1.19.2012

Student's Opinion Column Censored for Promoting Natural Adoption

January 19, 2012

School officials at Shawano High School needlessly censored and apologized for a 15-year-old's op-ed article supporting natural mother-father adoption. It was a part of an editorial page which presented both viewpoints, each articulated by students. After the school newspaper was published in the local town paper, a homosexual in the community complained to the school. School officials took immediate action and censored the article supporting natural adoption.

In its statement, the school "sincerely apologized" for the Biblical viewpoint presented by one student. The school claimed that the censored article created a "negative environment." Liberty Counsel believes that school officials have violated the First Amendment protections of both free expression and religious freedom. It is acceptable for school officials to render entire topics off limits, but once they allow a topic to be addressed, they may not dictate which opinions are acceptable and which are not. For the school to apologize for just one side of the argument sends a clear and biased message in favor of the other side.

The school has thus sacrificed constitutional freedoms on the altar of political correctness. Shawano's actions were not only unconstitutional, but were also the deepest form of educational hypocrisy. This is not education, it is indoctrination. The school should apologize - not for the student's viewpoint, but for its shameful censorship.

CLICK THE TITLE HEADLINE TO VISIT LIBERTY COUNSEL

No comments: