Political Punch

Hmm... Religion and the school system, an interesting combination at any level. My issue with this young lady's speech is her use of specific Christian ideology. I'm sure, as others have stated, if Muslims, Buddhists, Jews, or Scientologists were to have spoken for a considerable amount of time about their specific beliefs Christians would probably be upset. She was wrong in the mention a specific God. This country was founded on the free worship of any God or no God at all not on Christian fundamentals. It was founded on the principle of acceptance. It is why the colonies were founded. They ran from persecution. From RELIGIOUS persecution. It seems many have forgotten this. The word God means many things to many people. Remember that and go peacefully, friends.

As a Christian myself, I can certainly identify with her motives. Her motives and intentions were clearly nothing but good. If we believe that there is truly no hope apart from Jesus Christ than it would be wrong and unloving NOT to share those things...
HOWEVER
As Christians we are called to build relationships with people in order to EARN the PRIVILEGE to share the gospel with them. We do so lovingly and freely once the situation is right. We do not force or try to make a sales pitch. Personally, just because one earns the right to make a graduation speech to a large crowd does not mean he or she has earned the right to preach to them.

I'm a local resident of Jacksonville. And having lived here my entire life, I am thoroughly disappointed that someone would use such a universal moment to preach Christian gospel. I fully support Freedom of Speech. However, there is a time and place for everything. If I'm defending someone else's right to speak, I should be able to defend my own right to speak back. Though the girl was surely moved and felt compelled on that most accomplished of days to expel the feelings in her heart; they could've been much more effective, flattering and acceptable in a suitable setting. In my experience and personal opinion, it's situations like this and attitudes like the Valedictorian's, that perpetually hold this city back. And it seems that will continue with the new breed of up and coming. In the end, it seems like preaching fire and brimstone to a bunch of graduating teenagers would be futile. How many teens do you think were worried about repenting at the graduation after parties?

To Spock:

What debunks Christianity? LOL!!! Science debunks Christianity. I read the Bible and I can point to many inconsistencies and outright untruths about the existence of life and human existence.

Number 1: The Genesis story has absolutely no scientific principles behind it. Scientists have proven by radio-carbon testing that the Earth is billions of years old and therefore directly debunks the Bible's "6,000 year" age for the earth.

Number 2: The Tower of Babel story has been debunked by science. In this case anthropologists. Human migration patterns have shown that languages just like life EVOLVES. All human languages evolved. There was not one language and then all of sudden some God decided to change all languages instantly. Only and idiot believes in this story.

Number 3: Adam and Eve also part of the Genesis story. If there is no evolution then why aren't humans one race??? Evolution played a big part in differentiating the races on earth. This type of evolution or differentation would have taken thousands of generations therefore this also debunks the "6,000 year age" of the Earth.

And there isn't enough space for me to list all Biblical points that have been debunked.

Rrr-ight on, S: and ALL OF "THE OTHER" resurrection stories are MYTHS.
(wink, wink)

Oh, well, uh there you have it ! ;-)

Do you know what kind of cheese it was, by any chance ?

Have you risen from the dead or been an eyewitness to a resurrection, perhaps ?

Excuse me, I believe it was the "image of Jesus" ON a grilled cheese sandwich.

YES, that truly was a blessing and a miracle.

I watch Benny Hinn every day to see how many are truly healed in the NAME of Our Lord.

All praise be to Jesus.

Great questions, incredulous.

In addition, "the bible" says creation took place what like 6000 to 8000 years ago, yet science suggests the planet is millions or billions of years old.

Where are all the miracles ? Could it be that myths and religions were the best that ancient man could do to explain things that are now rationally and logically known ?

If they were happening then, why are they not happening now ?

Could it all just be a matter of Ancient/Flat Earth thinking vs Modern science and technology ?

(Except, of course, for the "healings" on an evangelical TV show, or jesus on a grilled cheese sandwich ?)

(I personally would rather try and figure things out for myself than believe a 2000 year old story which was copied from even older stories without question).

That's just it, it's a subjective choice that was orignally accepted at the point of a sword and forced upon our ancestors. (and just became like the default way of thinking).

But, you are absolutely correct: NO ONE KNOWS FOR SURE.

how about whether a book written, compiled, and edited, by men with an agenda could possibly be the "word of god" ?

how about the destruction of conflicting "STORIES" and one solid theology going forward from nicea ?

(that "creed" thing sure is a nice little tidy tying up of a FLAWED theology, isn't it !)

how about whether anything like a "virgin birth", "death and resurrection", "water into wine" ETC ETC ETC ever really happened or is just copied from PRE-EXISTING mythology and UTTER NONSENSE ?

(THERE ARE A LOT OF THESE THINGS IN MYTHOLOGY, why should anyone LOGICALLY believe they are real IN ANY CASE ?)

how about whether jesus ever existed or (what jews think) is a combination of several false messiahs from 50 bce to 80 ce ?

(there is NO independent historical verification. NO NOT Pliny, NOT Tacitus, NOT Josephus. NONE !)

i could care less about proving or disproving god or gods (it could be either or none). NO ONE KNOWS FOR SURE.

religions are THEORIES, not absolute truths.

lakester53 - Great Post- Note though they are trying to turn this country into a Socialistic Country, so that is why they do it, if you listen to any of the Libs running for president, they sound like Chavez they talk about Goverment knows better, I have never heard one of them say Liberty or Personal life.

But now on the substance of your comment, What debunks Christianity? There is nothing, every time some Progressive Secularist tries they are proven wrong. Because first of all you can not debunk a Faith or God.

curious why abc limits free speech ???

and deletes almost all posts which debunk christianity as the myth that IT IS ???

(but ALLOWS defenses "of the faith", even when rambling, irrelevant and off topic ???)

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm !!!

Well... just remember freedom of speech goes both ways. If the next speaker wishes to talk about allah or satan, or budha,... then we should expect all people to sit and be as patient at this crowd was. Hopefully it won't ruin your child's graduation experience as this did.

there are many spelling errors i kno, thank God for spell check, i would seem extra dumb with out it. be sure you read my first then my second, then my last one or it wont make any sense. im done i promise

Once again forgive for not proof reading, if their are mistakes im sure that you can at least get the just what im saying. I just copied and pasted them from a different blog so no biggie. I wanted to add that that i speak of the youth of this nation because i am one. I am graduate this year as well, i did not graduate even close to top of my class, i am a former jock( i hung up my cleats after the football season was over), i was nothing special on the field just like to play the game. i was at best a B+ or A- student, no AP's or IB's. I am just exercising my freedom of speech and im sure many of you will disagree on many points but i hope that i gave a good arguement to not being so crtical of a person that is giving her opinion. please dont take me to be the political type, i have no interest in pursueing that field, i barely made my way into college and i am son to some old fashioned hard working blue collar parents that are doing the best they can to get their boys through college to better themselves and this world. I will be glad to take critisims and then write back because i find this alot of fun. its way late and i must hit the sack because just like the majority of you, i got work in the morning. I truly hope that God blesses your day tomarra!

sry i did not proof read my last comment, there is point where i was spelling nation instead of "antion" and there maybe some other minor errors. I need spell check. I ran out of room and did not get to finish my point. If everbody becomes the same then we we'll be no better than a communist or fascist government. This nation's history is filled with strong figures that through their individuality and putting their strong character traits to work they rose up and formed the greatest nation and world power in defiantly recent history and argueably all of history. I cannot say that we have to agree on every single point, but i will say that we must agree on one paticular thing. Which shannon if you listened to her speech made a special effort to point this out. people can say this nation was not found on biblical principles but if you read it the christian overtones are over powering. Our constitution was written with this in mind I assure you. we are born with certain unalienable rights that cannot be taken away by any man. these rights spoken of come from God, and it is of utmost importance that I stress that because God, even if it is not the Christian one, is unchanging. Man is constantly changing his mind where God is a constant, the importance of this is that if our rights are gien to us by God then they can never be taken away. where as man changes his mind on a whim and because of that if the constition is not based on God then the very rights that sepaerate this country from the world can be taken away. let me point out this is why we should keep "under God" in our pledge as well. Being an individual is of great importance but do not try to cahnge the youth of this great nation to be the same as each other because the way i see it, we maybe the laziest generation in this countries history. i urge, no i pleed for our government to keep "God" in this nation, even if you dont beleive in him, but with out him we are sure to fall just as every other nation in history.

it seems to be that the only time the aclu comes into play is went it is a christian standing up for what he believes in, the salutatorian at my school gave a long speech which included buddha and it was a speech of the persuasive type just as shannons. there seems to be a great misconception that there are not radical buddhist or hindus around the world, that enforce their religions on "unbelievers", islam is not the only religion that uses the sword to enforce their relgios beliefs on others. christianity is one that in modern times is not forcing itself on others but yet i would argue that it is the most scrutinized agaisnt in this country and possibly the world. the christians are the ones in this world that are going out and stepping outside their means to help this antion and the rest of the world. we so easily forget katrina, 9-11, and other major world tragedies that many times the christians are the first to go and volunteer. i think it is possible that the reason shannon was attacked so harshly was because she signified her individuality. just as its okay for people to flaunt their paticular sexual or moral beliefs, "aclu forbid" that a christian stand up and exercise their freedom of speech which maybe offensive but if i am a conservative that finds certain peoples sexual preferences offensive then why is this so called "liberty union" not representing me or bashing others for what i find offensive. i get called a legalist or bigot because i dont think somethings right. this nation is beginning to put down a person that has individuality, and trying to make everybody the same, an example of this would be my little brother attends a public elementary. He would be considered gifted intellectually and instead of the teacher commending him and using him to push the rest of the class, they point out the kid that possibly the reason for disrupting the class and pulling others down yet they point out him when he does okay and shows maybe, some improvement.

What's amazing is that "sprituality" is really a private matter.

There are an infinite number of theories, religions, myths, gods. NONE can really claim to be the absolute truth. So, to believe one way or another is nothing more than a SUBJECTIVE CHOICE, usually based on cultural upbringing.

I really don't understand how one can call a book wriiten by MEN "the word of god".

Or look at the claims of virgin births or miracles or death and resurrection and NOT realize they are just metaphors from the distant past.

THERE IS NOTHING ORIGINAL ABOUT CHRISTIANITY. It all comes from pre-existing PAGAN MYTHOLOGY.

Is there a more brainwashed group than christians or moslems ?

(If there is a god, she gave you that gray matter between your ears TO THINK with and not be such a dupe).

I went to school was Shannon and was at graduation sitting listening to her speech and I felt belittled. I don’t believe in Jesus but I believe in only G-D being a Jew I have always had things said to me about going to hell because I don’t believe in Jesus when I was in 5th grade. Now that we have graduated from high school I really thought all that was over but Shannon had to bring it up yet again. Our graduation wasn’t the time or place for Shannon to FORCE her beliefs on her fellow classmates. I blame the school for not reading her speech before hand but also I blame Shannon because she lied to the school saying it wasn’t finished and she needed more time because she only found out that week that she was our Valedictorian which isn’t true everyone in our whole school knew at middle of May when we left. She needs to understand that she hurt and offended many and made our graduation experience less. My mom wanted to walk out of graduation but she also wanted to see her youngest child graduation with honors. Many people weren’t clapping for Shannon they wanted her off stage and we thought that if we clapped she would get the hint but it didn’t work. Many us wanted to leave but we knew we couldn’t because we wouldn’t be able to walk across that stage and have our parents watch us complete this last year something they have wanted for 13 long years to do.

L Rosa there is also a thing called separation of church and state which she totally crossed the line

"...ALL HAVE SINNED AND FALL SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD...."

(ROMANS 3:23)

Thanks for the second parachute illustration. Some people really don't understand, and never will. It's really sad for them. But we who have decited to follow Jesus, "Know" that the end times are coming. thank you for your Message of Love! After all, IF Jesus takes away all your sins, what could be better news?

Just as you have a write to voice your opinion, so does Ms. Spaulding. That's why it's called Freedom of Speech.

""one second after your heart stops beating "skeptical", you won't be so skeptical, you'll be SOBER.""

Message to god: "B-R-I-N-G I-T O-N"

(you people REALLY crack me up)

LOL

Fear not, Ladies...The days of such ignorant NONSENSE will come to an end, and jesus and the "word of god" will enjoy a place on a dusty shelf with Osiris, Dionysus, Zeus, Jupiter, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, et al.

(NOT a very good example of a valedictorian)

Shirley, my daughter also graduated that night from Wolfson. While this is everyone's America and there is freedom of speech, there is also social responsibility. Let Shannon invite whomever to her church to hear her gospel...or host a parade or a 'save your soul' vigil or a 'pack your parachute' party. Our graduation experience was dulled because of her lack of social grace, insensitivity to others and- not to mention- 20 minute BORING speech.She's been interviewed by reporters and stands indignant. The religious Falwell right will praise her as a martyr. I've spoken with numerous Christians who think she was out of line. okay message/wrong forum!!

Shirley, Thank you so much. Others from Wolfson have written and said pretty much that she was the valedictorian and TOUGH LUCK.

(WHICH IS RIDICULOUS)

I am SO SORRY, I missed the speech in person :-), but listening to the recording, I must say that Shannon sounded like a lunatic who had no clue i.e. HER SERMON WAS LAME.

Last Friday night I attended my youngest daughter’s graduation. She is a member of the National Honors Society with a GPA of over 3.5 and was, along with the rest of her class excited that this day had finally arrived. As she sat listening she found herself being insulted, belittled and condemned by Shannon the schools valedictorian. The senior class sat politely as they were told they should turn themselves over to Jesus Christ or they would not go to heaven. Shannon’s speech or should I say sermon, lasted for almost 30 minutes in which she continuously mentioned how Jesus should be a part of all their lives because no one was sin free but the belief in him would save them. She used the analogy of someone having to jump out of an airplane and they were only instructed in how to use the main parachute. When the time came the chute would not open and you were left not knowing what to do. Then you remembered about the back up chute and you realize you had not been instructed on how to use that chute. But if you turn yourself over to Jesus you will know what to do and be saved.
Today, when our public school’s population is so divers and teacher’s try to not offend any student. Shannon put Wolfson High back in the 50’s. I except Shannon’s right to believe and worship the way she chooses. I only wish she would heed her own words. She explained how lucky we are to live in a country based on our right to liberty and the pursuit of happiness. She then qualified herself by pointing out that to be really happy you would accept Jesus into your life.

JD: ""Fascinating! So now one's belief doesn't count if they don't attend church regularly?""

that wasn't the point, but it doesn't surprise me. THE LOGIC IS that people are turning away from the church in BIG numbers, and not practicing at home or AT ALL. (THEY SEE RIGHT THRU THE MYTHOLOGY).

nice try though.

((FASCINATING, how you put the blinders on and do that !!!)

OH PLEASE, "smite" away !!!

(word of god, written by men, HO HUM)

Opps! That's what I get for not proof reading. I of course meant man ISN'T infallible.

Dear JSR: Pretty funny, I'm SO scared !!!

I just want you to know that "I'm shaking in my boots with fear" !!!

woooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.

(I don't believe in invisible gods, fairy tales, or even souls)

Again I ask: HAVE YOU RISEN FROM THE DEAD ???

(I didn't think so).

""BTW, 1 second after my heart stops, I'LL BE DEAD as will you and that is all ANY OF US truly know for sure, unless you've risen from the dead like the fairy tale goes ???
(hehehe)""

GOD WILL SMITE THEE AND ALL OF THE OTHER HEATHENS WHO DARE MOCK HIM.

REPENT FOR YOUR SINFUL WAYS AND BE BAPTIZED, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE WORD OF GOD.

(SHANNON WAS TRYING TO SAVE YOUR SOULS).

""So instead they practice their faith at home and in their daily lives.""

GREAT, I.E. PERFECT, THAT'S WHERE IT BELONGS, IT IS A PRIVATE MATTER AFTER ALL.

(Attendance in Church is declining because people realize it's mythology and like it or not, god is OBSOLETE in 2007).

Fascinating! So now one's belief doesn't count if they don't attend church regularly? Using that logic, one could reason that an atheist becomes a believer if he or she attends a memorial service in a church. There are many reasons for the decline in church attendance. One is that man is infallible. And many parishioners have been turned off by so many church leaders and officials following their own ambitions, greed and pleasures. So instead they practice their faith at home and in their daily lives. But this makes them no less of a believer!

hlewisJR: You DO NOT state the obvious, even in your own condescending way. IT WAS NOT a forum for personal testimony about fables.

We have no issue with free speech, but it is certainly funny how those that disagree with 'christians' or 'conservatives' or 'the war' get labelled as "disgruntled" or "whiners".

THE FACT IS Public High School graduations are FOR ALL the graduates and their families.

(NOT ONE MISGUIDED PURVEYOR OF UTTER AND COMPLETE NONSENSE)

Just because YOU believe it, DOES NOT make it FACT or TRUTH !!!

Excellent point, skeptical. Actual active and participating church-going christians have been diminishing in europe and in america FOR DEACADES.

Of course, holy mother church is only worried about having to sell off assets to pay the bills.

it's easy enough for most half way intelligent people to look at the mythology of the times and see the pagan orgins of christianity (and islam) quite easily.

(certainly there is no such thing as virgin births, deaths and resurrections, and prophets floating to heaven).

it was all tied up quite neat-like by constantine and his minions.

christianity could easily be the greatest hoax ever perpetrated upon humanity !!!

JD: you wouldn't know 'common sense' if it bit you in the behind !!!

ACTIVE church going christians in america are more like 40%

In Britain it's like 20%

(France even less)

SEE A PATTERN i.e. America is heading that way. People KNOW it's a bunch of HOOEY !!!

YES YOU ARE diminishing all of the other graduates.

Funny when I was in school, the class valedictorian was my best friend and he seemed more concerned with sending out a message that ALL of his classmates could relate to rather than PREACHING some fairy tale.

I guess it's winner-take-all and SCREW EVERYONE, it's MY 20 minutes to talk nowadays ???

(THAT IS SAD)

BTW, 1 second after my heart stops, I'LL BE DEAD as will you and that is all ANY OF US truly know for sure, unless you've risen from the dead like the fairy tale goes ???

(hehehe)

"America needs more people with common sense."

The Graduate Center of the City University of New York conducted a poll of 50, 281 people in 2001. Their results showed the following:

76.5% of Americans are Christian (52% Protestant and 24.5% Catholic)

14.1% are Agnostics, Atheists, Humanists, Seclarists or have no religious affiliation.

It seems to me that the Christian sense is a lot more common than you believe!! And you're right, we would love to have more!

Now as a side note, it is interesting that many of you claim that teaching religion in public schools is unconstitutional. Yet, Humanism is COMMONLY taught in public schools. And Humanism IS a religion!! But I guess as long as the religion meets your standards it's okay!

I'm not diminishing the importance of the other 380+ graduates. I simply state the obvious...she alone earned it and she alone spoke it. Obviously you have an issue with free speech. Or is the only appropriate place to air that on some blog for disgruntled armchair quarterbacks who would rather judge others than themselves? Like it or not, she deserved the 20 minutes to speak her mind, which was deemed by the academics as the sharpest in that school. Whine all you want, the fact is 380+ others had the same opportunity and didn't make the grade. Why do people persist in attacking what they don't understand or agree with. I guess that's you're "American Way". And as for her "faulty theology"...one second after your heart stops beating "skeptical", you won't be so skeptical, you'll be SOBER.

Are you saying that excellence in academics gives her the right to NOT EVEN CONSIDER the meaning of the event TO ALL of her classmates and their parents and family and friends, etc ???

(and just RANT ON ILLOGICALLY about a faulty theology like it is really true just becuse you believe it ???)

Sorry, I think that is RUDE !

America needs more people with COMMON SENSE. (shannon has NONE).

The constitution provides for freedom OF religion, not freedom FROM religion. This means that everyone should have the freedom to express their beliefs, even if it is not consistent with what others may believe. It would not be noteworth at all if someone were to give a speech denouncing his/her school, local/regional/national government, the war in Iraq.... This is considered freedom of religion.

The student earned the right to speak her mind/convictions by her academic excellence during her time in High School. In my opinion her statments, though true, were in poor taste, but no one seems to mind when another gives a diatribe against things others hold dear.

Tell me there isn't a double standard.

I know this young lady. She is sweet, gentle and soft spoken. Rude is not a term I would ever use for her manner. Regardless of whether you agree with her or not, that speech is one that is earned by an individual who devoted their time and effort to excellence in academics. Therefore, she earned it, she gets to speak. As for the statements insulting her intelligence, consider why she was allowed to give the speech. It would seem that more Americans need what she has.

HELLO...it was founded on religious FREEDOM...with no particular respect to ANY individual religion....MANY of the founding fathers were Deists (believing in a Supreme Being, not necessarily a particular god or even jesus)...and fought with christian clergy from the beginning to make the U.S. religiously NEUTRAL...

(what history are you reading ???)

I applaud this young woman for speaking from the truth she knows. Public School? WHY NOT? It seems to be the hotbed for the break down of the moral fiber of this country. Free Speech? Do your homework, this country was founded on the biblical principles of the bible and the search for religious freedom. It was founded on the views of the Christian. Let her speek. Those who have ears will hear her message and those who do not have already sealed their fate.

Atheist - Who created so called "Truth Table," ? Man? yes, so thus in that a truth table is only based on the person or persons that created this table,

Man is fallible, God is not.

APPLAUDS to James Danley - You hit it on the nose.

The fact here is Jesus must mean something the fact that she is Valedictorian shows that her faith helped her and she was trying to help others.

Nobody has yet stated anything unconstitutional about public schools and religion, Why - because there is nothing in constitution about it.

It really is interesting how up-in-arms some of you are about a young women giving a speech about HER lifestyle; and how rude and disrespectful SHE was. Hmmmm! Are you the least bit upset at what took place at Boulder High School in Colorado, back in April? The principal and administration held a manditory assembly for the entire student body (with some students as young as 14 years old) entitled "STDs: Sex, Teens and Drugs." In this assembly a panel of "experts" promoted the use of drugs, advocated the legalization of drugs, and encouraged unsafe sex with as many partners (even at the same time) regardless of gender -- in extremely graphic detail. All without parental notification! And that is just one case! There are dozens of incidents where seminars were given to high school students that not only talk about, but actually promote the gay lifestyle. These students are forced to listen to these seminars -- regardless of their personal beliefs -- because their parents are NOT informed of the events, much less the content. And again, you say Ms. Spaulding was rude and disrespectful!

I agree, definitely NOT intelligent, not even a good speech. LAME parroting of biblical mumbo jumbo and dogma.

(IF I WERE A SENIOR IN HER CLASS, I WOULD HAVE TURNED MY BACK ON HER AND WALKED OUT)

Shannon Spaulding may be the valedictorain, but she certainly is not intelligent.

""Ms. Spaulding did what one is called to do as a believer in Jesus.""

WHAT, BE SELFISH AND RUDE ?

""It's not Ms. Spaulding who is offending you it's Jesus.""

UMMM, NO. Your imaginary friend WAS NOT there. (Guess again).

I'm sorry to read so many comments that are negative, however Ms. Spaulding did what one is called to do as a believer in Jesus. It's not Ms. Spaulding who is offending you it's Jesus.

Wow, I just heard her speech and I honestly couldn't go through half of it. She started off well, then went on ranting on and on about God this, Jesus that, the devil this, salvation that... Totally innappropiate for a highschool speech! Was this appropiate? NO... was it well meant, yes she had good intentions no one is denying that, but... that was not the time nor the place!

How many of you recall the topic of the valedictorian speech from your high school commencement? I venture to say that 80 years from now Ms. Spaulding's classmates will recall the topic of their valedictorian speech.

To James Danley:

LOL!!! Your "TRUTH" is imaginary and not based on anything anyone can test. Ever heard of truth tables???

The valedictorian didn't have "love" in mind when she stood up and decided to preach her religion to people WHO DIDN'T GO THERE TO BE PREACHED TO. That is offensive. Why is it so hard for you to accept that there are times and places for everything??? And that RESPECT should be the utmost value???

spock: glad we could agree on something. if the discussion turned from religion to politics, it wouldn't be so pretty !

Her speech was for everyone in her graduating class, not just those who share her religious beliefs. This was not the time, nor the place for proselytizing.

After hearing her speech I am not offended at all. This young lady spoke intelligently, openly, with good intent, and was very open and honest to the idea that others would disagree or reject her statement. Her intent was that of all the advice she could present, this was the best she could offer. If as a valedictorian academically achieving higher than over 300 of her peers it only seems logical that the audience hear what motivates her life, what drives her success. How many of us in America differ from the masses in our perspectives or opinion in some form? Should we ban all creative or dissenting thought? Regardless of religious perspective, this young lady demonstrated courage and good intentions in presenting an unpopular notion of what is her source of strength and the best of what she can offer. It should have been received with that intent as it is clearly portrayed in that manner. She is exercising why tenure was created in the academic environment....so that freedom of speech, challenges to ideas could be demonstrated without recourse.

Graduation is not the place to hold a sermon. This person was rather rude to her fellow students.

skeptical - Those were insulting to a religion, I do not think they were funny, but I know in America they have Freedom of speech to do the cartoons but did you notice that American Left media would not show the cartoons, but yet that same media allows cartoons attacking Christians. So Like I said as long as it is against Christians it is fine - You can insult them and stop them from talking.

skepitical - See people that belive in God and that don't can have common ground, I think both parties speak out both sides too.

But anyhow, I realized one thing, that this blog of all seems to get the most chatter.

I do not know whether to be scared about that or not, because truthfully how does a High School Val,. speech impact the U.S.

Politicians (especially Libs) love when they are ignored and we talk about stuff like this.

spock...btw i thought the "islamic cartoons" of about a year ago were funny and the uproar they caused even funnier. at least some christians i know have some semblance of a sense of humor. (but not much).

spock. i am not offended, i just dont think it was appropriate for a high school graduation.

people are welcome to believe in fairy tales, if they wish. i realize it's hard to rid oneself of crutches like that.

i think democrats and republicans might as well be the same party as they ALL talk out of both sides of their mouths and care only about fethering their own nests.

i am neither conservative or liberal. i enjoy being a heretic and believing in nothing. please DON'T pray for me as i would find heaven tedious and boring.
THANKS !

Ms Spalding's intentions are irelevant.
Our beliefs are irrelevant.

The question is WAS IT APPROPROPRIATE for a PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL graduation ceremony ???

YOUR answer is consistently "as long as she was talking about jesus, it's O.K. "

""And that IS your God-given right to ignore the TRUTH.""

WHY THANK YOU, I THINK (how gracious of you and your imaginary friend !)

People, we must keep two questions separate. The first is whether the school should have prevented or stopped the valedictorian from saying what she was saying. The second is whether what she was saying had merit or was otherwise commendable.

On the first question, unless the school had established viewpoint-neutral criteria for speeches, then the valedictorian should not (and under the First Amendment probably could not) have been prevented or stopped from speaking.

As to the merits of her comments, what can you say. As a "believer" and a "person of faith," by definition she's irrational and anti-rational.

skeptical - thats funny because people like you and atheist only complain when a Christian says something. no one else, all Christian do is try to protect their first Amendment rights.

The constitution says nothing about Freedom from being Offended.

By the way if people were offended why was there loud cheers every time she stated Jesus. Hmmmm maybe because a very small minority of US hating people like yourselves have nothing else to do.

We are a Democracy the majority rules, with certain rights given to all.

The speech does not sound like a indoctrination.

skeptical I guess we have to stop all speeches, because some one might not agree with it. Cool can I start suing the Libs :) because when Hilary speaks about a one religion country that offends me, lets get the lawyers, ooops sorry t90% of the trial lawyers are libs, oh well there goes that idea.

Get a Life, maybe if you had faith in something you would not easily be offended.

I really think your afraid of GOD. So I will pray he watch over you to show you the way.

Ms. Spaulding gave her speech out of LOVE for her fellow graduates. It was NOT filled with hate. You see hate because you are intolerant to those who express beliefs that are different from yours. You are the ones who are intolerant of others' beliefs; and want to silence those of us who disagree with you. You make fun of and ridicule us who believe in Jesus Christ. We don't ridicule you for not believing! We accept that there are those who don't believe. And that IS your God-given right to ignore the TRUTH.

To Spock:

You are beyond reason. What the valedictorian said was offensive and disgusting to people who didn't believe in what she believed. The school should be sued for allowing that to happen. A public high school graduation is about remembering the happy times and the future ahead. She ruined it by allowing religious dogma into it.

It is about RESPECT for her fellow students' beliefs. She obviously had NONE.

and it is offensive because they are ALL just STORIES, MYTHS, OR THEORIES.

some hope there is a big scoreboard in the sky and their god will win.

but mostly, it's much ado about nothing !

(and we're TIRED OF IT)

actually, spock, i would prefer NONE of the FAIRY TALES be mentioned at a PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL graduation.

and,it is christians (more often than not) who get "up in arms" about ANY other points of view.

Funny thing that you say unquestioning belief is the reason for Terrorism, I do not know of any Christian group terrorizing people! Some Terrorist may be Christians but they are not doing it in the name of the bible or Jesus. Islam reads from the Qur'an which states conversion by the sword, and now only the extremist Nazi Islams follow it though.

Religion is not the reason for terrorism, it is what sick individual use as a reason.

Christians have done so much good for the world.

FYI: By the way the terrorsists hate us becuse of the libs lifestyle.

You libs condemn this student, but yet none condemned thatg elite college for inviting the Islamic terrorist for speaking at their college.

Shannon keep up the good work and ignore these haters.

Sharon - What is offensive in talking about Love? A shared Belief? So she used the name Jesus, he preached Love and so on!

So please, any one offended by this means they are prejudice against Christians, period.

You hear students talking about MLK (which is very appropriate, he was a great man) and no one complains.

You have teachers pushing Islam in clase, no on complains!

But yet if someone mntions God or Jesus you libs are up in arms, and then say that Christians would be up in arms if someone talked about Islam, well it is being done, and I hear no one other then asking for fairness from Christians, you libs do not complain about Islamic speeches.

Also you libs complain about schools putting up a Christmas tree, which is not a religious symbol, but yet do not complain about the Menorah which is a Religious symbol. (I do not mind it by the way, but they should be putting a manger up with it) - If you do not believe me, their was a Lawyer in Florida that argued that the tree should not be in a school but it was alright for an Menorah, I think it was in 2002.

So Stop hating Christians, and may Jesus save you.

What a sad thing. This young lady is starting out her adult life by showing that she hasn't the slightest idea about how to express her personal joy without demeaning that of others. Her selfishness during a moment of transition from being a child who thinks of nothing but herself to an adult who sees the world as a complex mosaic of individuals with differing views is stunning. She could have said - I'm happy with my life and thrilled with my faith ... it helped me study well and become the speaker. Instead she insisted on ignoring the deeply held faith of others by choosing to quote the least inclusive portions of her faith's teachings. She had the opportunity to use her moments