I can't, of course, view this thread. Would somebody let me know if there's anything actually worth considering or is it just another mindless rant/provocation please?
Regardless of religious affiliation, teachers should not be calling any religion a 'fairy tale,' and announcing that to an entire classroom.
The guy needs to resign.
What an asshole.
I'm not religious, but I would never force my beliefs on a child.
Many teachers force their beliefs on students, it is inevitable. Oh just for clarification he was an adolescent, not a child. He was old enough to help in conception....
I don't see where he called a religion a fairy tale. He said creationism was a fairy tale.
Now here is the fun part. Can you teach creationism in school, since that would be promoting or creating religion by a government employee.
Finally weren't the teacher's first amendment rights violated...
If one considers a high school history teacher an instrument of Government policy in the relation to the establishment clause (i.e. suggesting that creationism was 'superstitious nonsense') then maybe, yes ... just barely.
Otherwise, it's a poorly judged expression of personal opinion in a professional context for which I suspect he will need to resign - for telling the truth. Oh, the irony.
Here's the link.
AP: 'Superstitious nonsense' remark violated rights|Garden City Telegram Online
I agree that the teacher needs to be reprimanded for his comments. They were inappropriate and did violate the line between teaching and promoting an article of faith.
Thanks for the link, dong. On the whole, I think the judge's decision was well-balanced and I'm afraid that teacher did cross a line with that one portion of his statements. It's a fine one, however, and I think being censured for it might be punishment enough. Ending a career for it is overkill.
I agree that the teacher needs to be reprimanded for his comments. They were inappropriate and did violate the line between teaching and promoting an article of faith.
Thanks for the link, dong. On the whole, I think the judge's decision was well-balanced and I'm afraid that teacher did cross a line with that one portion of his statements. It's a fine one, however, and I think being censured for it might be punishment enough. Ending a career for it is overkill.
This teacher needs to be fired and suspended from teaching anywhere for good.