"Student's 'Jesus' shirt sparks feud with school"

[Skwim]

"A Christian student suspended from a high school in Nova Scotia for sporting a T-shirt with the slogan "Life is wasted without Jesus" vows to wear it when he returns to class next week.

William Swinimer, who's in Grade 12, was suspended from Forest Heights Community School in Chester Basin in Lunenburg County for five days. He's due to return to class on Monday.

The devout Christian says the T-shirt is an expression of his beliefs, and he won't stop wearing it.

Nancy Pynch-Worthylake, board superintendent, said some students and teachers found the T-shirt offensive.

Swinimer wore the T-shirt every day to class for several weeks. The principal told him repeatedly to stop wearing it, but the student refused to comply.

Swinimer says the principal would have accepted a shirt with the slogan, "My life is wasted without Jesus."
source

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So, what do you think? To me it looks too much like proselytizing, and should be stopped.

 

[fantome profane]

I don't have a problem with it, I would support his right to wear it. As long as it is not the teachers wearing this I don't see a problem.


(edit)Well except for this:

Swinimer wore the T-shirt every day to class for several weeks.

I wonder if odor was an issue?

 

[tumbleweed41]

"A Christian student suspended from a high school in Nova Scotia for sporting a T-shirt with the slogan "Life is wasted without Jesus" vows to wear it when he returns to class next week.

William Swinimer, who's in Grade 12, was suspended from Forest Heights Community School in Chester Basin in Lunenburg County for five days. He's due to return to class on Monday.

The devout Christian says the T-shirt is an expression of his beliefs, and he won't stop wearing it.

Nancy Pynch-Worthylake, board superintendent, said some students and teachers found the T-shirt offensive.

Swinimer wore the T-shirt every day to class for several weeks. The principal told him repeatedly to stop wearing it, but the student refused to comply.

Swinimer says the principal would have accepted a shirt with the slogan, "My life is wasted without Jesus."
source

​

So, what do you think? To me it looks too much like proselytizing, and should be stopped.

I shirt with a message telling non-Christian students that their lives are a waste is disruptive.
My oldest son is an atheist. But I would not condone him wear a shirt to school stating "A life worshiping a myth is wasted". It may be his belief, but it would still be disruptive.

 

[Vinayaka]

The principal is probably just following board policy, regarding having no religion or proseltysing in public schools. He shouldn't wear it. There are private Christian schools all over the place. Let him go there.

 

[-Peacemaker-]

The principal is probably just following board policy, regarding having no religion or proseltysing in public schools. He shouldn't wear it. There are private Christian schools all over the place. Let him go there.

That sounds more like Stalinism than democracy.

 

[A Troubled Man]

I think he has every right to make himself look as foolish and intolerant as he wants.

 

[tumbleweed41]

That sounds more like Stalinism than democracy.

Public Schools are not Democracies, students do no elect Superintendents or School Boards, their parents do.. And if you knew anything about Stalinism, you would know how absurd your comment is.

 

[Sunstone]

Tough call, but I'm going to side with the principal and teachers on this one. If they deem the T-shirt disruptive, then making those calls is their job.

 

[ForeverFaithful]

People get in trouble for wear shirts with facts on them!

(Just being absurd )

 

[-Peacemaker-]

Public Schools are not Democracies, students do no elect Superintendents or School Boards, their parents do.. And if you knew anything about Stalinism, you would know how absurd your comment is.

I know that the communists of his era felt they had a right to be free from religion, not to be free to practice it. The reality is that steps like this principle is taking bring us one step closer to it becoming a crime to utter the name "God" in public buildings. I think the same people who are siding with the principle on this would love to see such a day dawn on us. A day when the president couldn't even say "God bless you" during working hours. Why because just the utterance of the name "God" can be construed as offensive and disruptive to some people.

 

[fantome profane]

I know that the communists of his era felt they had a right to be free from religion, not to be free to practice it. The reality is that steps like this principle is taking bring us one step closer to it becoming a crime to utter the name "God" in public buildings. I think the same people who are siding with the principle on this would love to see such a day dawn on us. A day when the president couldn't even say "God bless you" during working hours. Why because just the utterance of the name "God" can be construed as offensive and disruptive to some people.

See, here is another good reason for just letting him wear the shirt. Stopping him just opens the door for people to say stupid things like this.

 

[Sunstone]

I know that the communists of his era felt they had a right to be free from religion, not to be free to practice it. The reality is that steps like this principle is taking bring us one step closer to it becoming a crime to utter the name "God" in public buildings. I think the same people who are siding with the principle on this would love to see such a day dawn on us. A day when the president couldn't even say "God bless you" during working hours. Why because just the utterance of the name "God" can be construed as offensive and disruptive to some people.

I don't follow your reasoning.

 

[tumbleweed41]

I know that the communists of his era felt they had a right to be free from religion, not to be free to practice it. The reality is that steps like this principle is taking bring us one step closer to it becoming a crime to utter the name "God" in public buildings. I think the same people who are siding with the principle on this would love to see such a day dawn on us. A day when the president couldn't even say "God bless you" during working hours. Why because just the utterance of the name "God" can be construed as offensive and disruptive to some people.

Guess you missed this part;

Swinimer says the principal would have accepted a shirt with the slogan, "My life is wasted without Jesus."

The disruptive essence of the students shirt was the fact that it insinuated non-Christians students lives are a waste.

A Christian student suspended from a high school in Nova Scotia for sporting a T-shirt with the slogan "Life is wasted without Jesus"...

There is nothing "Stalinist" or "Communist" about the Principles responsibility for providing a positive, non-disruptive environment for all students.

 

[Sleeppy]

If the statement is so unbelievable, why is it offensive? What about, "Life is wasted without lemonade." Same effect? Probably not. Just implement a school uniform and quit thinking too hard.

 

[-Peacemaker-]

Guess you missed this part;


The disruptive essence of the students shirt was the fact that it insinuated non-Christians students lives are a waste.



There is nothing "Stalinist" or "Communist" about the Principles responsibility for providing a positive, non-disruptive environment for all students.

What is the difference between a Christian student sending this message and homosexual activist groups running around telling people their lifestyle isn't immoral? Do not public schools see both messages spread by students? Let them both do their thing I say. Sometimes lovers of democracy need to tolerate a little offensiveness for the sake of preserving our freedom

 

[fallingblood]

I have to side with the principal on this one as well. There is a fine line, and this kid crossed it. No one is saying he can't believe whatever BS he wants to, but that others do not need to be insulted by the narrow mindedness that is being proposed with this shirt.

 

[fallingblood]

What is the difference between a Christian student sending this message and homosexual activist groups running around telling people their lifestyle isn't immoral? Do not public schools see both messages spread by students? Let them both do their thing I say. Sometimes lovers of democracy need to tolerate a little offensiveness for the sake of preserving our freedom

The difference is that the former is intolerant to other belief systems and really has no place in school. It comes down to a form of bullying as it is tellin many people that their lives are a waste.

The latter is simply a group trying to spread tolerance by stating that homosexuality isnt immoral.

 

[-Peacemaker-]

The difference is that the former is intolerant to other belief systems and really has no place in school. It comes down to a form of bullying as it is tellin many people that their lives are a waste.

The latter is simply a group trying to spread tolerance by stating that homosexuality isnt immoral.

I know we haven't always seen eye to eye but I know you're a sharp guy. Surely you can see that both messages delve into the realm of religion. Just because one group is more likely to be atheist/agnostic does not change the fact despite the fact they like to hide behind the veil of "secularism". If we start choosing which messages we find "acceptable" and which ones we find "offensive" and only allowing the former, how are we different than the Taliban or Ayatollah?

 

[ChristineES]

I don't see a problem with the shirt, but it is really up to the school and it's policies. It should be a "none or all" type deal: If it is wrong for one student to wear a religious shirt of his or her faith, then it should be wrong for any faith at school and vice versa.

 

[Nakosis]

The difference is that the former is intolerant to other belief systems and really has no place in school. It comes down to a form of bullying as it is tellin many people that their lives are a waste.

The latter is simply a group trying to spread tolerance by stating that homosexuality isnt immoral.

Maybe he should trying wearing a T-Shirt which says being a Christian isn't immoral.