What part of "I support their right to practice their beliefs" did you not understand? I think a lot of things are stupid, that doesn't mean I try to control the behaviors of other people. People say racist offensive crap on this board, and you will find me the absolute first person on this board to defend their right to speak, even though I think they are utter morons.

I feel the same way about the sheeple. By all means, speak your perspective, tell us what you believe. But, be prepared to hear that I think your beliefs are retarded.

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I'll get nicer when you get smarter.

I would agree. Merely having a Bible on his desk should not be a problem.

Except, as usual, that's not all there was.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,352207,00.html

John Freshwater was an 8th-grade science teacher. He was accused of, among other things, taking class time to hand out Bibles, distribute creationist literature, teach about Good Friday and Easter and (rather sensationally) using an electrostatic device to burn crosses on to students' arms.

He also decorated his science classroom with Bible verses and a poster of the 10 Commandments, and kept Bibles (not just his personal Bible) on a classroom bookshelf.
http://www.worldontheweb.com/2008/04...rom-classroom/

All of that is inappropriate use of state resources to promote his religion.

That burning allegation sounds loopy; I'm inclined to disbelieve it. But none of the rest of it belongs in a science classroom.

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Man up.

Unless that science classroom is in Kansas.

Those are the best cartoons I've seen in a long time. Though my favorite was the pie chart showing percentages of each faith.

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Man up.

Haven't seen that one. Got a link for me?

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Man up.

What? no big bang theory in Kansas? a state that thinks it's appropriate to bang 16-yo! Go figure

How is it being infringed? The teacher was at work and the last time I checked the employer had every right to determine what is and what is not appropriate for the employee to bring to work. I'm sure the teacher was also banned from hanging up nude pictures in the room or of using vulgar expressions in the classroom. Is that a violation of his 1st Amendment rights? When you go to work you give up some of your rights even on your own time. I was in management at a major aerospace company and my employment required me to act as a "representative of the company" 24/7. I'm sure the "rules of employment" were pointed out to this teacher and the teacher agreed to those rules.


Athiests don't have a religion and are not interested in imposing anything upon anyone. They justifiably demand that same of others. And to an athiest, a Muslim is just a stupid as a Christian or a Jew for believing in fairy tales. They all worship the same God of Abraham so to the athiest they are virtually the same.

eleanor--

Look into this story with more depth. This teacher was abusive to his students through heavy handed religiousity.

There is a whole lot more to this story than you think. He wasn't just fired for having a Bible on his desk. He's a sick individual.

For what its worth, IMO, posters that call Christians 'sheeple' and describe another persons religious beliefs as 'retarded' is in the interest of a productive debate/discussion on religious freedom and separation of Church and state.

For me, separation of church and state means that no one in a public school has the right to interfere in the rights of students to be free of religious influences especially by someone like a teacher.

This teacher abused his position of power over the students. He more than deserved to be fired. One may ask the question how is it he remained at that school as long as he did.

Christians would be wise to not make this fellow a martyr for their political agenda of 'Christianizing America'.

What if a teacher who was a Satanist had a book about Satanism on his desk, and handed out such literature to students? Would the Christians be preaching about the teacher's right to religious freedom, or screaming for his head?