'American Humanist Association' sets up scholarship fund for atheist student

By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM)
2/20/2012
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

Controversial banner at Rhode Island school removed

A high school student who voiced her opposition to a banner at her Rhode Island high school now has a Web site dedicated to raising money for her college. Sixteen-year-old Jessica Ahlquist said that a banner on display at her school, Cranston High School West violated the separation of church and state. The banner has since been removed, and a school committee last week decided not to appeal.

The association says Jessica Ahlquist was targeted with online threats after she challenged the constitutionality of the display at her high school. The association says she stood up against her critics 'with class and style.'

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LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - The American Humanist Association, a national association that says there's no proof for the existence of God is now managing a scholarship fund set up for Ahlquist.

The association says Ahlquist was targeted with online threats after she challenged the constitutionality of the display at her high school. The association says she stood up against her critics "with class and style."

Ahlquist has not wavered from her course. "Roger Williams founded Rhode Island and Providence Plantations in 1636 as a state of religious freedom," Ahlquist says on her Web site. "He had been banished from Massachusetts due to his religious beliefs and he wanted to establish a place where everyone was equal, regardless of their faith (or lack thereof).

"I have lived in Rhode Island all my life. Even as someone as young as myself I have already seen frequent and flagrant disregard for our state's history and even the law. Not to mention the countless times I have seen people go out of their way to make others feel excluded. With opposing the school prayer in my public high school, Cranston West, I have experienced a sickening amount of hostility and hatred.

"And of course, we're seeing that same mentality again this season with the feud over what to call the holiday tree displayed in the statehouse in Providence. Our governor, Lincoln Chafee, referred to the tree as a 'holiday tree,' rather than a 'Christmas tree' in order to be inclusive of all religions and winter holidays," Ahlquist says.

Blogger Hemant Mehta started a campaign at the Friendly Atheist website to raise money for Ahlquist, and more than $40,000 has since been collected. The fundraiser concludes at the end of this month.

� 2012, Catholic Online. Distributed by NEWS CONSORTIUM.

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Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.

Keywords: Jessica Ahlquist, atheist, banner, scholarship fund

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1 - 7 of 7 Comments

JT
1 year ago
"This girl looks like a future Catholic convert to me."

She is, but not in the way you think; she was raised Catholic, but outgrew it.
Kevin
1 year ago
I applaud her courage. Not many young people would stand up for what they believe in. However, she, and many like her, are mistaking seperation of church and state (not constitutionally protected) with freedom of religion (constitutionally protected). The banner in no way infringed on her right to practice or not practice any religious belief. However, the removal of it directly infringed on both the freedom of speech and freedom of religion rights of the persons who placed it. How warped we have become.
John
1 year ago
Does Jessica know that the atheists have their own Day to honor their belief??? It.s called april;s fool day/ and is in the bible..."the fool said in his heart There is No God:" Good luck, and may god bess you and yours, Jessica.!!!
K.C.Thomas
1 year ago
David & Joan, I agree with you. This girl may be doing everything according to her conscience. The problem is her faith in her infallibility. The more you listen, the more yoy read, the more you discuss, the more you think without hatred and inhibitions, you become more wise and knowledgeable. We practicing catholics must pray for this sister's conversion, the descent of the Holy Spirit in her. God knows best and He will bring about good for the lass.
abey
1 year ago
The question is not the threat but the truth & to this what proof does the humanist association in matters of Faith expect, like saying, show us love so that we can see it , which love does not come in the sight but in the experience through faith, like saying it is there & they still ask, leading to a falseness, in believing that there is no god , which again is centered in the word ".Believing", meaning the word itself to be existent, by itself & adding suffixes does not change it.
John Padilla
1 year ago
Jessica Ahlquist displayed 'Honor' & 'Courage' that all Catholics & all Christians should exemplify! I hope their are more Jessica Ahlquist in the last days, if we are not already in them? Read about a Powerful Christian character called Joe in the novel "Joe & The Peace Eternal" at many book stores, Catholic.org, many on-line stores, Amazon.com or at this web site: https://www.createspace.com/3625604
David&Joan
1 year ago
This girl looks like a future Catholic convert to me. May God bless her as true humanism is really Catholicism. God will lead her there as strong convictions must yield to the light of faith as atheism and secularism in ones thinking eventually dies. It come s down to a matter of a spiritual maturity. She will probably end up a future Saint! Who Knows!!!!!!!!

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