Orange County judge rules teacher disparaged Christians...

[madfloridian]

in his blunt criticism of creationism.

I guess this shows the fine line teachers must walk. Telling the truth about creationism is not okay, and they must show respect for it. Even if it is strictly a religious view of the creation of the earth.

This has been true for years. Before I retired things were heating up with the Christian community in our area. They were on campaigns to stop Halloween from being celebrated in the classroom. Among other issues. We had to be very careful in every way.

From the Progressive Puppy blog:

Judge Finds "Christian Persecution" in Orange County Case

U.S. District Court Judge James Selna has ruled that an Orange County high school teacher is guilty of disparaging Christians during a classroom lecture. Apparently James Corbett, who's been teaching students for two decades and has an impeccable record, told his students that creationism was "superstitious nonsense." (Which of course it is.) The sentiment didn't sit well with sophomore Chad Farnan, who then sued Corbett. And won.

Farnan, unsurprisingly, is demanding to be financially compensated for his hurt Christian feelings. That part of the lawsuit will be determined later. Corbett remains in his teaching position at Capistrano Valley High. Farnan dropped out of Corbett's class after filing the lawsuit. (He's no doubt busy devising ways to spend his settlement.)

Fundie bloggers have been drooling over their new martyr's "persecution" for some time now, the same fundies who rail against hate crimes legislation, the same fundies who send children to school wearing anti-gay slogans on their tee-shirts.

More from the Orange County Register:

High school teacher's anti-Creationism comment violated law

The religious right is very thankful for this precedent being set.

SANTA ANA – A Mission Viejo high school history teacher violated the First Amendment by disparaging Christians during a classroom lecture, a federal judge ruled today.

James Corbett, a 20-year teacher at Capistrano Valley High School, referred to Creationism as “religious, superstitious nonsense” during a 2007 classroom lecture, denigrating his former Advanced Placement European history student, Chad Farnan.

The decision is the culmination of a 16-month legal battle between Corbett and Farnan – a conflict the judge said should remind teachers of their legal “boundaries” as public school employees.

A teacher can not be hostile to religion apparently. In a way considering the view of the religious right toward women's choice, gay rights, torture, and liberals...it seems a little odd.

In a December 2007 lawsuit, Farnan, then a sophomore, accused Corbett of repeatedly promoting hostility toward Christians in class and advocating "irreligion over religion" in violation of the First Amendment's establishment clause.

The establishment clause prohibits the government from making any law "respecting an establishment of religion" and has been interpreted by U.S. courts to also prohibit government employees from displaying religious hostility.

I was once threatened that I would be sued if I did not take down my haunted house bulletin board for Halloween. The administration stood by me, I was not sued.

But the lack of respect for my class and its celebration of one of their favorite holidays is really along the same lines, it is the principle of respect.

[saltpoint]

1. Mr. Corbett has been teaching longer than Chad Farnan has been alive.

It would be a damned fine thing for the community to rally behind Mr. Corbett.

If Chad Farnan believes he "won" this case, I think he is mistaken. Only one piddly sentence technically violated the Establishment Clause, while ALL the other remarks by Corbett were accetable and legitimate.

Let's hope Chad Farnan is mature enough to learn that he only very narrowly won a small point when the larger landscape endorses his teacher's range, and experience, and clarity.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

9. So just one little violation of the Constitution is okay?

[saltpoint]

11. The Constitution is not a perfect document and this decision is

subject to appeal, as you know.

Whether Corbett pursues an appeal is another question.

[bluestateguy]

2. This is why I embrace private schools and home schooling

and encourage fundy Christian families to leave the public schools: that way they go to their private schools and home schooling, and they'll leave the rest of us alone.

[upi402]

3. Orange County; an accessory on the bible belt n/t

[Name removed]

4. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[rpannier]

5. Just out of curiosity

What did his comments have to do with AP European History?

I can see it as an appropriate point for discussion in a science class.
Just not sure how this fit into the AP European History curriculum

[madfloridian]

6. I don't know.

[rpannier]

7. The teacher is getting shafted (IMO)

I'm just curious as to how this got started

And I think this is a good definition of "Don't make a federal case out of it."

[madfloridian]

12. I agree.

[madrchsod]

8. there`s another post that has the syllabus for that course....

check du search

[spoony]

10. The judge screwed that pooch, should've found

for the student based on the statements he dismissed and dismissed the statement he kept. Now everyone gets to frame this as some brave teacher persecuted for fighting for scientific truth, when in fact he's just a bully who got off on using his position to belittle others' beliefs with abusive language for no legitimate educational reason. This wasn't originally about creationism, and it's a pity it is now because behind the loaded subject is a man who really should be sent to sensitivity training before being allowed to teach again.

[madfloridian]

13. Teachers in FL are often under attack when they teach evolution

I would say I don't blame the teacher for getting a little huffy.

Enough is enough. Requiring a teacher to keep their mouth shut about non science is pretty pathetic.

The kid is the bully, not the teacher.

I would not have said it, but the religious was not in control this much when I retired.