Hate Mongering or Free Speech ???

[SnakeTom]

I don't know if anyone here has followed the media circus at Union High School which has been on the NSL front pages & local news stations. A teacher posted on her facebook page derogatory comments about gays. As far as I know she has never done this in the workplace. Now the gay rights groups are demonstrating to get her fired while free speech advocates are supporting her. The teacher apparently teaches special ed classes but is also the moderator of a bible study club at the High School. The comments are based on her religious beliefs.

Now my thought is that her comments were inappropriately put on facebook. As a teacher she should know better. While I disagree strongly with the comments she made being a teacher does not mean you give up your rights to have opinions & express them. I see it as a first amendment issue so long as she did not prostelize in the class room. I reaLLY do not think the picketers care about this teacher or her students but are using it as an excuse to get up on their soap boxes.

Not that it matters but let me say that both of my sons went to Union HS and one even had this teacher for homeroom though he has little recollection of anything specific about her (who remembers homeroom teachers anyway). I know others on this board also went to Union HS. But regardless I'd like to hear some opinions about your thoughts on what is or isn't acceptable for a teacher in a situation such as this.

Tom K
This post was edited on 10/19 10:40 PM by SnakeTom

 

[shu09]

Tough, tough case. I think her comments are absurd and intolerant but she has the right to say what she said.

I know I wouldn't want my child in her class but I don't think she should lose her job, as tough as that is for me to say. The Constitution trumps my personal beliefs.

 

[SnakeTom]

I agree 09. The key for me is that while she expressed personal revulsion of homosexuality, she never crossed the line to try to harm or urge others to harm gay people.

Tom K

 

[SPK145]

Originally posted by SnakeTom:
Now my thought is that her comments were inappropriately put on facebook. As a teacher she should know better. While I disagree strongly with the comments she made being a teacher does not mean you give up your rights to have opinions & express them. I see it as a first amendment issue so long as she did not prostelize in the class room. I reaLLY do not think the picketers care about this teacher or her students but are using it as an excuse to get up on their soap boxes.
This post was edited on 10/19 10:40 PM by SnakeTom

I too went to Union High School (although MUCH earlier than Tom's kids, LOL!!!) This is generally how I feel about the situation too. What she puts on her Facebook page and in private is her business, however crazy it may sound.

The only question I have is why is it right for the gay movement (or any other movement) to proselytize especially in the classroom and elsewhere but it's not okay for those with opposing views to do likewise?

 

[Section112]

Agree with what everyone said so far.

And Steve the double standard for the gay community or lots of other rights groups to beat their chest over anything that remotely sounds bad has gotten tiresome. Is there anyone with common sense anymore?

 

[Muggsy Blue]

My question is, How is she the moderator for a Bible Studies Club in a public school? And once it goes on Facebook, it is no longer private. She is entitled to her feelings, but boy is she stupid. Facebook, she should have gotten up at a board of education meeting, it would have been easier.

 

[SnakeTom]

Originally posted by SPK145:

The only question I have is why is it right for the gay movement (or any other movement) to proselytize especially in the classroom and elsewhere but it's not okay for those with opposing views to do likewise?

I agree with you on this. We should all be tolerant and respectfull of other's cultures, religions or life styles; but we should not be prostelized about them. While I strongly support gay rights I do not see why a public school is celebrating gay, lesbian & transgender week. We should teach about different cultures, lifestyles etc as part of an education but not necessarily in a celebratory fashion unless it serves an educational purpose.

TK

 

[HALL85]

+1. This" everybody gets a trophy and every special interest group gets a day" society we have is nonsense. Be tolerant and have that be the norm.

 

[SPK145]

Originally posted by Muggsy Blue:
My question is, How is she the moderator for a Bible Studies Club in a public school? And once it goes on Facebook, it is no longer private. She is entitled to her feelings, but boy is she stupid. Facebook, she should have gotten up at a board of education meeting, it would have been easier.

1) Why is there a bible study group in a public high school?

2) Doesn't the bible say that homosexuality is a sin?

3) Facebook is not always public, you can set it to private. Teachers should not be Facebook friends with students, parents etc.
This post was edited on 10/21 10:20 AM by SPK145

 

[Section112]

Teachers should not Friend any students, parents or other teachers as that will just cause more problems in the end. The proliferation of social media has really hurt our society more than it has helped it in so many ways IMO. I have it and use it but this instant need to know about everything in everyones life is really over the top.

This teacher has the right to say what she said but IMO and in the great words of Red on That 70's show, she is still a dumbass.

 

[Muggsy Blue]

SPK

1. I don't know if you're agreeing with me or not, but there is no place
for Bible studies or any religious studies in a public school.

2. I don't know, does it? I don't read the Bible and could care less what
it says.

3. Agree, and if a teacher uses Facebook as a forum, then they need to be
prepared to answer to a backlash.

And she is a dumbass, Sec. 112.

 

[SPK145]

Originally posted by Muggsy Blue:
SPK

1. I don't know if you're agreeing with me or not, but there is no place for Bible studies or any religious studies in a public school.

Agree 100%

Originally posted by Muggsy Blue:
2. I don't know, does it? I don't read the Bible and could care less what it says.

Yes, in Leviticus:

Leviticus 18 and 20

>

I too have no use for the bible, I only need the golden rule.

 

[donnie_baseball]

Originally posted by Muggsy Blue:
SPK

1. I don't know if you're agreeing with me or not, but there is no place
for Bible studies or any religious studies in a public school.

2. I don't know, does it? I don't read the Bible and could care less what
it says.

3. Agree, and if a teacher uses Facebook as a forum, then they need to be
prepared to answer to a backlash.

And she is a dumbass, Sec. 112.

1. Just as there is no place for an LBGT club in school
2. clearly
3. 100% agree with you and others about Facebook, and the idea of teachers being friends with students.



Aside from that, get off the high horse about this woman. She had a right to say what she said, whether it offends you or not. She may be brilliant, and a great teacher, for all anyone knows. Maybe she wanted this out there, because she feels strongly about it. Because she's religious, people want to crucify her, pardon the pun.


What's interesting, SPK is that, being Catholic, I never read the KJV of the Bible, so I never could pinpoint where the exact condemnation of homosexuality was. Biologically speaking, it's a perversion of the natural order. Religiously, well, I just mind my business on the matter. FWIW "the golden rule" is from the Bible, and a good rule.

 

[Muggsy Blue]

SPK

You continue yet to impress; basketball and now the Bible

 

[SPK145]

Originally posted by Muggsy Blue:
SPK

You continue yet to impress; basketball and now the Bible

I know little about either.