Mount Vernon teacher John Freshwater burns crosses on kids

[evadnie100]

Poor Johnny has lost his mind like most fanatic religious nuts. A so-called science teacher. What a dork. His poor family. Good ridance to rubbish.

[samten10a]

I wonder if you would be happy if he had the trappings of a devil worshiper on his desk or burnt a pentagram into the kids arm.

[TXatheist]

@samten10a No, that wouldn't make me happy.

[tstalsby509]

@samten10a Ok, get your facts straight, it's an INVERTED PENTACLE that is the sign of the baphomet. A pentagram is an upright star, representing the five elements. A pentacle, is an upright star with a circle around it.

Please don't use the term pentagram so loosely, learn the term first.

[Brandonbleb]

this guy is fucking fake john freshwater is a good guy and he didnt do shit

[TXatheist]

@Brandonbleb Nope John Freshwater is a bad christian that thinks we'd all be better off believing in a fairy tale.

[pmb003]

Jezzzz, idoits make all good Christian folks look bad ! ! !

And wonder what scripture this nut case was promoting ???

Jesus healed afflictions, he NEVER caused any afflictions....

Does anyone read the Bible all the way to the through ????

[TXatheist]

pmb, yes, but the problem is some actually believe jesus healed lepers by touch and we should perpetuate such nonsense.

[furgrayfreak]

although it wasn't direct, the obligations of a teacher to teach and not preach are set in stone. in my opinion, a bible displayed and ten commandments

qualify as religious intimidation.

[furgrayfreak]

he read stories from jesus freaks

a christian mission compilation

that revealed torture of those who teach christ in other countries

[TXatheist]

furgray, as opposed to blacks who were beaten by xians here just 100 years ago or when we killed women for allegedly being witches at the Salem Witch Trials. Xians are no better.

[furgrayfreak]

i was a student of freshwater-

he would encourage and promote

his views with books, and he questioned students whether giraffes and woodpeckers were created. he also discredited carbon dating and paleontology regarding

[TXatheist]

That is the problem with his teaching. How can he discredit carbon dating?

[barichm0]

I know John Freshwater's daughter Sarah in person. She is a very nice and attractive girl.

Because of that, I do have a bit of sympathy for John Freshwater. However, what he was doing was inappropriate, and quite blatant, and action needs to be taken.

[Fromanttodugong]

Because she is nice and you want to fuck her by the sounds of it you think he should be pitied?

[barichm0]

@Fromanttodugong

No, I don't want to "fuck" her.

She's my friend (although I haven't seen her in a while because she graduated from high school last year). Shut up.

[Flapperjaw]

You sound like a very guilty man who feels threatened by anything decent . Most parents applaud decency , but there are always some out there who will complain about ANYTHING.....you sound like one of them ( and not too bright , at that)

[TXatheist]

Burning someone is decent? Please enlighten me on what I'm not bright about.

[amped126]

dont talk about freshwater when you dont know what the hell your talking about! he's an amazing guy! he is funny and one of the nicest ppl you will ever meet.

[TXatheist]

amp, it's ok to say he's nice but he's mentally disturbed if he thinks xianity is historical true. He may be funny but he's misguided as a teacher.

[twistedgamer23]

and he wasnt teaching intelligent design...he was actually teaching about the big bang theory and one of the kids asked if he believed it...he said "No i dont believe it...its just required that i teach you the big bang theory" HE WASNT TEACHING AND/OR PREACHING THE BIBLE OR INTELLIGENT DESIGN

[TXatheist]

Did he have the bible on his desk? I'd also have to request you cite the source because many folks say he did try to teach against evolution/for ID.

[twistedgamer23]

i got to that school and i was in that class..the subject was a science experiment about static electricity....he said that it didnt hurt and he asked us who wanted to write our names in our arms...so i raised my hand and my name was on my arm from the device...and during the debate about him getting fired he asked the students who wanted the cross on our arms..and i was one who said yes..i did it my brother did it..its no big deal its just one kid told his parents and they took it the wrong way

[saq428]

Mr. Atheist, you know ZERO facts in this case. Everything you spew is here say and 100% false. You have no clue as to what you are speaking.

[TXatheist]

I didn't say I knew the facts, just presented the information. If you care to show me I'm wrong then cite your source but I did thank the person who sent me the response video by Freshwater so I'm willing to listen.

[dcrippen2000]

dont question me cause me and my friends were there when it happened!!

[dcrippen2000]

wow i was one of his students and the media and the kid it happened to blew the freakin story up big time. Freshwater is actually sueing the kid now for lieing so much on the story. jeeze its a red mark who cares and in case you dont know, ALL OF THE TEACHERS DO THE SAME PROJECT MR.FRESHWATER DID!! ITs been done on me and its harmless AND approved by the state.

[propane90]

godmade you he made me he made everyone he grows grass so one thing i may be catholic but im gonna say your such a fuckin retard

[TXatheist]

Did your priest teach you to talk like that or a nun?

[Bluedragon094]

No, you're an idiot. A fanatical one at that. Why don't you do something productive like stoning your children to death or selling them into slavery.

[propane90]

god is real i can prove his agsistants

[TXatheist]

prove it

[edelfrink1]

Yeah, you're real serious...nice spelling dipstick.

[Bluedragon094]

Prove it then. You'd be the first to prove god's existence.

[propane90]

all you do is insult god get a life oh btw any atheist that reads my comment dont bother replying because i dont converse with demons

[TXatheist]

I don't insult santa because we realize he's imaginary just like god. There is no such thing as demons either.

[Bluedragon094]

It's people like you that give religion an even worse name.

"get a life" Oh the irony...

[athiestt]

(cont.)

I guess the real shame now is that he's put a negative mark on Mount Vernon. Our town really isn't a bad place to live if you don't mind the close-mindedness of some.

Anyway, I just thought I'd add the comments of someone who actually observed all of this stuff.

Keep posting your videos!

Ohio Atheist for life,

Sarah

[athiestt]

This really depresses me. I go to Mount Vernon High School, which is located next to the middle school where Freshwater used to teach.

It's such a shame that a member of our community had to make such an ass out of himself "in the name of religion". I'm an atheist myself, so living in a small, Christian community is challenging.

Freshwater was teaching Creationism in his classroom...hence his dismissal. I'm glad he was fired, because kids don't need to be exposed to this craziness.

[MAniacMilo]

Well, I can't make a video response, but as a christian. I do not understand why some people force they're religous belief on people. I one of those people who say you want to believe or not it's fine with you. But on the other note, we our taughted evolution, but we can't teached about creation seems (trying to spell by best), opresssed.

Thanks for reading my comment.

Milo

[TXatheist]

I'm glad you respect my atheism. Evolution is science.  If you learn gravity, physics, astronomy then you learn evolution. I did learn about creation in mythology class. There are 1000's of creation myths in many different religions.

[MAniacMilo]

It really is the same with evolution, I looked up on google, and typed in (Evolution consider a myth?) i got a bunch of things the same way. So really we find out in the end.

[TXatheist]

Ok, now go to a public university and find a science professor that thinks evolution is a myth. Websites written by fundamentalists doesn't make evolution a myth. Find out in the end? Oh, yes the catch all to xianity/islam. After we die we find out? I am unaware of anyone just dying and being buried and that being it but I can pretend they live on clouds and wear yellow spandex but just because I made up a story doesn't mean it's possible, just imaginary.

[MAniacMilo]

Sorry if I made you mad. Honestly, I'm only in highschool. So I have no clue. But for my belifes, I will stand by, as you do with your atheistism. That's about it.

Milo

[TXatheist]

I'm not mad at you. I'm mad at teachers saying ID is science.

[10Marshmello]

im am a former student the school and this is probably one of the dumbest things i have ever seen.......he did not do anything wrong he was teaching SCIENCE not CREATISM or anything....this is something stupid a kid probably cooked up like richardson said....I am in TOTAL SHOCK people would allow this to happen.....i mean i had him for a teacher for maybe 2 days this year....and he didnt say anything about god or anything.....i cant say anymore

[cnf6966]

Beyond that, you are opening the door for more of this kind of frivolous legal action.....or did you already open this door with Al Haschak?

I apologize if I seem too pointed, but somebody has to bring out some of this and ask these hard questions since the media hasn't.

Thank You!

[cnf6966]

What does it have to do with this Board? Let me connect them. It is amazes me that this board would permit a family using a frivolous law suit to "bully" you into throwing one of your BEST teachers under the bus to cover over for administrators not doing their jobs OR to get rid of him because he upset some people back in 2003.I say "best teacher" based on OAT scores! The 2007 Distinguished Service Award given by the Administration and how liked & respected he is by his students.

[cnf6966]

The approach and the timing leads me to question the motives of this family. If you are going to accuse someone of wrong doing and potentially ruin their career you should have the guts to confront them first.

I wonder why the manufacturer of the Tesla Coil was not included in the lawsuit. Could it be that they are afraid the company would send in an expert witness to prove that this device could not have possibly done what they are saying?Again,I have nothing personal against this family

[cnf6966]

. No, if my son were injured I am going have him examined by a doctor. Then I am going to bring him with me to meet with Mr White and Mr. Short. I would demand a meeting with that teacher. Why? Because I am a MAN. I am not going to hide behind the cloak of anonymity, especially If I am in the right. That does not teach my son to be a person of character.  If I am not satisfied THEN I WILL speak with my attorneys.

[TXatheist]

cnf, are you aware of what happens to parents/kids who dare to bring a suit up that 99% of the school parents/kids disagree with? Michael Newdow has gotten death threats for merely bringing suit to have under god taken out of the pledge. A guy in S Carolina was beaten up for having a sign that says f... the skull of jesus. Freespeech is only free to xians it appears.

[cnf6966]

I am deeply troubled by the direction of this Board concerning John Freshwater and this family who alleges their son had a cross branded into his arm by a Tesla Coil back in December.

I want everyone to know that I have nothing personal against the family who has brought this lawsuit, but this situation causes me to question some things. You see, if my son came home branded by some electrical device I am not going to merely take a photograph that could be digitally enhanced to the school.

[TXatheist]

Taking a picture is called evidence. If some witnesses observe the brand that's testimony and that helps make a case.

[richardson2011rvhs]

GUYS IM A student at mount vernon and he did not burcn them i know this guy i walked into the bathroom and seen a kid doing it himself

[TXatheist]

Why has this alleged event not been stated publicly? Do you have a source for this?

[richardson2011rvhs]

no i did not bother to open my mouth bt it dont matter they are getting a new school bored cause fireing a teacher for a bible and for kids lieing about crosses on his arm is messed up

[TXatheist]

I'm talking about a source that shows the kids lied and the teacher wasn't responsible. Do you have a source for that please?

[richardson2011rvhs]

oh no i dont i dont know what he was doing but when i walked into the restroom the kids was burning something on his arm

[testing88534]

Why is this town divided on this issue? I read an article that the town is divided if thats true or not. If it is, why the fuck would it be divided!!!? This teacher branded these students with crosses.

[TXatheist]

My understanding is the teacher was a "great" guy.

[WishboneAshFan]

Fired? He should be PROSECUTED for what he did to those kids. The school administrators obviously lacked the balls to do anything about his previous behavior until a lawsuit was filed. Another well documented instance of the destructive nature of religious belief. See "The Price of Atheism" here on the tube for even more appauling "religious ferver".

[richardson2011rvhs]

he dident burn them im a student and i know him way to nice to do this

[rkzenrage]

Freshwater said it was an "experiment"... if that was my kid I would do some experimenting on him and it WOULD leave a damn mark.

[rkzenrage]

I have been blogging about this and the Chec cult that eats their kids.

& people wonder why we have issues with the faithful.

[aquamammal]

Theists make me sick.

XVX for life, R.A.S.H. 'til death.

[zachraymond]

I had john freshwater and the device will NOT do that unless it is held in that place for a good amount of time.Like *thecopanycar* said you dont understand the whole story.This whole thing got way out of control and he is a great teacher too!

[TXatheist]

A great teacher? A science teacher that degrades evolution with creationism/ID doesn't sound very great but I'd be happy to find a reliable source that says Freshwater isn't responsible for the burning.

[MisumiKuro]

If he had done that to me, he would be missing an arm.

[thecompanycar]

You obviously don't understand the entire story. I know John Freshwater personally and my brother actually had him as a teacher. I've messed around with the exact device that supposedly caused the burn and it can do no such thing unless you hold it on the arm for several minutes which isn't even possible. Also, he didn't teach creationism in the classroom, he only called evolution into question for the students to debate, but somehow that equates to him "preaching creationism."

[TXatheist]

You obviously expect me to believe you and unless you have a valid source that disputes Freshwater wasn't responsible for the burnings I don't find you believable. What is there to question about evolution? The parts Freshwater doesn't like or the parts he doesn't understand?

[itsChristonabike]

The school board in Mount Vernon, Ohio, has voted to fire middle-school science teacher John Freshwater for preaching his Christian beliefs in class and branding some students on the arm with a cross.

The board voted, 5-0, on its intent to terminate Freshwater's contract. His lawyer said he would request a hearing to challenge the firing.

[TXatheist]

I appreciate you bringing us up to date and hope he's more than just fired. For the branding of minors I think 90 days of jail time would be sufficient.

[CadicusTheDamned]

Did he wield the brand himself? If he was just getting the kids to brand themselves, I suspect that they could maybe still get him for child endangerment. Encouraging minors to mutilate themselves might be considered that, especially when you're in a position of authority like a teacher is.

[nadiaTeeze]

that brand was much larger then I imagined it would be. can you say civil suit.

[jessie74]

Every "Gawd" believing wacko should be branded.....that way I can spot them in a crowd!

[DefaultPosition]

Wow!

It's amazing what the religious get away with. Anyone else doing that would be in danger of conviction of child abuse. Any science teacher teaching that aliens make stuff happen would be kicked out immediately, but if you say it was god there's a good chance you'll get away with it.

[mwest1234]

Guy sounds like a real sicko.

[HouseOldSkoolRaver]

F**king shocking!

[Rorshak1313]

Seriously, what the fuck?