in his blunt criticism of creationism.
I guess this shows the fine line teachers must walk. Telling the truth about creationism is not okay, and they must show respect for it. Even if it is strictly a religious view of the creation of the earth.
This has been true for years. Before I retired things were heating up with the Christian community in our area. They were on campaigns to stop Halloween from being celebrated in the classroom. Among other issues. We had to be very careful in every way.
From the Progressive Puppy blog:
Judge Finds "Christian Persecution" in Orange County CaseU.S. District Court Judge James Selna has ruled that an Orange County high school teacher is guilty of disparaging Christians during a classroom lecture. Apparently James Corbett, who's been teaching students for two decades and has an impeccable record, told his students that creationism was "superstitious nonsense." (Which of course it is.) The sentiment didn't sit well with sophomore Chad Farnan, who then sued Corbett. And won.
Farnan, unsurprisingly, is demanding to be financially compensated for his hurt Christian feelings. That part of the lawsuit will be determined later. Corbett remains in his teaching position at Capistrano Valley High. Farnan dropped out of Corbett's class after filing the lawsuit. (He's no doubt busy devising ways to spend his settlement.)
Fundie bloggers have been drooling over their new martyr's "persecution" for some time now, the same fundies who rail against hate crimes legislation, the same fundies who send children to school wearing anti-gay slogans on their tee-shirts.
More from the Orange County Register:
High school teacher's anti-Creationism comment violated lawThe religious right is very thankful for this precedent being set.
SANTA ANA – A Mission Viejo high school history teacher violated the First Amendment by disparaging Christians during a classroom lecture, a federal judge ruled today.
James Corbett, a 20-year teacher at Capistrano Valley High School, referred to Creationism as “religious, superstitious nonsense” during a 2007 classroom lecture, denigrating his former Advanced Placement European history student, Chad Farnan.
The decision is the culmination of a 16-month legal battle between Corbett and Farnan – a conflict the judge said should remind teachers of their legal “boundaries” as public school employees.
A teacher can not be hostile to religion apparently. In a way considering the view of the religious right toward women's choice, gay rights, torture, and liberals...it seems a little odd.
In a December 2007 lawsuit, Farnan, then a sophomore, accused Corbett of repeatedly promoting hostility toward Christians in class and advocating "irreligion over religion" in violation of the First Amendment's establishment clause.
The establishment clause prohibits the government from making any law "respecting an establishment of religion" and has been interpreted by U.S. courts to also prohibit government employees from displaying religious hostility.
I was once threatened that I would be sued if I did not take down my haunted house bulletin board for Halloween. The administration stood by me, I was not sued.
But the lack of respect for my class and its celebration of one of their favorite holidays is really along the same lines, it is the principle of respect.