Bus Driver Fired After Forcing Prayer on Students

[decocker 7,198]

What drove Nathaniel to keep doing this, even after receiving a warning? “We got to get Christians to be able to be Christians and not have to be closet Christians,” he said. “You have something good, you are going to share it with somebody.”

Shockingly this behavior did not go over well with parents in the district, especially considering some of the district’s bus routes serve primarily Muslim families.

But Nathaniel continues to defend his preaching even after losing his job. He argues that when he drove buses in Wisconsin and Georgia, no one ever complained about his behavior. He also insists that no parents have "personally" complained to him. Air tight arguments, case closed, the end.

is this guy being unfairly silenced? he's only trying to give them something positive to go to school with..right. what do you think? i know you guys know what i think.

http://gawker.com/bus-driver-fired-after-praying-with-students-1459947374

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

I just read the article. It's a tricky slope.

In a way he is inducing prayer on the students. I can see how, as a kid, you would feel "persuaded" pray along, because you wouldn't want to be left out. As a Muslim, I know we have our own prayers and teachings. It's a bit of conflict.

Edited November 7, 2013 by Su and Marvin

[decocker 7,198]

every bus driver i had as a kid was stone cold silent while driving. if we made too much noise they would scream they needed quiet or would kill us all.

in fourth and fifth grade, or maybe just fifth - can't remember..my mom signed me up for "bible study" at my elementary school. a school bus would pick us up - drive us off the school property over to the county fair grounds and we were then indoctrinated, but completely removed from public school.

it really sucked. like going to church four days and three nights a week wasn't enough.

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

every bus driver i had as a kid was stone cold silent while driving. if we made too much noise they would scream they needed quiet or would kill us all.

in fourth and fifth grade, or maybe just fifth - can't remember..my mom signed me up for "bible study" at my elementary school. a school bus would pick us up - drive us off the school property over to the county fair grounds and we were then indoctrinated, but completely removed from public school.

it really sucked. like going to church four days and three nights a week wasn't enough.

I can tell, you can't stand organized religion. It must have been hell for you.

[decocker 7,198]

I can tell, you can't stand organized religion. It must have been hell for you.

no, that would be bratty of me to think my childhood was hell. it wasn't, especially compared to kids who grow up in abusive homes. my parents did their best. and to do their best they needed the support of a church family.

this bus driver though, sounds like he's on a mission..to be a good "out in the open" christian. most times people with such attitudes have a real fear of islam. i have a feeling this guy's need to be heard and share with the kids is more driven by that fear - considering the article mentions many of the kids are muslim.

i read something like this and wonder what the reaction would be if the bus driver was not christian, and leading the kids in hindu meditations. or wiccan chants. something off the wall.

Edited November 7, 2013 by val erie

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

no, that would be bratty of me to think my childhood was hell. it wasn't, especially compared to kids who grow up in abusive homes. my parents did their best. and to do their best they needed the support of a church family.

this bus driver though, sounds like he's on a mission..to be a good "out in the open" christian. most times people with such attitudes have a real fear of islam. i have a feeling this guy's need to be heard and share with the kids is more driven by that fear - considering the article mentions many of the kids are muslim.

i read something like this and wonder what the reaction would be if the bus driver was not christian, and leading the kids in hindu meditations. or wiccan chants. something off the wall.

I wasn't trying to go there. That was my first thought. Sounds like a conversion mission more than anything.

[JohnR! 5,495]

is this guy being unfairly silenced? he's only trying to give them something positive to go to school with..right. what do you think? i know you guys know what i think.

http://gawker.com/bus-driver-fired-after-praying-with-students-1459947374

I would not questions his intentions for a minute, but I do take exception to his methods. His job is to drive the bus and deliver the kids to school safely. It is not his job to institute prayer in the school bus, no more than it would be his call to teach the kids how to play three-card Monte.

Would everyone be cool if he were teaching the kids something their religion objects to? Where does one draw the line.

Prayer belongs in temple, church, mosques, etc, and most importantly in the hearts of believers.

Edited November 7, 2013 by Gegel

[Dakine10 5,452]

I would not questions his intentions for a minute, but I do take exception to his methods. His job is to drive the bus and deliver the kids to school safely. It is not his job to institute prayer in the school bus, no more than it would be his call to teach the kids how to play three-card Monte.

Would everyone be cool if he were teaching the kids something their religion objects to? Where does one draw the line.

Prayer belongs in temple, church, mosques, etc, and most importantly in the hearts of believers.

You forgot about pirate ships.

[spookyturtle 9,465]

I would not questions his intentions for a minute, but I do take exception to his methods. His job is to drive the bus and deliver the kids to school safely. It is not his job to institute prayer in the school bus, no more than it would be his call to teach the kids how to play three-card Monte.

Would everyone be cool if he were teaching the kids something their religion objects to? Where does one draw the line.

Prayer belongs in temple, church, mosques, etc, and most importantly in the hearts of believers.

No one taught me to play three card Monte. In fact, this is the first time I've ever heard of it.

[Sarah Elle-Même 660]

“We got to get Christians to be able to be Christians and not have to be closet Christians”

Seems the annual WAR ON CHRISTMAS is starting earlier and earlier every year.

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

no, that would be bratty of me to think my childhood was hell. it wasn't, especially compared to kids who grow up in abusive homes. my parents did their best. and to do their best they needed the support of a church family.

this bus driver though, sounds like he's on a mission..to be a good "out in the open" christian. most times people with such attitudes have a real fear of islam. i have a feeling this guy's need to be heard and share with the kids is more driven by that fear - considering the article mentions many of the kids are muslim.

i read something like this and wonder what the reaction would be if the bus driver was not christian, and leading the kids in hindu meditations. or wiccan chants. something off the wall.

All Hell would break lose

[decocker 7,198]

“We got to get Christians to be able to be Christians and not have to be closet Christians”

Seems the annual WAR ON CHRISTMAS is starting earlier and earlier every year.

yes. we can no longer turn a blind eye to the blatant persecution of christians in the usa. santa demands change.

All Hell would break lose

yessir.

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

yes. we can no longer turn a blind eye to the blatant persecution of christians in the usa. santa demands change.

yessir.

I am all for Christians having the right to share and spread their faith.But not to captive audiences that are not there for that purpose.

My biology Professor was a hard core humanist, who spewed that nonsense non-stop in class.

He was just as wrong as the Bus driver.

The only caveat I would add is it seems to be ok many times when people from different religions or political afflictions spread their message to students.

[JohnR! 5,495]

You forgot about pirate ships.

That goes without saying, to the enlightened.

No one taught me to play three card Monte. In fact, this is the first time I've ever heard of it.

You rode on the wrong bus! LOL

[decocker 7,198]

The only caveat I would add is it seems to be ok many times when people from different religions or political afflictions spread their message to students.

what? you're contradicting yourself now. you think there would be little to no reaction if this bus driver were, say, leading the children is prayers to allah?