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On Tuesday, high school freshman Dakota Ary was given in-school suspension for stating in class that he believes homosexuality is wrong because of his Christian faith. Liberty Counsel is representing Dakota in this case, demanding full vindication and a full retraction of the suspension. If the school board does not comply, a lawsuit will be filed for violation of Dakota’s First Amendment rights.

Dakota was in a German language class at Western Hills High School on Tuesday when the topic of homosexuality arose. “I'm a Christian and, to me, being homosexual is wrong,” Dakota said to one of his classmates. His teacher overheard the comment, wrote Dakota an infraction, and sent him to the principal’s office. During the discussion, one student asked what Germans thought about homosexuality in relation to religion. These questions provoked the conversation about Christianity and Dakota’s expression of his opinion to one classmate.

The discipline referral form says the comment was out of context, even though the lesson for the day was on religious beliefs. The teacher charged Dakota with “possible bullying” and indicated, “It is wrong to make such a statement in public school.” Last week, the teacher displayed a picture of two men kissing on a “World Wall” and told the students that homosexuality is becoming more prevalent in the world and that they should just accept it. Many of the students were offended by the teacher’s actions and his continually bringing up the topic of homosexuality in a German language class.

Just because you walk through the schoolhouse doors doesn't mean you shed your First Amendment rights. Dakota wasn't disrupting class. He wasn't bullying or harassing anybody. He was just stating his personal opinion on a topic somebody else brought up and in a civil and respectful manner. 

Read our News Release for more details.

Mat Staver to Appear on Fox News This Sunday to Discuss Israel and Debate the Ten Commandments

This Sunday, September 25th, Mathew D. Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel, is scheduled to appear on “America’s News Headquarters” with Shannon Bream on Fox News. The estimated time for the interview is 1:40 p.m. ET. Staver will be discussing his recent trip to Israel and the Palestinian Authority's bid for statehood at the U.N. Staver will also be debating the topic of the Ten Commandments with a representative of the Freedom from Religion Foundation. This debate will be centered around the recent lawsuit filed by the ACLU of Virginia against the Giles County School Board, after Narrows High School posted a display on law with ten equal-sized frames, one of which includes the Ten Commandments. 

Order your copy of Students' Rights on Public School Campuses.

From the hallway to the classroom, from personal notes to final exam reports, from praying around the flagpole to praying before lunch, from wearing a cross to carrying a Bible, or from an after-school Bible study club to a graduation speech, students have the right to express their faith at school.

This booklet explains what you may and may not do, say, write, and wear to express your faith at school. Paperback, 8 pages.

 

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