Justified?

[Cybercode]

There's this girl at school that has claimed she's an atheist and she goes around and protests religious services in school and says that religion is dumb and God is a figment of our imagination. The school actually agrees with her because the staff is mainly anti-religion. So there is nothing Christians can do to stop her. But my question is, do you think her actions of protesting religions in the school and people because of their beliefs? And this is such a big deal I wouldn't doubt it will end up on CNN or Good Morning America or something like that.

[EDIT] Do you think she is justified to go around school and say that religion is dumb and God is not real.?

I do NOT need bashing of people or beliefs, I want opinions and opinions only.

[Kaius]

What exactly is it you're asking? The overall question didn't make much sense to me :P

[Sage]

She's completely free to express her beliefs and others are free to disagree.

[Kaius]

As Sage said, shes allowed to have her own beliefs. As long as shes not trying to force them upon other people I see no reason why she can't do what shes doing.

[jurisprudent]

She has the right and entitlement to do that, although, if she's crossing the line a bit in school (ie: harassing students, preaching or protesting in a rude or discriminative manner), the school needs to intervene, but you said, that the school is mostly anti-Religion, which is not acceptable, the school board should be neutral in these situations and should not be prejudiced or take sides, they cannot encourage or participate in any religious or anti-religious activities with students. Regardless of their religious beliefs, they still need to respect other beliefs.

[DerBear]

Shes completely free to say whatever or beleive whatever or take action on whatever

[Genghis Khan]

I can't help but think if religious people were saying the same thing about atheism/atheists people here would call this intolerance and ignorance. Or just generally make a bigger deal out of it.

[Donkey]

She has right to freedom of speech, just as much as I have the right to protest that. If you don't agree with her, she doesn't agree with you either. :)

[Jess]

She has all the right to do it

[Korashk]

There's this girl at school that has claimed she's an atheist and she goes around and protests religious services in school and says that religion is dumb and God is a figment of our imagination. The school actually agrees with her because the staff is mainly anti-religion. So there is nothing Christians can do to stop her. But my question is, do you think her actions of protesting religions in the school and people because of their beliefs? And this is such a big deal I wouldn't doubt it will end up on CNN or Good Morning America or something like that.

[EDIT] Do you think she is justified to go around school and say that religion is dumb and God is not real.?

I do NOT need bashing of people or beliefs, I want opinions and opinions only.
What EXACTLY is she doing. I can't comment on the justifiability because your description is too vague.

Is she protesting school-related religious activities?
Is she protesting religion in general in the setting of a school?
Is she receiving any kind of official support?
What exactly is going on?

[Neptune]

She has a right to disagree with Christianity views. However, I think she is going over the line being all ''anti religion'' and protesting all the time. That is annoying.

[Cybercode]

What EXACTLY is she doing. I can't comment on the justifiability because your description is too vague.

Is she protesting school-related religious activities?
Is she protesting religion in general in the setting of a school?
Is she receiving any kind of official support?
What exactly is going on?

Well we have a thing called Christ on Campus supported by the leaders of a local youth group for the Christians of the School that meet in the mornings and have a little service before school starts. Well she has complained that "if atheists don't have a right to preach the word of science, then Christians don't have the right to preach the word of God at school." (almost an exact quote) but the school doesn't really give a crap anyways, but since it takes place on Campus hence "Christ on Campus" they're basically ignoring her. But she is going around the school bashing religious people saying that we don't have the right to shove religious stuff down her throat. And again the school can't do crap because of first amendment ( they lost a legal battle a few years back with a kid who liked wearing rebel flags and clothes, so the system knows about first amendment.) She's also trying to get "under God" out of the pledge. Honestly, even though she has the freedom to express herself, she's kind of taking it too far.

My thing is, she doesn't attend the meetings cause of her beliefs but she's upset at the fact that the word of God is allowed to be preached at school. It's a big mess right now. And I seriously wouldn't be surprised if this was on National TV.

[Ambrosia]

First Amendment: Protects the freedom of religion, speech, and the press, as well as the right to assemble and petition the government

She has every right to do this. There is nothing wrong with her doing so and she is, in all technicality, doing what many Christians do. Plenty of Christians go around schools saying God is All Mighty, God is Great, and that everyone should believe in God. Thus, there is no reason why an Athiest can't run around school saying God is not real, God is not great, and that everyone should not believe in God. Anyone who thinks different (And believes she shouldn't do this) is being hypocritical unless they too agree that this is silly.

Nobody should force their beliefs on anyone. It's not right, no matter what religion or faith (or lack there of) that you are. Forcing your beliefs on anyone is wrong. And this goes for you. You can't force her to believe anything more or less. No one can.

That's how the world works.

She's also trying to get "under God" out of the pledge

THIS IS taking it too far. All though I agree she is allowed, it's not right to try this. Our country was founded under religion and religion (Christianity) is our Country. Everyone within doesn't need to be Christian but they should still just let the old ways stay.

[Angel Androgynous]

Actually, the USA was NOT founded on Christianity (or religion, for that matter). The founding fathers were not Christian. Also, the "under god" bit was added during the 1950s or so, during the whole McCarthyism thing. I don't think God should be in the pledge.... but that's a whole other debate. If religious people can preach...then so can she.

[Ambrosia]

Actually, the USA was NOT founded on Christianity (or religion, for that matter).

In all honesty, I don't claim it was out of my own faith (I am not Christian). I was born and raised in East Texas where, of course, that's what they teach. So, I say it with such a bias sound because it's not easy to unlearn something you've been taught for thirteen years.

But the fact is that the Founding Fathers did want the new country to promote the Christianity Religion for centuries to come with the country.

Fact stated, touche. And still, she has every right. Evvery right.

[jurisprudent]

Well, if there's a Christian organization in the school, and she's opposed to it, let her construct an atheistic student organization if she wants, but again, the way she preaches and protests (in a rude and undesired manner), is quite unacceptable in public schools.

But may I ask, do the Christians there fight back or protest with rude behavior too?

[Korashk]

Well we have a thing called Christ on Campus supported by the leaders of a local youth group for the Christians of the School that meet in the mornings and have a little service before school starts.
If these local youth group leaders are students and everything is completely voluntary and private, then there's no problem and she has no cause to complain (even though she can). However, if it isn't student led, voluntary, and private, this group might be technically illegal (I'm not exactly sure) and her protests are legitimate and should be looked into.

My high school had something similar but it was completely student-run, therefore it was okay for schools as far as the law went.

Well she has complained that "if atheists don't have a right to preach the word of science, then Christians don't have the right to preach the word of God at school." (almost an exact quote)
Well, atheists do have the right to preach the word of science. She's just being an idiot here unless an effort to have something similar to the Christian service but secular got shut down.

but the school doesn't really give a crap anyways, but since it takes place on Campus hence "Christ on Campus" they're basically ignoring her.
What does this mean? That they don't give a crap about her complaints, or that they don't give a crap about "Christ on Campus"?

But she is going around the school bashing religious people saying that we don't have the right to shove religious stuff down her throat.
This is true, kind of. It is quite illegal to, say, actively try and convert people in a public school setting without their initiating the encounter. Like, you can't stand up during lunch and start evangelizing. That's not okay.

And again the school can't do crap because of first amendment ( they lost a legal battle a few years back with a kid who liked wearing rebel flags and clothes, so the system knows about first amendment.)
Depending on how the group is run and what else is being done, there might be something the school can do about it. Especially if the group is the one violating the first amendment.

THIS IS taking it too far. All though I agree she is allowed, it's not right to try this. Our country was founded under religion and religion (Christianity) is our Country. Everyone within doesn't need to be Christian but they should still just let the old ways stay.
1) The phrase "under god" was added to the pledge in the early 1950s because of the Red Scare. It has no history in relation to the original pledge, and its inclusion is a fairly clear cut violation of the First Amendment.

2) If this country was founded on something religiously based (which it wasn't, as other posters will tell you), it wasn't Christianity. It was religious freedom.

[Neptune]

Actually, the USA was NOT founded on Christianity (or religion, for that matter). The founding fathers were not Christian. Also, the "under god" bit was added during the 1950s or so, during the whole McCarthyism thing. I don't think God should be in the pledge.... but that's a whole other debate. If religious people can preach...then so can she.

The founding fathers weren't Christian? Yes, they were.

[embers]

The founding fathers weren't Christian? Yes, they were.

That's irrelevant to whether or not 'under God' was in the original pledge. It wasn't.

[Perseus]

The founding fathers weren't Christian? Yes, they were.

Not all of them. Some were deist. Don't be silly.

[huginnmuninn]

Not all of them. Some were deist. Don't be silly.

most were diests and most had slaves or were in support of slavery.

But back to the main point she has the right to do this the first amendment was made so that people with opposing viewpoiints would have the ability to say what they believed without fear of legal persecution. hey you might disagree with what she is doing but its perfectly legal and as long as shes not hurting anybody its probably good for other students to hear the other peoples views

[Amaryllis]

She has every right to believe what she may. However, I don't believe she should force her beliefs onto others. Everyone is entitled to their own beliefs. Now, if they said "I'm going to jump off this roof because god will save me" then yes, someone should prove them wrong and speak otherwise. However, if they find comfort in the existence of "god" and they are not hurting anyone, fine.

[macbox84]

Freedom of speech...deal with it...if u dont like it move to somewhere were no one can say shit

[mike3_1]

There's this girl at school that has claimed she's an atheist and she goes around and protests religious services in school and says that religion is dumb and God is a figment of our imagination. The school actually agrees with her because the staff is mainly anti-religion. So there is nothing Christians can do to stop her. But my question is, do you think her actions of protesting religions in the school and people because of their beliefs? And this is such a big deal I wouldn't doubt it will end up on CNN or Good Morning America or something like that.

[EDIT] Do you think she is justified to go around school and say that religion is dumb and God is not real.?

I do NOT need bashing of people or beliefs, I want opinions and opinions only.

She has every right to. And you have every right to stop complaining. Your ignorance in this issue is showing and I don't like it.

[anonymous53]

Honestly, no I don't think it's justified. Mainly because I'm a firm believer in "Let people believe what they want to believe" Just because she doesn't believe in it, doesn't mean she has to shove it down people's throats.

As well as when some christians are overly religious and like to tell people they're going to hell for not believing. I believe people need to keep these views to themselves, and not force anything on anyone.

[Korashk]

Freedom of speech...deal with it...if u dont like it move to somewhere were no one can say shit
You don't have freedom of speech as a minor, or in government buildings, or on private property that isn't your own.

[Efflorescence]

I can't help but think if religious people were saying the same thing about atheism/atheists people here would call this intolerance and ignorance. Or just generally make a bigger deal out of it.

I would have given you +1000000 rep points if I could! I totally didn't expect this! You're RIGHT, right!

Do you think she is justified to go around school and say that religion is dumb and God is not real.?

As Sage said, shes allowed to have her own beliefs. As long as shes not trying to force them upon other people I see no reason why she can't do what shes doing.

So you must also see no reason why christians cannot say that atheism is dumb? You accept it then if christians tell you that atheism is dumb? I wonder how you would react if someone told you that.....I bet you'd trigger DISCO INFERNO but since in this case it's the other way round, then it's perfectly ok, isn't it? If that's the case then it's SO HYPOCRITICAL!

[Amnesiac]

You don't have freedom of speech as a minor, or in government buildings, or on private property that isn't your own.

Minors have freedom of speech rights, they're just more restricted.

The chick has every right to go around bitching about religion, however, the religious also have the right to counter-preach. She's obviously wrong in what she's doing, independent religious clubs should definitely be allowed in buildings that belong to the public – if taxpayers built it, shouldn't they be able to use it? It would extremely damaging to the first amendment rights of the religious if they weren't allowed to operate their own clubs in public facilities. As long as their club isn't government-funded or endorsed, and that every person has equal access to use the buildings regardless of their religion, there's absolutely no problem.

So no, OP, she is not justified. She's one of those egotistical atheists. Someday, she'll see the error of her ways.

[StoppingTime]

She can say whatever she wants. It may be wrong to you, or any number of people, but she's allowed. Whether she goes up to certain people and never stops bugging them about it... thats different.

[tHe_Jester1080]

I don't think it's justified. Seperation of church and state doesn't just apply to practicing religion in school, it also says schools can't have an opinion at all.

[StoppingTime]

I don't think it's justified. Seperation of church and state doesn't just apply to practicing religion in school, it also says schools can't have an opinion at all.

What? The First Amendment.... (You know: Freedom of speech and good stuff like that...)

[Cybercode]

I don't think it's justified. Seperation of church and state doesn't just apply to practicing religion in school, it also says schools can't have an opinion at all.

What? The First Amendment.... (You know: Freedom of speech and good stuff like that...)

She has the freedom to express her opinions, but I think that she's been taking it too far with protesting against it in school.

And @StoppingTime, with the getting worse, she's even thinking about protesting against JROTC because it promotes military violence and hatred.

[StoppingTime]

She has the freedom to express her opinions, but I think that she's been taking it too far with protesting against it in school.

And @StoppingTime, with the getting worse, she's even thinking about protesting against JROTC because it promotes military violence and hatred.

If she is truly bothering people, not just saying it, then I believe this is a problem. She does have the freedom of speech, but to harass people nonstop about it, that I don't think she can do.

[ericrulz]

If it's okay to go around school expressing an opinion that religion is GOOD and God is REAL then it should be okay to say the opposite.

[Jupiter]

We are not allowed to speak about religion. We can only speak science. Not fair. If atheists can have their way, we can have ours. We protest that.

[Perseus]

We are not allowed to speak about religion. We can only speak science. Not fair. If atheists can have their way, we can have ours. We protest that.

Religion is a personal thing, that's why. And science is fact and no one goes around "speaking science". And if they did, it'd be the same as "speaking math" or something. And you act like religious people are a discriminated minority in America, when that is definitely not the case. Atheists and agnostics are a minority, and we want to be heard. I personally hate when people start preaching at me for being atheist. It's so conceited. I don't go around telling people that my way of life is superior and that they should join it.

[Jupiter]

Religion is a personal thing, that's why. And science is fact and no one goes around "speaking science". And if they did, it'd be the same as "speaking math" or something. And you act like religious people are a discriminated minority in America, when that is definitely not the case. Atheists and agnostics are a minority, and we want to be heard. I personally hate when people start preaching at me for being atheist. It's so conceited. I don't go around telling people that my way of life is superior and that they should join it.

I'm totally for the freedom of speech, and that's why I am protesting.

[RoseyCadaver]

Like everyone has all ready said she does have the right to speak what she wants.All though if she starts to bully or force her beliefs on to other people that is what can get her in trouble.But the same goes for a theist trying the same thing on an atheist/agnostic.

I personally don't need to go around talking/protesting about how one person is ignorant or how one person is going to burn in hell. :neutral:

[Perseus]

I'm totally for the freedom of speech, and that's why I am protesting.

Protesting what? Her right to show she's atheist?

[Amnesiac]

We are not allowed to speak about religion. We can only speak science.

This isn't true.

[supadupahitz]

I wouldn't say she is justified, but I would say she has the right. I also have the right to go to school and not have to put up with religious stuff being taught or displayed.

[Bath]

What exactly is she doing to protest? Is there a way you can just ignore it? It all sounds kind of pointless to me, a high school girl going around and telling her school God isn't real isn't gonna change much and the whole thing sounds like unimportant drama. But it depends what she's actually doing.

[Genghis Khan]

What exactly is she doing to protest? Is there a way you can just ignore it? It all sounds kind of pointless to me, a high school girl going around and telling her school God isn't real isn't gonna change much and the whole thing sounds like unimportant drama. But it depends what she's actually doing.

Pretty much this. She's really just being annoying and not changing what people think, the most mature thing to do would be to ignore her and move on.

[Marky]

In all honesty, I don't claim it was out of my own faith (I am not Christian). I was born and raised in East Texas where, of course, that's what they teach. So, I say it with such a bias sound because it's not easy to unlearn something you've been taught for thirteen years.

But the fact is that the Founding Fathers did want the new country to promote the Christianity Religion for centuries to come with the country.

Fact stated, touche. And still, she has every right. Evvery right.



First of all Those who came over and founded America were Protistants and Roman catholics. Second of all in an earlier post you posted the first amendment, and It states the freedom of Religion and the freedom of political speech. people get this all to mixed up. the freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly people always mix them up.



Next Religion should not "Sociologicoly speaking" be push upon anyone threw an educational institution or by a public institution. and their is also a time and place for these things to go on. One can not be protesting/preaching/yelling/ect. in a school. thats why churches are built thats why establishments are settled so that it does not interfeer with the others in society and it stays in the place it belongs.