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 Top Court: ‘Bong Hits 4 Jesus’ Not School-FriendlyPosted on Jun 25, 2007By Claire Wasserman In his “free-speech experiment” five years ago, senior Joseph Frederick displayed a large banner outside his school in Juneau, Alaska, with the message, “Bong Hits 4 Jesus.” Frederick’s banner was quickly confiscated by his high school principal, and he was suspended for 10 days. In response, Frederick took his school all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. On Monday, the court ruled against Frederick, finding that schools “may take steps to safeguard those entrusted to their care from speech that can reasonably be regarded as encouraging illegal drug use.” Frederick, who is now 23 and living in China, sought damages from his high school principal, arguing that his free-speech rights, protected under the First Amendment, had been violated.
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By nelson, August 3, 2007 at 3:06 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
Well Skruff,
Report thisI am well aware of the scriptures, and I think you are taking them out of context. He said that to the priests and scribes who would pray out in the streets and out in public to make themselves look like holy and righteous men, or men who thought they were better than anyone else. Inside they were full of dead man’s bones and corruption. They would do things that were contrary to the will of God.Is it against God’s will that we pray for those in need. I am not asking for your respect and I am not trying to gain anything from you and I don’t think there is any hypocricy in that.
Did not Christ ask his apostles to go with him to the garden and pray with him that they may not enter into temptation? (Luke22:40). Is that not praying as a group? I also pray in secret every cahnce I get. I don’t know what you are reaching for here, but, I don’t think there is anything wrong with praying for someone else. I am not praying for my own self-interest, I am doing it out of love for you as a human being. And you can never tell me to stop caring for people’s salvation. I apologize if you are alittle offended. It was not my intention. My whole issue here was because of the bong hits for Jesus thing. It’s wrong. Plain and simple. But since you like to read scripture, Try to understand this one!
Isaiah 5:18-23
By Skruff, August 2, 2007 at 1:54 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
91735 by nelson on 8/02 at 12:06 pm
“I can do is pray for you. You will need all the prayers you can get!”
Why would you do that? I request that you refrain from “praying for me”
Therefore if you choose to do it anyway, you are serving your self-interest not mine.
Jesus also had a message about public prayer vs private religion….
“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” Matt 6:5-6
Report thisBy nelson, August 2, 2007 at 12:06 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
What ever you say!
Report thisChrist once said, “Do not throw what is good to the dogs or the swine lest they trample it under foot and tear you to pieces”
All I can do is pray for you. You will need all the prayers you can get!
By Skruff, July 31, 2007 at 3:46 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
91123 by nelson on 7/31 at 11:27 am
“You should show alittle more respect for others who do beleive in the truth of salvation rather you believe in it or not!”
I am delighted to show respect for you I have no respect for the idea of salvation, the concept of Santa Clause, or the Tooth fairy… ditto god and Jesus as diety.
When prechers start their sermons with “Although there is no proof god exists…” then I will start my posts with “Although I respect the view there is a god…”
Believe as you will, just don’t try to make others respect a concept we may find repugnant!
Report thisBy nelson, July 31, 2007 at 11:27 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
Mr skruff,
Report thisIf someone wants to do drugs or break the laws set down by the American government, that is there choice, absolutly, all I am saying is to not scandlize the holy name of Christ when doing so as if they are justifying there act of imorality and disobedience. You should show alittle more respect for others who do beleive in the truth of salvation rather you believe in it or not!
By nelson, July 31, 2007 at 11:23 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
Mr skruff,
If someone wants to do drugs or break the laws set down by the American government, that is there choice, absolutly, all I am saying is to not scandlize the holy name of Christ when doing so as if they are justifying there act of imorality and disobedience. You should show alittle more respect for others who do beleive in the truth of salvation rather you believe in it or not!
Report thisBy Skruff, July 30, 2007 at 2:25 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
“You should be ashamed of yourselves, not proud.”
We are a nation of christians, not a christian nation. There is a difference.
The boy was off school grounds, and the incident was after school hours. Only the Christ-centered appointies of a mental midget could come up with a ruling like this.
FREE SPEECH, not the teachings of fiction should be the message for Americans. Believe the fable if you wish, just don’t saddle the rest of us with this clap-trap.
Report thisBy Nelson, July 30, 2007 at 12:03 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
I totally agree with the school on this issue.
Report thisWhat is it with kids now days? they think that they can go and break the laws and suffer no consequence. Is this what Jesus taught us? To be disobedient? Shame on them. And to use the holy name of Jesus Christ? I would have barred them totally from that school until they recanted the filthy action they have done. You want to smoke dope and prisoner to that discusting lifestyle, that is your choice, But to use the holy name of Jesus to justify that practice is an abomination and a disgraceful thing to do. Shame on anyone who supports those actions as a freedom of expression. You should be ashamed of yourselves, not proud.
By archeon of thrace, June 27, 2007 at 8:12 pm Link to this comment
what was the princple upset about? Jesus or bongs?
Report thisBy Skruff, June 27, 2007 at 6:00 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
81570 by ~B~ on 6/26 at 2:56 pm Says:
“... far to much of my time was wasted by someone elses free speech. It is not the time or the place for this.”
Children are MANDATED to attend school ostensibly to recieve an education. It would seem to me (and I’ve spent time teaching also) that school would be the perfect place to attempt the teaching (by example) of constitutional principles. If police may not search self storage facilities without a warrant, why can they search school lockers? If employers may not direct employer behavior when the employee is off-the-clock, why should schools be able to direct student behavior after school hours, off school property?
I find the loudest, noisiest rambunctious students the most teachable… the rest (like greater society) are asleep!
Report thisBy Shenonymous, June 26, 2007 at 4:34 pm Link to this comment
I made a similar post on another forum, but TruthDig is where it’s at.
Students everywhere ought to fight back with T-shirts and bill-caps, that says Bong hits 4 Jesus and wear them to school. Also they could have armbands printed up and worn everywhere they go. It could become their mantra. It could be the start of something big. I mean like posters, watches, shoestrings, toke papers, tatoos, soap, a new perfume, the list can be staggering! And lucrative! And don’t forget students, you will be the voting public in a couple of years.
Report thisBy ~B~, June 26, 2007 at 2:56 pm Link to this comment
While this may seem uncharacteristic for me, I must say that I agree with this decision. I have in my life spent many hours in schools (both primary and secondary) where far to much of my time was wasted by someone else’s “free speech”. It is not the time or the place for this.
All of this being said though, I also disagree with this ruling. You see, noone stops all of the other folks from their free speech in school. I shouldn’t have to hear about abortion rights/right to life at school either (unless it is part of a curiculum of the class I am in attendace to). Or oil company rape of the nation, or freedom of religion fights, or .....any of the other acceptable forms of free speech. My right to an education that I am paying for (through taxes or tuition) should be every bit as inalienable as someone else’s right to free speech. This isn’t a matter of rights as much so as timing. Should I go to the legislature to learn? (I would be a moron in no time) Should I go to a hospital emergency room to exercise my free speech? How about the dentist’s office? Your lawyers office? It is no different because a school is a public entity (in the case of public education). Do you go interrupt trials to hold up banners unrelated to the trial? Do you go to the prison yard to give your speech? Freedom of speech does not and should not give anyone the right to trample any one else’s rights.
My point distills to this…you can not claim freedom of speech if some speech is allowed and others not. If you deem it necessary to curtail speech in school (which I agree with—on the point of disruption only) then even enforcement is the ONLY way to maintain claims of freedom of speech.
Meaning that unobtrusive speech that is not violating or disrupting anyone else’s rights should be our right. Innappropriate speech in inappropriate situations should not.
Now I am aware that arguments of any curtailing of the 1st Amendment will eventually lead to the total loss of the right to free speech. Sadly, this right is already mostly gone. While this case has made its way to SCOTUS a much more malignant curtailment has been unveiled - “Freedom of Speech Zones” which are kinda like temporary internment camps for the purpose of speaking our free speech. These are truly offenses to our freedom of speech yet noone is really even talking about these let alone SCOTUS.
My first exposure to FoSZ was while reading a book by Jim Hightower where he gives an account of the FoSZ and “Jackboots” that enforced them in Florida a few years ago. Since then I have seen sparse mention of some cases of FoSZ here in Wisconsin (my neck of the woods). These atrocities against the Bill of Rights should be stood down by the population IMMEDIATELY however all I hear are crickets….
B
http://b-political.blogspot.com/
Report thisBy great_satan, June 26, 2007 at 2:19 pm Link to this comment
Not only a matter of Freedom of Speech, but of freedom of religion.
Report thisIt says a lot about the western idea of the word “religion” that use of marijuana and other psychotropics is rarely pushed as a matter of religious freedom.
Marijuana IS traditionally used as a catalyst for devotional contemplation, by Coptics and by Shaivites. Yet the legalization movement primarily relies on its medicinal use.
Religion in the west is associated with external ceremony, dogmatic tenets, preachers and so forth. Being certified a religion relies upon having a church, a minister, a doctrine and a congregation. Unless associated with a formal religion, meditation are considered alternative medicine.
Envision a world where Christians practiced by doing bong hits rather than by fixating on other people’s sexual activity. A world where the kid with the “cool parents” basement could be funded as a faith based organization!
Then think of a drug culture wherein psychotropics are to be respected as religious sacraments rather than tickets to fast cash and cheap thrills.
Let the Bong Hits 4 Jesus banner wave high!
By Hammo, June 26, 2007 at 1:13 pm Link to this comment
Well, there are probably more tactful and socially appropriate ways to educate people about cannabis and hemp.
Still, it does seem like freedom of speech is “taking a hit” in this case.
Food for thought in the article:
“Liberty, whiskey and hemp”
http://www.populistamerica.com/liberty_whiskey_and_hemp
Report thisBy rage, June 26, 2007 at 11:01 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
Does it matter that this banner was unfurled at protest venue away from school?
Report thisBy Skruff, June 26, 2007 at 8:33 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
New York Courts ruled years ago thet School’s “loco parentis” status included the time going to, or returning from the school.
We’ve been on this dangerous road for many years…. BUT it is reveling to note how the court split on this.
Report thisBy PaulLev, June 26, 2007 at 4:02 am Link to this comment
A sad day for freedom of expression - I’d like to see all the Presidential candidates asked, in the next debate, what they think of this decision. Maybe they could unfurl a banner that said FREEDOM.
Report thishttp://paullevinson.blogspot.com/2007/06/freedom-of-speech-takes-another-hit.html
By 911truthdotorg, June 25, 2007 at 8:03 pm Link to this comment
I’m sure “Bong Hits for Mohammed” would have been
perfectly OK.
Google videos: 9/11 Press for Truth, Loose Change 2nd Edition
Report thisBy archeon of thrace, June 25, 2007 at 7:31 pm Link to this comment
Principles have authority off school grounds? Over 18 year olds? What crap.
Report thisBy TDoff, June 25, 2007 at 7:30 pm Link to this comment
I hope Joseph Frederick shows up on the steps of the Supreme Court with a banner that says;
‘Fornicate thyself, SCOTUS”\’
Report thisBy JC, June 25, 2007 at 6:53 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
Man made alcohol…God made marajuana…Who do you trust?
Report thisBy Rogan Ferguson, June 25, 2007 at 5:59 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
The student was acting outside of school, off school grounds. Has the conservative court essentially ruled that students are the wards of the public school system?
Report thisBy Mark in NY, June 25, 2007 at 5:05 pm Link to this comment
Jesus so did love a good bong hit.
Report thisBy Scott, June 25, 2007 at 4:01 pm Link to this comment
Canada’s schools are no more free-speech friendly. I blame it on our failing to conquor the US after we repelled your attempt to invade us.
I’m especially pissed that we didn’t get Alaska by the way.
http://news.sympatico.msn.ctv.ca/TopStories/ContentPosting.aspx?feedname=CTV-TOPSTORIES_V2&newsitemid=CTVNews/20070621/marijuana_suspension_070621&showbyline=True
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