Poor Ken Perrott and C-M.
So does the Canadian Parliament, the British Parliament, and the U.S. Congress.
Last edited:
Why Religion Fails
- Thread starter canada-man
- Start date
- Status
So does the Canadian Parliament, the British Parliament, and the U.S. Congress.
‘God’s Truth’ and public schools: Florida teacher’s Facebook flare-up ignites controversy
It’s certainly a whole different world now that we have Facebook, isn’t it?
Without the social networking site, Florida public school teacher Jerry Buell may have continued using his classroom as a “mission field” to spread his religious beliefs – without anyone being the wiser.
But a few weeks ago, the social studies teacher made national headlines after posting some hateful anti-gay remarks on his Wall.
He wrote that New York’s legalization of gay marriage made him want to throw up and compared gay unions to a “cesspool.” Lake County School District officials suspended Buell while they further investigated his postings.
Buell, who once was awarded “teacher of the year,” returned to his teaching post last Thursday, after he claimed he was “thrown in the blender standing up for those First Amendment rights.” School administrators have disclosed that they have included a “written directive” in his file, but it’s unknown what that directive states.
The American Civil Liberties Union and the Religious Right group Liberty Counsel both have defended Buell’s free speech right to post what he wants on his personal Facebook page and website. Even Hemant Mehta, the Friendly Atheist blogger, has defended Buell’s right to comment on issues outside the classroom.
“A teacher’s personal beliefs should not come into play at work,” Mehta wrote. “There are teachers who are Creationists, polyamorous, Jewish, swingers, drug-users, Republicans, atheists, and homosexuals. None of that matters as long as it doesn’t affect their teaching.”
They may be correct about Buell’s personal beliefs – what he says and does on his own time is his own business. But we all can agree that what he does in his official capacity as a public school teacher and government official is a different story.
In the controversy over Buell’s Facebook comments, it’s come to light that he may also be vocal in his classroom about his religious beliefs. If so, that is a definite constitutional no-no.
Buell’s class syllabus states this as a warning to students: “I teach God’s truth, I make very few compromises. If you believe you may have a problem with that, get your schedule changed, ’cause I ain’t changing!” He’s also included on another document his belief that his classroom is a “mission field.”
On his school webpage, Buell wrote that he tries to “teach and lead my students as if Lake Co. Schools had hired Jesus Christ himself.”
A former student has also said that Buell’s beliefs are obvious to anyone who enters his classroom. The student claims he hangs Bible verses and a picture of Jesus Christ above the classroom clock.
And Nadine Smith, executive director of the gay rights group Equality Florida, said many of Buell’s former and some current students are now saying that Buell made anti-gay comments during class.
Buell’s attorney claims that the webpage has since been removed, and that Buell has removed some parts of the syllabus, too. The teacher has also deleted his Facebook profile. I’m not sure if Jesus still hangs near the clock (or if he really ever did).
That’s why the school really needs to take the time to get to the bottom of this. If all this is true, who knows how many students’ rights have been violated over the years by this teacher.
Gay rights activists have called for further investigation.
I think that may be a good idea. School district officials have a duty to protect students and maintain a religiously neutral environment. If they haven’t been doing so, there is no better time than now to step it up.
http://www.secularnewsdaily.com/201...cher’s-facebook-flare-up-ignites-controversy/
It’s certainly a whole different world now that we have Facebook, isn’t it?
Without the social networking site, Florida public school teacher Jerry Buell may have continued using his classroom as a “mission field” to spread his religious beliefs – without anyone being the wiser.
But a few weeks ago, the social studies teacher made national headlines after posting some hateful anti-gay remarks on his Wall.
He wrote that New York’s legalization of gay marriage made him want to throw up and compared gay unions to a “cesspool.” Lake County School District officials suspended Buell while they further investigated his postings.
Buell, who once was awarded “teacher of the year,” returned to his teaching post last Thursday, after he claimed he was “thrown in the blender standing up for those First Amendment rights.” School administrators have disclosed that they have included a “written directive” in his file, but it’s unknown what that directive states.
The American Civil Liberties Union and the Religious Right group Liberty Counsel both have defended Buell’s free speech right to post what he wants on his personal Facebook page and website. Even Hemant Mehta, the Friendly Atheist blogger, has defended Buell’s right to comment on issues outside the classroom.
“A teacher’s personal beliefs should not come into play at work,” Mehta wrote. “There are teachers who are Creationists, polyamorous, Jewish, swingers, drug-users, Republicans, atheists, and homosexuals. None of that matters as long as it doesn’t affect their teaching.”
They may be correct about Buell’s personal beliefs – what he says and does on his own time is his own business. But we all can agree that what he does in his official capacity as a public school teacher and government official is a different story.
In the controversy over Buell’s Facebook comments, it’s come to light that he may also be vocal in his classroom about his religious beliefs. If so, that is a definite constitutional no-no.
Buell’s class syllabus states this as a warning to students: “I teach God’s truth, I make very few compromises. If you believe you may have a problem with that, get your schedule changed, ’cause I ain’t changing!” He’s also included on another document his belief that his classroom is a “mission field.”
On his school webpage, Buell wrote that he tries to “teach and lead my students as if Lake Co. Schools had hired Jesus Christ himself.”
A former student has also said that Buell’s beliefs are obvious to anyone who enters his classroom. The student claims he hangs Bible verses and a picture of Jesus Christ above the classroom clock.
And Nadine Smith, executive director of the gay rights group Equality Florida, said many of Buell’s former and some current students are now saying that Buell made anti-gay comments during class.
Buell’s attorney claims that the webpage has since been removed, and that Buell has removed some parts of the syllabus, too. The teacher has also deleted his Facebook profile. I’m not sure if Jesus still hangs near the clock (or if he really ever did).
That’s why the school really needs to take the time to get to the bottom of this. If all this is true, who knows how many students’ rights have been violated over the years by this teacher.
Gay rights activists have called for further investigation.
I think that may be a good idea. School district officials have a duty to protect students and maintain a religiously neutral environment. If they haven’t been doing so, there is no better time than now to step it up.
http://www.secularnewsdaily.com/201...cher’s-facebook-flare-up-ignites-controversy/
Ooooooow, if I was the only thinking that, you might have a point, but a quick look a the last few of pages of this thread and that appears to be the case. Just ask Aartie, Wigglee, and RLD. I had to back 5 pages to find 'anyone' who even barely agreed with you points, and that member was Woodie. I'm sure his post was one of his usual man child comment.
Of course in the real world Lawyers who practice like James Spader's "Alan Shore" are generally disbarred. But don't let that ruin your rant C-M.
Further, this being a program set in the U.S.A., the real issue isn't the First Amendment which covers action by the Government not private individuals but rather the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which prohibits discrimination in employment based on religion. But this is television not the actual practice of law.
Further, this being a program set in the U.S.A., the real issue isn't the First Amendment which covers action by the Government not private individuals but rather the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which prohibits discrimination in employment based on religion. But this is television not the actual practice of law.
It's clear CM is becoming desperate trying to use fictional television to support his position.
That's your comeback? Ooow, Yawn. No complaint just an observation. I notice one objected.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/the-northerner/2011/sep/14/mormons-lancaster-bus-passengers
Bus company asks Mormons to leave passengers alone
The polite request comes as Stagecoach customers in Lancaster complain of being targeted by missionaries
A bus company is asking the Mormon church to stop its missionaries trying to convert passengers using its services.
Stagecoach is taking action following complaints from passengers and drivers in Lancaster.
Rick Seymour was travelling on the 2A bus service from Lancaster to Morecambe last Tuesday afternoon, and heard a conversation between three young men.
Two of the men, he said, were Mormons using the bus as a way to engage members of the public to tell them about their love for Jesus.
Mr Seymour said that he had been "engaged" by Mormons on two previous occasions while travelling on a bus, and in a letter to Stagecoach Bus Company said: "I firmly believe that the Mormon Church is using your service as a place where the public cannot escape the attempt to indoctrinate them."
The 31-year-old, of Heysham, Lancashire, added: "Whilst I respect that everyone is entitled to their own beliefs or none, telling others that their beliefs are misguided or plain wrong is wrong in itself. Practice your own personal beliefs in your own home and do not ram it down others' throats. I hope that Stagecoach will write to the Mormon Church in Chorley and tell them their behaviour is unacceptable."
Stephie Barber, operations manager for Stagecoach in Lancaster said that bus drivers had recently reported similar incidents.
"We do not permit any commercial or other organisation to promote their products, services or views through direct engagement with passengers on our services," he said.
"In cases where we are made aware of any activity of this nature, we follow it up with the organisation involved.
"We are also doing so in this particular case to make our position clear."
But Robert Preston, England Manchester Mission President for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, also known as the Mormon Church, said he considered the 140 young people in the north west of England actively engaged in trying to convert people as "persistent and courageous".
He added: "They will sit next to someone, and they will introduce themselves and try and have a good conversation to explain a point of view that someone might never have heard before. We do encourage this, but we would not want people to feel intimidated.
"If it becomes clear that someone does not want to hear that message they should move away."
Bus company asks Mormons to leave passengers alone
The polite request comes as Stagecoach customers in Lancaster complain of being targeted by missionaries
A bus company is asking the Mormon church to stop its missionaries trying to convert passengers using its services.
Stagecoach is taking action following complaints from passengers and drivers in Lancaster.
Rick Seymour was travelling on the 2A bus service from Lancaster to Morecambe last Tuesday afternoon, and heard a conversation between three young men.
Two of the men, he said, were Mormons using the bus as a way to engage members of the public to tell them about their love for Jesus.
Mr Seymour said that he had been "engaged" by Mormons on two previous occasions while travelling on a bus, and in a letter to Stagecoach Bus Company said: "I firmly believe that the Mormon Church is using your service as a place where the public cannot escape the attempt to indoctrinate them."
The 31-year-old, of Heysham, Lancashire, added: "Whilst I respect that everyone is entitled to their own beliefs or none, telling others that their beliefs are misguided or plain wrong is wrong in itself. Practice your own personal beliefs in your own home and do not ram it down others' throats. I hope that Stagecoach will write to the Mormon Church in Chorley and tell them their behaviour is unacceptable."
Stephie Barber, operations manager for Stagecoach in Lancaster said that bus drivers had recently reported similar incidents.
"We do not permit any commercial or other organisation to promote their products, services or views through direct engagement with passengers on our services," he said.
"In cases where we are made aware of any activity of this nature, we follow it up with the organisation involved.
"We are also doing so in this particular case to make our position clear."
But Robert Preston, England Manchester Mission President for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, also known as the Mormon Church, said he considered the 140 young people in the north west of England actively engaged in trying to convert people as "persistent and courageous".
He added: "They will sit next to someone, and they will introduce themselves and try and have a good conversation to explain a point of view that someone might never have heard before. We do encourage this, but we would not want people to feel intimidated.
"If it becomes clear that someone does not want to hear that message they should move away."
But fruitless, lazy and stupid. He gets facts wrong, can't reason for shit, and is now stooping to relying on fictional TV shows. He has only managed to convince me that religion haters are even dumber than I ever thought they were.
The Cut and Paste from The Guardian fails to mention whether Mr. Seymour ever told the Mormon missionaries that he was uninterested in talking with them, and if so what was their response. Which has nothing to do with the right of the Bus Company to ask them to stop proselytizing on the bus.
I see this a more akin to throwing the Praegenarii under the chariot wheels, but hey.
So now everyone one who has made you look the fool is a whiner and complainer. Do you know Cute & Bald?
'Immodest' haredi bookstore vandalized
Mes Shearim shop's windows smashed with hammer in middle of night after owner refuses to give in to extremist faction's modesty demands
The windows of a modern bookstore in the ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Mea Shearim in Jerusalem were smashed last week by two masked people. Security camera's documented the two approaching the shop and damaging it.
According to one of the store managers, one of the assailants watched his friend as he shattered the window with an emergency hammer, which was likely stolen from an Egged bus
The Yedioth Jerusalem weekly reported recently of ongoing attacks against haredi shop owners refusing to obey the modesty demands of an extremist faction.
This isn't the first time the "Or Hachaim" store has been vandalized, and its owners are considering replacing the doors and windows from glass ones to steel ones.
"We believe the police are not doing enough about this," says one of the store workers. "After the incident a patrol car arrived, but didn't even wait for me to come. They left the security guard a form to fill out a complaint and left."
The bookstore chain plans to turn to a lawyer in a bid to launch legal proceedings against the police's "helplessness and idleness."
"We are being abandoned," says one of the store managers.
The police said in response, "An investigation has been launched. In addition, we are conducting extensive intelligence activity, which will soon bear fruit."
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4125603,00.html
Mes Shearim shop's windows smashed with hammer in middle of night after owner refuses to give in to extremist faction's modesty demands
The windows of a modern bookstore in the ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Mea Shearim in Jerusalem were smashed last week by two masked people. Security camera's documented the two approaching the shop and damaging it.
According to one of the store managers, one of the assailants watched his friend as he shattered the window with an emergency hammer, which was likely stolen from an Egged bus
The Yedioth Jerusalem weekly reported recently of ongoing attacks against haredi shop owners refusing to obey the modesty demands of an extremist faction.
This isn't the first time the "Or Hachaim" store has been vandalized, and its owners are considering replacing the doors and windows from glass ones to steel ones.
"We believe the police are not doing enough about this," says one of the store workers. "After the incident a patrol car arrived, but didn't even wait for me to come. They left the security guard a form to fill out a complaint and left."
The bookstore chain plans to turn to a lawyer in a bid to launch legal proceedings against the police's "helplessness and idleness."
"We are being abandoned," says one of the store managers.
The police said in response, "An investigation has been launched. In addition, we are conducting extensive intelligence activity, which will soon bear fruit."
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4125603,00.html
Vandalism? This is how low you have gotten?
Why start a thread..."Why teenagers and graffiti artist fail..."
But just undercutting your arguments is really too easy and not fair.
So I should add, here is a nice article from Science Daily on how religion helps in the recovery of brain injured people:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110628095246.htm
But I suspect CM would like to take that healing tool away from the injured...
- Status
