Student Sues School District and Teacher After Being Punished for Expressing His Religious Beliefs

[donsnow]

The student was deemed guilty of having committed the “sin” of discrimination *. Schools, overwhelmingly dominated by liberals, are so caught up into radical egalitarianism that they deny the existence of the better and the existence worse. Since people make choices every day, some things are clearly better than their alternatives, so redefining Truth becomes necessary for reality to conform to liberal ideology.

First, the source of this denial is their belief that non-discrimination is a moral imperative – that the only way to be moral is by not discriminating between ANYTHING, even right and wrong, good and evil, better and worse, truth and lies, because an act of discrimination – i.e., discriminating between these things – might be a reflection of personal bigotries.

Non-discrimination, therefore, is a moral imperative because its opposite is the evil of having discriminated.

Second, non-discrimination of thought leads the modern liberal’s invariably siding with evil over good, wrong over right, and the behaviors that lead to failure over those that lead to success. Why? Very simply, if nothing is to be recognized as better or worse than anything else, then success and truth are unjust by definition. If nothing is better than anything else, then there is no explanation for success other than success committing the injustice of having cheated, and the greater the success the greater the injustice. Conversely, and for the same reason, failure is proof of victimization of the injustice, and the greater the failure, the greater the proof of victimization.

Truth excludes lies, right excludes wrong, good excludes evil; therefore, lies, wrong, and evil must be blessed with victim status and must be made equal to Truth, right, and good in order not to be discriminated against. Since Truth, right, and good can stand on their own, and falsehood cannot, we get programs to prop up their failed ideology, and special days, like “Spirit Day”, to “celebrate” what everyone knows are lies, wrong, and evil.

Consequently, anyone who dares to say the emperor is naked is sent off to a “re-education” camp. And that is why for liberalism to work, people must be denied their rights.*

Good morning, sedonaman,

Thank you for this post. it explains the source of the insanity that’s ripping our education systems and media apart.

God loves all of you, lurkers, too,
Don

 

[Tigg]

The student was deemed guilty of having committed the “sin” of discrimination *. Schools, overwhelmingly dominated by liberals, are so caught up into radical egalitarianism that they deny the existence of the better and the existence worse. Since people make choices every day, some things are clearly better than their alternatives, so redefining Truth becomes necessary for reality to conform to liberal ideology.

First, the source of this denial is their belief that non-discrimination is a moral imperative – that the only way to be moral is by not discriminating between ANYTHING, even right and wrong, good and evil, better and worse, truth and lies, because an act of discrimination – i.e., discriminating between these things – might be a reflection of personal bigotries.

Non-discrimination, therefore, is a moral imperative because its opposite is the evil of having discriminated.

Second, non-discrimination of thought leads the modern liberal’s invariably siding with evil over good, wrong over right, and the behaviors that lead to failure over those that lead to success. Why? Very simply, if nothing is to be recognized as better or worse than anything else, then success and truth are unjust by definition. If nothing is better than anything else, then there is no explanation for success other than success committing the injustice of having cheated, and the greater the success the greater the injustice. Conversely, and for the same reason, failure is proof of victimization of the injustice, and the greater the failure, the greater the proof of victimization.

Truth excludes lies, right excludes wrong, good excludes evil; therefore, lies, wrong, and evil must be blessed with victim status and must be made equal to Truth, right, and good in order not to be discriminated against. Since Truth, right, and good can stand on their own, and falsehood cannot, we get programs to prop up their failed ideology, and special days, like “Spirit Day”, to “celebrate” what everyone knows are lies, wrong, and evil.

Consequently, anyone who dares to say the emperor is naked is sent off to a “re-education” camp. And that is why for liberalism to work, people must be denied their rights.*

What a great post - you should be published!

 

[Luvtosew]

Hmm this happened 40 miles from me and I never heard about it.

I think the teacher should of been fired for asking a question in class such as this,

and I feel the student was discriminated against, for voicing his opinion when he was asked his opinion.

Unbelievable. Glad the filed a lawsuit.

 

[mgreen77]

Liberals preach tolerance and diversity till the cows come home. But as soon as an opposing view is expressed they want people shut up and scorned.

No, not necessarily.

I’m liberal, and yet I feel teacher’s behavior and actions were entirely inappropriate as well, assuming things happened as reported.

Demonizing either conservatives or liberals according to their extreme, errant examples just furthers misunderstandings.

 

[Rence]

Where is freedom of speech going?

It doesn’t exist in any schools, including Catholic schools. When you are a student you don’t get to say whatever you like without consequence. But you can and should speak your mind respectfully, even if it’s contrary to what the teacher or school believes. HOWEVER, this teacher was wrong wrong wrong and nothing but a big bully. I hope someone follows this case and lets us know the result of litigation. He should lose his job and the school should be fined

 

[sedonaman]

No, not necessarily.

You can always find an exception to any general statement. What conservatives see is a pattern.

I’m liberal, and yet I feel teacher’s behavior and actions were entirely inappropriate as well, assuming things happened as reported.

I’m fairly certain they did. I have supported the TMLC for about three years and get their newsletters regularly. In that time, I can recall their losing only one or two cases.

Demonizing either conservatives or liberals according to their extreme, errant examples just furthers misunderstandings.

As though the teacher [using the term loosely] didn’t demonize the two students? Gimme a break. If the teacher acted alone and muttered only something ambiguous, I could see where he would be classified as “extreme, errant,” but when the whole school plus the district launches a crusade under the color of law, without a thought to how it would inflame and injure the feelings of those in a captive audience who hold to traditional standards, I think to describe conservatives as “demonizing” is not just a tad over the top. And when you consider part of the liberal crusade is to make everyone feel “included”, it is doubly hypocritical.

This incident is not unusual. The FIRE [thefire.org] is another free speech advocacy group, and its files are full of similar examples.

 

[sedonaman]

… I hope someone follows this case and lets us know the result of litigation. …

I will try.

 

[OrdinaryMelkite]

This just angers me to no end.

I cannot believe this happened.
I would have raised my had, too, as a matter of fact.
What is even more outrageous is that the defendant later was able to defame this student online with lies that he engaged in “homophobic comments.” With impunity.
And of course, the school district backed him.

Ironically, all of this started over a Confederate Belt Buckle. I will be praying that the student wins his lawsuit.

Holy Jesus, help us.

Through the prayers of the Mother Of God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.

 

[sedonaman]

…
Demonizing either conservatives or liberals according to their extreme, errant examples just furthers misunderstandings.

What furthers misunderstandings is academia’s persistent rejection of truth when it conflicts with its ideology. It is no secret that the Left dominates education K-12 and above. Very few institutions are without a speech code. They are islands of totalitarianism in a sea of freedom.

FIRE’s Cases [FIRE = Foundation for Individual Rights in Education]

One would think that since education necessarily requires the free expression of ideas, individual rights would be safer on America’s campuses than anywhere else. One would be wrong, because the pursuit of truth is no longer the goal of education; political indoctrination has replaced it.
thefire.org/cases/freespeech
thefire.org/cases/religiousliberty
thefire.org/cases/freedomofconscience
thefire.org/cases/dueprocess
What is striking is the similarity in cases, demonstrating that school administrations don’t learn from the mistakes of their fellow institutions, or they choose to ignore them, so powerful their belief in the righteousness of their ideology.

 

[mgreen77]

As though the teacher [using the term loosely] didn’t demonize the two students? Gimme a break. If the teacher acted alone and muttered only something ambiguous, I could see where he would be classified as “extreme, errant,” but when the whole school plus the district launches a crusade under the color of law, without a thought to how it would inflame and injure the feelings of those in a captive audience who hold to traditional standards, I think to describe conservatives as “demonizing” is not just a tad over the top. And when you consider part of the liberal crusade is to make everyone feel “included”, it is doubly hypocritical.

I never described conservatives as “demonizing.” I said that demonizing any group, by any group, leads to misunderstandings.

Yes, the patterns you see do indeed happen. But to blame all liberals for it, as if it’s some organized liberal conspiracy, just isn’t accurate. In fact, I’ve been Googling the story a bit, and reading some of the comments posted on pro-gay sites about the story. And many, if not most of the gay posters side with the mother on this issue, seeing how it would be hypocritical to do otherwise.

 

[GraceSofia]

FIRE’s Cases [FIRE = Foundation for Individual Rights in Education]

One would think that since education necessarily requires the free expression of ideas, individual rights would be safer on America’s campuses than anywhere else. One would be wrong, because the pursuit of truth is no longer the goal of education; political indoctrination has replaced it.
thefire.org/cases/freespeech
thefire.org/cases/religiousliberty
thefire.org/cases/freedomofconscience
thefire.org/cases/dueprocess

Wow. This all seems so… well, un-American.
Thanks for links to this website.

 

[Holly3278]

I think this is a great thing! The student needs to stand up for his rights. We all need to stand up for our rights. If we don’t stand up for our rights, our rights will be trampled and eventually eliminated. We also need to stand up for the rights of others or their rights may be trampled and eventually eliminated as well. I feel that this is especially important because some groups of people are more vulnerable to having their rights trampled then others. Also, some groups of people are less able to defend themselves against having their rights trampled. I think one example of such a group, and I don’t say this to offend anyone or to start argument, would be illegal immigrants. They are always having their rights trampled. For example, they are almost never paid a living wage. One could say that they don’t have the right to a living wage since they are here illegally but I say that the right to a living wage is a basic human right that everyone deserves regardless of their legal status. There is a saying about standing up for other’s rights that I am sure you have heard of. Here it is:

First they came for the communists,
and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a communist.

Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a Jew.

Then they came for me
and there was no one left to speak out for me.

I think the whole gist of the thing is that if we don’t speak up for the rights of others who are less fortunate than we than we face the possibility of having our rights trampled or slowly (or quickly) taken away.

 

[sedonaman]

…
Yes, the patterns you see do indeed happen.

These don’t just “happen.” They are caused.

But to blame all liberals for it, as if it’s some organized liberal conspiracy, just isn’t accurate. …

LMAO!

 

[mgreen77]

These don’t just “happen.” They are caused.

“Caused” how? By whom?

 

[incense]

Public schools, in the 1800s, were not developed for free thought but to keep Catholicism under check. I heard this from a Protestant scholar, and bought his book. I think his name was Freeman.

So my point is that the Protestants went along with public schools to force the Catholics into their religion classes, or pay extra for a separate school. But it’s come round to haunt everyone, because now the schools are used to indoctrinate a different religion, some think secular humanism. Bait and switch.

 

[sedonaman]

Public schools, in the 1800s, were not developed for free thought but to keep Catholicism under check. I heard this from a Protestant scholar, and bought his book. I think his name was Freeman.

So my point is that the Protestants went along with public schools to force the Catholics into their religion classes, or pay extra for a separate school. But it’s come round to haunt everyone, because now the schools are used to indoctrinate a different religion, some think secular humanism. Bait and switch.

He doesn’t remember his Protestant history. Public education in this country was originally developed so the people could read the Bible. Individual interpretation of the Bible is the Protestant way.

I agree that the schools are used to indoctrinate a different religion. Some say secular humanism; others say Islam.

 

[Yerusalyim]

I would have raised my hand. If for nothing else, but to get out of class.

Knowing my students,they would have done the same…anything to get out of class. On a serious note, I try to be careful about not revealing my personal politics…or religion…in spite of some of my student’s seeing me in church every week some are convinced I’m Jewish…I do encourage my students to enter into debate when appropriate…but don’t allow anyone to be ridiculed.

 

[incense]

He doesn’t remember his Protestant history. Public education in this country was originally developed so the people could read the Bible. Individual interpretation of the Bible is the Protestant way.

I agree that the schools are used to indoctrinate a different religion. Some say secular humanism; others say Islam.

You’re thinking about private communities setting up schools for their children, paid for by the parents. Or maybe even the public schools started in Massachusetts. Real public schools, paid for by tax money, has a pretty nasty history. It didn’t suddenly get bad in the 70s. But I don’t want to steal the thread.

 

[Arkeaus]

I feel as if we only have half of the story… who’s to say that the kid didn’t say something derogatory about the LGBT community? Something like “those f@gs are going to hell” IS insulting. In that case, yes, the teacher was justified in sending the teacher out of class.

Also, what’s with everyone talking about the “alleged” bullying of lesbians and gays? It’s not “alleged”, it actually happens. People ARE picked on due to their orientation and their orientation alone, and pretending it doesn’t happen doesn’t solve anything.

 

[GraceSofia]

I feel as if we only have half of the story… who’s to say that the kid didn’t say something derogatory about the LGBT community? Something like “those f@gs are going to hell” IS insulting. In that case, yes, the teacher was justified in sending the teacher out of class.

I feel as if you didn’t read the lawsuit (the link was provided in the first post).

Read the lawsuit. There is no indication the student said any such thing.The student actually was more polite and restrained than the teacher, who was pretty insulting about the student’s religion (Catholicism) and who trampled his rights to freedom of speech and equal protection. In response to the teacher’s question, the student said that his religion does not accept homosexuality and that he could not condone that behavior.

The teacher said that his religion was wrong and ordered him out of the classroom. Then the teacher went on a retaliatory, bullying campaing against this kid, who was a junior at the time. What kind of teacher does that to a kid?!

1. Defendant McDowell went on a public campaign to defend his actions and to
   harm the reputation of Plaintiff D.K.G., portraying Plaintiff D.K.G. as a “homophobe.” In
   support of this campaign, Defendant McDowell posted his version of the events on his Facebook page, which had the intended effect of creating a media frenzy. He elicited the assistance and support of the MEA. And he encouraged those who supported gay rights to speak out against Plaintiff D.K.G. and in support of his actions. In fact, the NEA ran a story on its website in which it described Plaintiff D.K.G. as someone “who made anti-gay remarks.” Defendant McDowell also told a news reporter that Plaintiff Glowacki should not comment to the media in support of her son because “it was gonna bring a whole **** storm down on [Plaintiff D.K.G.],” or words to that effect.

What the school did next was certainly bullying in my book. Reminds me of something from communist China or the old USSR:

1. In or about February 2011, the School District held a mandatory assembly for all
   juniors at Howell High School on the issue of bullying. Plaintiff D.K.G., who was a junior at the
   time, was required to attend. During this assembly, the School District promoted the propaganda that “homophobia” was causing teenagers to commit suicide. It further supported its “harassment speech” policy to end homophobia. And it referenced the incident between
   Defendant McDowell and Plaintiff D.K.G. to support the claim that hate speech was masquerading as religious speech.

1. Upon mentioning the October 20, 2010 incident, a large number of students turned their attention to Plaintiff D.K.G., causing him to get up and leave the assembly due to the pressure and embarrassment.