Student brings Jesus back to classroom

[mexi cali]

So, the school district relents and allows the previously suspended student back to class along with his "controversial" message regarding the wasting of life with the absence of Jesus. So, who won?

The kid gets back to the class just in time for dad to yank him out because the school was going to hold an open discussion on freedom of speech and religious tolerance. What does that say?

Wouldn't he be integral to such a discussion having just put his school on the map and all.

Believing in something, anything usually means that you are willing to defend it and if you're not a participant, you can't openly advocate. He should be there.

I defend his right to wear the shirt and I think the school acted inappropriately even though they ultimately backed down.

We allow more overt religious garb and pursuit in this country than almost anywhere else on the planet yet the fundamental belief in Christianity (which the country was founded on) and it's ultimate spokesperson was quashed because presumably the school did not want to appear to be playing favorites.

Fer Crisake.

[psychprof]

I hesitate to jump in on a religious issue given the sensitivity to offense of some of the individuals on these forums but am honestly curious about people's opinion.

The news article (see link below) described how the principal finally relented and let him wear his T-shirt but wanted the school to engage in freedom of speech/freedom of religion discussions presumably so as to help students understand the laws as they apply to public school and what that means for them.

The Jesus-boy's father yanked him from school so he would not participate/listen to the freedom of religion debate. No explanation was given as to his motivation for doing so; one is left to assume that he didn't want his son exposed to freedom of other religions?

If this is so (and I say IF) I must say this is common among the fundamentalist Christians - to not expose their children to the big bad world (a friend of mine once cut the wings off of a plastic My-Little-Pony before she would let her daughter play with it - "it opens the mind" she said). I ask, is your faith so shaky that you are terrrified to allow your children to even hear about the other options for fear they may jump ship?

Thoughts?

http://www.castanet.net/edition/news-st ... .htm#74825

[Captain Awesome]

Believing in something, anything usually means that you are willing to defend it and if you're not a participant, you can't openly advocate. He should be there.

Damn rights. He should be forced to participate in a discussion about freedom. And if he doesn't, they should send him to jail.

[mexi cali]

Jail seems harsh. A public flogging maybe. You know, in keeping with the religious theme.

I wasn't sure Cap if you were serious or tongue in cheek serious.

[mexi cali]

Christians are some of the most paranoid among us and yes, I do believe that you are correct and that the dad was shielding his son from mind expansion.

[grammafreddy]

If the kid is allowed to wear his shirt to spread his message then all other religions should have equal opportunity in the public school system. All kids and classes must break to accommodate those who have prayer at certain times, all must observe all other religious holidays and get the day or holiday period off, all must forego any religiously banned foods and not be allowed them in their lunches or the school cafeteria, all must study all other religious books and all must be prepared to do it with no whining and complaining. All religious messages must be tolerated equally.

[GordonH]

If the kid is allowed to wear his shirt to spread his message then all other religions should have equal opportunity in the public school system. All kids and classes must break to accommodate those who have prayer at certain times, all must observe all other religious holidays and get the day or holiday period off, all must forego any religiously banned foods and not be allowed them in their lunches or the school cafeteria, all must study all other religious books and all must be prepared to do it with no whining and complaining. All religious messages must be tolerated equally.

Exactly

[Nebula]

From what I understand, the initial problem the school had with the message on the T-shirt was not that it was religious but that it appeared to denigrate other religions.

[GordonH]

From what I understand, the initial problem the school had with the message on the T-shirt was not that it was religious but that it appeared to denigrate other religions.

Here a picture of T-shirt in question:

http://www.globaltvbc.com/pages/media.aspx?id=6442632802&mediaID=6442632802

[Nebula]

I'm aware of what the T-shirt says.

"Life is wasted without Jesus". That can be seen by some as slamming other religions or atheism. One could see that as saying if you're a Hindu, your life is a waste.

[Mr Danksworth]

I was happy to see that the school decided to use this a moment to teach respect, understanding and diversity. I can't say that I'm surprised by the actions of the t-shirt wearing kid's parents. Typical fundamentalist head in the sand behavior. I feel sorry for the kid and I hope he finds freedom one day. Being repressed by the yoke of religion is not healthy.

[grammafreddy]

I'm aware of what the T-shirt says.

"Life is wasted without Jesus". That can be seen by some as slamming other religions or atheism. One could see that as saying if you're a Hindu, your life is a waste.

Exactly. The message is a slam on all other religious beliefs. It should have been banned and the school board should not have given in.

[Mr Danksworth]

I think having a discussion around beliefs, freedom, inclusion and diversity is the better option. Use these incidents as teaching moments...and you can avoid feeding the christian persecution complex. You know that christians are the most persecuted majority known to North America.

[GordonH]

All that it tells me is how insecure to person wearing the T-shirt is about their own belief's, that feel they have to lash out at others.

[grammafreddy]

NO religion wants "teachable moments" ... that is beyond their realm of comprehension and tolerance. They all fight for supremacy.