By Paul Goldfinger
167 individuals participated in our poll which raised this question: “If sued regarding the Neptune High School graduation venue, should the Neptune Township Board of Education spend the money to fight the ACLU in court?”
49% said “yes”, 44% said “no”, and 7% said “don’t know or don’t care”.
It should be pointed out that our opinion poll was, we believe, taken mostly by Ocean Grovers, although we have no direct data as to who was voting.
This result should be compared to the sentiment at the open meeting which was held by the Board of Ed at Neptune High School six days ago, where everyone who spoke seemed to want the Board to fight for the planned graduation at the GA. The superintendent of schools said at that meeting that the board would find the funds, if necessary, to contest a suit brought by the ACLU. It should be noted that no suit has been brought so far.
One commenter on this blog said that the Alliance Defense Fund “will likely take the case pro bono,” but we have heard no confirmation of that.
Other commenters thought that we should have pictured the GA with the electric flag covering the cross. So here are two views of the GA facing the audience. (Photos by Paul Goldfinger)
GA during the choir festival---a religious event
GA as it appears during secular events
Helen,
Can I plagiarize? Love this statement.
I think tolerance should prevail. Let us respect all symbols, religious or otherwise, and be offended by none.
I would have no issue with attending an event, public or not, in a synagogue or a mosque. In fact, I would be appreciative that the congregants of any religious institution were welcoming and generous, opening their beloved building to the public. Appreciative.
I would also be angry, I think, if the motives of one or two ruined it for the rest.
I do not live in OG, but, I do have an opinion about where the public high school graduation should be held. I think that it should be held in the high school auditorium or gym.
I am Jewish. If I attend a church with a friend, I would certainly expect to see a cross on the wall of the church.
However, to hold a public school graduation in an auditorium with a cross on the wall, would be offensive to anyone who is not Christian. If the cross could be covered with an American flag, as has been suggested, that would solve the problem in my opinion.
There is no right of protection against being uncomfortable or offended. But … if I’m wrong, this entire debate offends me. Think the ACLU will take up my case?
Looked up your example (Findlaw is great); it wasn’t about any person, regardless of profession, but prayer. In this case, the hymns have already been eliminated.
This is pure and simple nonsense with a broad agenda. I hope it … and the lawyers that bring it in … are thrown out hard and soundly.
And, I have to wonder if the woman who instigated the trouble avoids all churches at any cost. I would hope so; I wouldn’t want to think she wasn’t sincere in her quest.
Jerry and Nancy,
If people want to donate money to fight against this, I certainly applaud their right to do so. Personally, I love the auditorium and love being in it but feel the NBE should do what every other school district has done and have it in their own auditorium or gymnasium and if necessary limit to 2 per student.
This complaint is not about what we feel, like or the traditions we may cherish; that is not the issue. We can’t arbitrarily decide which constitutional protections we want to abide by or not based on the ones we personally like or don’t like.
There is a fundamental separation principle at work here and whether you think the argument made by the grandmother about her being uncomfortable is silly or not, the law makes it clear that the state must not promote religion. In that womans eyes, holding the graduation in a religious building gives rise to the promotion of a christian value set above those of others. While she may be only one person going against a sentimental tide, her right must be protected.
Now we can all argue about whether holding a graduation ceremony in a building with a cross on it is a tacit promotion of a religion but the case law is clear.
In 1992, in Lee v. Weisman, the Supreme Court ruled that school officials violated the First Amendment by inviting clergy to give an invocation and a benediction at a public high school graduation.
In our case, we are holding the graduation in a religious building.
There are often cases the ACLU takes on that I do not like, (such as the defence of the Skokie Nazi march) but I do respect the fact that they blindly defend the constitution rights of people whether we like them, their beliefs or their politics or not.
Not sure what “rights” are being violated. If you will excuse the religious analogy, Chapter and Verse, please.
So Carol, if people got together and donated money to the school board to fight the ACLU; you would not be opposed?
Or is it that you are opposed to taxpayer money being used to protect the rights of people who are FOR this event?
I do not mean this as a personal attack; but perhaps you might need a little schooling on this phoney separation of church and state issue developed and that the US Constitution & Bill Of Rights DO NOT have the words “separation in it.” It only has an amendment against the ESTABLISHMENT of a state religion.
It does NOT say “ACLU is allowed to persecute people who want to have a graduation at a historic site.”
The separation issue is a contrived issue based on words written by people AFTER the Constitution was written and approved.
It is more embarrassing that people do not understand the nature of this and that the ACLU will stop at nothing to eventually prohibit things like crosses on the exterior of buildings so as “not to offend those walking by.”
The school system already removed two items from the ceremony, but the ACLU wants the cross removed, a cross mind you that has been ruled secular in many cases.
It is sad that not enough of this is being taught in schools today.
How ironic that a school board and superintendent dedicated to educating the next generation on the American Constitution and the Bill of Rights and the history of this nation’s struggle to protect those rights, may be willing to demonstrate how little it understands and respects those Constitutional rights and protections and spend taxpayer money to do so.
How embarrassing.
Radar: Your analysis left out the real source of the “unnecessary heat”—the ACLU and the lady who brought the complaint.
well said
Blogfinger is getting to sound like most media in our nation interested in raising “what ifs” to increase viewer response.
Basically we are dealing with responsible agencies–the school board and the OG Camp Meeting Association.
They will work it out…without all the unnecessary heat.