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A while ago, I linked this post from Phillybits concerning a rightwing teacher’s spreading wingnut poison in public school.
Now comes another chapter in the story:
In a letter to the editor, the girl’s two older sisters — who described themselves as American Muslim kids who love their country — said the teacher told the fifth-grade class that she is a Republican and that Obama “believes in different things and is scary.”
Obama, a Christian, has been trying to dispel myths about his religion across the country.
What his camp calls “smear e-mails” have circulated nationally for months claiming the Illinois senator is Muslim. His campaign Web site notes Obama’s response in a January debate on MSNBC: “In the Internet age, there are going to be lies that are spread all over the place. I have been victimized by these lies. Fortunately, the American people are, I think, smarter than folks give them credit for.”
The Indian River teacher’s remarks allegedly occurred prior to a mock Feb. 5 Super Tuesday primary vote at Lord Baltimore Elementary School.
This is what separation of church and state is about. It is not right to have an agent of the state (that is, a public school teacher) attempting to influence political choices.
Well, we could stop there, couldn’t we? But let’s finish the thought:
It is not right to have an agent of the state (that is, a public school teacher) attempting to influence political choices to further a particular religious point of view.
Even if it weren’t–as in this case–based on a lie.
March 26, 2008 at 1:52 pm
"It is not right to have an agent of the state (that is, a public school teacher) attempting to influence political choices."
Then what about all the state-employed college professors who do?
Should teachers be free to speak out in class on tax referenda in their school districts? Should they be allowed to explain to students why they belong to a union?
The paranoia about teachers making comments on religion in this country is beyond fanatical. Our country would be far better off if students were able to watch freedom of speech in action. In their progression through the grades, they’d hear from Christian teachers, Muslim teachers, and don’t worry, atheist teachers too – and be the better for it. Parents uneasy with that still have, for now, the choice of private schools and home schooling.
March 31, 2008 at 1:08 pm
Apparently, the story is wrong: The teacher apologized and the kid and mother accepted. The Human Relations Commission is investigating a different teacher.
April 9, 2008 at 11:37 am
Thanks for the update, Mithras.
I’m still behind, but I’m catching up.
To Opie:
Commenting on religion and religious issues is not the same as telling fibs to students about someone else’s religious beliefs or about the doctrine of a religion.
Instruction and indoctrination are not the same thing.