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

[Playinghardball]

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.”

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

[Nay]

1. Hoo! Win this lawsuit and send your kid to an expensive private school so he

can get a decent education.

[TroglodyteScholar]

44. I don't know about today...

...but I went to one of the better private schools in north LA about 25 years ago, and it was still as bible-thumping as they come. As of the 1980's, there was nothing but people who were going to drive religion into you. I guess the difference at my school was that there actually were Christians teaching there who believed in a lot of science that wasn't controversial then, but somehow is now.

[SamKnause]

2. I grow weary

of these religious fucknuts.

Creationism in public schools, using out tax dollars.

What a kick in the sack.

We need to up the intelligence factor, not continue on our terrifyingly quick descent.

SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE should be strictly adhered to in this country.

Unfortunately that shipped sailed long ago as have many others.

[freshwest]

5. I'm old enough to remember when this wasn't the case. Growing old surrounded by nutjobs is hell. n/t

[PowerToThePeople]

3. Public School? Fire said teacher. Done. n/t

[SamKnause]

4. Agree

[el_bryanto]

6. The rot goes deeper than one teacher unfortunately

It's multiple teachers the principal and the schoolboard.

Bryant

[PowerToThePeople]

7. They all can hit the road. n/t

[el_bryanto]

9. No argument here - i'm religious myself, but that kind of nasty intolerance has no place in public

schools.

Bryant

[sakabatou]

41. +1

[nyquil_man]

8. "ISN'T IT AMAZING WHAT THE _______ HAS MADE!!!" is a *question* on a sixth grade test?

Jesus Quincy Adams.

[hootinholler]

10. Apparently your answer is wrong

Mine was Bell Laboratories, which according to the teacher is also wrong.

[demwing]

17. "Current President"

"ISN'T IT AMAZING WHAT THE Current President HAS MADE!!!"

Apparently, the teacher is a big Obamacare fan

[Warren DeMontague]

27. "Xerox Machine"?

Officejet printer, perhaps?

[chrisa]

52. The correct answer is, of course, "Flying Spaghetti Monster."

"Cthulu" would also be an acceptable answer.

[Swede Atlanta]

11. If this is a public school they are in serious deep doo-doo......

The very question on the test "Isn't it amazing what the _____ has made" is a form of establishment of religion. It pre-supposes that there is a existential being that created something. That conflicts with the rights of atheists and agnostics. And the student's answer of Lord Buddha is an honest answer based on his faith tradition. It is no more right or wrong than "God", Jehovah, Bal or whatever.

And the superintendent's comments that this is the Bible belt is no defense. Just because you hold those beliefs does not entitle you to force them on a student who has a constitutional right to be free of government establishment or as the SCOTUS has repeatedly stated promotes or is perceived as promoting a religion.

[AlinPA]

12. It's Louisiana, so they are not in deep doo-doo at all, even if it is a public school.

[Wounded Bear]

23. You're wrong...

You misspelled "Baal." You got the rest right, though.

[Xyzse]

13. WTF? Even Private Parochial Schools are not this stupid

[mrmpa]

14. You know, I went to a Catholic High School & never.........

was taught creationism in my biology classes. Neither was I inundated by with pro-life BS. It was an all female school in the '70's. My Bio teacher was an African-American Nun from Louisiana, I wonder if she's still around and what she thinks about the goings on in her state.

In religion class, just once that I can recall, the Roe v Wade case was the subject of discussion. I offered my view that it was a good decision and I didn't see it as a problem. I was never chastised for this view, nor were my parents called. I was allowed to "think" and speak my "views".

Those days seem to be gone.

[marew]

47. Also went to a Catholic girls HS but in the 60's.

Also never heard about 'creationism' and non-Catholics attended but were never hassled. Haven't been a Catholic for decades but have to credit where it is due.

[mrmpa]

53. I also haven't been a Catholic either, for decades........

I attended Catholic grade school, high school and college. One of my biggest problem with the Catholic Church is that they can educate through the Ph.D, Medical, and legal level, but when it comes to faith they treat adherents as children.

[marew]

56. So true!

Did basically the same. Went to a small Jesuit college my freshman year but transferred to an excellent state university for the rest of my college career and was so glad I did. I do not disparage the Jesuit college at all- it was just time for me to "spread my wings" so to speak.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

15. Separation

[TroglodyteScholar]

45. Bless this man.

So very intelligent, and so good at making his point in a way that hits home without being over-the-top.

I hope he lives forever.

[DeschutesRiver]

57. Feel the same on all counts. nt

[AtheistCrusader]

16. Well, the unemployment line needs to get at least 2 people longer.

Sorry, but... that's the truth. They should be seeking gainful employment somewhere else, not entrusted with the wellbeing/education of our children.

[perdita9]

34. Agreed!

[Warpy]

37. Yeah, the country doesn't need more teachers spreading this crap in schools

The kids have to put up with enough of it at home.

[shenmue]

18. An unbelievable ass

[Egalitarian Thug]

19. Creationist teacher is an oxymoron. n/t

[Adrahil]

20. Holy Crap. The ACLU needs to burn that f*$%ing place to the ground in court! nt

[grantcart]

21. Silly teacher Buddhism doesn't exist.

You are the Buddha.


Now watch the head explode.

[Bonx]

22. I remember our public school had a 'Bible Teacher' on staff

But nothing as bad as this.

[W.J. McCabe]

24. These people are an insult to education.

It's like a third world country down there.

[Warren DeMontague]

25. Time to cut another check to Americans United.

https://www.au.org/

Sigh.

[mike_c]

42. thanks so much for the link....

I just sent them a donation too!

[Beartracks]

26. "Apes would be turning into humans today!" Fuzzy on the concept a bit?

They fear what they don't understand. And this teacher CLEARLY does not even begin to understand what evolution is.

==========================

[perdita9]

32. Should have asked her to explain antibiotic resistant bacteria

Bet Ms. Bible Belt would have blamed MRSA on Satan.

[RainDog]

28. Rita Roark is too fucking stupid to teach elementary school

I hope she is fired.

I hope the school district is sued and, as part of the settlement, they have to hire teachers who actually understand science.

If you want to understand why so many people in the south vote for Republicans - this is why.

Because they are TOO FUCKING STUPID.

[TroglodyteScholar]

46. Sad but true.

On top of that, in my 25 years down south I encountered a lot of otherwise very intelligent people who still nevertheless maintained some of the more nonsensical views generally associated with dumb hicks.

[liberal_at_heart]

29. glad to hear the school is being sued.

[Alkene]

30. "Three things cannot be long hidden:

the sun, the moon, and the truth."

[perdita9]

31. My son's Biology teacher had Bible verses posted in her class

When the topic of evolution came up, he defended it and the religious fanatic the district hired to teach Biology, not Theology, argued against it.

I had a meeting with the principal and asked just how seriously they took the standards based testing the district kept crowing about.

Conclusion: the district made her take down the bible verses and told her she was inviting a lawsuit with her positions in the classroom. Still, I'm angry my son's experience with Biology was ruined by an out and out crank.

[Enthusiast]

33. This asshole teacher should lose her job immediately.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

35. Funny how the Right claimed the Commies were infiltrating everywhere when it was them.

[Warpy]

36. Oh, the ACLU is going to love fighting this one.

I agree with Gandhi, Christ was mostly an OK fellow but many of his followers are pure poison, especially in the south.

[Lost_Count]

38. Quite the broad brush you used there...

[Warpy]

39. Oh really?

Do look up the word "many."

[Heywood J]

50. Is it as broad as the one used in that classroom? (NT)

[Gothmog]

40. G-d, this school is stupid

The school is basically handing the ACLU a great case.

[flvegan]

43. Sue them all, let God sort them out.

BTW, for stupid, Buddhism and Hinduism been 'round longer. Just sayin'...

And some, if not many, Buddhists believe in God. It's easier to live Christ's teachings as a Buddhist, sorry.

[progressoid]

48. Wow. Just wow.

[El_Johns]

49. Who would send their kid to such a horrible place? What a lousy education they must be getting.

[chrisa]

51. "Apes would be turning into humans today" - This is a teacher!?

If you're going to attack evolution, at least don't totally fail in describing it correctly. Geez...

[Oilwellian]

54. These people are dumb as rocks

I recently attended a funeral with a Baptist fundy preacher leading the service. At one point he said our cells totally regenerate every seven years, yet scientists can't explain why we grow old and die.

[TBF]

55. This is going to be one heck of a lawsuit. nt