Judge: Religious signs OK at Kountze High School football games

[rug]

by KHOU.com staff & Kevin Reece / KHOU 11 News
Posted on September 21, 2012 at 8:28 AM

KOUNTZE, Texas—Students in the tiny Texas town of Kountze won a legal victory Thursday when a judge said they could continue to use religious signs at football games – at least for now.

State District Judge Steven Thomas granted a temporary restraining order preventing the Kountze ISD from imposing a ban on the religious signs at games and other school-sponsored events.

Attorney David Starnes filed court papers on behalf of Kountze ISD cheerleaders who believe they have the right to put Bible verses on run-through signs at football games.

The signs “weren’t made on school time, weren’t made using school funds and were done without any involvement of the school administration,” Starnes told KFDM in Beaumont.

http://www.kvue.com/news/state/170684716.html

Video at link.

[Goblinmonger]

1. That's some tasty privilege chili they're serving up in Texas.

That is just fucking ridiculous.

What are your thoughts, rug?

[rug]

4. There's a clip in there from a student.

He said he doesn't mind public displays of religion but he doesn't support forcing religion. I agree with him.

Meanwhile, I don't think they belong on the field. As a matter of law and as a matter of taste. The story reports that the proposed ban aplies to religious signs on the field but not in the stands, presumably because signs on the field constitute an endorsement of religion whereas signs in the bleachers held by fans are protected speech.

So, they definitely do not belong on the field, it is unconstitutional. I don't think they belong in the stands either, but not beause that's unconstitutional; it's just stupid.

Furthermore, I'd like to get rid of this as well:

[Goblinmonger]

8. *GASP* We are in agreement.

The stuff in the stands doesn't bother me. I agree most of it is silly, but whatever does it for you. You paid for your ticket and as long as you aren't bothering me, do what you want.

If fans want to hold up religious signs at HS games (or any games, for that matter), that's their right. The cheerleaders on (or off when in their capacity as cheerleaders) the field--not so much.

[Eric J in MN]

2. The cheerleaders are using school resources as school representatives.

Inappropriate.

[Goblinmonger]

3. Yup

Apparently things are different in Texas.

[cleanhippie]

5. Not "made on school time or with involvement of the admin"? Girls, you ARE the administration...

when you are wearing your uniforms. You are representing the school and all of its students. You are creating a hostile environment for anyone that does not follow your religious beliefs.

Are you not standing on the field when you hold up the signs? Are you not "on school time" and using school resources when you hold up the sign? Why is this so difficult to understand?

[rug]

6. What do you think about fans holding the same signs in school bleachers at school games?

[cleanhippie]

7. I don't think anything about them, they are fans, not representatives of the school.