It's graduation season again, which means that the topic of a benediction at a public school graduation ceremony is in the news once more. Irmo High school graduate Matthew Neilson is suing the Lexington-Richland 5 public school district for allowing prayer during graduation. Nelson says that when a fellow classmate delivered a prayer, he suffered from "unwanted exposure to a school-sanctioned invocation/benediction/prayer/religious message/blessing."
Neilson said the whole thing left him feeling like an outsider. "I was obviously not a part of that part of the graduation ceremony. The district didn't feel like it needed to find time for me and my non-religious or non-Christian friends."
District policies permit benediction or invocation at graduation if the majority of the senior class votes in favor of it, according to the lawsuit. Neilson's class voted in favor of having a prayer. Neilson met with Irmo High's principal and wrote a letter to the school board and superintendent to request that the prayer not be delivered. When his request was denied, he filed suit in hopes of preventing a repeat at future graduations. Neilson is supported by the Freedom From Religion Foundation.
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Neilson said the whole thing left him feeling like an outsider. "I was obviously not a part of that part of the graduation ceremony. The district didn't feel like it needed to find time for me and my non-religious or non-Christian friends."
District policies permit benediction or invocation at graduation if the majority of the senior class votes in favor of it, according to the lawsuit. Neilson's class voted in favor of having a prayer. Neilson met with Irmo High's principal and wrote a letter to the school board and superintendent to request that the prayer not be delivered. When his request was denied, he filed suit in hopes of preventing a repeat at future graduations. Neilson is supported by the Freedom From Religion Foundation.
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Ehh…. that one is sort of a hard one. Invocations and that sort of thing have almost always been a traditional part of Graduation ceremonies, so I can understand them voting to include one. However, it should have been up to the person who wrote it to make sure that they used inclusive language, so that people of other faiths did not feel left out.
And… yes it can be done. I actually recently attended a memorial ceremony where there was an invocation done that was absolutely beautiful (and inclusive). Despite the obvious Christian tone of the ceremony itself, this particular part did not leave me feeling left out in any way, and it was subtle enough, that I can almost guarantee that most of Christians present probably never realized what he’d done.
It can be a challenge, but easy enough if one takes the time to do it properly.
It does make sense to want to keep future graduates from being left out of any part of the ceremony, but i think he went about it the wrong way. Did anyone else feel the same way? Why wasn’t something said to the person who was delivering the prayer first? I’m pretty sure if he had spoken with them, something for everyone could have been worked out.
The problem is the belief that the majority has the right to vote in un-Constitutional behavior. Just because the majority is for it, does not make it right.
This is why we are a republic, not a true democracy, because a true democracy results in an organized mob rule, and tramples on minority rights.
I’m an ex-Christian. I’m against intolerance in any form. To me, there’s not a lot of difference between what this kid wants, and what the right-wing Christian fundamentalists want.
Both want to impose their belief systems on others. (And, yes, Virginia, atheism is a belief system. One could almost say, a religion…)
Just because a benediction is being offered doesn’t mean you have to listen to it! Stick your fingers in your ears, either figuratively or literally. Meditate. Change the wording to suit yourself (I did that at my cousin’s wedding, officiated at by a female Presbyterian minister who didn’t know when to stop talking. It was kind of entertaining, mentally substituting “Goddess” for “God”, “She” for “He”–but I digress.)
If we want people to respect our beliefs–or lack thereof–we have to offer that respect to them as a first step. (And not whinge about feeling excluded…)
Just my opinion.
poor kid, were supposed to have separation of church and state so that no one feels excluded. And no, religious invocations in schools are not the norm.
I think this is kinda dumb… Im wiccan nd i recently went to a graduation nd they had a prayer or whatever nd all the christians bowed their heads but i just stood ther ignored( probably got some dirty looks) nd waited till it was over. While i would prefer an inclusive speech at my own graduation when the time comes i think with things like this its just over and done with… No point making a big stink about it you really cant go back and hav it redone :/
I tend to think he went about it in the wrong way. Why antagonize when it isn’t necessary? It just contributes to the notion that all non-Christians are obnoxious, demanding, immature and unwilling to compromise. Like we don’t have enough bad PR already. It is quite possible, and to my mind more respectful, to just ignore a prayer in progress if it isn’t your “thing.” Daydream, pray to someone else, write your grocery list, work a good fantasy about the school librarian, whatever. If you resent them “forcing” their beliefs on you, it’s hardly fair to force your lack of beliefs on them. Living in a society often requires putting up with a few things you don’t especially like in order to maintain a level of civility.
As always, I’m looking at both side here.
First, I think that it is hilarious when the mere exposure to religion can set an atheist off. I’m sorry, but the Constitution allows the freedom OF religion, not the freedom FROM it. Being “exposed” to religion doesn’t mean that one’s rights were violated. At the very least, he should be suing about the inappropriateness of the matter versus his “exposure”.
At the same time, allowing prayer at a graduation walks a rather thin of Constitutionality. It is clear (from the First Amendment to Supreme Court cases) that school run prayer (prayer induced by school staff) is not allowed. However, prayer delivered by students generally is, since a student’s religious expression can’t be suppressed.
Allowing the prayer to be voted on gave students the chance to be involved but also left some students out. Religion is a rather sensitive thing, one that shouldn’t simply be left to the “majority”.
Really!? They said a prayer and this guy is scarred for life, years in therapy, thousands of dollars in medical expenses. How many of us go to events where they say a Christian prayer, most of us stand silently and respectfully then get on with our lives and rituals.
With so many things being eliminated in education, just what they need- a frivolous law suit where the only ones who profit are the lawyers.
Suffered? He actually “suffered” a school moment of prayer? How did he suffer? Did he state he was atheist? I didn’t see the word atheist.
Did it actually leave an damaging imprint on his future? On his physical being or is he just looking to damage the school district and make a few bucks while he’s at it?
Personally, I think there are actually better things to concern one self with – as in: jobs, college, career…! In that order.
I have to stand with the school and its policy of the students deciding by majority vote to have or have no prayer at graduation. I think he’s acting the spoil sport trying to have his way after the fact. He’s learned a lesson in life, that events don’t always go according to his plan. Its not always all about him.
Really? this is what i would say to this guy…. i for one hope that is in fact the worst thing you are ever subjected to in life. you have no clue what life is going to be like out there in the real world. religion aside, you should at least carry the good manners to stand silently by and respect the beliefs of others, regardless of how they seemingly did not respect your wishes.
i have been an out of the broom closet witch for 25 years and my children and grand children have been taught to respect ALL beliefs or lack thereof.
my grand daughter just graduated from a catholic school (talk about prayer) and it was absolutely beautiful. the speaker was strong in his convictions (having just lost a son) and gave a wonderful speech. and i stood up sat down stood up sat down. sometimes you have to appreciate religion for what it is and what it is not.. the differences can be sometimes entertaining, sometimes moving, but all if done with conviction and from the heart are special to each person.
not that i am against standing up for what you believe in.. but in this case i do not see where a slight has been done to him.. maybe just trying to make a name for himself? and at the same time put again a shadow on anyone that is NOT christian.. there go those dang (insert derogatory slang here) again with their slamming christianity and prayer!
For Gods sake, has the world gone mad with & for political correctness?? I understand America to be a Christian country so can you not be the bigger party. here & be respectfull of traditions that are meant, in no way, to antagonise?? just think of whomever, or whatever, it is that YOU believe in… I thought that ANY God preached acceptance, or am I incorrect… was it inclusion?? I think that progress IS happening!! good Luck, Peace xxxxxxxxxxxx
This has nothing to do with Paganism or Wicca. Please take it off that tag.
Crystal (13), we talk about a lot of issues of religious discrimination and equality here at About Pagan/Wiccan. News stories that directly impact anyone’s religious freedoms often get posted here whether they’re about Pagans, Wiccans, Satanists, Christians, atheists or Others.
patti