Topic: Is having a Bible in the classroom a Mount Vernon Teacher's right?

[sammy]

http://www.wbns10tv.com/live/content/local/stories/2008/04/16/bible.html?sid=102

If he is not doing any lessons on the Bible or talking about it, what is the harm? Just having a Bible laying on a desk doesn't constitute, in IMHO, that he was trying to 'establish religion in the school'.
 

[Glenn's gram]

This teacher has a history of pushing controversy.  That's probably why.

I have a feeling that you are correct.  It appears that there's more to the situation than simply having a Bible on the desk.

http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2008/04/16/bibleteacher.html?sid=101

[Atlantis]

http://www.wbns10tv.com/live/content/local/stories/2008/04/16/bible.html?sid=102

"The Ohio Department of Education said there are no rules or law preventing a teacher from having a Bible on a desk, Hirsch reported."

I hope the school backs off on this one and doesn't push it to the point that Mr. Freshwater has to file a lawsuit to defend an action that has no rule or law against it.  It would just be more of a waste of our tax dollars spent on legal fees by the district on a lawsuit that they have no chance of winning.  Mr. Freshwater has broken no law or rule. 

[The_Rooster]

Since this is a talk about the Bible and the schools.. let's take a peak inside this book, and why it should be treated with a little caution.

When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord (Leviticus 1:9). The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. How should I deal with this?

I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as stated in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?

I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness (Leviticus 15:19-24). The problem is, how can I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.

Leviticus 25:44 states that I may buy slaves from the nations that are around us. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify?

I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself?

A friend of mine says that even though eating shellfish is an abomination (Leviticus 10:10), it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this?

Leviticus 20:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here?

Just a reminder, God's Word is eternal and unchanging

[dance_chica]

Ahh... I remember that issue surfacing years ago.... and I think that those ten commandments were on the door when I was in school..... as I've said before I am in no way a Christian, and I dealt with it lol.... just seems to me that these people are being ridiculously sensitive about this stuff anymore.... if you don't like it ignore it... isn't that what they tell you to do when you are being bullied or anything (not that this has to do with bullying but you get my drift) just ignore them?  at this point why don't they make it against the rules to wear crosses around your neck because it's the same thing.....

[aconpe]

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[phred]

        


                 I wonder if the library (or media center) in
                 the school building still has one or two copies
                 of the Bible for the students to check out....

                 < I'm trying to remember what I had on my
                    desk in high school .... >

[RailroadFan]

Employees don't have unfettered rights of free speech in the workplace. If my boss wants to tell me not to have a Bible on my desk at work, that's certainly his right. If I would want a Bible on my desk but was not allowed, I would not exactly have any recourse.

Note that I'm not saying whether it SHOULD be prohibited. But, the original post asked whether having the Bible in the classroom was the teacher's right. Certainly, it is not.

[sammy]

When people want to 'quote' from the Bible, they seem to pick and choose the passages they think will benefit their position. There are passages that in today's society cannot be taken literally, they need to be analyzed for a true meaning. Some of us on here are Christian, some are not. Those of us that are do not try to belittle or degrade those that don't believe, and we appreciate the non believers not poking fun at our religious beliefs. My father once told me, the best way to lose a friend is by discussing politics or religion.

IMHO, a Bible laying on a teachers desk is doing as much harm as a book about Stalin or Hitler. If it is laying there, unopened, how can it be doing any harm?

While this can of worms has been opened, I also believe if the schools teache evolution, creation should be given equal time.

[Steve.Deserved.Better]

When people want to 'quote' from the Bible, they seem to pick and choose the passages they think will benefit their position. There are passages that in today's society cannot be taken literally, they need to be analyzed for a true meaning. Some of us some on here are Christian, some are not. Those of us that are do not try to belittle or degrade those that don't believe, and we appreciate the non believers not poking fun at our religious beliefs. My father once told me, the best way to lose a friend is by discussing politics or religion.

IMHO, a Bible laying on a teachers desk is as doing as much harm as a book about Stalin or Hitler. If it is laying there, unopened, how can it be doing any harm?

While this can of worms has been opened, I also believe if the schools teaches evolution, creation should be given equal time.

Well said Sammy.   

It would be beneficial for any debate/discussion to understand what you are quoting, otherwise adds nothing to the quality of the discussion.

[My Dixie Wrecked]

  for one its a book ! whats the difference ? for 2 , there is history there , whether you choose to believe it or not ,
I really could think of worse things that could be on that desk as far as literature goes ,
and as far as Im concerned , in high school you should be mature enough to make your own choices , 

[phred]

       


                  Ch4 just had the story; Ch 10 is airing it now.

[phred]

     


                The book that Freshwater had in his hand
                was a Bible Reference.

[My Dixie Wrecked]

  it was Middle school my bad ,, but still its a book ... nothing more nothing less ,
unless this teacher is forcing the students to read , and maybe some of them should ..
let it alone ,, no big thing !! Pick a bigger, better  battle

[phred]

       


                   From the TV coverage:

                    A former student was interviewed who
                    said "this is ridiculous.  He never promoted
                    religion in the class that I was in."

                    A Dad was interviewed who said that he
                    just wanted the teacher to put it away
                    while the students were in class.

                    The Ch 10 person said that previously
                    Freshwater wanted to introduce a new
                    course in the Middle School -
                           Evolution: Critical Thinking.

                    He said the Board turned it down.