Crossposted at Church and State and Stop the ACLU
Yesterday, Liberty Counsel filed a lawsuit against the Monument, CO, school district on behalf of a high school valedictorian. Erica Corder was forced to apologize to the school for sharing her faith during her graduation speech.
During her 30-second message Erica spoke about her faith in Jesus Christ. Afterwards, she was escorted to see the assistant principal, who said she would not receive her diploma because of the speech she had given. Principal Brewer later indicated that her comments were “immature.†He said that she could only receive her diploma if she apologized to the school community. Erica prepared a statement saying the message was her own and was not endorsed by the principal. Brewer insisted that she include the words: “I realize that, had I asked ahead of time, I would not have been allowed to say what I did.†Erica complied because she feared the school would withhold her diploma. She was also afraid that the school would put disciplinary notes in her file and would generate negative publicity, which could prevent her from becoming a school teacher. Principal Brewer sent out Erica’s message in an e-mail to the entire high school community. Soon after, Erica received her diploma.
This school has definitely taken censorship of Christianity to new heights by threatening to not only withhold Corder’s diploma, but potentially sabotage her chances of becoming a teacher. We never hear of Muslim students being stripped of their diplomas for mentioning Allah in their graduation speeches. Why? Because it’s obvious that the message is their own and not endorsed by any school. But when it’s a Christian, humanist school officials feel an overwhelming, but unconscionable craving to intimidate, harass, subdue, or dematerialize Christians, or some combination, so long as Christianity is suppressed.
Liberty Counsel sent a letter on behalf of Erica to the Lewis Palmer School District Board of Education, explaining that her First Amendment rights had been violated, and requested that the district apologize for the e-mail that Erica was forced to write and institute a written policy to ensure that no future constitutional violations occur. The school board has thus far taken no remedial steps. Meanwhile, Erica continues to be the subject of public criticism from school officials.
Mathew Staver, Founder of Liberty Counsel and Dean of Liberty University School of Law, commented: “Valedictorians have the right to express their religious viewpoints while at the graduation podium. School officials have no right to threaten young graduates that their diplomas will be withheld. The school district’s action in forcing Erica Corder to write an e-mail apologizing to the community for exercising her right to free speech is shocking.â€
Liberty Counsel gears up every spring for religious liberties at graduations across the country. The Friend or Foe Graduation Prayer Campaign will educate, and if necessary, litigate to ensure that prayer and religious viewpoints are not censored from graduation. Liberty Counsel’s free legal memo outlines the current law. Liberty Counsel will defend any school that follows the law. When school officials censor prayer or religious speech, Liberty Counsel will file suit.
Typically, LC is not required to file suit. Most school boards respond after the initial letter. But, in cases such as Corder’s, a suit is not only necessary, but fully justified.
10 Responses
this is horrible and i hope she cleans out the school board and that vice-principal. its ok for the so-called “religion of peace” to talk about killing jews and convert or die but if a christian wants to just declare their belief in Our Lord they are railroaded. this world is upside down
Posted on September 5th, 2007 at 11:33 am
Dear sir……
Erica….to me……is a very very BRAVE lady. I love the fact that she revealed her love for the Lord Jesus….IN PUBLIC!!!
The simple naming of the Lord Jesus is very offensive to the arrogant and to the self-serving “unbelievers”.
I applaud Erica, and the courage that God gave her to testify for the Lord our God. Under the 1st amendment….SHE WAS FULLY WITHIN HER RIGHTS!!
PLEASE DO NOT LET THIS LAWSUIT ….FALL BY THE WAYSIDE !!!
I DO HOPE…..that she gets EVERYTHING she can get from these heathens.
It’s just like Jesus said….to not be alarmed when the world attacks you for my sake…for they HATED ME FIRST.
Well…….I LOVE THE LORD, and so does Erica…..God WILL reward her for her testimony, He is being “lifted-up”……God bless you all, and especially..Erica.
May His name forever be at the very tip of our lips….without hesitation!!!
Erica..??……i now have another HERO that i can point to. You’re a child of God, and never, EVER…..back down from that name…..WE WHO LOVE THE LORD…….accordingly…..LOVE YOU…..:)
May His peace….always be with you there in college.
God …WILL BLESS YOU…………that I DO KNOW!!!
~ ~ sincerely ~ ~
David R. Winot
Posted on November 16th, 2007 at 11:03 am
Colorado Student Files Lawsuit Over Commencement Speech That Mentioned Jesus…
Though shalt not mention the name of the lord thy God and savior in a public school address! So says the PC Police of Church and Public School Seperation Enforcers. However, since the damage has been done by groups like the ACLU to the point that man…
Posted on November 16th, 2007 at 3:47 pm
I often wonder where my childrens faith will be 10 years will it be something we have to hind down in our basements like a disfirgured old garment….The world is so out of wack I believe children today have it so hard just getting through life and many need the faith the have forged with Jesus Christ…Thats all they have and then we have people they are suppose to look up to threatening them because they believe and are proud of it.. Our own public school system hear had alot of unfair rules so we decided to enroll our son in a Christian base school its $500 a month and we downsized to one car and I walk him just for that privledge and he had 8 weeks of catching up to do he is in kindergarten and is learning to read and needs to memorize bible verses weekly he is a different child then when he was going to the public school. He now loves school and his classes…I know God did that for him and I hope he will be proud of it one day just like Erica …you go girl…..
Posted on January 2nd, 2008 at 3:28 pm
why are people acting like she was trying to force people into her beliefs?
i think people get mixed up with “church and state”, i mean its there to keep people from forcing their beliefs into others
this political correctness stuff is really workking my nerves. people these days will take anything that has little meaning and make a big case out of it, its pathetic.
i applaud the girl, she did absolutely nothing wrong, if we punish her, then we should make all middle easterner kids take off the hijob because thats a religion connotation right there.
Posted on May 20th, 2008 at 10:10 pm
I was at the 2006 LP Graduation and was very offended by what Erica said. She said that the only was to be saved was to accept Jesus and that it was her duty to inform us all of that. Also, the speaches were rehearsed ahead of time and is it fair that the other 14 students were lied to as well as the principal who they read the approaved speach before she went on. God would not be proud of liers and the fact is that she was preaching not saying thanks.
Posted on May 28th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the only way? You don’t speak the truth and yet accuse her of lying. Nice try.
Posted on May 30th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
I can see why Heather was not the valedictorian. I counted 6 spelling errors and several more grammatical errors.
On another point, simply being offended by someone else’s words does not mean that the law has been violated.
Publius
Posted on May 30th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
My daughter was one of the other valedictorians, along with Ms. Corder. In a nutshell, the speech wasn’t Ms. Corder’s to modify - it was a group creation and collaboration, not 30 seconds to get up and say what you want when it’s your turn at the podium.
The valedictorians wrote it together, had it approved by the principal together, rehearsed it together graduation morning, and then gave it together that night. In regards to how she treated the other valedictorians, Ms. Corder was deceptive, disrepectful, and lacking in integrity.
Posted on June 10th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
Erica Corder is a liar. She agreed to and rehearsed a different speech. I thought lying was a sin. Apparently Christians like Corder do whatever it takes to shove their religion down other people’s throats, no matter how unethical. And, ironically, she thinks (with pride) that she’s some kind of a hero. In fact, she’s an embarrassment.
Posted on August 8th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
Add A Comment