Posted on 12/17/2007 7:53:11 PM PST by khnyny
SANTA ANA, Calif. (Map, News) - A high school student and his parents have filed a lawsuit against a teacher, accusing him of making offensive comments in class about Christianity.
The lawsuit filed Wednesday in federal court in Santa Ana claims teacher James Corbett of demonstrating "a sense of hostility toward religion" that caused Christian students at Capistrano Valley High School to "feel ostracized and treated as second-class citizens."
Chad Farnan, 16, claims his constitutional rights were violated and wants Corbett removed from the classroom.
"The teacher is a representative of the state and the Constitution requires government neutrality toward religion," attorney Jennifer Monk said. "We will not seek damages if the teacher is removed."
It wasn't immediately known if Corbett had retained a lawyer. Principal Tom Ressler described Corbett as a solid teacher who has been with the Capistrano Unified School District for more than 15 years.
"It's really premature to say anything about this," he said. "People can make allegations all they want; we have to see the reality and context of what was said."
Among the statements the lawsuit contends Corbett said to students include "when you put on your Jesus glasses, you can't see the truth"; religion is not "connected with morality"; and suggested that churchgoers are more likely to commit rape and murder.
Chad Farnan said he taped the teacher's lectures with a tape recorder in plain sight on his backpack.
(Excerpt) Read more at examiner.com ...
“The lawsuit contends, among other things, that Corbett told students during class that “when you put on your Jesus glasses, you can’t see the truth”; said that religion is not “connected with morality”; compared Christians to “Muslim fundamentalists” who want women to “stay pregnant, barefoot, and in the kitchen and have babies until your body collapses”; and suggested that churchgoers are more likely to commit rape and murder.”
Eventually the Farnans contacted Advocates for Faith and Freedom, a nonprofit organization based in Murrieta dedicated to “protecting religious liberty,” a spokeswoman said.
The group filed the lawsuit on the family’s behalf, attorney Jennifer Monk said, because it believed Corbett’s behavior violated the establishment clause of the U.S. Constitution.
“The teacher is a representative of the state and the Constitution requires government neutrality toward religion,” she said. “This teacher’s conduct and words clearly show he is hostile toward religion and is indoctrinating these kids, who are a captive audience.”
Seek 20 million in damages.
That is the only way to hurt the libs. Take it out of their pockets. Just ask Reagan and the Soviets.
Finally, the separation of church and state actually working on our side for a change. Well done. This is a God thing.
If there was no tape recorder to tape the evidence, the school district would have denied everything, called the kid a liar, and expelled him using 'zero tolerance.' Where's the zero tolerance for this jerk of a teacher?
Unfortunately it sounds like something our psycho-babble pastor would say.
Well, then, why do you keep going to that church? Hoping to convert him?
I’ve been there since 1968. He’s been there 4 years. We’re praying God will call him somewhere else.
Is this one of the Civil Rights lawsuits that would force the school system to pay ga-zillions ???
I heard the tape on Hannity and Colmes (or O’Reilly) and the teacher is such a jerk. Such anger and hostility coming out of his mouth. I’m definitely not one who agrees with all the lawsuits these days but I’m glad the kid is suing. Turn around is fair play.
Even if God calls him somewhere else, you should still try to convert him while he’s there. Start him out slow and easy with the Bible. John’s Gospel is usually good for beginners.
I saw it. This history teacher needs to find another career.
Fire him!
In teachers colleges, they used to teach some iron rules for teachers. Back in the good old days.
1) Do not offend the students.
2) Do not offend parents.
3) Do not offend your fellow teachers and administrators.
4) Do not offend your community.
5) Your podium is not a political soapbox.
6) Teach the subject you were hired to teach.
7) Teachers are rarely fired for passing students.
8) Never hit a student in front of witnesses.
If a teacher could follow these rules, they would usually teach until they retired or became administrators. Many of the problems we see today is because they no longer teach these rules. Granted they need elaboration, but there are some real truths about good teaching there.
Strange way of dealing with the situation. Just see him go to another church and continue with his rants. Sorry way of dealing with an individual who sounds to be non-Biblical based.
This teacher should be fired. He should be teaching history, not making comments about “Jesus glasses”.
Personally, I see little need for religion either (and certainly don’t see it as necessary for morality), but I don’t go around using my jobs to force my views on others.
Sounds like a ravening wolf to me, one who teaches falsehood in the House of God. Those get their own reward, eventually.
Everyone but Christians has a right to be offended.
Maybe call him Home, for a heart to heart talk?
Some “student” stated in the LA Times blog that Chad was “failing” the class and chose to use this to get back at the teacher. The spin begins.
Beat & stomp him to death with their purses & Kinky Boots?
Sic the Fairy Godfather on him, with an offal he couldn't refuse?
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