NationStates Jolt Archive


Teacher fired for Witchcraft?

Kirav
04-04-2007, 23:05
http://us.video.aol.com/video.index.adp?pmmsid=1864456

Any thoughts?

In my opinion, right-wing Christians should not be school principals. But what do you expect from a country founded by Puritans?
Zarakon
04-04-2007, 23:16
http://us.video.aol.com/video.index.adp?pmmsid=1864456

Any thoughts?

In my opinion, right-wing Christians should not be school principals. But what do you expect from a country founded by Puritans?

Which country are we talking about?
Northern Borders
04-04-2007, 23:17
I thought that after Harry Potter, witchcraft had become cool.
South Lizasauria
04-04-2007, 23:20
http://us.video.aol.com/video.index.adp?pmmsid=1864456

Any thoughts?

In my opinion, right-wing Christians should not be school principals. But what do you expect from a country founded by Puritans?

the link didn't work on mine, I need to download a special player. Can you summarize what happened?
Arinola
04-04-2007, 23:24
In my opinion, right-wing Christians should not be school principals.

W00t discrimination! :rolleyes: So one "right-wing Christian" as you called it (I can't tell - the video won't load) rants on about witchcraft, hence all "right-wing Christians" should not be allowed a job?
Sui-san
04-04-2007, 23:29
Personally, methinks it's bull... there's a freedom of religion here in the US, and I think that we should be able to do what we want with our religions, dammit.
I mean, and I try not to mean offense here, we've got Christians, Catholics, et cetera preaching at us all the time when we're little! So why the heck should a third-party religion be persecuted for doing the exact same thing that many mainstream religions do? I mean I don't think she was killing innocents or anything here...
And I agree... there are to many right-wing Christians in high-power positions... and please, I don't mean offense here, but I get a LOT of crap from very religious people and have been for a long time, so I think I've got a fair standpoint here. Rehire the teacher already... that's what I say.
United Beleriand
04-04-2007, 23:32
W00t discrimination! :rolleyes: So one "right-wing Christian" as you called it (I can't tell - the video won't load) rants on about witchcraft, hence all "right-wing Christians" should not be allowed a job?In fact, all devout people should not be allowed jobs.
Arinola
04-04-2007, 23:36
In fact, all devout people should not be allowed jobs.

I'd love to see how any countries economy fared after that. You know, with probably under half a nation's workforce actually ALLOWED to work.

One case of fanaticism does not mean that all religious people are crazed idiots. You're just blindly stereotyping. Again.
United Beleriand
04-04-2007, 23:49
I'd love to see how any countries economy fared after that. You know, with probably under half a nation's workforce actually ALLOWED to work.

One case of fanaticism does not mean that all religious people are crazed idiots. You're just blindly stereotyping. Again.There are many degrees of religiousness, you know. And one case of fanaticism is only a symptom of what a belief system holds in store.
Kirav
04-04-2007, 23:50
Which country are we talking about?
America, Long Island, it said so in the video.

the link didn't work on mine, I need to download a special player. Can you summarize what happened?

A Long Island teacher was fired for supposedly teching/encouraging witchcraft to her students. She had books in her room like Goosebumps , Harry Potter , and some African-American literature involving some voodoo traitions, and taught about the Salem Witch Trials. SHe also has the stereotypical witch-like (Long nails, sharp makeup, black attire) appearance, as she mentioned. She was fired by the school principal, whom, according to the ex-texher's lawyer, had been forcing Christian beliefsupon his pupils.

As for the "right-wing Chistian" thing, I didn't really mean they shouldn't be allowed to be principals. Just that it doesn't seem the right job for them in the education system of the American colonies.
The_pantless_hero
04-04-2007, 23:54
I smell unfair dismissal lawsuit.
United Beleriand
05-04-2007, 00:15
America, Long Island, it said so in the video.



A Long Island teacher was fired for supposedly teching/encouraging witchcraft to her students. She had books in her room like Goosebumps , Harry Potter , and some African-American literature involving some voodoo traitions, and taught about the Salem Witch Trials. SHe also has the stereotypical witch-like (Long nails, sharp makeup, black attire) appearance, as she mentioned. She was fired by the school principal, whom, according to the ex-texher's lawyer, had been forcing Christian beliefsupon his pupils.

As for the "right-wing Chistian" thing, I didn't really mean they shouldn't be allowed to be principals. Just that it doesn't seem the right job for them in the education system of the American colonies.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salem_witch
I have just read that. So how much of puritanism is still around in the US today? The modern "witches" of course would be Muslims...
Kothuwania
05-04-2007, 00:41
In fact, all devout people should not be allowed jobs.

That is ridiculous. The economy would collapse.
Schwarzchild
05-04-2007, 01:04
This is surprising in a nation where the President openly admitted he believes that God put him in the White House to do HIS work?

Please. Spare me from these hypocrites. Religiosity or lack thereof has no bearing on how well a teacher teaches.
1010102
05-04-2007, 01:04
Only in america or vatican city are witches still feared.
NERVUN
05-04-2007, 01:24
There are many degrees of religiousness, you know. And one case of fanaticism is only a symptom of what a belief system holds in store.
QFT. Because, oh brother, are you showing it!
United Beleriand
05-04-2007, 01:26
That is ridiculous. The economy would collapse.Not everywhere...
United Beleriand
05-04-2007, 01:29
Only in america or vatican city are witches still feared.the Vatican fears no witches...
NERVUN
05-04-2007, 01:35
the Vatican fears no witches...
Most Americans fear not witches. You'll probably find far more fear of whitches in 3rd world nations than the US.
Siph
05-04-2007, 01:35
I'd love to see how any countries economy fared after that. You know, with probably under half a nation's workforce actually ALLOWED to work.

One case of fanaticism does not mean that all religious people are crazed idiots. You're just blindly stereotyping. Again.


It's kind of disorienting to see you quoting the person your sig says doesn't exist.
Beefbump
05-04-2007, 01:53
Ah, but did they weigh her before firing her? How else would they know if she is a witch? If she weighed the same as a duck... she's made of wood, and therefore... ;)
Or did she simply turn the principal into a newt and then he "got better"?

Sorry guys, I couldn't resist the Python.
Callisdrun
05-04-2007, 04:34
In fact, all devout people should not be allowed jobs.

That is absurd. As long as one doesn't try to force people into one's own beliefs or discriminate against them because theirs differ, I don't see the problem.

This principal clearly, however, does discriminate, and should be fired promptly for doing so.
Callisdrun
05-04-2007, 04:35
Ah, but did they weigh her before firing her? How else would they know if she is a witch? If she weighed the same as a duck... she's made of wood, and therefore... ;)
Or did she simply turn the principal into a newt and then he "got better"?

Sorry guys, I couldn't resist the Python.

That's okay. You win the thread.
Callisdrun
05-04-2007, 04:36
the Vatican fears no witches...

Actually yeah, the Vatican does not seem too concerned with witches these days.
Questionable Decisions
05-04-2007, 04:44
It's not like me to take the establishment side, but what this woman was dismissed for was teaching her religion...inappropriately...in a classroom.

If this had been a Christian teacher, fired by a Pagan principal, pretty much everyone piling on this thread would apparently switch sides. Don't create a standard you aren't prepared to adopt for every teacher who wants to bring their faith into a classroom.
Lacadaemon
05-04-2007, 04:50
I'm always surprised when I get reminded that there are people on Long Island that actually think they are witches. It's long island.
Dontgonearthere
05-04-2007, 05:28
the Vatican fears no witches...

NOBODY EXPECTS THE SPANISH INQUISITION!
Our chief weapon is suprise and fear.
That is, our two main weapons are suprise, fear, and an almost fanatical devotion to the Pope!
Three! Our three main weapons are suprise, fear, an almost fanatical devotion to the Pope and nice red uni-
BLAST! I'll just come in again.
Sel Appa
05-04-2007, 05:46
Welcome to America
Neo Undelia
05-04-2007, 05:48
lol
Salem
Neo Undelia
05-04-2007, 05:50
In fact, all devout people should not be allowed jobs.

People like you are the reason people hate atheists.

Thanks.
Cookavich
05-04-2007, 05:51
In fact, all devout people should not be allowed jobs.People are all devout in one form or the other. Some are devout in there unbelief.
Neo Undelia
05-04-2007, 05:52
Was the school a private school, or public?
It was your mom.

Edit: Time traveling uber-diss.
IL Ruffino
05-04-2007, 05:52
Was the school a private school, or public?
Kirav
09-04-2007, 21:19
Public, so they have no right to do this.
Andaluciae
09-04-2007, 21:26
There are many degrees of religiousness, you know. And one case of fanaticism is only a symptom of what a belief system holds in store.

True, but even non-theist belief structures have induced fanaticism and brutality. We need only look to the previous century for countless examples of people so certain of this fact.
Zilam
09-04-2007, 21:27
hah, I had to look twice at the title, because I thought it said the teacher was fired for Warcraft, in which case I would applaud the school, as those games are terrible IMO :p
Andaluciae
09-04-2007, 21:28
Was the school a private school, or public?

Public, thus meaning the Principal violated existing ethics rules, and should probably be removed from her position.
Cyrian space
09-04-2007, 21:37
http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1173776615930&pos=ataglance

So it looks like she wasn't really a witch, though the judges bit about not helping someone being persecuted for a "perceived religion" is bullshit.

Manager: "we can't fire him because he's Muslim, so we say we're firing him because we think he's Jewish!"

And aside from all that, the yahoo video thing said in it's summary that she was accused of teaching her class witchcraft, which is just as wrong as a teacher trying to teach the bible as truth.
Aardweasels
09-04-2007, 21:40
America, Long Island, it said so in the video.



A Long Island teacher was fired for supposedly teching/encouraging witchcraft to her students. She had books in her room like Goosebumps , Harry Potter , and some African-American literature involving some voodoo traitions, and taught about the Salem Witch Trials. SHe also has the stereotypical witch-like (Long nails, sharp makeup, black attire) appearance, as she mentioned. She was fired by the school principal, whom, according to the ex-texher's lawyer, had been forcing Christian beliefsupon his pupils.

As for the "right-wing Chistian" thing, I didn't really mean they shouldn't be allowed to be principals. Just that it doesn't seem the right job for them in the education system of the American colonies.

So she was teaching religion in her class. Even though it isn't one of the main religions, it's still a religion.

I'm assuming this is a public school. Being a public school, they have regulations against teaching religion in the classroom. Ergo, she broke the regulations. Doesn't matter if she was teaching christianity, hindu, voodoo, or whatever. She broke the rules.

And yes, from what's been said the principal is also breaking the rules. Two wrongs don't make a right, though. He should probably be dismissed as well, but her dismissal sounds like it was for good cause.
Similization
09-04-2007, 21:49
Am I the only one seeing the irony of superstitious people accusing others of practicing magic?
United Beleriand
09-04-2007, 21:57
Am I the only one seeing the irony of superstitious people accusing others of practicing magic?You mean weird folks accusing weird folks of being weird?
What I still can't grasp is that in the 21st century in the US an accusation of witchcraft can be made. It would be interesting to find out when such bullshit was last heard of in western Europe...
Redwulf25
09-04-2007, 22:10
So she was teaching religion in her class. Even though it isn't one of the main religions, it's still a religion.

I'm assuming this is a public school. Being a public school, they have regulations against teaching religion in the classroom. Ergo, she broke the regulations. Doesn't matter if she was teaching christianity, hindu, voodoo, or whatever. She broke the rules.

Except I see no evidence that she actually WAS . . .
Similization
09-04-2007, 22:13
You mean weird folks accusing weird folks of being weird?
What I still can't grasp is that in the 21st century in the US an accusation of witchcraft can be made. It would be interesting to find out when such bullshit was last heard of in western Europe...If I had to venture a guess, I'd say last Friday, 'round tea time. Jehovah loons and the like do it all the time. Remember the riots in Denmark last month? They were, basically, a reaction to a Phelps'esque cult persecuting a bunch of young people with the help of a municipality, because the cultists thought the youth possessed.

I'm in no way implying America isn't socially retarded or shouldn't be taken out back and shot, but Europe's no better.
Sheni
09-04-2007, 22:18
To all of you who think she was fired for a good reason:
She is not Wiccan.
She is Jewish.
She was not teaching Wicca in her classroom because she does not believe in it in the first place.
She was fired for being a witch like people in the middle ages were burned for being witches.
It has absolutely nothing to do with what religion she actually is, the principle THOUGHT she was a witch and so fired her.

And along those lines, the principle must have some serious mental problems besides being a right wing Christian for even believing in witches.
Aardweasels
09-04-2007, 22:49
According to the school board, she wasn't even fired for teaching witchcraft in her classroom.

So what this comes down to is who you believe. Apparently the jury believed the school board. All we have on the other side of the argument is the word of one woman.

Yes, she might have been fired for what she claimed. She might not have been. At this point, without any written or recorded evidence, it comes down to "he said, she said".
Heikoku
09-04-2007, 23:36
So... Never mind the firing, the idiot pulled SHAKESPEARE books because he believed they had... witchcraft? This moron has no CLUE what mysticism means!
Johnny B Goode
09-04-2007, 23:36
I'd love to see how any countries economy fared after that. You know, with probably under half a nation's workforce actually ALLOWED to work.

One case of fanaticism does not mean that all religious people are crazed idiots. You're just blindly stereotyping. Again.

When has he ever not? :rolleyes:
Hydesland
09-04-2007, 23:37
In fact, all devout people should not be allowed jobs.

:rolleyes:

I guess you would rather have the work force think what big brother tells them to think.
Zexaland
10-04-2007, 05:09
I think the school systems of America would IMPROVE if the teachers were all cpable of magic...
Lunatic Goofballs
10-04-2007, 05:20
If I had a witch working for me, I'd keep her very happy. Don't piss off the witch! :p
IL Ruffino
10-04-2007, 05:20
Public, thus meaning the Principal violated existing ethics rules, and should probably be removed from her position.

Thank you for clarification.
Smunkeeville
10-04-2007, 05:30
In fact, all devout people should not be allowed jobs.

you don't expect me to pick up your grocery bill do you? I mean if you are going to argue yourself out of employment it's gonna be your fault right?
South Lorenya
10-04-2007, 05:34
Here's hoping that the teacher gets rehired and her boss is fired for violating the first amendment.
Anti-Social Darwinism
10-04-2007, 08:00
You mean she was (gasp!) teaching tolerance, open-mindedness, critical thinking and (heaven forfend) individuality? Well, of course she was fired, we can't have American children growing up to be anything but drones, mindlessly following anyone who has enough money to buy political office, can we?

I hope that the principal loses his job. Not because he's a Christian, but because he misused his position to subvert the true purpose of education.
United Beleriand
10-04-2007, 08:53
I guess you would rather have the work force think what big brother tells them to think.I just expect them not to bring their "God" to the work place.