Thu
Jan 3 2008
11:03 am
Putting a price tag on freedom of religious expression
By: R. Neal

Parents who say their child was denied the right to conduct Bible study classes during recess are suing Knox County Schools for damages.

How much should they get? Do they even have a case?

(And is anyone else annoyed by the Crime Beat Cub Reporter writing in this article? Makes it kinda hard to follow.)

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SammySkull's picture

get paid

Submitted by SammySkull on Thu, 2008/01/03 - 11:57am.

It's hard to tell from the article, but it sort of sounds like the kids were fine having a recess Bible study. It seems as if the problem came when they wanted to make it a more formal issue. I can't imagine not letting kids at recess do what they wanted to do.

My problem with all this is that 3-4 years later, the case is still an issue, with the parents wanting to get paid. I could see suing to allow kids to conduct a Bible study on their own, but I don't get how you could possibly award monetary damages over this. That part is extremely unChristian.

And yes, the writing is pretty bad. It's impossible to actually make much sense at all of what's really happening.

gonzone's picture

How Long

Submitted by gonzone on Thu, 2008/01/03 - 12:10pm.

Geez, how long are their recesses?
Wouldn't a decent Bible Study be a bit longer?
And higher grades of primary school don't even have a recess.
I can see our future little evangelical TV fundie delivering a hell-fire message in the hallway of elementary school during recess.

"You're going to Hell for eating pudding!" "To Hell, I say!"

bizgrrl's picture

So why the continued legal

Submitted by bizgrrl on Thu, 2008/01/03 - 12:11pm.

So why the continued legal battle? Luke Whitson's parents contend Knox County violated their son's constitutional right to practice his faith and they are owed damages as a result.

That's the way to teach 4th graders. Make sure they know the courts are the way to resolve any and all issues. Knox County Schools needs to be hurt by their actions so they too can learn. I'm sure the school system has lots of money to pay these poor "damaged" people.

R. Neal's picture

Maybe they're looking for

Submitted by R. Neal on Thu, 2008/01/03 - 12:18pm.

Maybe they're looking for enough to pay for home schooling. Oh, wait. Then the kid wouldn't be able to evangelize and prostylize at school.

But seriously, if they even have a case, why aren't they just asking for an injunction to allow Bible study during recess?

gonzone's picture

Exactly right

Submitted by gonzone on Thu, 2008/01/03 - 4:32pm.

And thus their cravenness for mammon overcomes their good Christian desire to convert the heathen masses of little kids in Knox schools who are too young to know WTF this is all about.
I do believe the "age of accountability" according to most Christian faiths is age 12, and that's about 6th grade, not fourth.
What is it the wing nuts call this?
Oh yeah, frivolous law suits by sue happy, ambulance chasing, trial lawyers? Bet you these people would nod their dim little eyes in agreement with that particular talking point, except it's different when it's their lawsuit, or it's their little girl needs an abortion, then it's OK, just this once.

Sarge's picture

Can my grandchildren that

Submitted by Sarge on Thu, 2008/01/03 - 4:47pm.

Can my grandchildren that are in middle school bring their copper heads, and rattle snakes to schools for recess bible studies. If they can't, maybe I'll should also sue for monetary damages.

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