Decision To Remove Religion From Yearbook Reversed

[wordsmythe]

The First Amendment goes BOTH ways. Especially in an ad someone paid money for.

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cbs13.com - Decision To Remove Religion From Yearbook Reversed

School To Pay $8,000 To Put Religious References Back In

(CBS13) A northern California school is in the hot seat tonight over words removed from yearbook ads.

Liberty High the East Bay said no to religious references in the senior ad section of their award winning yearbook -- they went ahead and changed some parents' messages. Before this years version comes out the school will have to fork out a pretty penny get god back in.

The yearbook staff at Liberty High is working to put a little faith back in the books. This after parents complained, saying the staff substituted words.

"It was really surprising and caught me off guard," said Jeff Renner, who bought a yearbook ad.

Jeff Renner's original message to his son included the phrase, "remember to always keep Jesus first in your life." Student staff edited it to "remember to always keep your faith first in your life."

"We were surprised they would do that. I kinda felt like I had to walk outside and make sure we were still living in America!" said Renner.

Renner contacted attorney Brad Dacus at Sacramento's Pacific Justice Institute, a non-profit conservative legal organization. His group wrote a letter to the school district demanding they reprint the ads or they'd sue.

"This anti-religious censorship is in clear violation of the first amendment," said Brad Dacus, Pacific Justice Institute.

"The goal is to not have any offensive material in the yearbook," said Tim Halloran, principal, Liberty High.

Though religious references have appeared in past books, Principal Tim Halloran said it's the schools' practice to prohibit any references to alcohol, gangs, drugs and religion.

"There are so many religions out there certain people can get offended by other students religions," said Halloran.

But two weeks ago they changed their policy to be on the same page as the other district schools and allow religious references. That was before this years pages went to print. So the school will be spending $8,000 to change 25 ads and allow God, Jesus and even Allah back into the yearbook.

Jeff Renner said the school did the right thing and put liberty back at the school that bears its name.

Nearly 20 percent of the yearbook is filled with these parent ads that parents purchase for their graduating seniors. They cost up to $175 and makes up a large part of how the books are paid for.

The school says they're not sure where the $8,000 will come from just yet.

[lurker]

To my Dear Pal, wordy.

Was there any position on doG?

Your Pal,

lurker

[mommiedearestx3]

"The goal is to not have any offensive material in the yearbook," said Tim Halloran, principal, Liberty High.
"There are so many religions out there certain people can get offended by other students religions," said Halloran.

I don't understand just how any type of religion can be "offensive". Just because I'm a Lutheran doesn't give me the right to tell someone that their religion, whatever it may be, is offensive and vise versa. I'll do mine and you do yours and we'll both be happy. It's that what it's all about?

[wordsmythe]

Originally Posted by mommiedearestx3

"The goal is to not have any offensive material in the yearbook," said Tim Halloran, principal, Liberty High.
"There are so many religions out there certain people can get offended by other students religions," said Halloran.

I don't understand just how any type of religion can be "offensive". Just because I'm a Lutheran doesn't give me the right to tell someone that their religion, whatever it may be, is offensive and vise versa. I'll do mine and you do yours and we'll both be happy. It's that what it's all about?

If only that's what it could be about.

[Detector]

I don't understand just how any type of religion can be "offensive".

It's not. These remarks are made by people who really have no concept of religion, and thats why it doesn't make sense. Human nature is to fear what we don't understand. I know a lot of people of religion and not a one is offended by another's religion. These people use the few radicals to support their nonsense.

The choice to remove it in the first place was obviously made by the wrong people. Our schools have filled up with liberals who believe in freedom FROM religion rather than freedom of religion.

People of religion know just how ridiculous this statement is.

[TexKan]

They are just young adults trying to do what they have been trained is the "right" thing. PS - the $8000 will come from the parents and homeowners that originally bought the $175 ads that got thrown in the crapper. - then got fished out. Besides that - it's California............. any thing can happen and usually does.

Good "fair and balanced" story there Wordie!!

[JayhawkMom]

Originally Posted by Detector

It's not. These remarks are made by people who really have no concept of religion, and thats why it doesn't make sense. Human nature is to fear what we don't understand. I know a lot of people of religion and not a one is offended by another's religion. These people use the few radicals to support their nonsense.

The choice to remove it in the first place was obviously made by the wrong people. Our schools have filled up with liberals who believe in freedom FROM religion rather than freedom of religion.

People of religion know just how ridiculous this statement is.

I believe in freedom of religion; just not in public school. If you want to practice your religious beliefs in school, go to a private religious institution funded by churches instead of the state. Otherwise, the only place where religion should play a part in school, is SUNDAY school; in my opinion.

[Highwayman]

Originally Posted by JayhawkMom

I believe in freedom of religion; just not in public school. If you want to practice your religious beliefs in school, go to a private religious institution funded by churches instead of the state. Otherwise, the only place where religion should play a part in school, is SUNDAY school; in my opinion.

A voucher system would allow more of the lower income folks to make those kinds of choices.

[JayhawkMom]

Originally Posted by Highwayman

A voucher system would allow more of the lower income folks to make those kinds of choices.

I agree............I attended a Catholic college, and let me tell ya, it ain't cheap........it's a good way to get religion along with academics if you can afford it.

[Made in the USA]

Originally Posted by JayhawkMom

I agree............I attended a Catholic college, and let me tell ya, it ain't cheap........it's a good way to get religion along with academics if you can afford it.

JayMom, you attended Catholic Schools? How crippled up are you?? Those damn rulers were murder!!! And the swats were wicked too!!