Indiana here and this issue is a nation wide issue. when religious people say I am bullying you because of my religion doesn't that take out the thou shalt not judge commandement, not to target christians here because I am one but I am liberal as well and do not believe that homosexuality is wrong and neither is just simply being different. if a religious group came up to a child in a wheelchair and pushed him over and then said i did it for religion would that be ok? this is wrong in many ways.
God Bless you Kevin and your family. I agree with everything you have said. The only way we can change this is by voting for people who are for us. I am here in Upper Michigan. The good and love of people will rise above!!!!! But it will be a long walk but we shall do it together.
Wow, what a ton of bullshit! A religious rider has no place in this, just, wow. I am not from Michigan yet I do feel this issue is everybody's issue. Will do all possible to spread the word. Peace to the Eplings, more power to you.
You've been telling kids to "step in" during a bullying situation? That's more reckless than the first amendment section of the bill. I don't think that section of the bill does what you are claiming as the language states "...does not prohibit a statement of...", ambiguous as that may be, as with many laws, I think the intent is clear enough to be an attempt to not abridge the fist amendment considering it came right after mentioning that.
Isn't this like saying that the extremist who attacked us on 9-11 also had a right bc it was because of their twisted view on religion? since they really believed it i guess it was ok. Thats the basic reasoning they have here...
Why do you think this exemption paragraph was added Kevin? Given that it serves to legitimise bullying in a way that has never been legitimised in any legislation in the country before, producing the polar opposite of its intention.
This is so wrong, to allow a bill of that calibre to be passed, good on you Kevin... even though I don't live in the U.S I do understand bullying and no matter the reason to bully another is "wrong" no matter what. I hope you keep the fight going my friend, as I for one stand behind your convictions 100%
So Michigan, you are saying that my kids can come t your schools and bully a Muslim on religious grounds? wow. you are horrible! hope none of you lawmakers ever come to my state!!!
HI EVERYONE. I MADE A PETITION TO CHANGE THE RELIGIOUS/MORAL CONVICTION PART OF THIS BILL. THIS IS DISGUSTING AND WRONG. IT ONLY PROTECTS BULLIES. PLEASE EVERYONE SIGN. WE CAN CHANGE THIS.
I think that these anti-bullying acts are the first step to killing freedom of speech in the United States. One can't make someone want to kill themselves. The help should be given to the depressed ones who are being made fun of, and the bullying should be reprimanded. Making a law against speaking is unconstitutional.
I can't believe that this is actually an issue. I really can't. Weren't we all raised on the idea that bullying is wrong? I don't recall learning that it's ok to hurt other people as long as you have a "religious or moral" reason. I'm still in high school and see bullying every day. If the bullies are protected by this law, it WILL get much worse, I promise. Thank you Kevin Epling for standing up for us teenagers. I'm glad someone actually cares about us.
I totally agree,. Kevin you are doing the right thing. Keep fighting as I will to not let this go any further. My thoughts and prayers go out to your family. Bullying today is not even close to what i went through in school and i feel for every child who is. I was made fun of because of my sexuality. I still am but I am an adult, these children are just kids. We are all human. No one is better than anyone else.
I live in NY but read about this in the news. I'm aghast and saddened that leaders in any legislature could allow this to occur. It's abominable when adults reason that a child's need to feel safe and respected can be infringed upon by anyone else's morals/beliefs (Adolf Hitler thought himself morally superior too).
Mr. Epling, please don't be discouraged and keep up the fight for the countless other victimized children in our country and their families.
I'm appalled that any adult could write this nonsense into a law that is about a boy that this law would not have protected. I cannot believe other adults would vote for it.. but I know real caring people willchange this failure of the senate to protect all children.
My heart goes out to you, Kev, and for the memory of Matt. Let this law be amended to remove the offending nonsense and let Matt's legacy actually serve people justly. Yes, EVERYONE is deserving of respect and tolerance.
Kevin did you ever get any apology letters?
Vindicated85 13 hours ago
Bullshit
101aua 3 weeks ago
@101aua @that law addition of course
101aua 3 weeks ago
Please keep going and never give up. You are an amazing man and I can only wish that there would be more people in the world like you.
MadForColors 2 months ago
Were are doing an Anti-Bully campaign would love for you to come and speak please contact via email anash@yanasilp.org
anash600 2 months ago
Indiana here and this issue is a nation wide issue. when religious people say I am bullying you because of my religion doesn't that take out the thou shalt not judge commandement, not to target christians here because I am one but I am liberal as well and do not believe that homosexuality is wrong and neither is just simply being different. if a religious group came up to a child in a wheelchair and pushed him over and then said i did it for religion would that be ok? this is wrong in many ways.
mirandanjen 3 months ago
Thank you for doing such an intelligent and respectful job of helping to see this through. So sorry about the loss of your son.
ORABRABS 3 months ago
Comment removed
jajajavih 3 months ago
God Bless you Kevin and your family. I agree with everything you have said. The only way we can change this is by voting for people who are for us. I am here in Upper Michigan. The good and love of people will rise above!!!!! But it will be a long walk but we shall do it together.
MsHappygirl23 3 months ago
Wow, what a ton of bullshit! A religious rider has no place in this, just, wow. I am not from Michigan yet I do feel this issue is everybody's issue. Will do all possible to spread the word. Peace to the Eplings, more power to you.
Oceanfloats 3 months ago
Way to alienate the most bullied kids in schools, Michigan.
SteffanyNo9 3 months ago
the GOP is full of hateful bigots.......Id never vote republican EVER!
rextrek 3 months ago
You've been telling kids to "step in" during a bullying situation? That's more reckless than the first amendment section of the bill. I don't think that section of the bill does what you are claiming as the language states "...does not prohibit a statement of...", ambiguous as that may be, as with many laws, I think the intent is clear enough to be an attempt to not abridge the fist amendment considering it came right after mentioning that.
DiwataMan 3 months ago
Isn't this like saying that the extremist who attacked us on 9-11 also had a right bc it was because of their twisted view on religion? since they really believed it i guess it was ok. Thats the basic reasoning they have here...
TonPappa 4 months ago
GO KEVIN!!
QUASARA 4 months ago 2
Why do you think this exemption paragraph was added Kevin? Given that it serves to legitimise bullying in a way that has never been legitimised in any legislation in the country before, producing the polar opposite of its intention.
matbroomfield 4 months ago
This is so wrong, to allow a bill of that calibre to be passed, good on you Kevin... even though I don't live in the U.S I do understand bullying and no matter the reason to bully another is "wrong" no matter what. I hope you keep the fight going my friend, as I for one stand behind your convictions 100%
ocossa 4 months ago 2
So Michigan, you are saying that my kids can come t your schools and bully a Muslim on religious grounds? wow. you are horrible! hope none of you lawmakers ever come to my state!!!
alischiawilcox 4 months ago
This is beyond incredible it is criminal to condone bullying for religious reasons.
This should be addressed as a form of a spiteful hate crime against society if some so fanatic thinks you're different.
Kevin Epling, father of Matt Epling explains his frustration at the last minute addition of specific language in the anti-bullying bill.
He should receive a letter of apology from all members that introduced this last minute horror into this bill.
TheEclecticSavant 4 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
HI EVERYONE. I MADE A PETITION TO CHANGE THE RELIGIOUS/MORAL CONVICTION PART OF THIS BILL. THIS IS DISGUSTING AND WRONG. IT ONLY PROTECTS BULLIES. PLEASE EVERYONE SIGN. WE CAN CHANGE THIS.
change dot org slash petitions/michigan-senate-change-matts-safe-school-law-which-protects-christians-who-bully-gay-kids#
Karopex 4 months ago
@techh10 totally hypocritical. it was more a way of expressing how angry i was
ctrlaltdelmaster 4 months ago
I was enraged when I read these articles. I made a video about it. This bill is an insult.
decojuicer 4 months ago
I think that these anti-bullying acts are the first step to killing freedom of speech in the United States. One can't make someone want to kill themselves. The help should be given to the depressed ones who are being made fun of, and the bullying should be reprimanded. Making a law against speaking is unconstitutional.
epohnopulse 4 months ago
I can't believe that this is actually an issue. I really can't. Weren't we all raised on the idea that bullying is wrong? I don't recall learning that it's ok to hurt other people as long as you have a "religious or moral" reason. I'm still in high school and see bullying every day. If the bullies are protected by this law, it WILL get much worse, I promise. Thank you Kevin Epling for standing up for us teenagers. I'm glad someone actually cares about us.
7supergirl 4 months ago 2
I am so sorry for what you have had to go through and continue to deal with. This is very sad and very sick...I'm trying to help spread the message.
wally1066 4 months ago
keeping hypocrisy in check: MANHOOD101. COM
thenfm 4 months ago
Please let us know how we can do more to help.
patriotlady1968 4 months ago
I totally agree,. Kevin you are doing the right thing. Keep fighting as I will to not let this go any further. My thoughts and prayers go out to your family. Bullying today is not even close to what i went through in school and i feel for every child who is. I was made fun of because of my sexuality. I still am but I am an adult, these children are just kids. We are all human. No one is better than anyone else.
Tbarton30 4 months ago
Rethuglican morons once again doing stupid things. Yet another example of how they try to hijack democracy.
pandaya 4 months ago
I live in NY but read about this in the news. I'm aghast and saddened that leaders in any legislature could allow this to occur. It's abominable when adults reason that a child's need to feel safe and respected can be infringed upon by anyone else's morals/beliefs (Adolf Hitler thought himself morally superior too).
Mr. Epling, please don't be discouraged and keep up the fight for the countless other victimized children in our country and their families.
vfonli 4 months ago 13
WHEN ARE AMERICANS GOING TO STOP ACTING LIKE MORONS???
spicewc 4 months ago 2
I'm appalled that any adult could write this nonsense into a law that is about a boy that this law would not have protected. I cannot believe other adults would vote for it.. but I know real caring people willchange this failure of the senate to protect all children.
KalyaHarmony 4 months ago 3
Comment removed
ctrlaltdelmaster 4 months ago 9
@ctrlaltdelmaster the GOP introduced it.
TonPappa 4 months ago
My heart goes out to you, Kev, and for the memory of Matt. Let this law be amended to remove the offending nonsense and let Matt's legacy actually serve people justly. Yes, EVERYONE is deserving of respect and tolerance.
KenDavisCartoons 4 months ago 4
Great video, man.
thepeaceguitar 4 months ago 2
Keep fighing the good fight Kevin. What happened to Matt should not happen again. Parents should not have to bury their children.
gmhead 4 months ago 29