Religious Banner Opponent Jessica Ahlquist Stands Tall Despite Threats
By Simon Baker
It amazes me that so much hatred and anger lies just below the surface of many people, and that it takes so little to bring out vile words and actions.
My colleague Rob Boston previously wroteabout Jessica Ahlquist, a 16-year-old high school student who filed suit to have a prayer banner removed from Cranston High School West in Cranston, R.I.
In a 40-page decision issued Jan. 11, a judge dismissed school officials’ claims that Ahlquist, who identifies as an atheist, had no right to challenge the banner. He then went on to explain why this official school prayer, which has been hanging in the gym since 1963, is patently unconstitutional.
Sadly, even though the law is on Ahlquist’s side, some in her community have continuedattacking her viciously. State Rep. Peter Polombo on Jan. 16 called Alhquist “an evil little thing,” a “clapping seal” and a “pawn star” on a talk radio show, according to a report on CranstonPatch.com.
Ahlquist has also been ripped to shreds across the Internet. Among the comments that are repeatable, a Twitter user said “this girl honestly needs to be punched in the face.” An anonymous commenter posted Ahlquist’s home address on the Providence Journal's website.
She even received threats of physical harm and Cranston Police said they are investigating some threats directed at her on the Internet, according to CranstonPatch.
It has gotten so ridiculous that several local florists wouldn’t deliver flowers to Ahlquist’s house.
"We refused the order because we really don't want to cross lines," said Raymond Santilli, owner of Flowers by Santilli, according to reports from WJAR in Cranston and CNN. "If I send flowers there, somebody may get upset with us and retaliate to us.”
Another florist who refused an order for Ahlquist, Marina Plowman of Twins Florist, agreed.
"I just chose not to do it,” she said, according to the WJAR/CNN report. “Nothing personal against her or anybody, it was a choice that I made. It was my right to do that, so I did.”
For her part, Ahlquist has displayed remarkable poise and courage.
"Even if lots of kids in school hate you, even if there's nasty comments on the Internet, it's important to stand up for something you believe in," Ahlquist said, according to CranstonPatch. "I could have said nothing but I did what I believe in and I'm glad I did what I did. I've had to deal with a lot of harassment and negative flak from people who disagree with my views and opinions, but it's all worth it."
There’s clearly a lesson here. I spoke recently by phone with someone who identified himself as a member of the Tea Party. It was pretty obvious that he and I didn’t agree and we were firm in our opposing viewpoints.
The conversation wasn’t very productive, but I listened to what he had to say and I responded. I didn’t curse. He didn’t curse. At the end, he even thanked me for being civil and told me to have a nice day. I wished him the same.
Disagreements are fine and, in fact, should be encouraged in a democracy. But there’s absolutely no reason we can’t remain calm and civil. For people to act the way they have toward Ahlquist, who isn’t even legally an adult, is both shocking and disgusting. There is no excuse for it.
Ahlquist’s story reminds me of a sign I saw at the Stephen Colbert/Jon Stewart “Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear” in Washington, DC in October 2010.
“I may disagree with you,” the sign said, “but I’m pretty sure you’re not Hitler.”
That sign is something we should all keep in mind. You can disagree with Jessica Ahlquist and what she stands for, but it’s safe to say she’s not Hitler. A little perspective would do some people a lot of good.
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... And this is why I tend to keep my head down and my mouth shut...
Jesusfollower: This girl does not exhibit maturity and forethought? She is more mature than most 50 year olds! You just hate that she is fighting against a theocracy. You hate that she has stepped up for our Constitution's prohibitions on the government endorsing and promoting religion. Look, you can promote religion all you want but you don't have the right to use the government to do it. Sorry, you don't.
Jerome McCollom
I think what Jessica Ahlquist did totally lacks maturity and forethought - she will have to answer for her actions at some point and it may come in the form of her "Christian kiddos" - ahh, the bitter irony! Our constitution does not provide for the separation of church and state. I can't believe as much as this issue has been debated that any adult exists without this knowledge. This is all I will write on this issue - Thomas Jefferson, Danbury Baptists, 1947 SCOTUS opinion legislating from the bench. Mr. Fowler, Please read whatever you choose and I'll do the same. America is "still" a Christian nation, like it or not. Mr. Settles, I totally agree with you on disbarring bloated judges that get away with changing legislation. Mr. Collazo, You made a curious statement. Have you visited some of our wonderful "government institutions" in Washington D.C.? I certainly hope everyone taking the opportunity to comment here has a splendid day in this beautiful Republic I like to call - America.
@Jesus Follower:
Since there are no gods we are all technically godless.
Godlessness is not something that one should be afraid of embracing.
All the beauty in the world, all of the moral people, and all that brings you joy in life exists despite the lack of gods.
This awe inspiring universe is exactly the type of universe one would expect to see if there were no gods.
Everything in it is governed by natural forces meaning there is no god intentionally causing floods and setting off earthquakes when he or she feels like it.
Living in a godless universe is what allows us to make predictions about nature and use our knowledge of its functionality and limitations to protect and improve the lives of future generations.
Godlessness is the freedom to make positive changes in the world.
Chuck
Which constitution are you referring to? The one that governs the US. states that congress can not prohibit or endorse a religion, and the 14th amendment applies it to the state and local government. The banner was government speech, since it was owned by the school, displayed by the school, and shown on school property. Also, the banner had no secular value, as demonstrated by the meetings to keep it or lose it. The people defending the banner continually used sectarian arguments. I don't see how you can justify it in the context of the first and 14th amendments.
@jesusfollower...You call bringing a suit to stop violating the United States Constitution immature, you are an idiot.
Chuck
I certainly have visited the government institutions in our nations capital, recently in fact. I am aware of the inscriptions found in several buildings and the fact that technically they are unconstitutional, as is the term "In God We Trust" on currency. What I find disturbing but not very surprising is that christians such as yourself would condone such ignorant behavior from your fellow believers when someone exercises an opposing point of view and at the same time claim to be fervent supporters of democracy and free speech. It's very hypocritical to supposedly support the ideals that this country were founded upon (and no, they are not christian values, they are secular) and simultaneously think that she "had it coming" when belligerent morons threaten a young girl.
This is why I'm am very glad to see that religion as a whole is on a steady decline and scheduled for extinction in the future. Perhaps one day our species will outgrow it's infantile desire to cling to bronze-age superstitious nonsense instead of critical reasoning skills.
Oh give me a break. Just because some Christians are bible thumping psychos doesn't mean we're all like that. I'm ashamed of Christians who try to force my religion on other people. And I hate to burst your bubble but religion has been around since the begining of our race and it isn't going anywhere, so why don't you just do what I do? Live and let live.
I never accused ALL christians of this type of behavior. I was referencing those that do display this level of ignorance. Undoubtedly there is a spectrum of views/behaviors within any group.
As for religion not going anywhere, really? Perhaps you should read some history books. Religion in the world today is a shadow of what it once was. There was a time (not long ago) that the church WAS the ruling authority and to defy them was a death sentence. Thankfully, we've evolved past that type of behavior (some of us anyway) due in no small part to the enlightenment period in Europe and the subsequent creation of the world's first democracy (the U.S.) which has a secular government. The idea behind the secular government was the first of it's kind in the world and laid the foundation for a steady decline in religion's influence over the population. You only need to look at the history of this country to see that battle unfold as it did in the schools as far back as the Scopes Monkey Trial (1925) to the Kitzmiller v. Dover case which was heard by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2005 (which they got right).
Religion is on a (albeit slow) death march. There will be a time in the (distant) future where kids will read about how people used to have silly superstitious beliefs concerning jewish zombies the same way we do today about the Greek myths.
Please explain what makes us a Christian nation, and what exactly that entails. Bonus points if you can account for the fact that the only references to religion in the Constitution are negative.