It’s absurd, absurd I tell you, to suggest that there is something inappropriate, harmful, or a violation of the separation clause of the Constitution for a teacher to have a Bible on his desk. Much more offensive than a book are the photographs that lots of educators have on their desks. Further, I suppose what lots have on their computer desktops (and on their hard drives) are probably much worse!
According to news reports, Mount Vernon Middle School science teacher John Freshwater has refused a superintendent’s order to remove a Bible from his classroom desk. Freshwater, in a prepared statement, said that he believes Superintendent Stephen Short’s directive is an “infringement on my deeply held religious beliefs.” … According to the Associated Press, some students at the school brought Bibles on Friday to show support for Freshwater. The Mount Vernon City Schools Board of Education stated that the district has “an obligation under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution to protect against the establishment of religion in the schools.” The board president said Freshwater may keep it in his classroom but not on his desk.
What madness. Purely.
Chuck Grantham said,
April 20, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Obviously, one has to ask, “What religion is he establishing?” since so many claim the bible as their own in some form or other.
Eric said,
April 20, 2008 at 4:28 pm
What separation clause of the Constitution?
Jim said,
April 20, 2008 at 4:31 pm
You know, the one saying that the government can’t legislate religion, widely known as ’separation of church and state’ and called among some ‘the separation clause’.
Bob Schillaci said,
April 20, 2008 at 6:22 pm
Reading between the lines (always necessary when dealing with press-release politics) it sounds as if there is something else going on here. What statement is the teacher trying to make?
Offhand, I can’t think of any religion that requires displaying a bible on your desk at your place of employment. Further, if the employer asks that it be removed to a drawer it hardly seems onerous.
Someone…or perhaps more than one…has an agenda.
Eric said,
April 20, 2008 at 6:29 pm
You mean the misconception that the Constitution says something about separation of Church and state that some people actually refer to the “separation clause?” Please tell me this is just a popular misnomer and not something constitutional lawyers actually say.
By the way, even what is in the Constitution (at least in the part to which I think you’re referring) it doesn’t say “government can’t legislate religion.” Rather, it specifically prohibits Congress (i.e. the federal government) from making any laws respecting (= having anything to do with) the establishment of religion, by which is meant that if states wish to establish religion, the federal government has no right to tell them one way or the other anything about how and whether they can.
Jim said,
April 20, 2008 at 8:17 pm
Ah so you’re a hair splitter are ya?
Jim said,
April 20, 2008 at 8:18 pm
And Bob- of course there’s no requirement- but there’s also no sane reason for the school board to object to it.
steph said,
April 21, 2008 at 2:31 am
who cares as long as he is a good science teacher of science.
Chuck Grantham said,
April 21, 2008 at 3:13 pm
A teacher good at teaching? That’ll never go over.
Jim said,
April 21, 2008 at 3:24 pm
You crack me up.