Freedom of expression in the classroom?

"School officials in Tomah, Wisconsin, are facing a lawsuit after a high school teacher there failed a student's art project because it included a cross and a reference to John 3:16. The school district argues that the student voluntarily waived his First Amendment religious freedoms when he entered the classroom."

My thoughts on this case...

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Commentary
• Analysis
• Documentary
• News
• Freedom
• Tomah
• Wisconsin
• Art
• Christian
• Cross
• John
• 3:16
• First
• Ammendment
• Rights

[yankkeerunner]

the student is clearly a radical, if you bother to read the whole story. He agreed to follow the rules of the class and then did not do so. He would be severely punished for his actions in front of other students toward the teacher if he was my child. I teach my children to treat their teachers with respect and to recognize their authority

[SFRobertsDickClarke]

I think the point here is that the rules of the class are unconstitutional. So yes, it is arguable that he should have made his objection earlier, but not so arguable that he has waivered his constitutional rights merely by not mentioning it till later.

[lala3170]

Well, all I can say is that you don't go to THS like I do. You have no idea what goes on at our school, and I don't appreciate your biased opinion, niether does half of my school. Basically, this is just a case that came at the right time, now it will be blown out of proportion, and thanks to people like you, Church and State will never be seperate.

[SFRobertsDickClarke]

This is not about chrch and state. This is about freedom of expression. He has the right to express religious feelings if he wishes to. Chruch and state freedom is freedom of religion, not freedom from religion

[SFRobertsDickClarke]

Also, your use of "biased opinion" tells me you don't understand the use of the word 'bias'. Because by their nature, all opinions are biased, because if something is purely an opinion, it is not objective. However when something is an argument (which I have here made) then it is no longer purely an opinion, and thus can be debated. So unless you have an actual argument here, I am not impressed by your posturing

[ifhgsfj]

No, he didn't waive his first amendment rights when he walked into the classroom because he did not voluntarily walk into the class. He is forced to attend school, and therefore, the classes.

Like DaveDogg said, a contract in school is not a legally binding contract, anyway.

[DaveDoggOwns]

No "contract" a student signs in school is a legitimate contract. A valid contract requires that both parties have equal authority and rights. The rights of the child are being systematically violated by the school and the teacher is taking advantage of an authority position to impose limits on freedom of expression so it is disengenious to say the student "signed a contract" to have his freedom of expression limited.

[defiythelie]

Tomah high school is like a fucking prison I hate that place.

[longhorn1025]

as a student of Tomah High School you would be suprised to find it was not a real big deal. it wasn't much but it was cool seeing tomah in the national newspapers

[Casey066]

All I know is that whatever he did worked and I think he got a C on it. I personally think he should get a B+

[shdowops]

The teacher's policy was just that, HER policy. Not the school districts.

The Tomah district's handbook clearly states that "students may express their beliefs about religion in the form of homework, ARTWORK, and other written and oral assignments free of discrimination...."

So not only was what the teacher did unconstitional, but what gives her the right to try and circumvent the school's own policies?!

Stories like these need to be exposed, as there is other left-wing nonsense at THS.

[yankkeerunner]

I think that the boy has a good case, and will probably win it. I read the agreement and I for the life of me cannot figure out why she would restrict religious expression. But, in my minds eye, the image of a student tearing up a paper to display defiance to a teacher is apalling.