Student dressed as Jesus earns atheist scholarship

[rug]

2:07 PM, Apr. 26, 2012
Written by
Maria Giordano
The Tennessean

SPRING HILL — Summit High School sophomore Jeff Shott has been awarded a $1,000 scholarship by an atheist group for dressing like Jesus Christ on the school’s “fictional character day.”

The Spring Hill student was not disciplined for his action back in January, but Summit High Principal Charles Farmer did advise him that if the costume caused distraction during the day he would have to remove it. Shott voluntarily removed his robes and sash, a costume that included a hammer and nail.

But Shott’s pluck was not overlooked by the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Annie Laurie Gaylor, co-president of the organization, located in Madison, Wis., said Shott exhibited “spunk and a light touch with his actions.”

“We wanted to encourage him, and we know the cost of higher education. This is just a small stipend towards that,” Gaylor said. Shott is the first to receive the Paul Gaylor Memorial Student Activist scholarship named for Annie Laurie Gaylor’s father, who recently passed away, she said.

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20120426/WILLIAMSON04/304260114/Atheist-group-honors-Spring-Hill-student-who-dressed-as-Jesus

I wonder what she'd pay for Buddha.

[Ian David]

1. See also: High School Holds ‘Fictional Character Day’; Atheist Student Dresses Up as Jesus

High School Holds ‘Fictional Character Day’; Atheist Student Dresses Up as Jesus

<snip>

Now, he told me my costume was controversial and likely to disrupt the learning environment. I explained that my quarrel with my science teacher wasn’t one of personal offense, but of professionalism. I told him that by teaching creationism, she was teaching something unconstitutional and flat-out dishonest. As a science teacher and an educator, she was out of line teaching biblical creationism. She was only adding to the already dishearteningly prevalent misconceptions on the theory of evolution, the very basis of our understanding of modern biology.

Both principals said they were worried my costume would spark religious debates in every class and take up large amounts of time. I was sternly warned that if even one teacher reported the slightest disruption, I would have to take off my costume. Then and there, I decided to take it off.

<snip>

My younger brother and I have both been told that we are only atheists because we are possessed by demons. We’ve been told that when we read the bible as nonbelievers, the devil himself literally changes the words, making it impossible for us to gain an adequate understanding of the word of god. After telling someone that I am an atheist, it’s not uncommon for the initial response to resemble a personal attack such as “You’re a bad person,” or a threat, “You’re going to hell.”

More:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/12306336

[Drale]

2. I'm sorry but

theres having a belief about something and theres being a dick and this guy was being a dick. Fine you don't believe in God, don't rub that in others faces. You don't like it when Christians rub their beliefs in your face, don't do it to other people.

[Ian David]

3. The kid and his brother were subjected to some extreme dickishness by theists at that school.

In fact, they were bullied, abused, and coerced. Their rights were violated on a daily basis.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/12306336

[Drale]

4. That doesn't mean you should be a dick back

You have to be better then them. Believe me I was bullied every school day of my life from like 4th grade to sophmore year of high school. If I didn't rise above them, I would be in prison for murder right now.

[Ian David]

5. Christian privilege. Disgusting. n/t

[d_r]

6. I don't know if he was being a dick

as much as trying to make a point.

Some of the really sacrilegious depictions of Jesus bother me and make me sad, but I understand freedom of speech and of religion, and honestly, this kid's dress up didn't seem that disrespectful to me.

I'm not an atheist, but I can see where the kid is coming from. I posted this on the other thread - what is horrible to me about it is he said his science teacher said that we come from "Adam and Eve."

And when he tells the principal about it, the principal basically lets it go and tries to defend it.

Even with the recent bill that passed in Tennessee, the teacher can't advocate a particular religion like that.

Flat out unconstitutional.

He also said that teachers led students in prayer - "Last year, a teacher leading the class in prayer openly criticized my brother for refusing to bow his head."

[laconicsax]

7. And now you side with the bullies. Interesting