantly illegal.

The constitution prohibits establishment of a religion.  While allowing
public facilities to religious activities (and this would have to be done on
an equitable basis -- i.e., if permission is given for a bible club to operate,
a koran or talmud club could not reasonably be refused, does not constitute
establishment of religion, REQUIRING the religious activities does.

Azhrarn
-- 
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