Wilson Central teacher reprimanded for putting up religious items

[rug]

(Photo: Larry McCormack / File / The Tennessean)

Andy Humbles, 5:37 p.m. CST December 1, 2014

A Wilson Central teacher received a reprimand Monday after he placed several items that recognized different religions and cultures next to a Christmas tree at the school last week.

Andrew Lindauer, an English teacher at Wilson Central, put up a Menorah, as well as signs that said "Happy Kwanzaa" and "May Allah bless your family," by a Christmas tree in a hallway just before the Thanksgiving break without proper permission.

Wilson Central Principal Pat Suddarth was not aware the items had been placed by Lindauer and was outside the building when she received a complaint by a parent. Suddarth had the items taken down to evaluate the complaint.

The reprimand was signed by Lindauer with the understanding it will go in his personnel file, Wilson County Director of Schools Donna Wright said.

http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/local/wilson/2014/12/01/wilson-central-teacher-suspended-putting-religious-items/19753507/

[Goblinmonger]

1. He probably should have told the Principal

but it was really the right thing to do. Or take down the tree.

I'm still toying with a Festivus pole in my classroom (we have a tree in our lobby and I'm not going to be saying jack about it for personal preservation reasons).

[immoderate]

2. Christmas trees are Pagan anyway. Or maybe just consumerist.

Tell your students to complain to their parents. (Just kidding. When I was in the classroom, I tended to avoid unnecessary arguments. )

--imm

[rug]

3. I don't see anything wrong with what he did.

If the tree stays, it's an opportunity to learn about religions.

I have a serious question for you. We know Festivus is a Seinfeld spoof of religion. The lesson there is ridicule.

If you do anything at all, why not put up a pole with symbols of religions around the world along with those who reject them?

They can learn about ridicule from reading Swift. Ask them to write an updated version of A Modest Proposal.

[NYC_SKP]

4. Let us pray.

Dear __________, please give all of your children
well-equipped classrooms with wise and tolerant
instructors who are knowing of all cultures and religions
and mindful of the different sensibilities of their students.

Give these teachers wisdom that they will not mock
others' cultural and spiritual heritages with American
Television memes, lest such mean acts become a part
of the teacher's permanent record.

Amen.

[AtheistCrusader]

5. I had to become an ordained minister in the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster to perform

my brother's marriage.

When 'ridicule' is the only purpose such parodies serve, maybe then I'll put away my toys. Not until I'm free and equal, without relying on the Church of FSM or using Festivus to force a point/ruling on some event that shouldn't be happening in that way, anyway.

Till then, It's pirates and noodles, and steel poles, and feats of strength.

Surely the Airing of Grievances you can get behind, at least?

[rug]

6. Let me ask you this.

Would you use your FSM ordination to perform a funeral?

[AtheistCrusader]

7. Yes, if the person who died, or their loved ones asked me to.

I've added considerable content to multiple funerals.

Not an event I enjoy, but something I enjoy doing well.

[rug]

8. Why not just do a service without the sham of FSM?

[AtheistCrusader]

9. If that's what they ask of me, sure.

The entire wedding party was greatly amused by the source of my ordination, so we'll probably work it in some way, but otherwise, it's just to tick a box on some state form, without committing perjury.

The other option, as far as I know, requires a few years in law school, and successful election to a judge's seat.

[rug]

10. That's gradually changing.

http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2014/10/28/3584798/minnesota-atheists-sue-for-right-to-perform-marriages-just-like-ordained-ministers/

That's what I consider a righteous airing of grievances.

I hope they succeed.

Good night. It's late here,.

[AtheistCrusader]

11. Things like FSM-ism are a tool to bring about that change.

In fact, FSM has been wildly successful, in court, already.

[Goblinmonger]

13. I'm not saying what he put there was inappropriate and I don't know the rules of that school

Last edited Tue Dec 2, 2014, 11:21 AM - Edit history (1)

but I can see the Principal having rules that things aren't put up for display without approval. That is a rule in our school. So taking those things down might not have been about the religious nature so much as having to go through the process.

I don't think Festivus is about ridicule of religion. Even on the show George's dad doesn't say that. It is a satire about the commercialization of the holiday season. Hence the unadorned aluminum pole as the symbol.

We are just starting Huck Finn in my Honors class and they will be creating their own satire (or creating a Huck Finn board game and writing a satire analysis essay--I like giving choices).

[cbayer]

15. While I am a fan of putting up a variety of symbols that represent different religions,

do you thin the school's claim that the christmas tree is not religious is valid?

[rug]

22. Read the sentence.

"The school system does not consider a Christmas tree as a religious reference."

It's a fucking CHRISTMAS tree.

The article doesn't state if or how it was decorated. But I think it would be plain silly to ignore its history and culture and state it's merely a symbol of winter and sprinkle tinsel on it.

[cbayer]

23. Agree. The mere fact that they call it a christmas tree speaks volumes.

I was just surprised that the article just glossed over this fact, as I suspect the teacher was making a protest.

[rug]

24. Sorry for a vehement response.

It pisses me off that they're making such a patently dishonest argument.

[cbayer]

25. It's ok. The question was rhetorical, but you didn't know that.

[cbayer]

14. What do you think of the school's claim that the christmas tree is not religious?

[edhopper]

17. You mean the thing

with "Christmas" in it's name that often has an angel on top? The one used to celebrate a Christian holiday?
It's a tough argument to defend.

[cbayer]

18. I agree and am surprised that the teacher has not made that argument...

or maybe he did but the press is not covering that aspect.

[edhopper]

20. local coverage

not surprising they tow the party line, especially in Tennessee.

[Goblinmonger]

19. I think it's BS.

I mean, yeah, it comes from pagan roots, but that's not how it is used now and if it were ever called a "pagan tree" or a "holiday tree" it would be added to Fox's war on Christmas coverage.

And, yeah, it can be argued that it is a secular symbol but that's crap, too for reasons above and that it just isn't.

I think those claims are just coming from some serious privilege. I like what the English teacher did. I imagine that is what will happen in the end.

[cbayer]

21. I agree. I think it's a distinctly christian symbol at this point

and I suspect that is the point that the teacher was trying to make.

Unfortunately the media coverage is just brushing right over that point.

[Hoppy]

12. In Pa., you don't even need a minister. You say your own stuff and sign your own document.

[cbayer]

16. I think you might have meant this for another thread, lol.

[Cartoonist]

26. The Big Question

Would a display of Santa Claus be considered a religious symbol?

[rug]

27. By this school, yes, unless he was called Kris Kringle.

[cbayer]

28. Did you know that it was Thomas Nast, a cartoonist,

that brought santa claus to life?

Coincidence?