Ohio Teacher Accused of Burning Crosses on Students

[NJNetz]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>The Mount Vernon City School District has assigned an administrator to monitor the classroom of eighth-grade science teacher John Freshwater until the investigation is over.

It's the district's latest run-in with Freshwater, who last week refused to obey an order to remove a Bible on his desk from view of students.

Freshwater also is accused of handing out Bibles to students and teaching the meaning of Good Friday and Easter.

School district officials say they are required by the U.S. Constitution not to promote religious beliefs.

No one answered calls made to Freshwater's home on Tuesday afternoon.

Mount Vernon is about 40 miles northeast of Columbus.</div>
Source

 

[huevonkiller]

I like Jesus and everything but this seems clearly illegal.

 

[cpawfan]

This has gotten really ugly and very political in the school district. There are a lot of parents and students that support this teacher, even though this isn't the first time he has been pushing his religion in class, and it has divided the community. His supporters have attempted to make it you are either for this teacher or you hate god.

 

[pegs]

If any teacher did this to me in any of my classes, I would totally mess with him.

He sounds pretty ridiculous to me.

 

[GMJ]

and not placed on administrative leave!?


I feel like a burn mark that is distinctively a cross is pretty damning. I would be furious if my child's teacher was simply handing out bibles and talking about these holidays.

 

[cpawfan]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (GMJigga @ May 23 2008, 09:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>and not placed on administrative leave!?


I feel like a burn mark that is distinctively a cross is pretty damning. I would be furious if my child's teacher was simply handing out bibles and talking about these holidays.</div>

Ohio is a fucked up state

 

[GMJ]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (cpawfan @ May 23 2008, 09:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (GMJigga @ May 23 2008, 09:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>and not placed on administrative leave!?


I feel like a burn mark that is distinctively a cross is pretty damning. I would be furious if my child's teacher was simply handing out bibles and talking about these holidays.</div>

Ohio is a fucked up state
</div>

I'd much rather live in...Brooklyn.

 

[pegs]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (GMJigga @ May 23 2008, 09:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (cpawfan @ May 23 2008, 09:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (GMJigga @ May 23 2008, 09:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>and not placed on administrative leave!?


I feel like a burn mark that is distinctively a cross is pretty damning. I would be furious if my child's teacher was simply handing out bibles and talking about these holidays.</div>

Ohio is a fucked up state
</div>

I'd much rather live in...Brooklyn.
</div>

I knew something like that was coming.

 

[Денг Гордон]

Where does it say in the Constitution that a school district cannot promote religious beliefs?

 

[GMJ]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BG7 Lavigne @ May 23 2008, 11:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Where does it say in the Constitution that a school district cannot promote religious beliefs?</div>

Separation of church and state; remember who owns the school district.

 

[Денг Гордон]

I don't believe separation of church and state is in the Constitution.

 

[GMJ]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BG7 Lavigne @ May 23 2008, 11:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I don't believe separation of church and state is in the Constitution.</div>

Not in the original. It was included in its first amendment.

 

[Денг Гордон]

That is making sure that no state religion is instituted. I don't see how this situation fits that. Obviously if there is discrimination based on religion by the teacher, action needs to be taken. But the students have the freedom to throw away these Bibles, etc. I don't like that there is this big thing to not discuss religion in schools. It should be discussed, since it is so important in understanding so many things about humans. Like in History class, you can there is talk about Middle East terrorists being driven by their religion...how come there isn't any discussion of radical Christians?

I like the quote from King of the Hill about adding a minute prayer time. "Now some of the kids can use this time to pray, and the atheists can just sit there and smirk thinking of how they have it all figured out."

Although I understand that religion isn't discussed in schools oftentimes because the radical Christians don't like having parts of their religion picked apart, and their hypocrisy against their religion.

 

[GMJ]

There's no "discussion" happening here though. That's the problem. Studying theology is one thing, but preaching is another.

 

[Kid Chocolate]

proselytizing for the loss!

 

[Big Frame]

I dont think having a bible on your desk is a bad thing. I also think you can have the Koran, Tanakh, Book of Mormon, Moby Dick, Phone Book or one of them books Oprah has people read. Its just a book. I also dont think teaching kids why they get a day off is a bad thing eather. Burning crosses is not right tho.

Anyone think its kinda funny that he is a science teacher?

 

[NattaNerNuttaMan]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Big Frame @ May 24 2008, 07:18 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I dont think having a bible on your desk is a bad thing. I also think you can have the Koran, Tanakh, Book of Mormon, Moby Dick, Phone Book or one of them books Oprah has people read. Its just a book. I also dont think teaching kids why they get a day off is a bad thing eather. Burning crosses is not right tho.

Anyone think its kinda funny that he is a science teacher?</div>


That does make it kinda ironic, huh? So what does he teach when students want to learn about Darwin's theroy of evolution? Would he tell the students...this is what some guy believes happened, but this is what my God says? Hmmmmm.....lol

 

[Master Shake]

My History teacher is pretty religious and always brings up the bible and Jesus. Most of the time Ijust listen to my Ipod or just not pay attention. I really do think the kids have a right to not have to listen to this guy, but if he's "burning crosses" on the kids, then something has to be done.

 

[JE]

i would knock the fucker out. i hate people who preach religion outside of church.