Suit filed to block public school graduation at church (Gays, Atheists, Oh My!)

Suit filed to block public school graduation at church

(Washington) A federal lawsuit has been filed to block a Wisconsin public school district from holding graduation ceremonies in the sanctuary of an evangelical church.

The suit was filed by Americans United for Separation of Church and State on behalf of a graduating senior and several families in the district, challenges the Elmbrook School District’s decision to hold graduation ceremonies for Brookfield Central High School and Brookfield East High School at Elmbrook Church.

“Public schools should schedule graduation ceremonies at public venues where families of all faiths or none will feel welcome,” said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United. “Some parents and children do not feel comfortable attending commencement in this religious setting. Graduation is too important to leave some families out.”

The graduation ceremonies are scheduled for June 6 and 7.

The plaintiffs, who have chosen to remain anonymous, assert that they are extremely uncomfortable attending graduation at the church, given its religion-permeated environment. The plaintiffs also feel unwelcome at the church because it teaches that non-Christians like the plaintiffs, and even some denominations of Christians, will go to Hell.

http://www.365gay.com/news/suit-filed-to-block-public-school-graduation-at-church/

or a family member.

There is NO WAY I would want my kids' public school graduation taking place in a church.

even though there is probably a Unitarian Church in the area or a less RW church of some sort........

But still, ANY church is fundamentally unacceptable. A fundie church is downright insulting and exclusionary.

Do they claim they don't have a space large enough or something? If it were for some practical reason like that, they should rent the space from the church, with stipulations that they can remove religious symbols, no proselytizing takes place, etc. Otherwise, this just has to be stopped.

On edit: When our local middle school was flooded the school district rented our sanctuary for two concerts. But, we were clear that, during that time, it was their space, and nothing religious would take place. We felt like it was a kind thing to do for the schools under the circumstances, and it worked out well.

You get what you pay for.

(At least I, an atheist, think so..... ;) )

Perhaps they should hold it in the local synagogue, instead. That would provide an object lesson to the fundamentalcases, I'd think.

for my highschool graduation.

i swear people can take the fun out of anything.

Think about it- this has better possibilities than simply getting our panties in a knot about a school function in a church. This is a fundie church opening its doors to a contractual secular event- where they can't control what is said from their altar or on t-shirts in the audience. There is a lot of mischief potential here.

Not at all. We don't know what kind of agreement was worked out between the school and this place.

As a gay and an atheist I do not want my graduation marred by the choice of locale, mischief potential or not. Mostly because I'd try to be respectful of those gathered there for the occasion rather than trying to push my viewpoint.

I'm glad they're filing suit and I hope it's successful.

There's a word for bullshit like this and it's called "privilege". I wonder how people who see no problem with this would feel if they were forced to go to a mosque or a Hindu temple for graduation.

. . . if it were in a church I would absolutely REFUSE.