Nova Scotia Student Suspended For Jesus Shirt

[Edward Kennedy]

The board has overruled the school. He'll be wearing the shirt Monday, or any other day he chooses.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scot ... chool.html

"The South Shore Regional School Board suspended William Swinimer ..."

Note that the board originally were the apparent bigots who imposed their politically correct bs on the student and school boards are usually bigotted and intolerant lefturds...

[Kate Shaw]

The idea that someone hasn't the right to not feel offended is a great one -- when applied equally in all cases. The next time an article is posted in regards to an artist's creation that may be considered cause for offense by members of the Christian faith, I look forward to you reminding all of this very important concept.

You may have difficulty reading this in the morning. Everyone has the freedom to feel offended. Fill your boots.

You do have the right to "feel offended." You do NOT have the right to insist that the world not offend you.

In a previous interview, Pynch-Worthylake said the T-shirt was interpreted by some teachers and students at the school as a ``criticism of their beliefs.''

If the t-shirt had said "Life is wasted without Oprah" or "without marijuana" or "without the latest iteration of the Smart Phone" -- and those of us who never watch Oprah, smoke pot or buy Binkies felt that these shirts were a Criticism Of Our Beliefs, what then?

[Connie Fournier]

Excellent post, Kate.

[smallLliberal]

This kid just wants to be a martyr at this point. So screw him, go to a different school if he refuses to follow the rules.

Really? Is 'following the rules' the reason why public schools in Ontario now have muslim prayer rooms?

Well, that is only one school and I am against that. It should be stopped.

You are mixing up issues.

[smallLliberal]

The idea that someone hasn't the right to not feel offended is a great one -- when applied equally in all cases. The next time an article is posted in regards to an artist's creation that may be considered cause for offense by members of the Christian faith, I look forward to you reminding all of this very important concept.

You may have difficulty reading this in the morning. Everyone has the freedom to feel offended. Fill your boots.

You do have the right to "feel offended." You do NOT have the right to insist that the world not offend you.

In a previous interview, Pynch-Worthylake said the T-shirt was interpreted by some teachers and students at the school as a ``criticism of their beliefs.''

If the t-shirt had said "Life is wasted without Oprah" or "without marijuana" or "without the latest iteration of the Smart Phone" -- and those of us who never watch Oprah, smoke pot or buy Binkies felt that these shirts were a Criticism Of Our Beliefs, what then?

I know if I let my kid go to a public school in a shirt with a marijuana leaf on it, they would make her turn it around or go home. A pro-Oprah shirt would pass I would think. Depending on what it said.

Public schools are very strict about what you can wear. They are very strict about any messages on the clothes.

[smallLliberal]

This kid just wants to be a martyr at this point. So screw him, go to a different school if he refuses to follow the rules.

Really? Is 'following the rules' the reason why public schools in Ontario now have muslim prayer rooms?

Or schools that ban weapons of any kind allow Kirpans?

I don't think they do, wasn't that issue settled 25 years ago.

[One Truth]

Or schools that ban weapons of any kind allow Kirpans?

I don't think they do, wasn't that issue settled 25 years ago.

It was settled. They are allowed.

[smallLliberal]

Or schools that ban weapons of any kind allow Kirpans?

I don't think they do, wasn't that issue settled 25 years ago.

It was settled. They are allowed.

If true here in Ontario .. I am against that.

[Brown envelope]

This kid just wants to be a martyr at this point. So screw him, go to a different school if he refuses to follow the rules.

Really? Is 'following the rules' the reason why public schools in Ontario now have muslim prayer rooms?

Well, that is only one school and I am against that. It should be stopped.

You are mixing up issues.

I am not mixing up issues, just seeing how 'pro-rules' you are...and it's more than one school but that's another issue for another thread.

[smallLliberal]

geez, you are correct. From the Toronto school board:

PROCEDURE FOR KIRPAN ACCOMMODATION

Schools will accommodate Khalsa Sikh students and staff who wear a
kirpan under the following conditions:
• At the beginning of the school year or upon registration, the student and parents/guardians must report to the school administration that they are Khalsa Sikhs and wear the five articles of faith.
• The kirpan is small (six inches or less).
• The kirpan will be sufficiently secure to render removal difficult.
• The kirpan should not be worn visibly, but under the wearer’s
clothing.
• There is notification in writing to the principal by parents/
guardians and student and, where possible, from the Gurdwara
(place of worship), confirming that the student requesting accommodation is a Khalsa Sikh.
• Students under 18 must be accompanied by parents/guardians
when discussing the rules regarding the wearing of the kirpan.
The principal and student, in consultation with the parent/guardian,
will discuss program modifications to ensure that there will not be any
situations where the wearing of Kirpan could inadvertently cause
physical harm to the wearer or to another individual in the school.
The procedure for kirpan accommodation has been developed
from existing policies of the former Area Boards, and in consultation with the Safe Schools Committee, Metropolitan Toronto
Police, and the Ontario Multifaith Council’s Sikh representative

Well, there you are ... freedom of religion trumping common sense.

[smallLliberal]

This kid just wants to be a martyr at this point. So screw him, go to a different school if he refuses to follow the rules.

Really? Is 'following the rules' the reason why public schools in Ontario now have muslim prayer rooms?

Well, that is only one school and I am against that. It should be stopped.

You are mixing up issues.

I am not mixing up issues, just seeing how 'pro-rules' you are...and it's more than one school but that's another issue for another thread.

I am firmly against any religious ceremony in any public school during regular hours.

[WestViking]

Or schools that ban weapons of any kind allow Kirpans?

I don't think they do, wasn't that issue settled 25 years ago.

It was settled. They are allowed.

If true here in Ontario .. I am against that.

From a review of the thread, it appears that:

1. There was no 'rule' in place prohibiting t-shirts with a religious message.
2. Some unnamed people complained that the student's t-shirt message offended them.
3. The school ordered the student to take off his t-shirt.
4. The student declined to remove his t-shirt.
5. The school suspended the student for his refusal to take off the allegedly offending t-shirt.
6. The media and public got involved.
7. The school reversed its decision to demand that the student not wear the t-shirt.

The error lay in the school trying to appease complainants who claimed that they were offended by the message on a t-shirt. The school and school board have no mandate to do anything to assuage people who declare that they are offended.

The school and school board may have political correctness shining from their backsides like flashlight beams on a dark night, but they are, in the end, no more than inane pecksniffs creating rules that others must live by to appease thin-skinned idiots without a cause or clue.

[dwday]

geez, you are correct. From the Toronto school board:

PROCEDURE FOR KIRPAN ACCOMMODATION

Schools will accommodate Khalsa Sikh students and staff who wear a
kirpan under the following conditions:
• At the beginning of the school year or upon registration, the student and parents/guardians must report to the school administration that they are Khalsa Sikhs and wear the five articles of faith.
• The kirpan is small (six inches or less).
• The kirpan will be sufficiently secure to render removal difficult.
• The kirpan should not be worn visibly, but under the wearer’s
clothing.
• There is notification in writing to the principal by parents/
guardians and student and, where possible, from the Gurdwara
(place of worship), confirming that the student requesting accommodation is a Khalsa Sikh.
• Students under 18 must be accompanied by parents/guardians
when discussing the rules regarding the wearing of the kirpan.
The principal and student, in consultation with the parent/guardian,
will discuss program modifications to ensure that there will not be any
situations where the wearing of Kirpan could inadvertently cause
physical harm to the wearer or to another individual in the school.
The procedure for kirpan accommodation has been developed
from existing policies of the former Area Boards, and in consultation with the Safe Schools Committee, Metropolitan Toronto
Police, and the Ontario Multifaith Council’s Sikh representative

Well, there you are ... freedom of religion trumping common sense.

So, anybody have any figures on violent incidents involving kirpans in schools? Zero, I'm thinking, but I'll gratefully accept any evidence to the contrary.

I don't have any problem with it. Nor do I take any issue with students of any religion praying in school as long as classes are not disrupted & it's not imposed in any way on students not of that faith, and I think it's perfectly OK for them to be given a place to worship as they see fit if numbers and available space warrant. What I would take issue with is any public school endorsing one faith and promoting it in any way.

[free_life2]

Who cares what you are for or what you are against or if you are offended or not by anything. Keep it to yourself, who cares nobody wants to know. The school, the kangaroo tribunals, the state has no authority to favor one belief system over any other and that is what is being done here. Act like there is no God is ok, act like there is a God not ok. Stay out of my life, out of my beliefs, I have never given you any authority to tell me what to believe or how I can express that and if it offends you tough, grow up and shut up.

Once again it is the left and godless thinking they somehow have been given the authority to force us to behave like they do. It is prejudice at it's lowest and arrogance at its highest. Another example that the left are fascists the rest of us face everyday.

[Hailey]

I actually do care that someone is offended and I would hope that if my child wore that t-shirt and knew someone was offended they would talk to them about it. I WOULD want to know someone was hurt so it could be reconciled. I would not ask that they remove the t-shirt and I wouldn't ask for an atheist shirt to be removed.