Teens sue Newark Bears over God Bless America ejections

[Austin]

Three teenagers were thrown out of the Newark Bears minor league stadium because they didn't stand during God Bless America.
Now they're suing for violation of their civil rights.
The owner allegedly said, "Nobody sits during the singing of 'God Bless America' in my stadium. Now the get the [expletive] out of here."
Here's the story:
http://sports.espn.go.com/minorlbb/news/story?id=4473355

 

[hive17]

This won't end well for either side.

The kids and family look like overly-litigious, money-grubbers.

The stadium owner looks like he went after a few kids for a perceived slight to America that really didn't happen.

 

[NYCrulesU]

Nevermind, I was mistaken.

 

[CAROLINA BOSOX]

If it's HIS stadium can't he reserve the right to refuse service to anyone for any reason? It it were my buisness and some smart ass kids/people came in and were disruptive, rude. obnoxious, loud, etc I would think that I would ask them to leave as well. It's a shame that our country has fallen to these levels when people can act like these kids have and "get paid", somewhere common sense should take over. Maybe we should elect the Miller Genuine Draft guy to be President.

 

[Pine Tar]

Oh man another argument of separating Church from state. ::facepalm::

 

[Fandruw25]

Oh man another argument of separating Church from state. ::facepalm::

They should be separated but as an American you should stand and face the flag during the star spangled banner and you should stand during god bless America.

 

[rebelpawn]

Oh man another argument of separating Church from state. ::facepalm::

I often wondered where that phrase is in the constitution... Oh wait it's not in it at all.

 

[NYCrulesU]

Oh man another argument of separating Church from state. ::facepalm::

I often wondered where that phrase is in the constitution... Oh wait it's not in it at all.

Amen. Funny how many people aren't aware or simply try to ignore that little tidbit.

 

[rebelpawn]

Oh man another argument of separating Church from state. ::facepalm::

I often wondered where that phrase is in the constitution... Oh wait it's not in it at all.

Amen. Funny how many people aren't aware or simply try to ignore that little tidbit.

Oh wait I found it....

Article 14 of the Russian constitution states:

The Russian Federation is a secular state. No religion may be established as a state or obligatory one.

Religious associations shall be separated from the State and shall be equal before the law.

 

[Rickzcards]

If they can't stand during the singing of God Bless America, I'm in favor of deporting them to a country that they don't have to do so. At least be respectfull.

 

[studioclint]

Oh man another argument of separating Church from state. ::facepalm::

I often wondered where that phrase is in the constitution... Oh wait it's not in it at all.

Amen. Funny how many people aren't aware or simply try to ignore that little tidbit.

Oh wait I found it....

Article 14 of the Russian constitution states:

The Russian Federation is a secular state. No religion may be established as a state or obligatory one.



Religious associations shall be separated from the State and shall be equal before the law.

The first amendment says something about it.
Amendment 1 - Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression. Ratified 12/15/1791. Note

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.




The Establishment Clause of the First Amendment refers to the first of several pronouncements in the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, stating that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion". Together with the Free Exercise Clause, ("... or prohibiting the free exercise thereof"), these two clauses make up what are commonly known as the "religion clauses" of the First Amendment.
The establishment clause has generally been interpreted to prohibit 1) the establishment of a national religion by Congress, or 2) the preference of one religion over another or the support of a religious idea with no identifiable secular purpose. The first approach is called the "separationist" or "no aid" interpretation, while the second approach is called the "non-preferentialist" or "accommodationist" interpretation. The accommodationist interpretation prohibits Congress from preferring one religion over another, but does not prohibit the government's entry into religious domain to make accommodations in order to achieve the purposes of the Free Exercise Clause.

 

[hive17]

Um, I'm not sure if any of you are aware of this, but there is NO legal precedent for anyone having to pay respect to "God Bless America." On the other hand, United States Code, 36 U.S.C. § 301, states that there are rule to follow with respect to the Flag and the National Anthem. No such code exists for "God Bless America."

Personally, i feel the song sort of detracts from "The Star-Spangled Banner."

However, were this a case of whiney kids saying "you can't play this song because it offends my freedom of expression, blah, blah, blah..." then I'm with you on their forceable exit of the stadium.

Also, I'm pretty sure the stadium is the public place, so I'm not even sure on what authority the team owner was able to ask them to leave.

 

[Rudzud]

Oh man another argument of separating Church from state. ::facepalm::

I often wondered where that phrase is in the constitution... Oh wait it's not in it at all.

Amen. Funny how many people aren't aware or simply try to ignore that little tidbit.

Oh wait I found it....

Article 14 of the Russian constitution states:

The Russian Federation is a secular state. No religion may be established as a state or obligatory one.

Religious associations shall be separated from the State and shall be equal before the law.

Hey, dont ****** take stabs at the soviets comrade.

 

[Pine Tar]

Oh man another argument of separating Church from state. ::facepalm::

I often wondered where that phrase is in the constitution... Oh wait it's not in it at all.

NVM

 

[KC37]

Also, I'm pretty sure the stadium is the public place, so I'm not even sure on what authority the team owner was able to ask them to leave.

Don't most tickets for venues have language on them reserving the right of ownership to eject people? Not that it's expressly written for standing during a song, but that might be where the defense will point.

 

[cubfan131]

I don't stand during God Bless America either and it has nothing to do with being un-American. I have no problem saluting the flag, standing during the national anthem, or paying taxes but I draw the line at supporting a non-existent deity that has led to the slaughter and alienation of millions of people.

 

[Pine Tar]

I don't stand during God Bless America either and it has nothing to do with being un-American. I have no problem saluting the flag, standing during the national anthem, or paying taxes but I draw the line at supporting a non-existent deity that has led to the slaughter and alienation of millions of people.

Again if you stand and acknowledge god bless America then your are acknowledging religion
and that me friend it not seperating church from state. Politics from religion.

 

[Mozzie22]

It would probably be a good idea to just lock this thread now because it is heading for a bad place.

 

[JoshHamilton]

I don't stand during God Bless America either and it has nothing to do with being un-American. I have no problem saluting the flag, standing during the national anthem, or paying taxes but I draw the line at supporting a non-existent deity that has led to the slaughter and alienation of millions of people.

Amen.

 

[markakis8]

I suppose will find out those who are atheists and those who are not! (not that it matters)

I love Jesus!