District to appeal ruling on classroom banners

An appalling ruling all the way around by the judge.

I am a person of faith who practices a non-mainstream, non-Judeo-Christian religion. I like to remind myself of who and what I am by placing quotations in my workspace, these reminders keep me focused on spiritual realities, my purpose, etc. However, my view may not be the view all parents would endorse for their children (though I personally think of them as compatible with almost any faith).

Parents have the right to retain control and authority over their children's spiritual upbringing, but I have the right to my faith.

I place my uplifting quotes in places where I see them. One is on the lower portion of my computer monitor on my desk, facing me as I work. The other is on my overhead projector, facing me as I work. Both are small, both are clearly intended for my constant reminder and not to inspire the entire class.

There is nothing in our Bill of Rights that prevents me from having a book on my desk to read at lunch, or from having a quote nearby to read when I am feeling the need. Every parent should be confident that their children will not be confronted with someone else's religious convictions passed off as uplifting slogans and scriptural quotes, regardless of whether their views are compatible with those of the teacher, or not.

Were I to prominently place a quotation from my spiritual leader (nonChristian) in my classroom on my wall where everyone who entered would be "hit in the face" with it, I might reasonably have a parent who is not sympathetic to my faith complain. It would be their right.

I can exercise my Constitutional right without compromising anyone else's Constitutional guarantee.