Don’t want to be hassled by creationist teacher? Give up Buddhism, Louisiana public school says

[mota bhai 2,675]

A public school in Louisiana allegedly advised a Buddhist family to change their beliefs if they didn’t want their child to face harassment from zealous teachers.

The American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Louisiana on Wednesday filed a federal lawsuit against Negreet High School in Sabine Parish on behalf of two parents, Scott and Sharon Lane, and their son, “C.C.” The lawsuit claims the school has “a longstanding custom, policy, and practice of promoting and inculcating Christian beliefs,” including the teaching of creationism.

Sixth-grade teacher Rita Roark has told her students that the universe was created by God about 6,000 years ago, and taught that both the Big Bang theory and evolution are false, according to the lawsuit. She told her students that “if evolution was real, it would still be happening: Apes would be turning into humans today.”

One test she gave to students asked: “ISN’T IT AMAZING WHAT THE _____________ HAS MADE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” The correct answer was “Lord,” but C.C. wrote in something else. Roark responded by scolding the boy in front of the entire class.

When informed that C.C. was a Buddhist and therefore didn’t believe in God, Roark allegedly responded, “you’re stupid if you don’t believe in God.”

On another accusation, she allegedly described both Buddhism and Hinduism as “stupid.”

When the outraged parents confronted Sabine Parish Superintendent Sara Ebarb about the incidents, she allegedly told them “this is the Bible belt” and that they “shouldn’t be offended” to “see God here.” Ebarb advised that C.C. should either change his faith or be transferred to another District school where “there are more Asians.”

The parents, “hoping to save him from suffering additional psychological harm,” decided to transfer their son to another school, according to the lawsuit. The school is 25 miles away from their home.

“The treatment this child and his family have endured is not only disgraceful, it’s unconstitutional,” said Heather L. Weaver, senior staff attorney for the ACLU Program on Freedom of Religion and Belief.

The lawsuit claims that other teachers and faculty members also push Christian beliefs on their students. Prayer is often lead by teachers in classrooms and during school events. Religious literature that denounces evolution and homosexuality has been distributed by faculty members to students. The school’s hallways are filled with Christian iconography and electronic marquee in front of the school scrolls Bible verses.

“Public schools should be welcoming places for students of all backgrounds,” said Marjorie Esman, executive director of the ACLU of Louisiana. “No child should be harassed and made to feel like an outsider in his own classroom, and students should not have to endure school officials constantly imposing their religious beliefs on them while they are trying to learn.”

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/01/23/dont-want-to-be-hassled-by-creationist-teacher-give-up-buddhism-louisiana-public-school-says/

[GandD 5,966]

Yay, fire treacher!

[JohnR! 5,495]

Sixth-grade teacher Rita Roark has told her students that the universe was created by God about 6,000 years ago, and taught that both the Big Bang theory and evolution are false, according to the lawsuit. She told her students that “if evolution was real, it would still be happening: Apes would be turning into humans today.”

What's her alma mater? Stupid U?

Edited January 23, 2014 by Gegel

[GandD 5,966]

"Isn't the south that place where all the black people are really lazy and the white people hate them for being so lazy even though the white people are just as lazy?" - Fam Guy

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

"I've heard Vermont is awfully white this time of year".

[JohnR! 5,495]

"Isn't the south that place where all the black people are really lazy and the white people hate them for being so lazy even though the white people are just as lazy?" - Fam Guy

The South is the place where god and Jesus are white...

[Janelle2002 3,865]

You guys are tooo funny

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

The South is the place where god and Jesus are white...

And Santa Claus. He just is white, okay? He just is.

[GandD 5,966]

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWgpJ5K6mzY

He killed her so bad.

[Darnell 8,478]

"I've heard Vermont is awfully white this time of year".

You recall Gary was born in Texas, yes?

Very much it does. I'm wearing a necklace with Buddha on it today and I am not even Buddhist. Gota love the closed minded South. Why don't the teacher just find a new job? I'm sure there are a still a lot of non-diverse work forces out here that do not include people from different racial backgrounds. Try Vermont

Alas, the ACLU will own that parish/county by this time, next year.

Yay for the ALCU, but that school district needs a new codicil of rules.

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

You recall Gary was born in Texas, yes?

Alas, the ACLU will own that parish/county by this time, next year.

Yay for the ALCU, but that school district needs a new codicil of rules.

I didn't know that until Spooky said something in PM. You wouldn't know the way he goes on about Vermont.

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

I didn't know that until Spooky said something in PM. You wouldn't know the way he goes on about Vermont.

My people are originally from Vermont before they migrated southwards to the balmy climes of Connecticut. Please do not judge Vermonters by one transplant.

Just because a cat has her kittens in the oven, that don't make them biscuits, if you know what I mean.

[Darnell 8,478]

I didn't know that until Spooky said something in PM. You wouldn't know the way he goes on about Vermont.

pm, schmee em....

Gary has written of his Texas roots on occasion, here in forum.

Wait a mo, where were we? I need to catch up and find something new to spew about.

Very much it does. I'm wearing a necklace with Buddha on it today and I am not even Buddhist. Gota love the closed minded South. Why don't the teacher just find a new job? I'm sure there are a still a lot of non-diverse work forces out here that do not include people from different racial backgrounds. Try Vermont

Honey, you need to move a bit into the open minded bits of the South. Yes, they do indeed, exist. Don't migrate north - there be nasty things there like state taxes, and all that awful snow.

Edited January 24, 2014 by Darnell

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

My people are originally from Vermont before they migrated southwards to the balmy climes of Connecticut. Please do not judge Vermonters by one transplant.

Just because a cat has her kittens in the oven, that don't make them biscuits, if you know what I mean.

I don't, we have a guy here that from the Vermont National Guard. Been here a few weeks, seems pretty cool. I showed him some posts from Gary, he said that dude has issues.

Of course I have no idea what you mean, but you sound cool saying it.

pm, schmee em....

Gary has written of his Texas roots on occasion, here in forum.

Wait a mo, where were we? I need to catch up and find something new to spew about.

Honey, you need to move a bit into the open minded bits of the South. Yes, they do indeed, exist. Don't migrate north - there be nasty things there like state taxes, and all that awful snow.

I've never heard him say it here, but then again when I read his posts, all I see is blah, blah, Vermont, blah, blah, Alla, blah, blah, my 50 guns...