Valedictory

Utterly and completely inappropriate, as much as going to hear a presidential candidate’s campaign speech and instead listening to an Amway sales pitch. If Ms. Spaulding’s school were parochial or even a seminary, then I don’t think the topic of her speech would be a problem, but in a public school? Did anyone from the school administration ask her what she was going to talk about? In fact, where WAS the school adiministrators when this happened?

Freedom of speech
Marna

How would you feel if she was Muslim or Islamic and got up there and told us about Allah? I bet she would have been boo’ed off the stage.
She had her 20 minutes to do whatever she wanted. While I personally think it’s wonderful that she tried to spread The Word, I wish we were an open minded society and could give the same respect to other religions too.

This is outrageous. To allow a high school senior, who knows nothing about life and its complexities, to stand up and proselytize to a captive audience that includes young people as ignorant as she is about life is just incredible. Now suppose she had chosen to speak about Islam, Satanism, Wiccans or any other religion. What do you think would have been the reaction from the audience?

I totally applaud Ms. Spaulding for her boldness and courage to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We can all learn from her courage. After carefully listening to her speech, the audience responded with very strong and enthusiastic support. She was only exercising her liberty to speak her mind freely. She did not attack anyone or any other religion as she spoke her mind. What kind of society would we be if we were forced to censor others from speaking what they held most true in their hearts?

What was not reported in this article is that most school districts do print a “disclaimer” of sorts on the Graduation program stating that such content may appear in the students’ speeches. Isn’t it interesting that the valedictorian made this speech. If more of our children embraced the good Christian morals this young woman has, they too would have the grades and refreshing outlook this country needs in the generation currently being unleashed on the world.

I think it is wonderful that a young person has the guts to stand up for our Lord! It’s ashame to see the many negative comments this has raised. These people will one day wish they had listened cause these comments will come back to haunt them.

This has been the best thing that I have read in the news. Praise God!

I think it is great that she took a stand, we encourage our young people to stand for what they believe in and to not be ashamed, this is exactly what she did. If her speech was about liberal topics this article would not have been printed, I see this young lady as future leader in this country, one that is willing to make a stand for truth.

It’s so hard to be a Christian in this country! Boo hoo! Yeah, that’s what we need in 2007 — a little more proselytizing from another would-be authority figure. Really — no more Monica Goodlings, please.

Wow! Thank the Lord for a young person that has the courage of Daniel! It saddens me to see these negative blogs about it being inappropriate… Thing is if it was a Muslim, or Buddist people would just say… “Hey! Its a free country. Its called freedom of speech!” Thing is, we aren’t a muslim country we aren’t a Hindu country… We’re a Nation founded on Christian Principles… Look it up.. Study it.. You’ll find its very very true. I commend this young person who has the courage to stand for right no matter what the cost! Thank you for your faithfulness!

I think this girl was completely within her rights to say what she said at her commencement speech. However, I pity her, and find her to be incredibly ignorant. I don’t understand how she made valedictorian without knowing science or government.

Christian morals? Let’s get serious for a moment. More people have been killed in the name of religion than any other reason in the world. You people really need to study your bible and quit glossing over all the parts that contradict the very morals you try and impose on the country. I wonder, is it blind faith? Do you people really know anything about the religions you preach, or is it merely tradition passed down through your parents. Please do your research before you tell us of all our sins and remind us of the “holy” life we should be leading. “Imagine there’s no religion. I wonder if you can.”

It’s Great!!!! God Bless her for spreading God’s Word!

First of all, I would like to applaud Greg’s comments. Secondly, we should remember that everyone is not open to the word, but it is the responsibility of a Christian to witness. Shannon took this opportunity to witness.

The majority of the world doesn’t want to hear about Jesus Christ but that is as he told us it would be. There are some, however, who are lost and will listen. To those we must speak. Miss Spaulding is a courageous and apparently committed Christian who honors God and his Son whom he sent to save us from our sins. If only there were more who were willing to stand up for what this country once stood for and was founded upon. If you are looking for the reason for our current problems the root cause is that we stopped honoring God as a nation. Yes, it is really that simple. For 150 years we taught Christian principles in our schools. The Congress of the United States even printed a Bible to be used in the school systems. There were Christian worship services routinely held in the capitol buildings. Christianity was the foundation of our country (from the Mayflower Compact 1620, Having undertaken, for the Glory of God and advancement of the Christian Faith and Honour of our King and Country, a Voyage to plant the First Colony in the Northern Parts of Virginia, do by these presents solemnly and mutually in the presence of God and of one another…) and Honoring God in all we did was a given. Somehow we decided in the 40’s and 50’s that the founding fathers didn’t really understand what they had written and we started to take God out of our nation.

Bruce Bilbrey: Ever hear of the Crusades, professor?

Yuck! Maybe appropriate if this was a parochial school and everyone shared the same general ideology. Totally inappropriate for a public school. Would we even be entertaining this question if she had been a Muslim who encouraged her fellow students to turn to Allah?
Many Evangelicals feel their own salvation is tied to spreading the Gospel (I know this having been raised in an Evangelical home). For some of them, their motivation may be sincere, but given that they have a clear personal stake in this activity, it strikes me as being very selfish at the core. If there is some cosmic scorecard tracking each of our “salvation points” this young lady no doubt earned double “frequent faith miles,” her heartfelt defense of Jesus paying off nicely for her in the end.
Note to GTMeys: Do some reading. Most of our forefathers were not Evangelical, in fact many doubted the veracity of the trinity, and they very clearly supported a separation of religious function from government function (like education), as, by the way, did Jesus–refusing to serve in a human government because his Kingdom “was not of this world.”

I’m fine with Ms. Spaulding acknowledging her Christian background as motivation for her success in school. The problem I have comes from her stepping over that line and condemning anyone who doesn’t believe what she believes, preaching eternal damnation in hell and such. A graduation is meant for students, family members, etc. to celebrate accomplishments, not be told that they are going to pay for their sins. As a side note, why is it that some of you attach good morals to Christianity?? Can’t you just say good morals instead of good “Christian” morals?? I’m sure that followers of other religions and atheists can have as good if not better morals than Christian followers.

I say “bravo” to GOD, the “Holy Spirit” and “Jesus Christ” for speaking through Ms. Spaulding’s graduation speech to encoursge not only other graduates but all who heard her speech and to all who will hear it of the importance of loving and believing in Jesus Christ who died for the sin of this world. GOD sacrificed his only begotten Son for us so that we might be saved.
I congratulate Ms. Spaulding for having the courage to stand for her convictions and for pledging allegiance to the LAMB.

Absolutely INAPPROPRIATE for a public school commencement. COMPLETELY SELFISH and an abuse of her position as valedictorian. She had a responsibility to speak to ALL STUDENTS, not a select few. Just because you people believe in FAIRY TALES doesn’t make them the TRUTH.

Jesus said ” Preach the Gospel to the ends of the earth…” Regardless of personal opionion about the message and if it was politically correct is irrevelant, unless you are born again of God’s spirit you will never be right in the sight of God. Your good works and deeds on the earth unless the blood of Jesus is applied to all that you do. It is kind of like gravity, regardless if you believe in it or not what goes up must come down. Every tongue will confess Jesus is Lord in this life time or on judgement day!

I find it amusing that in this day and age, superstitious religions still find a foothold in the human psyche. “Pulled down to hell”? Clearly, her geography teacher failed to teach Ms. Spaulding about the Earth’s crust, mantle and core – none of which contain a red bearded man with a pitchfork. Maybe if the human species spent more time following reason and logic towards a better future, and less time prophesizing scary deaths, our earth and children would be much better off.

There is a time and a place to stand up for what you believe in, but a graduation ceremony is not the place for some young skull full of mush to gratify their fervent desire for proselytizing. Religion is a private matter and we should not try to force our religion on other people against their will. It is offensive and belligerent. Consider this, instead of trying to convert people to Christianity, what if she continually praised the glorious religion of Islam and his profit Mohammed, or Hindu Gods, etc. You wouldn’t like it would you? Now you know how everyone else who is not a Christian feels!

“The previous writer using the trite expression about people being killed in the name of religion may be true, but NOT in the name of Christianity!!!!”"
They have blood on their hands and don’t even know it. (HOW CONVENIENT).

This country certainly has a lot of fears. Now we’re afraid of a high school girl exercising her right of free speech. I share her beliefs, and frankly, I would not be upset if a Muslim or Hindu wanted to share what his faith did for him in his or her graduation speech.
The moment we teach these young people that they can’t talk about certain subjects, we have taught them that the Bill of Rights is meaningless, that freedom is a fairy tale, and that fear rules the day.
I have no fear of offense at anything that comes out of another’s mouth, even those with whom I have opposing beliefs and views.
It is ridiculous to make a big issue out of this.

you buck up. believing in fairy tales is a SUBJECTIVE PERSONAL CHOICE, NOT FACT OR TRUTH and not appropriate choice of topics for a high school graduation. obviously she has no common sense.

At the first mention of god…I would have raised out of my seat…and left! I don’t think I should have to sit at My graduation and have someone bible thump me in the head! especially if its not my belief. To use a Graduation ceremony as your own personal pulpit, is downright deceiving. To do it in church is one thing. People choose to go there and they know exactly why they are going. This was just down right sneaky! I suspect someday, she will be a politician.

That student is a psychotic. LOL!!! She’s trying to spread beliefs in fairy tales.
My daughter is just entering high school this fall and she is planning on spending her time there preaching about how psychotic and nonsensical Christian fundamentalists are and how they fight science and scientific fact in other words the truth.
I am going to express my right to free speech and call this brain-dead student a psychotic.

There’s no reason to use a graduation as a soap box. I believe in Jesus Christ, but also believe that a graduation is for honoring the achivements of students. Preaching religion has no place there unless, religion had everything to do with their achievements.
How would you feel if somebody preached a religion other than yours at your graduation?

I am surprised she got to make the speech. Most speeches are “pre-read” and guidelines are given. I find it rather strange that the administration didn’t do its “due diligence”, unless they wanted to churn the pot. I don’t know. By doing that, she did 2 things. One was to uphold the Great Commission. The second is she made a debate. Will this effect her down the road? Only time will tell. the more press it gets, the more likely it is to. The administration is the one on the hook for this. It will be interesting

seems my message scared someone…if you don’t take the leap and believe in the LORD JESUS CHRIST as your personal savior then when you are dead it will be to late for you to change your mind. she is right to tell anyone who will listen in an effort to reach out and show you how strong her convictions are at such a young age!!! i’ll pray for all you lost souls that you’ll “see the light of christ before its to late”

This student showed a lot of courage. As valedictorian, she’s clearly smart enough to know that her actions would likely cause controversy. As a Christian, however, she put her beliefs ahead of political correctness. I hope that the “real world” doesn’t crush that spirit like it has for most of the rest of us. Regardless of a person’s beliefs, isn’t it a shame that one has to live in fear of (gasp!) offending someone and losing a job or being sued for an astronomical amount of money? I wish I could go back and sue all the mean kids that called me a geek. :)
By the way, there’s no such thing as “scientific fact.” Don’t blindly accept what the Discovery Channel and the news media tell you. There’s an overwhelming amount of evidence that contradicts evolutionary theories, and the so-called “scientific community” can’t agree on ANYTHING. If you’ve spent any time in research (and I have) you’ll quickly learn that it’s all about ego and funding, not about the pursuit of truth.

to quote Lily Tomlin the comedianne: Why is it when we talk to God it’s called prayer but if we hear from God it’s called schizophrenia???
Watch the news people, Nazis rally in the U.S.A., Muslims do speak their mind here too, even the KKK get in the news. Its all freedom of speech. Enjoy it while you can.

God Bless this student for her strength an convictions.
EDJ – FYI of it was a speech you just said then there would not even be a question about it. The Left embrace those speeches while railing against Christianity. So please, colleges invite muslim preachers, when do they invite Priests or rabbis?

Will some one please point out to me where it says in our Constitution “Freedom From Religion” or “Freedom From being Offended”.
Because the only thing I find is Congress shall pass no law regulating Religion (word off or two), and this refers only to the Federal Congress. And when does prayer in school become a law, or saying God a religion – Religion is the belief or non-belief in God or Gods, So Atheism in it self is a religion

The non-believers of Christ have as much right to voice their opinion’s as the believers have. Had the speech been from an Athiest with Athiest views expressed, would those who don’t believe in Christ have cheered about it? Regardless…God bless you all

Thank God for this young woman! Oneday, coming soon, the great rapture will take place or we will meet death. Those who have not chosen Jesus as their Saviour, and who have denied his existence will come to see that he is real. It will be unfortunate, for those who had every chance to except him. Romans 14:11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess God. Please pray for nonbelivers.

Matthew 28:18-20
Well Done Ms Spaulding!

God is great!Look at the courage he gave her! I think it is great that she has the courage that many others don’t have. If you don’t agree with it then fine so be it… You have a right to put your thoughts in just as she does. It does not make one person right over another… just difference of opinions.

God Bless her for her courage and for listening to her heart! It is my wish that everyone be required to take World Religions, begin respecting all faiths and living harmoniously among us all. I respect all beliefs and long for world peace. This hate, hypocrisy, negativity and bigotry are only hurting mankind. God speed!

I am very proud of this young lady. For those who say she should have been saying her speech in church, not at school, if you knew Christ, you would understand. You need to go and preach the Good Word to those who don’t know it. If people were in church, they know the good word, it is our job to spread the word of Christ to those who don’t know it.

This is a country based on Christian belief. All our laws are derived from Biblical principles. Look at the dollar bills. It is written very clearly,” In God we trust.Everybody want to come to this country and need the almighty dollar. But they don’t want to hear about God.

Shame on the administration for not demanding a copy of the speech in advance and stopping it before it happened. I am a Catholic, but am honestly ashamed of Christianity in this country. It has become a means of spreading hate. How dare this woman tell a group of graduates that they’ll burn in hell if they don’t believe in Jesus. A school run by tax dollars should not advocate a religion, no matter what percentage of the district believes in it. We Christians need to take a hard look and realize that our religion is but one interpretation of life, and perhaps, just maybe, we’re WRONG. I cannot stand how large a role religion plays in our society, with holier-than-though Christians spreading hate and intolerance in the name of Jesus. I bet if you asked Jesus, he’d tell you we have completely misunderstood his Word.

dmc – Were the people forced to listen, NO
they were not. She was stating her beliefs as Valedictorian.
It is funny how our declaration of independence state “Endowed by our Creator”. You can always move to a country that does force their religion down your throat.
So please, I just hope we have more children out there not afraid to say their beliefs.
Omar please point out where in the True U.S. constitution it says that?

Our country was founded on Christian beliefs and principles. At one time in our country, a speech such as this was common place at schools and universities alike. What has happened to us? The idea of separation of church and state has been taken waaaaaay out of context and can’t even be found in our constitution – a constitution that no one seems to care about anymore anyway…

Atheist – Hey you know you preach a religion – The Religion of not believing in God, so why is yours ok to teach in your made up U.S. Constitution.
Also where are they wrong?
Do you why they put “Congress shall pass no law…” meaning Federal Congress, was because each state had their own religous beliefs. and they needed them all to join in.
So please Stop with the rewriting of our Constitution, it is not Breathing.

You’re all missing the point!
Didn’t you read the entire article? It states that “valedictorian Shannon Spaulding chose to make her 20-minute graduation speech about the need to find Jesus Christ.”
Twenty minutes?
This speech was undoubtedly just one part of the commencement exercise, coming on the heels of a couple of long-winded school administrators, possibly a favorite teacher or two, certainly at least one politician. Then, the graduates receiving their diplomas to the strains of Pomp & Circumstance. How long did the poor audience have to sit through this ceremony? Please, regardless of the content, keep all speeches to five minutes or less!

spock – I’m not sure exactly what your point is, but I’ll try to answer anyway.
I also applaud the valedictorian for her strong belief in God. I do believe the teachings of any religion, with very few exceptions, will teach young people respect and love for each other – the thing our self-absorbed society needs more than anything. But there is a time and a place, and a valedictorian speech in a school that may have Jewish students, athiest students, Buddhists, Hindus, etc., is inappropriate. A valedictorian speech is supposed to inspire the students to go forth and make successes of themselves. If I’m a Hindu student, the last thing I should be subjected to at my public school graduation ceremony is my valedictorian telling me to belive what she believes or suffer eternal damnation.
The Jesus I know is a loving, kind and forgiving Jesus, not one who hates gays, atheists, and any others who don’t fit into the Christian Right idea of the perfect person. If he were here today, he’d tell us to stop all the hate and intolerance and learn to live peacefully with each other.

Spock–
How can you claim that people were not “forced” to listen? They were a captive audience, there to celebrate a milestone in the life of a child who was important to them. They were indeed “forced to listen” if they wanted to participate in this event.
I know empathy is not a strong suit for hard-right Christians who appear to be much more comfortable with judgment, but try putting yourself in the audience’s shoes. If you were there to witness your child’s graduation and a student started praising Allah or Buddha or Xandu from an apparently school-sanctioned platform would you not have felt forced to listen? Would you have given up your seat and your opportunity to watch your child graduate because one person decided to make what should have been a schoolwide celebration into a personal forum to show off her faith? This was self-centered exploitation at its finest.

The purpose of the constitution is to allow freedom of WORSHIP, not freedom of trying to convert others. Had I attended, I would have grabbed my graduate and left. And for those of you who have written or believe that the US was founded on christian beliefs, Let’s hear what the founding fathers had to say:
Thomas Jefferson: (1743-1826), third U.S. president.
“I have recently been examining all the known superstitions of the world, and do not find in our particular superstition (Christianity) one redeeming feature. They are all alike, founded upon fables and mythologies.”
“Christianity is the most perverted system that ever shone on man. … perverted into an engine for enslaving mankind … a mere contrivance [for the clergy] to filch wealth and power to themselves.”
“In every country and in every age the priest has been hostile to liberty, he is always in allegiance with the despot, abetting his abuses in return for protection of his own. … History I believe furnishes no example of a priest-ridden people maintaining a free civil government. … Political as well as religious leaders will always avail themselves [of public ignorance] for their own purpose.”
John Adams signed the treaty of Tripoli into law in 1797–it was also ratified UNANIMOUSLY by the Senate an excerpt: “the United States is in no sense founded on the Chritian religion.:
Not a founding father, but illuminating:
Jerry Falwell: (1933- ), American evangelical pastor, televangelist, and leading excrescence said:
“Christians, like slaves and soldiers, ask no questions.”

It has become clear to me that it is no more possible for these so-called “christians” to forgo proselytizing their brand of dogma than it would be for a committed drug addict to forgo their next drug fix. It is their crutch. It is something that they depend on to get them through their day and nothing, no amount of logic, no amount of courtesy, no amount of conversation, polite or otherwise, is going to deter them from their single-minded mission of conversion or coercion.
I have concluded it is a waste of my time and energy to fight them on these issues. When they begin to spew-forth their bible-babble, if I am able I will simply get up and leave. If I am unable to leave I will tune them out as I would any other white noise until the opportunity arises to leave and I never willingly put myself in their path. These “apostles” only have power if we give it to them and they will continue to impose themselves and their “faith” at every opportunity, but only IF we allow them to do so.
I will rest comfortably, secure in my convictions that I can never be converted by their mantra of magic. They serve only as a minor annoyance and good for the occasional chuckle at their dim-witted expense. So let them cheer and wave their godly banners and spout all sorts of inane commentary. It makes no difference. Just, for the love of humanity, don’t vote for any of them!

Ron, you haven’t listened to the speech, you’re just spouting. Be honest. Be open.

Hmmm, just realized the names are below the posts, don’t know why I thought they were above. Forgive me and please reference the posts below those names and not the ones above. How embarrassing.

Great Post james !!!
Why does Christianity Scare these people more then Islamic Terrorists? Can anyone answer that?

Atheist, read my comment below. Article VII of the U. S. Constitution DOES have a direct reference to Jesus Christ.

Frederick Douglass: (1818-1895), African-American abolitionist leader.
“I prayed for freedom for twenty years, but received no answer until I prayed with my legs.”
“The church of this country is not only indifferent to the wrongs of the slave, it actually takes sides with the oppressors. … For my part, I would say, welcome infidelity! Welcome atheism! Welcome anything! in preference to the gospel, as preached by these Divines! They convert the very name of religion into an engine of tyranny and barbarous cruelty, and serve to confirm more infidels, in this age, than all the infidel writings of Thomas Paine, Voltaire, and Bolingbroke put together have done!”
“We have men sold to build churches, women sold to support the gospel, and babes sold to purchase Bibles for the poor heathen, all for the glory of God and the good of souls. The slave auctioneer’s bell and the church-going bell chime in with each other, and the bitter cries of the heart-broken slave are drowned in the religious shouts of his pious master. Revivals of religion and revivals in the slave trade go hand in hand.”

Article VII of the Constitution:
“The Ratification of the Conventions of nine States, shall be sufficient for the Establishment of this Constitution between the States so ratifying the Same.
done in Convention by the Unanimous Consent of the States present the Seventeenth Day of September in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty seven and of the Independence of the United States of America the Twelfth In witness whereof We have hereunto subscribed our Names,”
WHERE IS THE NAME JESUS CHRIST MENTIONED HERE???
What the date? LOL!!!

James – I don’t think you understand what that means. They are referring to the correct reading of the modern dating system, AD 1787. AD standing for Anno Domini which is Latin for “In the year of our Lord.” This dating system was set up over a millennium before our founding fathers were even born. Most of today’s world use this same dating system today but that doesn’t mean everyone is thinking of Jesus Christ when they date something.

I do reference Thomas Jefferson. I could refer you to many sources that have studied his thoughts on religion in letter and word. Let me just give you two here to ponder. From “Thomas Jefferson: An Intimate History; Fawn M. Brodie, 1974, W.W. Norton & Co., New York, pp. 370-373.
Jefferson makes a number of statements making clear his disbelief in fundamental tenets of Christianity. In his ” Syllabus of an Estimate of the Doctrines of Jesus, Compared with Those of Others,” Jefferson makes quite clear he did not believe in the divinity of Jesus. He also conceived of his own redacted New Testament in which he would delete all references to a virgin birth, miracles, resurrection, etc. This was published after his death as “The Jefferson Bible.” Another interesting statement comes from a letter written in 1825 in which calls The Revelation of St. John, “the ravings of a maniac, no more worthy nor capable of explanation than the incoherences of our own nightly dreams.”(Brodie, pg.453 from a letter to Alexander Smyth, January 17, 1825)
And with those two examples culled from many published by many scholars, I leave you to consider that many of us have studied these issues for many years and have no need or desire to be witnessed to by a teenager or anyone else. Exercise your rights but do not ever think to impose them upon others in state sponsored and payed for events such as graduation ceremonies. Leave that to the Baccalaurate.
jim

Michele – First I went into more detail. As far as Jesus he did preach. But again this girl had every right to say what she said. I think I answered everything, Some were questions for others to answer?
Any argument with the constitution is mute no matter what you believe, she was representing herself, not the school anyhow. she is not paid, she does not work for the school. Thus she is a citizen with Freedom of Speech. Period!
Jake, they could always dropped the AD if they truly wanted Jesus out! so please!
What about the “..Endowed by our Creator…”?
Note also the Islamis Terrorists do not follow the bible, they follow the

There is freedom of speech, but then there is general respect for others. Aren’t you taught to be kind and loving, etc…A graduation ceremony is not a place for a student, or anyone, to damn people of different spiritual opinions to hell. That’s not what graduations are for. She can believe what she wants and she can say that Christianity inspired her and helped her through school. That is perfectly within her rights. But to stand up there and damn people to hell is just rude!!

Jake, I am quite aware of what Anno Domini means. Our founding fathers could have just as easily written, “…in the year Seventeen hundred and Eighty seven…” And I believe they would have done so had they truly intended for there to be a complete separation of church and state. But the fact remains that Article VII specifically says, “… in the Year of our Lord…” Today we would just write, “1787.”
Atheist, you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to understand that “our Lord” refers to Jesus Christ. Some documents back then went even further with: “…in the Year of our Lord and Savior.”

Larry–
The thing that frustrates me the most about Christian activist’s is their absolute inability to put themselves in the place of others. You are all uber-advocates for free speech when it suits your purposes. However, I sincerely doubt you’d have the same noble sentiments had this girl been spouting Islamic dogma.
I don’t agree that this is a free speech issue–that’s just a convenient platitude used by “Christians” to self-fulfill their own deluded belief that they are persecuted in this country (if only a Christian could be president…). It would be a blessing if you all would, for once, just be honest and admit that you don’t actually support the spirit of Constitution at all, except when it can be used to promote your own theological agenda or to bash the beliefs of others.

Larry–
The thing that frustrates me the most about “Christian” activist’s is their absolute inability to put themselves in the place of others. You are all uber-advocates for free speech when it suits your purposes. However, I sincerely doubt you’d have the same noble sentiments had this girl been spouting Islamic dogma in a high school auditorium.
I don’t agree that this is a free speech issue–that’s just a convenient platitude used by “Christians” to self-fulfill their own deluded belief that they are persecuted in this country (if only a Christian could be president…). It would be a blessing if you all would, for once, just be honest and admit that you don’t actually support the spirit or the laws emboided by Constitution at all, except when it can be used to promote your own theological agenda or to bash the beliefs of others.

I think it’s pathetic for adults to believe in FAIRY TALES, to teach them to their kids, and to act act like EVERYONE should believe them just because they do.
(GROW UP)

Proud Non-Believer, I never said Article VII was ABOUT Jesus Christ. I only said it makes a direct reference to Jesus Christ. The phrase, “in the year of our Lord,” no matter how you look at it, does refer to Jesus Christ.

Still not one Christian fundamentalist has explained why the Founding Fathers did not mention Christianity or any Christian principles as the foundation of America or had it written into the Constitution.
No matter how much the Christian right wingers try to brainwash us the TRUTH will always be there working to destroy the Christian right wing’s lies.
Sorry Christian right wingers but your days are waning fast.

Atheist and Skeptical – What constitution and Declaration of Independence are you reading?
First they do mention God and as pointed out mention Jesus, now even if it did not mention Jesus, It is based on Judeo/Christian Law. Now I am not a Religious zealot and I see this.
What people like you want is a Socialistic Country, where one of the first things that taken is Freedom of Religion – Look at Chavez and what he is trying to do to Religion.
There is a reason why they did NOT put Freedom From Religion but put Freedom OF Religion. Secondly the religion clause only pertains to the Federal Government shall pass no law, leaving open for the states.
I find it funny that socialists do not read the Constitution how it was meant to be. They say they support freedom but yet it only seems that is true when it comes to them.
They do not complain about the secular progressors that try to indoctrinate our kids in the classroom as teachers.
Would you say anything if she preached Clinton? NO, would you say anything if she stated their was no God? NO
Now i know you hope there is no God, because if there is (and there is) then there must be a Hell in which you will be spending an eternity.
I know we were placed on earth as a reality tv show for aliens :)
You condemn other for believing; what do you believe in?

christianity IS “COPYCAY MYTHOLOGY” at best…I believe in the ALMIGHTY DOLLAR, RAMPANT CONSUMERISM, AND THAT WE SHOULD POLLUTE THE PLANET FOR PROFIT…(sounds christian to me ???)

world of doubt – yes Jesus is all the evidence needed.
What Factual evidence do you have to the contrary? None.
J. Brown – Funny comment since the most giving and compassionate people are Christians

(I submitted the following last night, but it was never posted. After requesting that it be posted to no avail, I have decided to resubmit my comment.)
Michele, you wrote: “…I don’t want it shoved down my throat with threats of eternal damnation if I fail to subscribe to a particular viewpoint. I hardly think this would have been Jesus’ approach and it certainly was not the approach taken by his Apostles after Jesus’ death.”
Actually Jesus SAID (King James Version of the Bible):
“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” Mark 16:15-16
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6
Ms. Spaulding did exactly what Jesus told His disciples to do. She gave her fellow graduates some advice by preaching the Gospel. And she told them that they have the “God given free will” to do with this advice as they so choose. I hope each of you who condemn her speech or feel that a valedictorian speech was an inappropriate place for preaching the Gospel at least listen to her speech. She explains why she chose this occasion to tell her fellow graduates about Jesus Christ. It makes as much sense, based on her personal convictions, as if she had given advice on safe sex or taking steps to prevent breast cancer.
Proud Non-Believer, actually there a many scientists who believe in God. The Biblical answer to the Big-Bang theory is: “And God said BANG.”

the bibble says or jeebus says IS NOT evidence. To believe in god or that a mere book (WRITTEN BY MEN) is the word of god IS A SUBJECTIVE CHOICE. (N-O-T
F-A-C-T !!!)

Proof is only needed for those with no faith.
People use to think the Earth was Flat because they could not see past the ocean.
You can not see Gravity but it is there.
(Note I do not believe this myself)
The devil has prophetized that he will come when man denounces God and doe not know who the devil is. And he will rise from Europe. (This is not exactly how it is written, but gives the basic)

What proof do you have that he does not? You are demeaning Christians for their belief but no evidence to contradict that belief. I do not need proof it is in Faith.
Billions upon billions of people can not be wrong (living or has lived)

mr doubt: There are no, none, zip, nada verifiable HISTORICAL sources (other than the gospels which were written well after an alleged jesus allegedly DIED) that a person named jesus EVEN EXISTED. No personal writings, no nothing. If he was so important, why did none of his contemporaries even mention him in a historical context ???
(note: the bible does NOT count as a reliable historical source !)

I was in Shannons class and was sitting there the whole time. I dont think she should be aloud to say what she did. She offended MANY people. How can she say people would be going to hell for not believing in Jesus. I dont believe in Jesus or hell im Jewish. I lost alot of respect for her because she doesnt understand how she offened people and some of those people for her fellow Christian. I respect what she believes in but I dont respect for where and what she said and how it was said. You are not aloud to bring religion into the school or at any school function. She crossed that line and went too far. Our graduation was suppose to be a happy time but she hurt and offened many.

Michelle, I know why you weren’t chosen as the valedictorian. The correct spelling is “allowed” not “aloud”. Secondly, as a student, she IS “allowed” to bring religion into the school. It is the government or their agents (faculty and staff) that is not “allowed” to bring religion into the school.

Michelle, Thanks for your remarks. It was more about you and your classmates than about god, jesus, whatever, this board, or any of us.
(maybe that’s what shannon should have been thinking ?)

To James Danley:
I was brought up in the church and as I got older I realized it was all dogma and no substance. I remember sitting there one day and listening to whoever was preaching when all of a sudden I had an epiphany! The “personal salvation” message is a lie. Since then science has been my bedrock and my truth. Anything else is meaningless. I have never been more at peace than coming to realization that religion is the opposite of truth.
And I have never felt more purpose than to fight religious indoctrination wherever it rears its ugly head in the public square. I have lived in the Middle East and I don’t want that religious life-smothering “life” that people live there to exist here even. To me all religions are a fraud perpetuated by those in power for $$$.
And for that valedictorian YES SHE WAS OFFENSIVE AND RUDE FOR MAKING A HAPPY MOMENT FOR GRADUATES INTO A “YOU ARE GOING TO HELL” DIATRIBE.
You know full well if any atheist student gave a speech condemning Christian students for believing in Jesus you Christians would have been up in arms.

Atheist, you wrote: “You have a lot in common with the primitive tribal peoples that lived thousands of years ago.” That is not all that illogical if you were to believe, as I do, that we all descend from Adam & Eve. They passed down the truth to their descendants; and they to their descendants; and so on. Unfortunately the truth got distorted over the generations.

I was at this graduation and was subjected to Shannon’s religious rant. Had she given credit to Jesus as her primary support, I would have been fine with it…IF she had moved on. She spent 20 minutes hating, imploring in the name of Jesus. My child was graduating and if I had walked out, I would have missed a milestone moment. The school dignitaries were obviously dismayed and shocked. They should have stopped her speech when it went beyond the pale. Believe what you wish, but have the respect and decency to know that a public celebration like graduation includes many faiths. The applause, by the way, was in her favor the first few references of Christ. After that, the applause was an effort to get her off the platform. Unless you were there, you wouldn’t know this. Shannon lowers the bar on the valedictorian standard.

I’m shocked ;-) that Christians and Moslems don’t, in 2007, already realize that it is NOT about any one singular message but about the common threads in ALL messages.
(it’s kinda SAD).

sad in Texas, what is really sad is that you have grown up so sheltered and deluded that you actually think that at some point in your lifetime “everyone” read the same bible and “everyone” believed in Jesus or God. Sad indeed.

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 on stage to find points of commonality and chose to grandstand with points of division. She should be ashamed of herself. The contention that she “did what her faith demanded” is as empty. Her brand of Christianity has a real problem when it comes to respectful and civil discourse in a multi-cutltural nation. Unfortunately it will take a lot more education before folks like Shannon discover that they -share- the world with others.

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.

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)

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.

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.

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 !

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.

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

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.

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???

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!

“”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 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)

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.

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.

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 ???)

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’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.

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)

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

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 !!!

“”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).

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).

OH PLEASE, “smite” away !!!
(word of god, written by men, HO HUM)

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.

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!!

“”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

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?

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

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).

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.

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

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 !!!

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.

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.

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 ?

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.

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.