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Christianity Today, March (Web-only), 2007 |

Supreme Court Hears 'Bong Hits 4 Jesus' Case

Christian legal groups file briefs supporting student's banner.

Daniel Burke, Religion News Service | posted 3/20/2007 08:48AM

The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments Monday in the "Bong Hits 4 Jesus" case, a free speech conflict that has caught the attention of religious litigators nationwide.

Morse v. Frederick is the high court's ...

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Ross Ingall

Posted: March 31, 2007 6:47 AM


A bong is a water pipe that is used for smoking pot. The 'hit' part is the intake of smoke. Thought that might help.

Henry S.

Posted: March 29, 2007 9:13 AM


I did not know that free speech meant you can say anything you want, whatever happened to the phrase, You cant yell fire in the crowded theater? This young man was representing the school at the time,If this young man did this on his own time then it would of been aright. Where do we draw the line in free speech?

Mike	Posted: March 26, 2007 3:38 PM


Allen, what the heck are YOU smoking brother?! God Bless ya friend. Rather than a free speech issue, couldn't the kid be sued for idiot speech?

Adina Mardenborough

Posted: March 26, 2007 10:34 AM

I thought the article was a good one. I'm not sure why Mr. Stroebel believes it's the news reporters' job to be the readers' dictionary. Does every news article have to be written on a 2nd grade reading level? Even if you don't know exactly what a bong is after reading the article you should be able to infer that it's some kind of drug apparatus. After the much publicized arrest of Tommy Chong (Cheech & Chong) and the closing of his glass bong studio a few years ago, I wouldn't think the writer to be so far-fetched to expect people to know what a bong is nor do I necessarily think that particular piece of the article is what is pertinent in the free speech arena. It is more important that we understand the legal ramifications and potential persecution of our own children's right to wear an "I Love Jesus" t-shirt which might one day thought to be counterproductive to a school's "educational mission". Don't get trapped in the minutia and miss the big picture.

Joseph Arul

Posted: March 24, 2007 11:49 AM


Hi, I read the comments, but still do not know what the four-word banner message means. Could someone help me understand the meaning of "Bong Hits 4 Jesus"?

Cath Townsend

Posted: March 23, 2007 4:53 AM


I have absolutely no idea what it all means - is a "bong hit" a good thing or a bad thing?

ash2n

Posted: March 22, 2007 1:59 PM


Can somebody please explain what is "BONG HITS"... please..?!

Mary Connor

Posted: March 22, 2007 5:40 AM

Like the first correspondent, I don't know what it means. But whatever it means it is given importance way beyond its substance. I hope this kind of idiocy never reaches Australia - but it probably will, as we seem intent on following the mistakes made in the U.S. and other countries. The headmaster should deal with it as he sees fit and keep the lawyers out of it. They are always cruising around looking for something to do and make money out of. If there isn't enough real legal work for them, well be like everyone else and retrain.

Brian CooperSmith

Posted: March 21, 2007 6:04 PM

WHY IS THE PHRASE BONG HITS FOR JESUS SUCH A BAD THING? No to me that isn't offesive to me as a beliver. To me that is saying take a hit of the word of God and I think that kids should be able to post things like that even thought it is agaist shool policy. Also why take legal action on a kid that didn't mean to do any harm to any of the students or teachers at the shcool were he posted the banneer? I think what happening to the kid is just stupid and childish.

Bob Stroebel

Posted: March 21, 2007 1:48 PM

This article and every other one on this story are so fundamentallly inadequate. You would think that some writer had learned his craft well enough to know that the expression "Bong Hits 4 Jesus'" should be explained before launching into an expansive article on it either pro or con. To the majority of people in America, "Bong Hits 4 Jesus" has no meaning because it is jargon! After explaining it to us "mental midgets" maybe we could understand why this should be a "Federal Case" in the first place!

Anonymous

Posted: March 21, 2007 11:52 AM


How long will we think "freedom of speech" is such a good thing? To be able to say anything and say it in the name of "freedom of speech" could become a serious problem. What worries me more is that anyone can say anything negative about Christians and their faith, but we dare not encourage others by what we say about Jesus and our faith in Him. Suffolk, VA reader

N Belle

Posted: March 21, 2007 9:51 AM

I think there is right and wrong on both sides of this issue. Should the schools be able to control what is promoted within the school? If it is to quash promotion of illegal acts, yes; if it is to quash the exchange of (legal) ideas from different perspectives, no. School authorities must be able to maintain some control or deal with chaos because "student rights" demand there be no limits. But, should they be able to control what a student does outside of school during non-school hours -- no. They have gone beyond their "jurisdiction" when that occurs. Where was the illegality of what this kid did? And why are we wasting the time of our judicial system, and our tax dollars, on this issue? I believe the young man used poor judgment both in promoting drug use and in connecting it with Jesus; but that isn't illegal. My prayers are with this young man for many reasons.

Galen J. LaBauve

Posted: March 21, 2007 7:53 AM


I would rather see 'Bong Hits 4 Jesus' signs than face a society of radicals who preach their intolerance and desire to take over the world in the name of Allah. Be vigilant America!

mrsdubber

Posted: March 21, 2007 7:46 AM


I am sorry Allen but your statement is not biblical. We shouldnt care if Jesus did cannibus or not anyway, because it is illegal here in the states. But free speech is not; and there are much bigger issues in this time to be concerned with then Bong hits for Jesus.

Chris Lampman

Posted: March 21, 2007 6:02 AM

This is a very interesting case and one that I will definitely need to keep my eye open on. The Lawyers in this one, on the side for the "bong-hits-4-Jesus" guy are doing what is fair. They, being Christians, may not agree with the verbage used on the placard, but they understand the 1st Ammendment. I commend these lawyers for defending him even if they don't agree with his message. The school is trying to squash the rights of the students and need to be realed in. If the tables were turned and it was a Christian student saying simply Jesus, many would be saying to give up and back down, let the school do their job. Well the school is not doing their job when they do things like this. Blessings,

Veta	Posted: March 20, 2007 8:27 PM


Allen, whoever you are, I am interested in finding out where you get you information. Please respond to this message as I would love to disprove your theories. There is no form of THC or any other drug that can compare to the "high" you get from a real relationship with God. I think Jesus himself was what made the people's spirit rise above...Get your facts straight, Dude.....

Florida Jim

Posted: March 20, 2007 7:54 PM

As one who has been in law enforcement for 30 years, it goes against my professional career to be siding w/the 'Bong Hits 4 Jesus' case and as a Christian, the shear sign rips at my senses, but in reality IT IS A FREEDOM OF SPEECH issue. If students were on the sidewalk across from the school, the students had been released from school to observe and take part in the Olympic Torch Run parade, and there was a sign held up "students for Jesus", I certainly would be opposed to the principal coming across the street and taking the sign down. Certainly there needs to be common decency in the signage, etc. If authority can take down the above sign, those passing out Bibles, etc on the public right of way are in danger of being removed by the school authorities also, even if not on school property but on just a sidewalk/public property.

Connie Brehm

Posted: March 20, 2007 6:21 PM

Glad to see the Christian legal organizations supporting the free speech expression, even though they disagree with the message. My hunch is that the message was disallowed more because of the Jesus content than the drug content. I came of age in the 1960s, with college drug culture nearby, but am now separated by so much time that I do not know what Bong Hits are (someone mentioned marijuana). Back in the 60s and 70s there were numerous references to drugs and Jesus in many school arenas and general publications. No one ever questioned the right to express thoughts along these lines. Have we entered totalitarian times?

Courtney

Posted: March 20, 2007 12:59 PM

I don't see this as being a religious issue, but a see the concern, since our nation has a history of wording court verdicts in such a way that they can be applied to other things, such as religion. I am not aware of any Biblical references to cannabis, and many of Paul's letters as well as the vision Peter had in Acts make references to eating meet. Also, Mark tells us that all foods are now considered clean. From what source do you get your information?

Anonymous

Posted: March 20, 2007 12:12 PM

I can not believe that anyone would try to make this a Christion problem. First the young man said it was not. Second is it not true that Christ was without sin and that he loved all men no matter what they did. Drugs was not part of Christ's life and we are to be like him. If the young man is a Christian he needs to talk with Jesus and find true salvation because no man or school can give him salvation. The schools job should be to teach all students how to use thier minds and make thier own desisions. Schools should not be tring to influnce what our kids believe but how to use thier knowlage to come to thier own beliefs. Working with youth i learned a long time ago that we only need to show the youth how to do something and step back and let them work out thier own ways. they will thank you for it.

Allen

Posted: March 20, 2007 10:33 AM

The absurdity of this issue is that Jesus used cannabis during Baptisms and it is one of Chrisianities and Jesus's primary entheogens. If the early Gnostic and Essene literature and antiquities are studied Kanef Bossoms (Cannabis Flowers) were soaked in Olive Oils until the THC content was high enough to transfer into the patients and religious followers and that is what true Baptism is. The non toxic non narcotic psychological effect is what they prized most and allowed them to see over the current suffering in the world and realize that spirit can rise above and is indeed "super" to the material and the body. It also helped with many of the chronic diseases which they had. They also adhered to a vegetarian diet to keep their temples (bodies) clean. This young man has a free speech right to say what he said but also should be commended for pointing out a vital points of true Christianity. All those who don't realize this are denying Jesus's truths.

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