A Texas judge ruled last week that cheerleaders can display Bible verses on banners at high school football games, citing the students' First Amendment’s free-speech rights.
The school district had banned such messages after receiving a complaint from the Freedom From Religion Foundation contending that the banners violate a constitutional ban on the government establishing or endorsing a religion.
The case is scheduled to go to trial next June.
Which First Amendment clause do you believe is the key to this issue, students’ free-speech guarantees or the ban on government establishing or endorsing a religion?
Frank | Oct 23, 2012 | 2:34pm
Well, to begin with, the high school is not the government even though it may receive funding from the local, state and federal governments. None of the previous mentioned are coming out to endorse these banners. So for a small organization to come out and complain about these students and the message they want to share with those watching a sporting event, is rather absurb. I am sure if the sign said something that pointed to another god, then they would not be making a big stink about it. Needless to say, I believe these students are protected by the 1st Admendment of freedom of speech and not the ban.
Ronald Gerwin | Oct 24, 2012 | 11:34am
Clearly this is a free speech issue. The constitution has been twisted and exploded in so many directions that almost any exaggeration is condoned these days. If the Texas cheerleaders want to exploit the Bible to make their point, let them. It’s not blasphemy.
It’s not illegal. Get real.
Dave Scheuerman | Nov 17, 2012 | 6:15pm
The “establish clause” is misinterpreted. It means the government—whatever that is—can not favor one religion over another, nor can it favor or assail atheism for the same reason. On this point the Constitution is plundered. The writers of the document clearly meant no religion or non-religionist is to be favored. All have a right to express their opinions. The government doesn’t have the right to stifle Americans or those who live here. The genesis of the clause came from Englishmen who were being persecuted for their religion and decided to flee to the New World. Ergo, this country was founded on free speech. Let’s keep it that way.
nick batt | Jan 22, 2013 | 11:10am
i have to disagree w/ mr. scheuerman, in part. the first amendment originally applied only to the federal government. most states at the time of it’s adoption had established state churches. it was only after the adoption of the 14th amendment that disestablishment of these state churches was mandatory (although most had already been by that time) the real question is how much involvement constitutes establishment. nothing in modern america compares with the taxes and legal penalties of the 17th&18th; centuries.
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