The ACLU is defending a girl who couldn't share her report on Harvey Milk with her class

[conuly]

I made the mistake of reading the comments (some of them, anyway) where I first picked up this link.

Let's just say they were appalling and leave it at that. Two things, though.

1. While the school's actions may not be censorship in the strictest definition, they were acting as an arm of the government to specially restrict where, when, and to whom this one child could share her knowledge. This sends a clear message about Harvey Milk in particular and gay people in general, and let's not talk about what it says about the pursuit of knowledge! (And don't give me that "sex" line. If you think you have to talk about this guy's sex life in order to talk about him, I suggest you get your mind out of the gutter. I know some of our politicians lack any sense of discretion, but seriously, we don't *have* to talk about it.)

2. I am so *sick* of reading about how "OMG, the ACLU only ever attacks Christians and Christian values and hates Christianity and is ebil!!!!!111" Aside from the exceedingly narrow view of who can be Christian, it's just flat-out wrong. Unless of course I'm imagining their defense of....

A Christian prisoner's right to preach (at least twice!)

A Christian church's desire to put their money where their mouth is and uphold their Christian morals by housing the homeless

The right of a Christian man to protest Wal-Mart for "supporting gay lifestyles and marriage". (I don't agree with his statement, but I sure do agree with his right to say it!)

The right of a second-grader to sing a religious song at a school talent show

I'll grant you, most of the ACLU's press releases on their work related to religious freedom is about non-Christians, usually being pressured by Christians. This, however, is not because the ACLU wishes to silence Christians, or because society oppresses Christians so much that very few of them can even make cases. What nerve! It's because Christians are the majority and often casually (and usually unintentionally) do things which harm other's religious rights! Well, of course. It's much easier for the majority to do things which harm the minority than the other way around, how could it be otherwise? Christians certainly aren't being persecuted as a group in the US. What an idea! And attempts to take away the special rights Christians often have really aren't the same as attempts to remove their/your religious freedom. No, really.

So, if any of you were interested in spouting that old ACLU canard about how they hate Christianity and traditional values (what is more traditional in this country than the first Amendment, I ask you!), please - educate yourself.

Comments

[sparkofcreation.livejournal.com]

They've also fought for a Catholic's right to practice his own faith rather than evangelical Christianity in a Pennsylvania state prison, and the right of overtly religious Christians to not be excluded from New Jersey state juries on religious grounds (prosecutors felt evangelicals are less likely to convict).

Of course, in places where Christians have all the power, they are more likely to be the oppressors than the oppressed, so therefore the ACLU (which represents the oppressed). Duh.

Or, in other words, what you said.

[conuly]

Well, I'll just ditto you again and make it even.

[l33tminion]

See also this website, which is devoted to cataloging all the many, many cases in which the ACLU defends the religious freedoms of Christians.

[conuly]

Thanks.

[queenlyzard.livejournal.com]

Your icon rocks. Also... well, I don't know that I can add to what you've said without sounding very bitter, particularly about Christians, so I won't try.