GA Public HS Teacher Takes Leave Because He Can't Discuss God and Jesus.

[RiffRandell]

I saw this on my local news tonight and was like WTF? The history teacher, John Osborne took leave on his own accord; he was suspended from the school district in 2012 for the same reason and claims "he was reinstated because students protested to have him reinstated." I don't remember the story; my memory isn't the greatest but sometimes pleasantly surprises me.

Cherokee is about 40 minutes north of Atlanta and not far from us. I'm sure some Christian school will employ him in a heartbeat and turn him into a hero. The war on public school teachers!

Local link with video worth watching: http://www.cbs46.com/story/26491159/hundreds-of-students-protest-for-embattled-history-teacher

CHEROKEE COUNTY, GA (CBS46) -
John Osborne has worked at Sequoyah High School in Canton for the past 13 years. On Friday, he told the principal he had enough with the district's politics and put in his leave. He was frustrated that he couldn't talk to his students about God and Jesus Christ.

"I teach world history so there is a lot of talk about religion and really all I want is equality to talk about everything in America, including Christianity," Osborne said.

Osborne admits he may go too far in his talks about religion, but felt that children need a positive influence in their lives and for him religion can be that influence.

"I am not telling anybody they need to change. I am just sharing who I am. They need more guidance and love," Osborne said. "Let me tell you something, I am looking out for your kids, America. This ain't about me judging them. I am trying to help. If you are not going to take care of your children, then we will."

Each time Osborne talked about not being a teacher he got choked up. In October of 2012, Osborne said he was suspended by the district for similar issues. In that case, Osborne said he was reinstated because students protested to have him reinstated.

USA Today link: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/09/10/teacher-fights-keep-god-in-classroom/15381321/

John Osborne, a history teacher at Sequoyah High School, informed administrators Friday that he would be taking some time off after someone complained that he discussed God and religion in class.
"I do have the right to fight for what I believe in and talk about Jesus in the classroom," Osborne said.

Cherokee County School District officials contend the decision to leave was Osborne's. In a statement, the district said he is still employed. Osborne claims he's talked about God at school for years, and has been warned against it.
He said the recent complaint was "that I told kids that if they smoked pot they're going to hell," something Osborne denies saying.

Even though administrators never asked him to leave, Osborne claims he did not feel supported so he's using a week's worth of sick days. He's not sure when or if he will return. "I don't know -- only God knows -- and I will pray about it," he said.

"As I've grown in Christ, it has shown more in the classroom, and as it's gotten stronger, I just feel like I'm not going to change who I am. I'm not going to press my issue on you, but I'm going to be myself."

Gina Haygood has had a child in Osborne's class for three years and said his talking about religion has never been a problem.
&quot My daughter) said that he would teach history and religion would be incorporated in to that," Haygood said.
"I was a proud mom to see all the kids my daughter is going to school with stand up for something they believe in," said Patti Carter.

[shenmue]

1. He's not hired to give his own opinion

He's hired to teach.

[TlalocW]

2. In all my public schooling

In a small farming community in Kansas, where you would think stuff like this would happen, the only religion I can recall (other than the pledge of allegiance) was someone asked our sixth grade teacher what a Jehovah Witness was, and she hesitantly explained it to us by first asking if there were any in class, and after no one volunteered as one, she started off by explaining why she asked was because she didn't want to say something wrong and offend anyone before proceeding to give us a very broad outline JWism.

That and how cool it was in 1st grade to have a Jewish classmate because it was just different.

Why can't they just do their jobs and let the parents handle any religious indoctrination?

TlalocW

[Bigmack]

3. So when I was teaching history...

... I could have taught about the Church of Satan and my love for our Lord Satan?

No matter what the fundies wish/pray for, this country is not their congregation.

My favorite "prayer in schools letter"...


"Dear John,

As you know, We've been working real hard in our town to get prayer back in our schools. Finally, the school board approved a plan of teacher-led prayer with the children participating at their own option. Children not wishing to participate were to be allowed to stand out in the hallway during prayer time. We hoped someone would sue us so we could go all the way to the Supreme Court and get the old devil-inspired ruling reversed.

Naturally, we were all excited by the school board action. As you know, our own little Billy (not so little, any more though) is now in the second grade. Of course, Margaret and I explained to him no matter what the other kids did, he was going to stay in the classroom and participate.

After the first day of school, I asked him "How did the prayer time go?"

"Fine."

"Did many kids go out into the hallway?"

"Two".

"Excellent. How did you like your teacher's prayer?"

"It was different, Dad. Real different from the way you pray."

"Oh? Like how?"

"She said, 'Hail Mary Mother of God, pray for us sinners...'"

The next day I talked with the principal. I politely explained I wasn't prejudiced against Catholics but I would appreciate Billy bein transferred to a non-Catholic teacher. The principal said it would be done right away.

At supper that evening I asked Billy to say the blessings. He slipped out of his chair, sat cross- legged, closed his eyes, raised his hand palms up in the air and began to hum.

You'd better believe I was at the principal's office at eight o'clock the next morning. "Look," I said. 'I don't really know much about these Transcendental Meditationists, but I would feel a lot more comfortable If you could move Billy to a room where the teacher practices an older, more established religion."

That afternoon I met Billy as soon as he walked in the door after school.

"I don't think you're going to like Mrs. Nakasone's prayer either, Dad."

"Out with it."

"She kept chanting Namu Amida Butsu..."

The following morning I was waiting for the principal in the school parking lot. "Look, I don't want my son praying to the Eternal Spirit of whatever to Buddha. I want him to have a teacher who prays in Jesus' name!"

"What about Bertha Smith?"

"Excellent."

I could hardly wait to hear about Mrs. Smith's prayer. I was standing on the front steps of the school when the final bell rang.

"Well?" I asked Billy as we walked towards the car.

"Okay."

"Okay what?"

"Mrs. Smith asked God to bless us and ended her prayer in Jesus' name, amen just like you."

I breathed a sigh of relief. "Now we're getting some place."

"She even taught us a verse of scripture about prayer," said Billy.

I beamed. "Wonderful. What was the verse?"

"Lets see..." he mused for a moment. "And behold, they began to pray; and they did pray unto Jesus, calling him their Lord and their God."

We had reached the car. "Fantastic," I said reaching for the door handle. Then paused. I couldn't place the scripture. "Billy, did Mrs. Smith say what book that verse was from?"

"Third Nephi, chapter 19, verse 18."

"Nephi what?"
"Nephi," he said. "It's in the Book of Mormon.

The school board doesn't meet for a month. I've given Billy very definite instructions that at prayer time each day he's to go out into the hallway. I plan to be at that board meeting. If they don't do something about this situation, I'll sue. I'll take it all the way to the Supreme Court if I have to. I don't need schools or anybody else teaching my son about religion. We can take care of that ourselves at home and at church, thank you very much.

Best Wishes Always,
Bill

[Ron Green]

4. If the guy can't talk to his students about God and Jesus

without proselytizing, he's not a very good teacher.

When I taught middle school we often discussed religion - and politics, for that matter. Staying away from these has not made this country any smarter.

[hatrack]

5. Good. Get The Fuck Out.

Go find a Xtian Duh-Ka-Duh-Mee to "teach" in.

[onyourleft]

6. Good. n/t