WEEKLY COMIC: Technology vs Law

Cheerleaders reprimanded for using Bible Verses

We hear a lot about the "separation of church and state" when it comes to the Bible, but this is the first time I have heard of it being applied to cheerleaders. A squad from Georgia was using warrior-themed Bible-verses to encourage their football team, and now has been advised that use of the verses at a public high school is breaking the law... despite the fact that no one was complaining.

The verses were picked for their gridiron-friendly themes of pluck and pep: from I Corinthians ("Be men of courage; be strong"); from Ezra ("We will support you, so take courage and do it"); from Proverbs ("Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed").

There are a handful of non-Christian kids at LFO High, but for years, no one pointed out any church-state separation issues. Until this season...In a statement, Jackson said she wanted the school to be "protected from potential lawsuits" and wanted to head off "community division."

Supt. Denia Reese said Jackson told her the practice was breaking the law "and it needed to be stopped."

2010 - Year of the Bible?

One Senator has submitted a bill to declare 2010 the "year of the Bible" in an attempt to honor God's Word. The idea is facing stiff opposition, and definitely raises questions of separation of church and state.

Broun’s simple congressional resolution aimed at honoring the Good Book has produced a push-back of biblical proportion in the blogosphere, with critics dismissing it as either unconstitutional or a waste of time. Jews in Congress and atheist activists are dismissing the resolution, while none of the many Democrats in Congress who are Christian have bothered to sign on as co-sponsors...Broun rejects the critiques leveled at this effort.
“This doesn’t have anything to do with Christianity,” he said in an interview with POLITICO. Rather, he says, it seeks to recognize that the Bible played an integral role in the building of the United States, including providing the basis for our freedom of religion that allows Muslims, Hindus and even atheists to vocalize their own beliefs.

What do Quiz Teamers think? Is this a good idea, or something best left out of the halls of Congress?