GodsThespianChic Posted December 12, 2003 Share Posted December 12, 2003 So I stayed home yesterday, and my brother comes home and tells me a story. A teacher that we both have (he for 2nd period, I for 4th period), has said that we must have her permission to pray in class. Needless to say, I was outraged, though not surprised. I had had an exchange with her about this type of thing in my sophomore year. She had us lie on our backs and breathe to teach us how to breathe using our diaphragms. (Acting class) She goes on to explain that the reason we automatically breathe using our diaphragms on our backs is because we evolved from animals that walked on all fours. I continue to totally mess up the breathing exercise because I was laughing so hard. I said "Um, I don't know about you, but I didn't come from an animal..." She didn't know how to respond to that. She's an atheist. Apparently, yesterday, a girl in my brother's class said that she was going into surgery and asked that each of them keep her in their thoughts/prayers. My brother starts to organize a group of people to pray for her (I'm so proud of him!!) and Ms. Devin-Smith yells at him and tells him that he is not allowed to pray in her class and that he must have her permission to pray in her class. Onto today's confrontation...I walked into 4th period and put my bags and stuff down. I walk up to her and say, "So I hear we now must have permission to pray in your class?!" and she tells me that's true. I say "No. I don't think so." and she says "Yes, seperation of church and state" I say "Yes, I realize this, but apparently you don't know the whole of that law concerning schools. Any student has a right to pray in school as long as it does not disrupt class or force belief on anyone else. It is only a teacher that may not lead a prayer." She tells me I'm wrong. I tell her, "I know my rights as a student, and you will not beat me on this." She says that Mr. Oest (the principle) will agree with her on this issue. I tell her that he will most assuredly not. So yes. Then, knowing that Mrs. Anderson (the sponser of the Christian Fellowship of Students-who is also a Catholic that happens to attend my parish) had a copy of the Student's Bill Of Rights concerning expressing beliefs on a public school campus, I went to her. I got a copy...and oh...look at number 5!! V. The right to pray on campus. Students may pray on campus alone or with others so long as it does not disrupt school activities or it is not forced on others. Ha. God- 1, Ms. D- 0!!! If any are interested in your rights as a student in a public school concerning prayer, here's the full copy. Students' Bill of Rights on a Public School Campus Freedom to Express Religious Beliefs I. The right to meet with other religious students. The Equal Access Act allows students the freedom to meet on campus for the purpose of discussing religious issues. II. The right to identify your religious beliefs through signs and symbols. Students are free to express their religious beliefs through signs and symbols. III. The right to talk about your religious beliefs on campus. Freedom of speech is a fundamental right mandated in the Consitution and does not exclude the school yard. IV. The right to distribute religious literature on campus. Distributing literature on campus may not be restricted simply because it is religious. V. The right to pray on campus. Students may pray on campus alone or with others so long as it does not disrupt school activities or it is not forced on others. VI. The right to carry or study your Bible on campus. The Supreme Court has said that only state directed Bible reading is unconstitutional. VII. The right to do research papers, speeches, and creative projects with religious themes. The First Ammendment does not forbid all mention of religion in public schools. VIII. The right to be exempt. Students may be exempt from activities and class content that contradict their religious beliefs. IX. The right to celebrate or study religious holidays on campus. Music, art, literature, and drama that have religious themes are permitted as part of the curriculum for school activities if presented in an objective manneras a traditional part of the cultural and religious heritage of the particular holiday. X. The right to meet with school officials. The First Ammendment to the Constitution forbids Congress to make any law that would restrict the right of the people to petition the government (school officials). Hope that helps anyone else who has similar teachers!! Now that my fingers are cramped and I have made the longest post in my Phatmass history...I'm out... Peace! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marielapin Posted December 12, 2003 Share Posted December 12, 2003 Way to Go!!!! What did your teacher have to say to that? I'm very proud of you for standing up to her! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littleflower+JMJ Posted December 12, 2003 Share Posted December 12, 2003 whoo hoo!! you go girl!!! ^_^ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geetarplayer Posted December 12, 2003 Share Posted December 12, 2003 Congrats! -Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GodsThespianChic Posted December 12, 2003 Author Share Posted December 12, 2003 She's not too happy with me, not like she ever liked me in the first place, but I could care less. She didn't have a repsonse....cuz I'm right!! But she will never admit that I'm right. She's too stubborn. Ah, oh well. Not like I care what she thinks of me anyway...I have no respect for her at all, for more reasons than this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lilac_angel Posted December 12, 2003 Share Posted December 12, 2003 Actually, believing in evolution doesn't go against the Church's teachings. The Pope himself said it didn't conflict. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GodsThespianChic Posted December 12, 2003 Author Share Posted December 12, 2003 I didn't evolve from an animal. Maybe she did. But I didn't. And I stick to that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmotherofpirl Posted December 12, 2003 Share Posted December 12, 2003 I am proud of you. If she hassles you, call http://www.thomasmore.org/ http://www.catholicleague.org/ CATHOLIC POWER :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paladin D Posted December 12, 2003 Share Posted December 12, 2003 Way to go girl! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lilac_angel Posted December 12, 2003 Share Posted December 12, 2003 "To what extent is the theory of evolution applicable to man? That God should have made use of natural, evolutionary, original causes in the production of man's body, is per se not improbable, and was propounded by St. Augustine. The actual proofs of the descent of man's body from animals is, however, inadequate, especially in respect to paleontology. And the human soull could not have been derived through natural evolution from that of the brute, since it is of a spiritual nature; for which reason we must refer its origin to a creative act on the part of God." from "Catholics and Evolution" http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05654a.htm The Pope's Address - "Truth Cannot Contradict Truth": http://www.newadvent.org/docs/jp02tc.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GodsThespianChic Posted December 12, 2003 Author Share Posted December 12, 2003 that's interesting lilac....very interesting... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littleflower+JMJ Posted December 12, 2003 Share Posted December 12, 2003 while evolution has no proof to back it up, and it does not say whether or not God played a role, its a theory. among many others that try to explain the same thing. the problem with this is that teacher is using evolution as a support that there is no God. (which we all know is not true) GTC, on the other hand, is trying to make her see otherwise. great job GTC!! im very proud of you!! what you may have said will make her think and ask questions.....which with questions, pondering thoughts and curiosity..comes answers.... God bless and pax christi! +JMJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lil Red Posted December 12, 2003 Share Posted December 12, 2003 This is amesome!!! VeraMaria definitely needs a copy of that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lilac_angel Posted December 12, 2003 Share Posted December 12, 2003 the problem with this is that teacher is using evolution as a support that there is no God. (which we all know is not true) How was the teacher doing that? I didn't notice that in the post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GodsThespianChic Posted December 12, 2003 Author Share Posted December 12, 2003 Well, she has flat out said that she doesn't believe in a "silly God" before. I was very offended. Oh well...when she finds out she's wrong, she'll think more about listening to me...oh wait! then it would be too late for her! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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