Public school teacher tells class: "You belong in hell"
Kearny, New JerseySome local press from this story is expected this week; the blogosphere may generate more attention.
November 10, 2006
A history teacher at the local public high school here may have bitten off more than he cares to chew this fall. Self-described conservative Baptist David Paszkiewicz used his history class to proselytize biblical fundamentalism over the course of several days at the beginning of this school year.
Among his remarks in open class were statements that a being must have created the universe, that the Christian Bible is the word of God, and that dinosaurs were aboard Noah's ark. If you do not accept Jesus, he flatly proclaimed to his class, "you belong in hell." Referring to a Muslim student who had been mentioned by name, he lamented what he saw as her inevitable fate should she not convert. In an attempt to promote biblical creationism, he also dismissed evolution and the Big Bang as non-scientific, arguing by contrast that the Bible is supported by what he calls confirmed biblical prophecies.
After taking the matter to the school administration, one of Paszkiewicz's students, junior Matthew LaClair, requested a meeting with the teacher and the school principal. LaClair, a non-Christian, was requesting an apology and correction of false and anti-scientific statements. After two weeks, a meeting took place in the principal's office, wherein Paszkiewicz denied making many of these comments, claiming that LaClair had taken his remarks out of context. Paszkiewicz specifically denied using the phrase, "you belong in hell." He also asserted that he did nothing different in this class than he has been doing in fifteen years of teaching.
At the end of the meeting, LaClair revealed that he had recorded the remarks, and presented the principal with two compact discs. The teacher then declined to comment further without his union representative. However, he fired one last shot at the student, saying, "You got the big fish ... you got the big Christian guy who is a teacher...!"
Commenting on the situation, LaClair's father, attorney Paul LaClair said, "In a few short weeks, this teacher has displayed bigotry, hypocrisy, arrogance and an appalling ignorance of science. The school's administrators seem not to appreciate the damage this man is doing to young minds. He has some real abilities as a teacher, but this conduct is the intellectual equivalent of the school cafeteria serving sawdust."
The student and his parents have requested that the teacher's anti-scientific remarks be corrected in open class, and that the school develop quality control procedures to ensure that future classes are not proselytized and misinformed. They have also referred the matter for disciplinary action. No apology has been forthcoming from the teacher or from the school. The parents state that because of the administration's inaction, they have taken the matter to the school board this week, from whom they are awaiting a response.
(This came to my attention from a post on the SKEPTIC list by Paul Harrison--thanks, Paul.)
UPDATE (November 15, 2006): This story has now been reported in the Newark Star-Ledger.
UPDATE: The Jersey Journal has picked up the story and put some of the audio online. The story is also being picked up by NYC-area radio and television--the LaClairs have been interviewed by or have scheduled interviews with WCBS radio, 1010 WINS radio, Fox 5 News, and NBC 4 News.
UPDATE (November 22, 2006): The Observer (the weekly newspaper for Kearny, NJ) has published some quotes from the recordings and a few letters to the editor.
84 comments:
This guy is a history teacher? Judging from the account of what he told the class, he believes the earth is about 6,000 years old. That view ignores somewhere around 95,000 years of human history.
I feel bad for those students. The kids he had been teaching for 15 years are the ones who really lost in this situation.
By the way, I linked to your blog from mine. Come check it out if you wish.
The Honorable Flamingo
Well done!
That's way, way too close to home for comfort for me.
If this article from John Stossel has any truth to it, then I predict that this guy will still be a teacher a year from now.
(and, yes, I recognize that the teacher was in New Jersey and not New York)
Are you sure this story isnt totally full of shit? I looked, and looked, and looked for ANY kind of verification to this, and came up with NOTHING, other than that David Paszkiewicz is a world class Rubik's cube puzzle solver (or a name on a church webpage.) There isnt even any local news to support this claim. *Sometimes i worry about the power bloggers have... <sigh>*
smtr: I exchanged emails with Paul LaClair about it. He says he expects some local newspaper coverage this week; the local paper there comes out on Thursdays. I've also asked to be able to listen to some of the audio clips; he's said OK, but so far has said that they've had some technical issues and I've not yet heard anything.
I have verified that David Paszkiewicz is a U.S. History teacher at Kearny High School; he's also head coach of the women's crew team.
Dude this is a fucking joke...... first off why the fuck would you want so much attention over stupid shit... and second... i know this teacher personally and know he is a good person and diddnt mean to offend ne one... and fuck the little bitch ass who recorded this shiit... im a senior @ khs and this just adds to all the fucking drama in this school.. so u know wat fuck all u bitch asses who want to see action taken... u r a sad sad person and need to fucking get a fucking life so ya im done here..... u wanna talk shit tell me @ neo1123@gmail.com
neo1123: It's not a joke, it's a violation of the U.S. Constitution's Establishment Clause by a teacher who is using his position of authority in a public school to push his religion on students, as well as to purvey misinformation about science--and has then lied about it to the principal when called on it. The teacher has broken the law, demonstrated incompetence as a teacher, and shown himself to be dishonest. That's three items that argue for his permanent removal from the classroom.
If your comment here is an indication of your reading comprehension skills, your writing skills, and your critical thinking skills, I don't think you should be receiving a high school diploma.
neo1123: How good a person he is has no bearing on the issue of whether or not a public school classroom is the right forum for proselytizing.
I believe this is the most stupidiest thing ever. That kid is just trying to find attetntion for himself. I've had this teacher and he is one of the best teachers. He taught history the way it was and in group discussions he would view both points without no religion remarks. So who ever reads this, don't be ignorants and know the facts first. The kid who claimed this is the type of kid no one likes and wants to drive attention to hiself. I say to the father to drop it because that teacher is loved by many and going against it will cause much problems.
Neo1123
We 'pay attention over stupid shit' because your teacher was doing something very wrong to the students in his charge.
Look at it this way, if the school ignores one religious teacher's words, then they might also ignore another religious teacher's words.
Would you have been so willing to come to the defense of someone who professed that all Christians were going to hell because they had the wrong religion?
Perhaps you would be uncomfortable with a teacher who claimed that his religion "just knew" that Blacks were inferior to the White Race.
Both beliefs have a lot of supporters in this world - and although human culture is a great topic for a High School class, teaching these beliefs as truth is as wrong as what the History teacher did.
Lastly, you're a senior in High School, and this is how you communicate? Perhaps your school has failed you. If this teacher is any indication of the quality of your school, I'd be inclined to give you the benefit of the doubt.
I am a graduate from KHS and have been in this teacher's history class. In no way does he preach or push on his religious views. No students in his class, when I was there, had problems with his behavior. In turn, we we're mature and debated with him. Students who disagreed with his MENTIONS to the Bible--not preaching--debated the teacher and we actually enjoyed the intellectual debates with him. Paszkiewicz does not say you must be Christian, he just expresses his point of view. From my experience in his class, students are the ones who initiate a religious discussion: They would ask him what he thought of gay marriage and why. He would respond with his view and back it up with HIS VIEWS--as would a Muslim with his, as would a biologist with his, and as would a Jew with his. If students want to know what this man's views are toward a particular issue or even his views about the Civil War or about Kennedy's assassination, he will answer them. Why should he lie and/or alter his views toward historical issues. If he feels Kennedy's life was up because God was calling him, then the teacher ought to express that since the student's ask HIM--they asked for his views. If the teacher's views about a historical event contain religious backing and the questions from students ask for an opinion, then he should give his honest opinion. I had class with Mr. Paszkiewicz and for 15 years no students took such measures--not because of fear--but because we enjoyed debating him. I know for a fact, that if you ask any other student at KHS, they will tell you that they support the teacher--and NOT the student. It's unfortunate that the teacher's reputation has been tarnished because he is one of the best history teachers at KHS and has one of the most interesting and student engaging teaching methods--via official debates. Before, you all accept LaClair's atheist views--which he has said they are, consider and listen to OTHER students who admire this man. Thank you.
"Former Student",
Unless Paszkiewicz has gone off his meds since you allegedly took a class from him, I highly doubt your characterization of things, since part of the recordings have been made available online.
Can you tell us the precise pedagogical reason for telling a class "You all belong in hell."?
Listening to the tapes, if this man is the best history teacher you have there, then the whole school is a dead loss.
am a sister of a fellow classmate in this kids class.If you did not hear the recording correctly, it clearly states that Mr.P says"Does anyone have a problem that we are talking about religion and not populism (the topic)"? If that kid Matt had a problem, right then and there he should of said,"Yes" But yet, he insisted on being dificult.Also,in this particular recording if you did not hear correctly it also said that Matt started the hole thing with religion. He is simply not proving anything.He is playing the victim when he is infact the bully.From what my sister tells me he infact is an amazing teacher. He didn't do anything wrong and I don't think he would ever want to intensionally offend someone. I honestly think that this case went overboard,if he had a problem he should have switched his teacher or told the teacher he disagreed with talking about religion.So in conclusion,I think that Matt took this way overboard and he lost the case because you have to hear what the recording says clearly.Lastly, i'd like to say that if everyone else in his class says they love the teacher and would never harm or affend a thing then why would only one student think that? It could of simply been delt with if he would switch his teacher or have a conference.But instead he wants to get everyone's attention when there are more important things to deal with in life.
P.S. I know i don't have the best english grammar. =)
First off, I am a recent graduate fro KHS, so I am very in touch with how the class was run.
Second, If any non-Christian asked me if they were going to hell, I would answer, "There is a strong possibly that yes you are, unless God wants to save you from eternal damnation."
Also, the quote was taken completely out of context. Anyone, with any common sense, can determine that. Furthermore, there is no need to target the school and its curriculum. You cannot disagree with my statement that he is one of the best history teachers, until you have taken his course. Also, are you from Kearny? Do you know the environment in my town? Are you aware of anything that has to do with the school itself? If not, then anything you say is mere speculation and assumption based on one source--Matt's quotes and recording.
Also, the the previous speaker said, the teacher did indeed ask if everyone was OK with the path the lecture took. The class enthusiastically said yes. Matt planned the whole event, the questions, recording, and initiating the topic. The teacher did not walk in and say, OK instead of populism we will talk about God. The student and students initiated and prolonged the discussion.
The teacher was confronted about the issue in September and no longer mentions God in the classrrom. There is no need for prosecution since the teacher no longer acts as he did before. This clearly shows the student's ongoing appetite for attention and attempt to tarnish the teacher's reputation. This is the same kid who refuses to stand to the Flag Salute because it says Under God and because he hates Bush. This is not the first act of defiance by this young man. So please, all I ask, is that you hear all sides of the story and hear the students/alumni views before making any judgments about a man and kid that none or most of you have not met.
Former Student: You, like the other students posting here, are failing to address or even recognize the actual issue here.
You should ask yourself this question: Would it have been OK for this teacher to have injected his personal religious views into the classroom if he was a Muslim, a Scientologist, or an atheist? If your answer is yes, then at least you are advocating a consistent position. If your answer is no, then you are only supporting the teacher because his religious views are the same as yours, and you don't understand what the U.S. Constitution requires of a teacher in a public school--which in turn means that you've not gotten the education about U.S. government that you should have gotten from your high school.
I also haven't seen any of you address the fact that the teacher *lied* when confronted about what he had done, denying that he had said the things that he had. Don't you agree that's wrong? Or is lying also acceptable in Kearny, as long as you're a Christian?
I am a 28 year old female resident of Kearny. I attended KHS from 1992-1996. I also had David Paszkiewicz as a history teacher while I attended KHS. ALSO, when I was younger, I had David Paszkiewicz as a Sunday School teacher at the then named church, Gospel Light Baptist Church. It is located behind West Hudson Hospital. David Paszkiewicz used to preach about the usual "no sex before marriage" but while on a church Memorial Day outing to New Life Island, I caught David Paszkiewicz having sex with his then girlfriend in the woods. That is part of the reason I lost interest in religion, granted not all of it.
As far as David Paszkiewicz interjecting his personal religious beliefs and his religious version of history in the classroom, I've also witnessed that first hand. In fact, any of my other friends that had him all said the same thing. How he would tell the students back when I attended how he had this archeologic friend who would follow real archeologist and "disprove" whatever findings they came across to disprove evolution or the existance of dinosaurs. We *were* supposed to be learning about WWII.
As far as the statement made by the person who stated that David Paszkiewicz would ask the class if anyone had a problem with discussing religion, here is something not considered. As a PUBLIC SCHOOL teacher he shouldn't have asked the question to begin with. If David Paszkiewicz wanted to teach history with a religious twist perhaps he should go teach at Queen of Peace. No matter what, David Paszkiewicz should know better than to even entertain the idea of discussing religion in class like that. I've had other history teachers while I attended KHS, Mr. Muro for example, and when asked a question even remotely resembling religion Mr. Muro would say how he couldn't discuss it.
I do not feel bad for "Dave", as we used to call him in youth group meetings at church, he is a grown man who should know better than to even entertain a religious topic in a public school.
I'm glad someone finally had the nerve to say something about David Paszkiewicz's religious history being taught at KHS and was smart enough to record it. I'm going to cover this topic on myspace today. I bet my friends will feel the same way. Thank you Matthew LaClair for doing what no one has had the guts to do since 1992. If you need someone to testify stating that this has been going on for years, let me know.
To "former student":
Second, If any non-Christian asked me if they were going to hell, I would answer, "There is a strong possibly that yes you are, unless God wants to save you from eternal damnation."
God does want to save us from eternal damnation. That's why He sent Jesus.
He also told Christians not to judge those that don't share our beliefs. So if any non-Christians ask you whether they're going to Hell, the correct answer is "I don't know." That is, of course, unless you are God.
Oh, and as for the Flag Salute, if I disagree with the way a country is run and the reasons it goes to war, I'm not going to pledge allegiance to it.
Paul LaClair has pointed out at Ed Brayton's blog that the claim that Paszkiewicz was "set up" or instigated into his remarks by his son Matthew is absurd. He provides this summary of the 40-minute class:
"Paszkiewicz initiated nearly every topic in this 40-minute class session, except as otherwise noted. The topics, in order of appearance are:
(1) He does not want his children dressing certain ways on Halloween;
(2) He home schooled his children until recently.
(3) Kearny is a good town (student initiated)
(4) Criticism of public education, e.g., cannot read from the Bible
(5) He believes in sin and man's fall
(6) His children must follow his religion until age 18
(7) Purposes of public school (student initiated and quickly disposed of by Paszkiewicz)
(8) The Christian scriptures are not religion
(9) Evolution is not science
(10) The Big Bang could not have happened
(11) Faith (student initiated)
(12) A being created the universe
{At this point, for the first time, Paszkiewicz asks, "Is this bothering anyone?"}
(13) Christian faith is proved by Biblical prophecies, which have "come true to the letter and verified"
(14) God told Moses what he had done before there were people to observe it, that's how Moses knew what to write
(15) Suppose you were God. God gives choice
(16) My son's reply: I wouldn't send my children to hell for eternity.
That is what "elicited" the comment about belonging in hell.
What happened is that Matthew challenged his theology, and Paskiewicz responded accordingly. Draw your own conclusions."
CFF1226: Could you please provide a way that you can be contacted? You can email me at lippard-web at discord.org.
First off, I am a recent graduate fro KHS, so I am very in touch with how the class was run.
Second, If any non-Christian asked me if they were going to hell, I would answer, "There is a strong possibly that yes you are, unless God wants to save you from eternal damnation."
Well, according to your mythology, not only does God want to save people from eternal damnation, hence the substitutive sacrifice, but also is the only arbiter of who is saved and who isn't.
Also, the quote was taken completely out of context. Anyone, with any common sense, can determine that.
Well, I asked you to put it in context for me by telling me the precise pedagogical reason for telling a classroom that they all belong in hell. You didn't answer that question.
Furthermore, there is no need to target the school and its curriculum.
I'm not targeting the curriculum; I am however saying that I am strongly inclined to believe that telling a class that they belong in hell is not in the curriculum.
You cannot disagree with my statement that he is one of the best history teachers, until you have taken his course.
Even if the rest of his course was nothing short of perfection, the recorded comments would completely remove him from even being in the running for "one of the best history teachers". History classes are not places to be talking theology--period.
Furthermore, I can determine from what he said that he doesn't have a good grasp of history.
For example: "Scriptures aren't religion, they are the foundation of all of the world's major religions."
Does that include Hindus, Buddhists, Taoists, etc.? Or do religions with hundreds of thousands of faithful not constitute a "major religion"?
"Religion's a set way of doing things, like for example if you take christian faith, right you have main varieties, there's Roman Catholicism, the Methodists, the Presbyterians, the Baptists."
When your sole idea of the major sects of Christianity is the Roman Catholics, the Methodists, the Presbyterians, and the Baptists, then you do not have the historical knowledge to even be expounding on your religion's history, much less the history at large. What about the Greek and Russian Orthodox, the Coptic Christians, the Lutherans (as in Martin 95-Theses-nailed-to-a-church-door Luther), the Calvinists, the Anabaptists, etc.?
Here's another doozy:
"But that's the generation ["prior to 1962"] that did not have terrorism did not have race agression and all of that."
Yes, Nat Turner's rebellion, the Indian Wars, lynchings, slavery, race riots all over, including Tulsa where 300 were killed, etc. simply never happened!
To say nothing of terrorism. I mean that wasn't a tool ever used by anyone, was it? The FLN (in a war started by the pieds noirs, French colonialists, bombing the Casbah), John Brown, the Wall Street Bombing, the burning of the port of Ostia, numerous assassinations and bombings of government heads and government offices, etc. None of those existed either!
"But if my kid is aged 12 and he's kinda like dad, i appreciate what you've taught me but i've decided in my 12 years of religion that i'm gonna stop going to church, after i break his backside, we're gonna have a little attitude adjustment and i'm gonna say you're gonna get in the car with the rest of the family and go to church. you're entitled to your own opinion, but you're gonna do what i tell you to."
And that just screams that this man should have a perpetual restraining order on him, keeping him five hundred feet from any children at any time (especially his own).
Also, are you from Kearny? Do you know the environment in my town? Are you aware of anything that has to do with the school itself? If not, then anything you say is mere speculation and assumption based on one source--Matt's quotes and recording.
Bwahahahahahah!
Basically that statement boils down to "What are you going to believe? What you hear or what I tell you?"
Also, the the previous speaker said, the teacher did indeed ask if everyone was OK with the path the lecture took.
It doesn't matter. It's not appropriate for him to be taking up class time with his private religious views. Even if he asked at the outset (he didn't), there should have been nothing to ask about.
The fact is that he knew this, which is why he lied to the principal until he was confronted with the recordings, then he shut up (a rare moment for him, apparently) and asked for his union rep.
The class enthusiastically said yes. Matt planned the whole event, the questions, recording, and initiating the topic. The teacher did not walk in and say, OK instead of populism we will talk about God.
Really? You chide me for not knowing about your city, and yet you are prepared to stake a claim to clairvoyance, claiming you "know" what Matt did? Furthermore, again, it doesn't matter. Even if he set it up with the questions, a claim I doubt seriously, the teacher did not have to blissfully babble on about his private religious beliefs in a public school classroom when he should have been teaching history.
The student and students initiated and prolonged the discussion.
Irrelevant.
The teacher was confronted about the issue in September and no longer mentions God in the classrrom.
Well, if he were confronted about it, then his preaching in lieu of teaching couldn't have been as uniformly popular as you're attempting to claim. You can't have it both ways.
Furthermore, there were plenty of "god" references and religious talk in the recordings, so obviously he's failing to teach properly even after he's been notified of complaints. He should be summarily fired for that.
There is no need for prosecution since the teacher no longer acts as he did before.
Who's talking about prosecution? You can't be prosecuted for this. He should, however, be sacked.
This clearly shows the student's ongoing appetite for attention and attempt to tarnish the teacher's reputation. This is the same kid who refuses to stand to the Flag Salute because it says Under God and because he hates Bush.
Oh! Horrors!
The right not to salute the flag has been one's own since the ruling in Barnette v. West Virginia. Obviously he understands that, so maybe he should be teaching the class, since he seems to have a better grasp of history than you or your former teacher.
This is not the first act of defiance by this young man.
This sort of irrelevant tripe being taught as fact in a history classroom should be defied.
So please, all I ask, is that you hear all sides of the story and hear the students/alumni views before making any judgments about a man and kid that none or most of you have not met.
Well, I've heard your side, and my opinion remains unchanged. The teacher should be fired for negligence and gross incompetence.
I graduated from Kearny high and i have to say that even though Mr.P brought up such references in class, he never brought it up unless he was provoked into it, or someone asked him a question on the issue. My guess is that this kid provoked him into discussing this because i know personally that he does not teach everyday about god or church, and only when something was brought up would he do it. This kid is also his own hypocrite in that on tv he said he does not want a big thing to happen with this and just wants him to stop talking about church in a public school, but if this kid did not want such a bit issue about it, why would he call the star ledger, channel four, and cn8 about this issue unless he wanted such attention. I have said to this teacher before i dont feel that we should talk about religious issues at this point and he respected my wishes, now if this kid felt so uncomfortable in class why did he not say something, rather he got a bunch of recording equipment and provoked him into talking about it. I do feel religion should not be taught in public schools but to make such a huge fuss by calling in media who will blow up every little thing about this teacher is ridiculous.
I have a question, as I am also a recent graduate of Kearny High School. What is the difference between a teacher saying his views on religion when it is common knowledge that he is a minister, and any teacher preaching the glory of liberalism. If Mr. Paszkiewicz is wrong shouldn't forcing politcal views on students also be wrong?
Oolon Colluphid said...
"Well, according to your mythology, not only does God want to save people from eternal damnation, hence the substitutive sacrifice, but also is the only arbiter of who is saved and who isn't."
You shouldn't question God with such pittiful quetions. Unless you are a zombi, I don't think you have a clue of what will happen after death, or God's plan in that matter. God gives you the choice to belive in him or not. He sent Jesus to die on the cross for you and I. The Bible is the most printed book in history and is known all around the world. Durring one's life time, I believe God gives you many chances to give him a chance. You shouldn't assume that God makes people knowing who is going to go to hell and who isn't. Who are you to ask?
"Even if he set it up with the questions, a claim I doubt seriously, the teacher did not have to blissfully babble on about his private religious beliefs in a public school classroom when he should have been teaching history."
Mr. Paszkiewicz was in no way prattling on about his beliefs, and it is very ignorant of you to make that comment. You yourself weren't there either. In the beginging of the school year, no books were available, leaving teachers with open class discussions. In that case, the discussion led to religion, which is unfortunate to Matt LaClair. Now many people dislike him for what he has done, and he himself brought more religion into the school. I've never seen so many people standing up for Jesus on school grounds. Therefore, thank you, Matt LaClair, I pray for your own salvation.
Though I pitty Matt LaClair, I oppose him and what he has done, but you could say my opinion is biased, being I'm Christian myself. It seems to me that Matt LaClair did indeed premeditate his actions. People have blown the First Amendment out of its original meaning. "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting hte free exercise therof; or abridging hte freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion..." Mr. Paszkiewicz did not force anyone to believe in what he does.
"or prohibithing the free exercise therof".... Seems to me people against Mr. Paszkiewicz's right of speech are the ones that are going against the Constitution..
"or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble.." I think Mr. Paszkiewicz is the real victim here. Athiests have no more fight in them and are resorting to pathetically trying to shut them up.
Our founding fathers set this country up with God in mind. How can something such as religeon which is so huge be ignored? Especially in history class. If athiests want to ignore religeon, I want to ignore all the worldly junk that is being funneled into my mind, as well as everyone elseses, daily. Athiests like Matt LaClair have been pushing this line back further and further. When are we going to stop them? Music so vulgar and disgusting was never allowed.... They pushed that line back as far as it could possibly go. Worldy music is so disgusting and vulgar now a days that the only thing censored are very strong curse words. Athiests just don't want any one to be influenced by the Word of God. They have gone far enough. When are we, believers going to stand up for what is really right and start pushing back? Everything worldy is what we should be worrying about. THAT is what is truly influential. Everywhere you go, music, advertisements, television, etc. they are just getting more and more influential to everyone. But that is the least attacked subject. Instead, people would much rather attack someone who died for them on a cross. Women and men used to have respect for themselves. Now, sex before marriage is as common as ghanaria. The divorce rate is soaring higher and higher as marriages separate like highschool break-ups. This issue is getting sickening by the day! Last Christmas, everything pertaining to Christ was taken out of Christmas songs. Again the athiests are pushing that line farther back. The most secular things could be heard on the radio, but when a classic song has Christ's name in it, immediate action is taken. "Schools used to be able to open the Bible and read it as if it were a history book" I believe I heard these words from Mr. Paszkiewicz. Since athiests removed this, along with prayer in school, America has been rolling in a dirty mud pile of secular confusion. I think we should learn from Matt LaClair. Us belivers should be fighting for Christ stronger than him. Instead, athiests like Matt make movements because the believers don't open their mouths. Matt LaClair doesn't pledge the allegiance because it says "In God we trust." I wonder if he refuses to spend American dollars as well. We have to stop this before they uncapitalize the word God on the dollar. Before they take the word God out of the Pledge of Allegiance. Before America loses every foundation it was built on.
Another thing I would like to bring up is how horrible the people in school are to Matt LaClair. Because he is against God, they shoot him down for it. If you are for God, you should want Matt LaClair to be saved as well. Cursing him, and befriending him is the opposite of what could save him. Be an example to him, don't show him hatred. All day today at school, I heard remarks, such as, "I hate that kid," etc. People think they are doing the right thing standing up for Jesus' word, but are contradict their point when they attack him. God doesn't want people to believe in the Saviour out of fear or neglection. Jesus was sent for us to understand how God is. We should be an example of Jesus Christ to everyone, ESPECIALLY those who don't believe. Mr. Paszkiewicz is my first period teacher (The best teacher to start off my day, if I may add) and I know that if he denied some things he said, it was by accident, and not intentional. Its not his fault that he didn't record the discussion and listen to it over and over. That would be the only way he would remember such remarks. Thank you.
Joelle, you win the prize for the most non sequiturs in a single comment.
KHS graduate wrote: "I have a question, as I am also a recent graduate of Kearny High School. What is the difference between a teacher saying his views on religion when it is common knowledge that he is a minister, and any teacher preaching the glory of liberalism. If Mr. Paszkiewicz is wrong shouldn't forcing politcal views on students also be wrong?"
The difference is that political views don't constitute an "establishment of religion." However, it could well be inappropriate for a teacher to advocate a particular political view, depending on how it's done--that's what caused Jay Bennish in Colorado to get suspended for a week from his teaching position earlier this year in a case that was in some ways similar to this one.
While the Bennish case was actually less serious a violation (at least he was talking about subjects that directly pertained to the course he was teaching!), he got a more severe punishment.
I'm not sure which is more disturbing, the poor judgment displayed by a high school teacher or the poor education displayed by the high school students posting here. Obviously there is a causal relationship between the two, which is why this teacher should be fired.
(Hey, Jim, ltns...I'm glad this incident led me to your blog!)
Funny how nearly every supportive post also mentions their relationship to the teacher via their church.
Good grief people, you're making the argument FOR firing him. Shut up already.
sheesh
Public schools are for education with facts NOT religous beleifs. This guy is a wacko... He is a baptist pastor! Educated by the cult leader Falwell himself! Some people just have to fight for what they believe in even when it is wrong. Eventually scientifical facts will be accepted by the masses of the ignorant whom have fallen in the darkness of the bible. Honestly there are a lot of morons who think he is a good person. A christian pastor is far from that and this guy's actions are what infect their faith. 90% of Americans beleive in a higher being and 90% of people eat at the Olive Garden. That doesn't mean the Olive Garden has good food! More instances like this need to happen so America can stand up and fight against these sick people and their beleifs.
Hmm religious nuts suck. I think this teacher should be sacked and banned from teaching history and stick to being a religious educator/propagandist. Definitely, so long as this one -->http://www.myspace.com/mshoover is being sacked for posing nude for art photographs. (She WAS an art teacher, until a more prurient teacher with a grudge decided to use fear of the naked body (ooh its a disgusting unnatural thing that is going to inflame our sordid desires and corrupt us etc etc) to see her removed from the teaching staff.
this is alledgedly a us history class
if the school wishes to have a comparative religion class, then it should be given to mr p, and he can spew his convoluted beliefs there.
i did not hear students initiating the discussions, nor did i hear mr p giving credence to any views other than his own
i dont care how long he has been teaching, he should not be allowed in the classroom
let him go preach on a street corner
Whatever this man did or did not say, talking about one's religion in public school is usually not allowed. He should have enough sense to not interject his personal opinion into the lesson.
Joelle Perry said...
"Our founding fathers set this country up with God in mind."
Obviously your history teacher isn't teaching any actual history. While I agree that most of the founding fathers believed in God and were Christians, they certainly did not believe that they were founding a Christian nation or that religion and government should mix. Please read The Treaty of Tripoli which was passed by the Senate and signed by one of our founding fathers, President John Adams, in 1797. Here is Article 11:
"As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion; as it has in itself no character of emnity against the law, religion, or tranquillity, of Mussulmen; and, as the said States never entered ......" you can read the rest here:
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=llsp&fileName=002/llsp002.db&recNum=23
I advise school districts on how NOT to get sued. That's my day job.
I am going to use this as a case study on how NOT to deal with this situation. The administrators did not exercise due diligence and have made the district - and themselves personally - vulnerable to litigation.
It is apparent that this is not an isolated occurrence with this teacher, as former students are coming forward and saying he did it in their classes too.
Obviously the administrators and teachers in this school district need REMEDIAL classes on religion in schools. They obviously have no clue what they are doing.