RE: ACLU and free speech

James E Hopper (hopper@k12.wcsu.ctstateu.edu)
Sat, 27 Apr 1996 11:30:41 -0500

>>>> On Fri, 26 Apr 1996 17:34:29 -0500, Chuck Warman
>>>>>> <cwarman@sol.wf.net> said:
>
>>> 2. I believe that *you and I both know* that the ACLU has a double
>>> standard regarding free speech; specifically that "religious speech"
>>> should be more restricted than generic speech.

Jim foley replied:

>But doesn't that "double standard" come directly from the constitution?
>Religious speech *should* be restricted in cases where it could be
>construed as an endorsement by the government (i.e. in public school
>science classes). At least, that seems to be the way the constitution
>is interpreted nowadays.
>
>For reference:
> AMENDMENT I
>
>Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or
>prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech,
>or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to
>petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
>

Maybe I'm overlooking something here, but how does discussing scientific
evidence of intelligent design in a science class get interpreted as
"making a law respecting an establisment of religion"? Prohibiting such a
discussion seeems to fall more in the area of abridging fredom of speech.

Jim Hopper

Jim Hopper
hopper@k12.wcsu.ctstateu.edu