In Theory:

SHOULD THIS BANNER BE BANNED?

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday heard arguments over whether a
banner a student displayed in 2002 on his school's campus could be
censored by the school.

"Bong hits for Jesus," was the message on the banner.

The student, Joseph Frederick, who was suspended from the school for
displaying the banner, reportedly said the message was a "free-speech
experiment" and "was not intended as a drug or a religious message."

The school has argued that it has a right to muffle the speech that
promotes illegal behavior and does not adhere to school policy.

But an alliance of groups, including the ACLU, gay rights groups and
Christian lawyers, argues that with such power, a school could engage
in "viewpoint censorship" and get rid of all contentious speech --
including religious speech.

How do you think the Supreme Court should decide this case?

Kids will be kids, and will often test their limits, both at home
under their parents' authority, and at school under a broader social
authority. Minors do not necessarily receive all the same freedoms of
behavior as do adults, and school administrators do set rules and
standards for appropriate speech, dress and behavior to produce an
effective environment for learning both academics and skills for
living in the world.

While an adult being forced to conform in speech and attire may have
a case for legal action, to encourage frivolous lawsuits by students
who have run afoul of school codes of conduct may be more socially
damaging than the possibility of an overly conservative school
environment. The young man, who was ostensibly conducting a
"free-speech experiment," was more likely experimenting with how much
he could get away with, and possibly with how big a laugh he could
elicit from his buddies, by blatantly displaying an absurd and
irreverent banner.

To equate the school's actions with serious censorship, and to accept
the increasing ease with which individuals may ultimately profit in
the courts by twisting the Constitution to their benefit, really
defies common sense.

Baha'is are taught to respect and obey civil law. As parents, we
teach our children to be respectful of teachers, courteous to other
children and that there are consequences to one's actions. This
general code of behavior should extend to the observance of
reasonable rules at school and to an attitude of dignity in regard to
religious expression.

BARBARA CRAMER

Secretary

Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is

Glendale

Freedom of expression is every citizen's basic right as guaranteed by
the Constitution; the 1st Amendment is a cornerstone of American
democracy and serves a foundation for everything we hold dear. In
many cases, it is religious groups, especially those in the minority,
such as people of the Jewish faith, who benefit most from this
amendment. The right to express ourselves as we see fit provides us
the opportunity to practice our religion without fear of the
persecution that is all too common in other parts of the world.

However, as with anything positive, we must be careful not to abuse
this right or we risk undermining it and losing the protection it
offers. It is critical that common sense guide our application of the
Constitution so that we don't unwittingly damage the underpinnings of
our way of life. Above all, we need to draw the line in extending a
right when it paves the way for illegal activities, harms our society
or infringes upon another person's rights.

In this specific case, the student disregarded common sense and used
language that clearly promotes an illegal activity: drug use. Using
the 1st Amendment as a cover for this action distorts the
Constitution and sets a potentially dangerous precedent. The argument
that "Bong Hits for Jesus" is neither a religious or drug-related
message simply strains credibility. No high school principal would
keep his or her job for long if they allowed pro-drug messages in an
educational setting -- and I imagine few thoughtful observers really
believe this prank was intended as a "free-speech experiment."

RABBI SIMCHA BACKMAN

Chabad Jewish Center

This is an unfortunate case to go before the Supreme Court because
the content of this student's expression is nonsense. The student
wanted to be seen, and not so much heard, for his thoughtful concerns
as protected by our 1st Amendment right. One wonders if the banner he
displayed had read, "My Principal is a Pedophile," would have been so
championed by all the groups that have defended him.

I believe in free speech, but when you are in my house, I may have
some rules to follow, just as I believe the chaperone for the high
school student had while on this schoolsanctioned outing. Had the
student gestured by giving the finger out of the bus window to police
officers passing by, I think punitive measures for that free
expression would be in order.

School is a great place to exercise free speech and administrators
should offer ample opportunity for such, but where does discipline
and respect come in? If a teacher tells a student to sit down, and
the student in turn responds with some epithet, does the teacher have
any recourse, or does she just take it lest she be sued by the ACLU
for violating the little angel's freedom?

If the student wanted to make a scene, he should have done it
completely apart from any school connection so that he alone would
bear the consequences.

I don't think anyone should lose their Constitutional privileges at
school, but they're still under supervision, and they represent the
character of the institution. Nobody should be oppressed for
expressing religious or political views, and they should be
encouraged, but where is propriety in this case?

These kids today .

"Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will
not turn from it" (Proverbs 22:6).

THE REV. BRYAN GRIEM

Senior Pastor

MontroseCommunityChurch.org

The Supreme Court should rebuke, but not restrain, Joseph Frederick.

Whether it was serious or just an experiment, Frederick's statement
is a clear example of what the Bible calls foolishness. Fools don't fear God.

Fools babble, they are arrogant and they are careless. Fools reject
rebuke and discipline and are quick to quarrel.

The only time a fool appears to be wise is when he shuts his mouth.
But this doesn't happen much, because it is characteristic of fools
to multiply words.

God's clearly stated will is that we silence the ignorance of the
foolish by doing right ourselves. Fools will never be silenced by
taking away their right to express themselves. Trying to restrain
them is like trying to restrain the wind, or trying to grasp oil in
one's hands.

Scripture teaches us that the wisest speech is wholesome and helpful
for building others up according to their needs. Wise words always
benefit those who listen. With our hearts set on loving God and those
around us, we would all benefit to daily pray as the Psalmist did:
"Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my
lips." (Psalm 141:3).

PASTOR JON BARTA

Burbank

Valley Baptist Church

The law protecting free speech does not allow me to yell "fire" in a
darkened movie theater, nor should it give me the right to use
hateful words against individuals or groups of people. I
wholeheartedly support every person's right to free speech; and yet
at the same time, I believe that free speech implies a certain
responsibility. On one occasion I had to ask someone to leave church
because of a vulgar four-letter word displayed boldly across the
front of their sweatshirt. They may have the right to wear what many
find offensive, but I as a pastor have the right to ask them to
remove such articles or leave while on church property.

Popular culture often seems to push the limit for the simple sake of
shock value.

Such actions are often meant to offend the sensibilities of others.

The blatant disregard of others, I believe, has led to much of the
polarization we see in all facets of society today.

I'm not suggesting that the Supreme Court rule against the young
person in this case, but I do believe that school should be an
environment for learning, and that publicizing one's personal point
of view should be done responsibly and on one's own time.

FATHER PAUL J. HRUBY

Pastor

Church of the Incarnation

Glendale

First of all, the phrase "Bong Hits for Jesus" makes me laugh. It's a
dumb phrase, and I'm not sure I know what it means. (I do know what a
bong is, by the way.)

Still, I'm going to side with the ACLU, the gay groups and the
Christian groups that are joining forces on the side of the young
man's right to hang his sign, stupid as it is. Some speech is simply
offensive because the speaker wants to be offensive. Before I was a
minister, I worked in another state as a TV news reporter/ anchor. In
those days, I spotted a bumper sticker that seemed to try to offend
as many people as possible. The sticker said, "Nuke the gay whales
for Jesus." Again, stupid as that sentiment seems, it made me smile.
Nobody sued anybody over that bumper sticker, and I'm glad.

This is America, and free speech is free speech, no matter how dumb
or how offensive.

You and I are not allowed to yell "Fire!" in a crowded theater; and
as I learned from a grade school teacher when I was a boy, my freedom
ends where your nose begins.

Still, a sign, and a stupid one at that, and the school
administration reacted with a heavy hand?

Not only am I siding with the ACLU, the gays, and the Christians on
this one; I would almost bet that they'll win, because they should.

THE REV. C.L. "SKIP" LINDEMAN

Congregational Church of the Lighted Window

United Church of Christ

La Canada Flintridge