Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search
40 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
"High School Student Suspended For Telling Another Classmate"Bless You"After Sneezing" (Original Post) Jamaal510 Sep 2014 OP
Good grief! yeoman6987 Sep 2014 #1
Why do I think edhopper Sep 2014 #2
Yes. There seems too be something missing. immoderate Sep 2014 #3
any basis for this "news" story? poster123 Sep 2014 #9
Snopes traces it back to pre-Christian Rome muriel_volestrangler Sep 2014 #12
beause there is another side mercuryblues Sep 2014 #4
I posted this earlier exboyfil Sep 2014 #5
How about exboyfil Sep 2014 #6
I'm considering the source and calling bullshit. LiberalAndProud Sep 2014 #7
Fox News.....victimhood is what they do right after hate, fear and lies. Fred Sanders Sep 2014 #10
I can smell Fox News religious propaganda and Christian victimhood via Todd Starnes, favorite Fred Sanders Sep 2014 #8
The original media source and a rebuttal alp227 Sep 2014 #11
Yeah, except No. Iggo Sep 2014 #13
The story is undoubtedly crap EvolveOrConvolve Sep 2014 #14
Do I take it you undoubtedly say this should not happen in addition to saying it did not happen? rug Sep 2014 #16
Persecution? It's what is for breakfast. cbayer Sep 2014 #18
Quit dragging your personal fights into this group, cbayer. n/t trotsky Sep 2014 #19
"Quit dragging your personal fights into this group" Starboard Tack Sep 2014 #25
So you have nothing to say about a person/group of people Goblinmonger Sep 2014 #20
I have taken you off ignore for now, but we shall see how it goes. cbayer Sep 2014 #21
I guess it's nice to see you admit it's just personal. trotsky Sep 2014 #22
I guess it's interesting to see you don't admit it's just personal. Starboard Tack Sep 2014 #26
So this is what you have to offer? Goblinmonger Sep 2014 #28
Do unto others, GM. Do unto others! Starboard Tack Sep 2014 #29
I would not respond because I'm sure my wife can handle herself. Goblinmonger Sep 2014 #30
It is not about responding, nor is it about saving her. Starboard Tack Sep 2014 #32
it is kind of like having your own personal attendant. Warren Stupidity Sep 2014 #34
Without you as my personal attendant, I'd be lost Warren Starboard Tack Sep 2014 #35
I don't think you and your wife quite understand the "ignore" function on DU. Warren Stupidity Sep 2014 #38
I know. Isn't it wonderful? Starboard Tack Sep 2014 #40
Just so I understand your rules, Warren Stupidity Sep 2014 #24
Do you think this is representative of an attitude Goblinmonger Sep 2014 #31
I'm not sure she represents anything at all. cbayer Sep 2014 #33
Was there a dirth of meta shitstorms Warren Stupidity Sep 2014 #23
Heads up Warren! I think she has you on ignore too! Starboard Tack Sep 2014 #36
Is everything ok on Ark Bayer? Warren Stupidity Sep 2014 #37
Everything is tiptop. Couldn't be better. Thanks for asking. Starboard Tack Sep 2014 #39
I wonder if she said Goodbye when she left. rug Sep 2014 #15
Solved WovenGems Sep 2014 #17
B.S. The Blue Flower Sep 2014 #27

poster123

(14 posts)
9. any basis for this "news" story?
Sat Sep 6, 2014, 02:13 PM
Sep 2014

This "advisemedia" news spot had graphics reminscent of the abc/bbc news,but but immediately dropped to a level below reporting(not that most information media isn't more than entertainment.) The best resouce I've had on this issue was grandma, who told me the phrase "bless you" became popular with the 1918influenza epidemic, and that for her it had no association with religion. She further told me that, back then, a simple sneeze might mean that it's the last time you'd see someone, as they might already be dying. So a "bless you" was not a light and polite courtesy.The next generation had dustbowl blown clouds descend on areas from Illinois to New York, bringing diseases which caused sickness and death to thousands of children. Anything can be published on the internet, although the girl's account sure looks believable to me. Who knows?

mercuryblues

(14,491 posts)
4. beause there is another side
Sat Sep 6, 2014, 01:50 PM
Sep 2014

she did not get suspended. She got sent to the principal's office for the rest of the class. It was for saying bless you either. It was for back talking the teacher. IOW she was being a little ass in class and paid the price.

exboyfil

(17,857 posts)
5. I posted this earlier
Sat Sep 6, 2014, 01:51 PM
Sep 2014

and the general consensus is that some atheists may be offended by the statement Bless You because it is directed towards the individual. I frankly think a specific ban of the phrase "Bless you" uttered by a student is an infringement if other statements would be allowed at the same time such as gesundheit or did you get some on you. Apparently this phrase was included in a list of phrases/words not allowed in the classroom.

Now if the sneezing student indicates a desire to not have blessing directed toward her then it would be harassment and disruptive to continue to direct that statement towards the person.

Students have a right to express their religious beliefs within an appropriate context (obviously not when talking is not allowed).

exboyfil

(17,857 posts)
6. How about
Sat Sep 6, 2014, 01:55 PM
Sep 2014

"May the Flying Spaghetti Monster reach out his sacred tentacle and cure you."

"Allah go with you"

LiberalAndProud

(12,799 posts)
7. I'm considering the source and calling bullshit.
Sat Sep 6, 2014, 02:06 PM
Sep 2014

I doubt this version of the truth. I doubt it very much. Even granting the benefit of doubt and believing her story as told, getting kicked out of one class is not, as the talking head pronounced, "SUSPENDED."

Fred Sanders

(23,946 posts)
8. I can smell Fox News religious propaganda and Christian victimhood via Todd Starnes, favorite
Sat Sep 6, 2014, 02:13 PM
Sep 2014

Christian victim scout of Roger Ailes, from around the corner.

alp227

(31,962 posts)
11. The original media source and a rebuttal
Sat Sep 6, 2014, 03:54 PM
Sep 2014
http://www.myfoxmemphis.com/story/26322009/student-says-she-was-suspended-for-saying-bless-you

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2014/08/19/did-a-high-school-student-really-get-suspended-for-responding-to-a-sneeze-with-bless-you/

The problem with modern media is that they'll jump on ANYTHING sensationalism someone says on press release, social media, etc. with a half ass effort to get the other side of the story.

The Friendly Atheist rebuttal:

The class was supposed to be quiet. Someone sneezed. Turner said *something* in response (it doesn’t matter what) and the teacher asked her to be quiet. Turner took that as a knock on her faith and felt the need to defend against it. The teacher only saw this as a further disruption and the situation escalated. The student, clearly frustrated, ran out of the classroom and, not long after that, posted something on Facebook.

cbayer

(146,218 posts)
18. Persecution? It's what is for breakfast.
Sun Sep 7, 2014, 04:18 PM
Sep 2014

I think there are probably a few atheists and agnostics persecuting you and your friends that need to be booted from your group ASAP!!!

Thanks for stopping by. It's always so, so nice to see you.

 

Goblinmonger

(22,340 posts)
20. So you have nothing to say about a person/group of people
Mon Sep 8, 2014, 11:04 AM
Sep 2014

who go out of their way to trump up charges of religious persecution as is the case in the OP? Rather than do that you want to go out of your way to slam atheists. Interesting approach.

cbayer

(146,218 posts)
21. I have taken you off ignore for now, but we shall see how it goes.
Mon Sep 8, 2014, 11:51 AM
Sep 2014

If you want to try this out, let me ask that you not make statements about what I may or may not have to say about something. If you want to know what I think, please feel free to just ask me.

In this case, I think the girl is something of an attention seeking whackadoodle and the story is being told in a completely inaccurate way because this is what FOX news does.

Slam atheists? Hardly. I made a direct jab at a specific person who represents no one but himself.

Interesting approach? If you say so, I guess.

trotsky

(49,533 posts)
22. I guess it's nice to see you admit it's just personal.
Mon Sep 8, 2014, 11:56 AM
Sep 2014

Interesting how that kind of thing is OK if you do it.

Starboard Tack

(11,181 posts)
26. I guess it's interesting to see you don't admit it's just personal.
Mon Sep 8, 2014, 02:23 PM
Sep 2014

Interesting how that kind of thing is OK if you do it.

Starboard Tack

(11,181 posts)
29. Do unto others, GM. Do unto others!
Mon Sep 8, 2014, 03:30 PM
Sep 2014

Ridicule begets ridicule. Tell me how you would respond if someone were obsessed with your dear wife the way our brother trotsky is with mine?
Please tell me, help me out here. What would you offer him in return? Personally, I prefer humor to anger and hostility, but I'd love to hear your thoughts.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1218151072#post167

 

Goblinmonger

(22,340 posts)
30. I would not respond because I'm sure my wife can handle herself.
Mon Sep 8, 2014, 08:13 PM
Sep 2014

She doesn't need me to save her. Perhaps your situation is different.

Starboard Tack

(11,181 posts)
32. It is not about responding, nor is it about saving her.
Tue Sep 9, 2014, 01:28 AM
Sep 2014

It is about being stalked by someone she cannot see. She is unaware that he is stalking her and mentioning her in virtually every post he makes. As I can see the stalker, it seems appropriate to point out how creepy the whole thing is. As you well know, she is more than capable of handling herself.
Do you find his behavior appropriate?

 

Warren Stupidity

(48,181 posts)
38. I don't think you and your wife quite understand the "ignore" function on DU.
Tue Sep 9, 2014, 03:27 PM
Sep 2014

When you put somebody on ignore, it only affects your ability to see their posts, not their ability to respond to or see your posts. In fact the target of the ignore has no official knowledge that she is being ignored. Then again using ignore and using your shipmate to keep tabs on your ignorees is having your cake and eating it too.

 

Goblinmonger

(22,340 posts)
31. Do you think this is representative of an attitude
Mon Sep 8, 2014, 08:16 PM
Sep 2014

by Christians in this country to feel persecuted. When there really is no persecution. Either by making it up or by being horrified that their beliefs are actually questioned (not the case in this instance, of course).

As to your first couple sentences, I have no over-arching need to please you. You can ignore me or not. I think we could have good conversations, but it feels like your tone in the first couple sentences are ones of me really wanting you not to have me on ignore. Perhaps I am wrong in that regard, but that's the way it read to me at this time.

cbayer

(146,218 posts)
33. I'm not sure she represents anything at all.
Tue Sep 9, 2014, 01:55 AM
Sep 2014

She saw an opportunity to make a scene and made it. She's a kid with issues, as far as I can tell and this story stinks of FOX news and the religious right looking for something to be outraged about.

There are many groups that feel persecuted when there is no persecution. The religious right is one of them.

BTW, this occurred about 3 weeks ago. Here is a CS Monitor story on it which is more thoughtful:
http://www.csmonitor.com/The-Culture/Family/Modern-Parenthood/2014/0821/Bless-you-school-suspension-Free-speech-debate-or-teacher-frustration

You don't need to please me, but if you are abusive, I will not deal with you.

Starboard Tack

(11,181 posts)
36. Heads up Warren! I think she has you on ignore too!
Tue Sep 9, 2014, 02:35 PM
Sep 2014

That kinda puts you in trotsky land, but being one of my personal attendants, I'll keep you informed.

Starboard Tack

(11,181 posts)
39. Everything is tiptop. Couldn't be better. Thanks for asking.
Tue Sep 9, 2014, 03:33 PM
Sep 2014

Sitting comfortably on our mountaintop, with all the animals on board, two by two. We're leaving a life ring out there for you, our principle attendant, to grab onto, should you start to feel the loneliness. That's the kind of loyalty we feel. No thanks necessary. Big DU party out here tonight. Hugs from everyone.

Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»Religion»"High School Student...