Fire Freshwater
Staff Editorial
Issue date: 1/28/10 Section: Opinion
The principle was established 219 years ago as the First Amendment to our Constitution: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." Why is this still a national conversation?
We are lucky that in our country we are all free to practice whatever religion we choose, to espouse any religious beliefs with legal impunity. This freedom and privilege applies only to individuals, however; public school teachers are agents of the state, and thanks to the separation of church and state they cannot legally impose their beliefs on students.
But that doesn't stop some from trying. John Freshwater, the currently suspended eighth grade science teacher at Mount Vernon Middle School (MVMS) who the School Board tried to fire for teaching creationism and burning a student with a Tesla coil in the shape of a cross, among other allegations, has been in the midst of contract termination hearings for a year and a half. Freshwater clearly violated the separation of church and state, and even worse, he abused the privilege of his position of influence over young students. So why is it taking so long to fire him? The State of Ohio appointed a referee to look into his case, and the resulting hearings that have lasted so long are a product of a system that allows teachers to defend themselves before being fired by the Board of Education. The problem isn't the system - teachers certainly should be able to give their sides - but rather the fact that the two sides are being given moral equivalence in this debate. By teaching creationism in violation of Ohio State Academic Content Standards and referencing the Bible during science lessons, Freshwater violated a basic American principle. This is a fact, whether or not your religious beliefs align with his and whether or not you like him personally (he was a very popular teacher). He has no place in the public school system. He would have made a good teacher in a private religious school - had he not injured a student.
The "Principal's Message" on the MVMS Web site states: "Our goal is to have our students leave MVMS with skills to make them productive and active citizens." Students become "productive and active citizens" by being equipped with the tools to think critically about the world around them. They have the right to receive an objective scientific education and a right to come to their own conclusions about religion. Any attempt by a schoolteacher to mix the two is indoctrination and an abuse of power. We at the Collegian therefore believe that Freshwater should be fired.
We are lucky that in our country we are all free to practice whatever religion we choose, to espouse any religious beliefs with legal impunity. This freedom and privilege applies only to individuals, however; public school teachers are agents of the state, and thanks to the separation of church and state they cannot legally impose their beliefs on students.
But that doesn't stop some from trying. John Freshwater, the currently suspended eighth grade science teacher at Mount Vernon Middle School (MVMS) who the School Board tried to fire for teaching creationism and burning a student with a Tesla coil in the shape of a cross, among other allegations, has been in the midst of contract termination hearings for a year and a half. Freshwater clearly violated the separation of church and state, and even worse, he abused the privilege of his position of influence over young students. So why is it taking so long to fire him? The State of Ohio appointed a referee to look into his case, and the resulting hearings that have lasted so long are a product of a system that allows teachers to defend themselves before being fired by the Board of Education. The problem isn't the system - teachers certainly should be able to give their sides - but rather the fact that the two sides are being given moral equivalence in this debate. By teaching creationism in violation of Ohio State Academic Content Standards and referencing the Bible during science lessons, Freshwater violated a basic American principle. This is a fact, whether or not your religious beliefs align with his and whether or not you like him personally (he was a very popular teacher). He has no place in the public school system. He would have made a good teacher in a private religious school - had he not injured a student.
The "Principal's Message" on the MVMS Web site states: "Our goal is to have our students leave MVMS with skills to make them productive and active citizens." Students become "productive and active citizens" by being equipped with the tools to think critically about the world around them. They have the right to receive an objective scientific education and a right to come to their own conclusions about religion. Any attempt by a schoolteacher to mix the two is indoctrination and an abuse of power. We at the Collegian therefore believe that Freshwater should be fired.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Sam Stickle
posted 1/29/10 @ 5:58 PM EST
The editorial stated: ?This freedom and privilege applies only to individuals, however; public school teachers are agents of the state, and thanks to the separation of church and state they cannot legally impose their beliefs on students. (Continued…)
Ron
posted 1/30/10 @ 9:52 AM EST
Hmmm, puts this editorial in a new light.
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