Okay, there is a middle school teacher in the school district in which I live that has displayed a Bible on his desk for the last 30 years. However, recently, he has been asked to place the Bible in a desk drawer or out of sight during class sessions. He has refused and threatened to file a lawsuit. I am no Godless socialist that preaches political correctness, Rather I disagree with the Church and State laws, but I do not support this teacher. He is in public education and he signed a contract in which it stated that he would follow the rules of the Ohio Teacher’s Manual. Therefore, I believe he has no right to a lawsuit whatsoever. It would make the most sense for him to just put the Bible in a drawer and not try to stir up trouble that doesnt need to be. He was clearly violating the terms of his contract (even if the contract has stupid points like this one), so I believe that he has no case. Wanted to see what everybody thought about the issue.
In this case the problem is created by government ownership of the schools. Because it’s government property, it’s “public” property, and everyone on it is entitled to their civil rights. The government can’t exercise property ownership rights, because the Constitution forbids it to do so in any way that impairs free speech, bearing arms, security in one’s person and effects, freedom from self-incrimination, etc.
The same problem applies to airlines, BTW. If airlines are “public” property, then the second amendment applies, and it’s unconstitutional to ban firearms. If it’s private property, the owner can make any rules he wants to. It’s the paradox of government “ownership.”
–Len.
Are you saying that his contract forbids him from keeping personal property in view on his desk?
Only if it’s Christian literature. Given “Islam Week” and the like they’re having to promote “diversity” in schools these days, clearly it is only evil Christianity they ban. (Really, it’s enough to annoy even a blasphemous heathen like me!)
Are you saying that his contract forbids him from keeping personal property in view on his desk?
Yes, the teacher’s handbook for the state of Ohio forbids teachers from displaying religious parafunallia during class. Unfortanetly, this is only enforced on Christian parafunallia as JCFolsom said.
I agree with you. If you are in your own home, you make the rules – at your place of employment, your boss makes the rules. If you’ve signed a contract agreeing to certain things, you must abide by it. If you don’t like it, the honorable course is to vote with your feet and find a place to work more to your liking.