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archguy20 t1_jeeen0c wrote

That’s the hill they want to die on?

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the_happy_atheist t1_jeg4qkf wrote

Freedom of religion and freedom from religion are absolutely hills to die on.

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archguy20 t1_jeg5uuh wrote

Students in a school don’t have unfettered free speech rights and are subject to speech and activity restrictions decided by their school.

I don’t think freedom of religion is at issue here legally. I think that would apply more if the school wasn’t allowing students to exercise religious practice during the school day.

Freedom from religion seems like a buzzword that has no legal grounding

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BlueSun420 t1_jegc2xl wrote

It is not a school activity - it's an after school club sponsored by a satanic church. The district would just be renting space to a satanic church for use after school hours, just as they do in regards to the Christian after school club. Groups can not be denied access to public facilities on the basis of their religious identity. This is well established Constitutional law upheld by the Supreme Court in the 2001 case Good News Club v. Milford Central School

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Entropy-Fart t1_jegqa6j wrote

Just a small correction, it's not a Satanic church it's The Satanic Temple.

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wellarmedsheep t1_jeg88s8 wrote

Respectfully, for you and other people who may be confused, this is a bad take.

The Satanic Temple is not an organization that believes in a supernatural Satan, but one that uses him as a symbol in the rebellion against authority. I, of course, am assuming that you think "dying on a hill" for Satanists is inherently wrong.

I would also argue that if you believe in the principals of the Constitution it is important to stand up for them especially when you disagree with the side whose rights are being infringed. There is the old chestnut of protecting the speech you don't like, which applies here.

Finally, you are wrong about the legal issue. The Equal Access Act of 1984 prohibits public secondary schools that receive federal funding from denying equal access to extracurricular clubs, including religious clubs, based on the content of their speech. You have to let all religious clubs or none. The district already opened the door to religious organizations, they can't close it behind them.

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archguy20 t1_jegcb5s wrote

You’ve changed my mind

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wellarmedsheep t1_jeggj2c wrote

Appreciate that, I really respect people that take in new information and let it change their mind.

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