Jesus drawing in Taunton, Mass. stirs up quite a controversy

(NECN: Brad Puffer, Taunton, Mass.) - There is more fallout today in a school picture flap in Taunton, Massachusetts. The father of a second-grader remains adamant that his son was punished over a sketch of Jesus on a cross. The superintendent of public schools disputes the claims.

Julie Hackett
"A child was not suspended because he drew a picture of Jesus and this is not a religious issue."

Taunton Massachusetts School Superintendent Julie Hackett responded sharply Wednesday to an accusation that a 2nd grader at Maxham Elementary was pulled out of school and ordered to undergo a psychological evaluation for drawing this picture depicting Jesus on a cross.

Julie Hackett
"The focus has been on a picture, it shouldn't be on a picture. There is much more to any case than meets the eye."

As the boy's father told his story to NECN and multiple media outlets Tuesday, Hackett says she was investigating. She issued a statement that evening, long after initial stories had already aired. Hackett now says the picture shown is not the same one questioned by teachers.

Julie Hackett
"At the end of the investigation I was very confident in what the staff had concluded and supported the actions they had taken."

The Superintendent said she invited the parents to meet with her in her office Wednesday morning but neither parents showed up for that meeting.

Chester Johnson, the boy's father, says he was advised not to go to that meeting. He insists this picture is the same one his son was pulled out of school for.

Chester Johnson
"This lady called me down to the school, called me down on this picture, this thing is the key to the whole puzzle."

Johnson is now receiving help from the Rutherford Institute, a civil rights organization based in Virginia. In a statement, John Whitehead said, the "...drawing was simply a reflection of something he saw at a Christmas light show. The psychological damage to this family is appalling, and it is a clear-cut violation of their constitutional rights."

Chester Johnson
"This ain't about money, this is about respect, this is about religious belief. You cannot mess with someone's religion."

The chair of the Taunton School Board is standing by her Superintendent.

Josephine Almeida
"She has done a thorough investigation and we stand by any decision she makes 150%."

Julie Hackett
"We were absolutely doing what was best for the child and best for the school."

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• NECN
• Taunton
• Massachusetts
• Jesus
• Christ
• drawing
• sketch
• cross
• crucifix
• Brad Puffer

[lilmissswaggar101]

i went to school with that kid except now im in parker but it was a really good school

[upinfection]

Ugh. Christianity is not a religion! It's a belief based on faith first of all.

Second. The principal doesn't like Jesus Christ as you can plainly see. She's not fooling me. Third, when does another school that this "issue" didn't take place at get involved and say that this boy needs to be moved to another school?

[ColdHT]

I hope the school district is sued.

[ColdHT]

The school was wrong that is why they would not elaborate. Self righteous liberals think they can invade ones religious rights, well the cold hard truth is they can't!!

[mechaart]

Suspend the principal and without pay.

[roshunna]

she's lying.

[FUNCLEJ0E]

What is more traumatic, having drawn a picture of Christ on the cross, making the child afraid of drawing such again, making the child suffer psychological examination, removing child from friends and school, or a teacher trying to keep her job, media covering technique and result of bringing God into school, or people who view this and find a place fastened to judgement with firm conviction in a faith, that is been removed from children already by public education system by design of conflict?

[snakesinmypants]

privacy issues my azz.... this is how wrong doers defend themselves. Let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth!!!!