School tries to suppress speech of 5th grader on religion

[thewayne]

Kid gives a speech on how misguided religions can do bad things: the Crusades, 9/11, etc. Wins a blue ribbon, and a chance to compete at a higher level. And a school administrator thinks that the speech should be modified to remove references to religion.

*sigh*

Now, anyone under 18 doesn't have all of the rights and protections of the Constitution since they're minors. But this is just ridiculous.

http://www.salon.com/2013/12/17/school_tries_to_silence_fifth_graders_speech_on_religion/

Comments

[silveradept]

Great Maker, that's the fastest way to kill anybody's ambition and interest in anything. I hope he wins all sorts of awards, just to prove that fourth and fifth graders are able to handle those topics maturely

[thewayne.livejournal.com]

I'm sure the kid is going to be well-rewarded for his paper. I should look around and see if it's available online. I'm sure it's fairly basic, still, it would be interesting to see how he develops his points.

There was an article last week about an Islamic Imam, or some sort of scholar, in Saudi Arabia preaching against suicide bombers, railing against people who slice and dice the Koran to support radical agendas, specifically mentioning Syria and the bombing at the Iranian Embassy there.

I am constantly reminded of the phrase "Science flies us to the moon, religion flies us in to buildings."