Teacher Files Federal Lawsuit
Friday June 12, 2009
Remember John Freshwater, the Ohio teacher who kept a ton of religious materials in his classroom, but was fired when he burned a student using a high-frequency generator? The case made headlines all over the place, and managed to divide a small town into "believers" and "everyone else."
Now Freshwater is suing the school district for wrongful termination, saying he was fired because of his religious beliefs. He claims "the board took action to terminate Freshwater’s teaching contract simply because he kept a Bible on his desk."
The thing is, though, that there were complaints for years about John Freshwater, and his religious materials, and his preaching in class... and the school board never did anything about it at all. It wasn't until the incident involving the "branding" that he was charged with professional misconduct and terminated. Seems like John Freshwater got away with having that Bible on his desk for a long time, and now he's stomping his feet and claiming religious discrimination.
And really, it's not just the fact that he had a Bible on his desk. In addition to harming a student with the high frequency generator, an independent firm concluded that he also "overstepped his bounds as a monitor of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, promoted particular religious beliefs in the classroom while denigrating others and was insubordinate in refusing to follow directives from school administrators."
Freshwater's suit claims he was deprived of his right to free speech, forced to work in a hostile environment, and denied due process, among other things.
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Now Freshwater is suing the school district for wrongful termination, saying he was fired because of his religious beliefs. He claims "the board took action to terminate Freshwater’s teaching contract simply because he kept a Bible on his desk."
The thing is, though, that there were complaints for years about John Freshwater, and his religious materials, and his preaching in class... and the school board never did anything about it at all. It wasn't until the incident involving the "branding" that he was charged with professional misconduct and terminated. Seems like John Freshwater got away with having that Bible on his desk for a long time, and now he's stomping his feet and claiming religious discrimination.
And really, it's not just the fact that he had a Bible on his desk. In addition to harming a student with the high frequency generator, an independent firm concluded that he also "overstepped his bounds as a monitor of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, promoted particular religious beliefs in the classroom while denigrating others and was insubordinate in refusing to follow directives from school administrators."
Freshwater's suit claims he was deprived of his right to free speech, forced to work in a hostile environment, and denied due process, among other things.
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Comments
WTF?! He thinks that’s why he was fired?! He burned a cross into a student! What is wrong with this guy’s mind?! D:
This man has some major problems. He needs to get a job in a religious school that agrees with his beliefs.
I think he needs a “job” holding down his corner of a nice, safe, padded cell.
This man is an insane idiot. He is NOT a true christian. God does not allow us to hurt one another. This man should never work with any people again. Straight Jacket, Please!
He burned a cross into a student’s skin?!? He needs counselling and preferably a Christian minister to hold his hand and explain that true Christians don’t go around mutilating other people.
I’m personally shocked that this guy’s not fighting assault charges for branding a student. That alone should be having a bigger uproar than everything else put together.
Fired just begins to cover it – if a child of mine were to be branded, regardless of anyone’s religions, regardless of “volunteering”, regardless of what the school board would do – there would be criminal charges pressed. And yes, I would be doing magick. Protection for the kids involved, for a start. Healing for everyone (including that teacher), and justice – not vengeance, but justice – for a man who has abused authority to physically harm children.
Okay let me get this straight he thinks burning a cross in a students arm is okay?!?! If I was the parents of that child I would sue the hell out of him and the school for allowing a teacher that was a bit unstable
I’m usually a calm, logical, reasonable person, but if it had been my kid, he would be lucky if the police got to him before me.
wow,this guy became overly extreme in doing what he did. Why did these kids even let him burn them? brainwashed? He must truly have mental issues! Maybe someone from his denomination should pray for him..(no offense)
Ya know, there are “crazies” everywhere. Here’s one that had been pointed out for years and the school board/superintendant let it ride.
Now, will some on please tell me who the “craziest” of this lot is, the teacher (proven looney), the kids (after 1 kid gets burned the rest go like lemmings), the parents for not having the “looney” arrested for child abuse (I know that not all those kids were 18) or the school board/super who allowed this to go so far out of hand! Also, you know that there had to be other teachers who knew about this, where were they. In their contracts that they sign, there is a statement about reporting child abuse. Hello – is anyone in that school system awake!
Love & Blessings
the scary part is I live in this state….
The teacher says he’s being discriminated against? Burning a child incredible! Surely he knows better than to harm a child – he’s supposed to be protecting the children from harm in a school environment. I’m surprised he wasn’t arrested and charged for assault.
Branding or tattooing a minor without consent from their parent is illegal. Lock him up.
And whomever said he should work in a religious school is incorrect. This man harmed a child — he should never be allowed to work with children *ever* again.
If he thought his working environment was hostile and he was denied free speech, THEN HE SHOULD HAVE QUIT!!!!! This guy is CRAZY!!!!!