Cheerleader Drama

[Cesar555]

Here in southern California we have some Cheerleader drama brewing. The director of the school's cheerleading squad issued a constitution that was required to be signed by the student and a parent as a requirement to participate. What is stated was that cheerleading activities, including practices, had priority above all other activities. We signed it and had no problem with it because we believed it had to do with extra-curricular activities. We didn't know that it also included religious activities. We are Catholic and my daughter is required to participate in a retreat in order for her to complete her confirmation which we consider a religious observance/obligation. As a consequence my daughter will have to miss a cheerleading practice and will be penalized by sitting out the first game of the season when school starts in September. My question is: is this discrimination based on religion?

Cesar

 

[Antigone*]

Here in southern California we have some Cheerleader drama brewing. The director of the school's cheerleading squad issued a constitution that was required to be signed by the student and a parent as a requirement to participate. What is stated was that cheerleading activities, including practices, had priority above all other activities. We signed it and had no problem with it because we believed it had to do with extra-curricular activities. We didn't know that it also included religious activities. We are Catholic and my daughter is required to participate in a retreat in order for her to complete her confirmation which we consider a religious observance/obligation. As a consequence my daughter will have to miss a cheerleading practice and will be penalized by sitting out the first game of the season when school starts in September. My question is: is this discrimination based on religion?

Cesar

Cesar,

There will always be consequences to our actions. You might not agree but if coach tells her she needs to sit out, then she needs to sit out.

Remind your daughter that if Jesus died for her sins, she could sit out one game in His name.

 

[OHRoadwarrior]

First, Cheerleader Drama is redundant. Second, No, she is free to leave the squad. The school does not require her to specifically be a cheerleader in order to graduate. You were a cheerleader in high school also I bet.

 

[Zigner]

Here in southern California we have some Cheerleader drama brewing. The director of the school's cheerleading squad issued a constitution that was required to be signed by the student and a parent as a requirement to participate. What is stated was that cheerleading activities, including practices, had priority above all other activities. We signed it and had no problem with it because we believed it had to do with extra-curricular activities. We didn't know that it also included religious activities. We are Catholic and my daughter is required to participate in a retreat in order for her to complete her confirmation which we consider a religious observance/obligation. As a consequence my daughter will have to miss a cheerleading practice and will be penalized by sitting out the first game of the season when school starts in September. My question is: is this discrimination based on religion?

Cesar

You AGREED to it. Did you only become a Catholic AFTER signing?

 

[OHRoadwarrior]

You AGREED to it. Did you only become a Catholic AFTER signing?

(ROFLMAO at Zigner's question)

 

[Cesar555]

Cheer Drama

I did discuss her sacrifice in his name and she understands. At 15 it is a sacrifice for her.

No, I was not a cheerleader. (is it a real sport?)

Was the constitution the coach made us sign illegal for a public school?

 

[Silverplum]

I did discuss her sacrifice in his name and she understands. At 15 it is a sacrifice for her.

No, I was not a cheerleader. (is it a real sport?)

Was the constitution the coach made us sign illegal for a public school?

The coach held a gun to your head and made you sign???

 

[cbg]

So your position is that she should be treated differently - i.e. exempt from a requirement that everyone else has to follow - because of her religion?

She's not being singled out because she's a Catholic. She's being required to follow the exact same requirement as everyone else. If she belonged to a community drama organization and she missed a cheerleading practice because of a committment to be in a performance, she'd be forced to sit out a game. Why should she be given special treatment for a religious reason?

And, FYI, I am a regular churchgoer with strong beliefs as well; my kid would also have gone on the retreat as well. So it's not that I don't see where you're coming from on that score.

 

[justalayman]

Was the constitution the coach made us sign illegal for a public school?

No because it did not say cheer leading took precedence over religious activities. The agreement said it took precedence over all other activities. It just happens that in your daughters situation, it involves religion.

 

[Cesar555]

Cheer Drama

I don't expect her to be treated different. In fact, I would advocate for equality. However, I do believe that exceptions should be made for religious observations/obligations for all. If a Muslim cheerleader needed to miss part or all of a practice I would not want her/him penalized for it.

Because its a public school, should separation of church and state impose school requirements before God?

 

[Silverplum]

I don't expect her to be treated different. In fact, I would advocate for equality. However, I do believe that exceptions should be made for religious observations/obligations for all. If a Muslim cheerleader needed to miss part or all of a practice I would not want her/him penalized for it.

Because its a public school, should separation of church and state impose school requirements before God?

I don't think you're going to read and assimilate what we write.

 

[LillianX]

Do you think that a girl who had summer camp overlap with a practice and would have to miss one should also be forgiven and not have to sit out the game?

 

[Silverplum]

I don't understand what the Big Ol' Deal is, here.

She has 2 events that conflict. She picks one. She pays the penalty.

Big honkin' drama for some people, I guess.

 

[Zigner]

I don't expect her to be treated different. In fact, I would advocate for equality. However, I do believe that exceptions should be made for religious observations/obligations for all. If a Muslim cheerleader needed to miss part or all of a practice I would not want her/him penalized for it.

Your child is not being penalized because she's Catholic. She's being penalized for missing practice.

Because its a public school, should separation of church and state impose school requirements before God?

This statement actually HURTS you more than it helps. The only way to truly separate church and state is for the state to be blind to religion. So, it matters not WHY she misses practice...she missed it.

 

[xylene]

As much as I hate this...

The school can't penalize sports participation for someone because of a religious requirement.

It doesn't matter what they signed.

This issue is widely settled, hint Sabbath keepers of all sorts...