High School Holds ‘Fictional Character Day’; Atheist Student Dresses Up as Jesus

[Ian David]

High School Holds ‘Fictional Character Day’; Atheist Student Dresses Up as Jesus

A couple of months ago, Summit High School in Spring Hill, Tennessee held a “Fictional Character Day” in which students could come to school dressed as their favorite fictional character. Like the Mad Hatter. Or Darth Vader. Or SpongeBob SquarePants.

Jeff Shott came dressed as Jesus.

<snip>

Now, he told me my costume was controversial and likely to disrupt the learning environment. I explained that my quarrel with my science teacher wasn’t one of personal offense, but of professionalism. I told him that by teaching creationism, she was teaching something unconstitutional and flat-out dishonest. As a science teacher and an educator, she was out of line teaching biblical creationism. She was only adding to the already dishearteningly prevalent misconceptions on the theory of evolution, the very basis of our understanding of modern biology.

Both principals said they were worried my costume would spark religious debates in every class and take up large amounts of time. I was sternly warned that if even one teacher reported the slightest disruption, I would have to take off my costume. Then and there, I decided to take it off.

<snip>

My younger brother and I have both been told that we are only atheists because we are possessed by demons. We’ve been told that when we read the bible as nonbelievers, the devil himself literally changes the words, making it impossible for us to gain an adequate understanding of the word of god. After telling someone that I am an atheist, it’s not uncommon for the initial response to resemble a personal attack such as “You’re a bad person,” or a threat, “You’re going to hell.”



More:
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2012/04/24/high-school-holds-fictional-character-day-atheist-student-dresses-up-as-jesus/

[YankeyMCC]

1. "Both principals said they were worried my costume would spark religious debates in every class"

Oh God forbid there be a discussion in the classroom that get's the students engaged and excited. I mean that wouldn't present a good opportunity for the teachers to teach critical thinking, debate, civility or anything.

I guess God does forbid.

On the other hand the theme was "Favorite" fictional character was Jesus really their favorite?

[Ian David]

3. Imagine if he'd dressed as Judas? n/t

[sinkingfeeling]

2. What a great kid!

[frogmarch]

4. Brave kid!

From the sound of it, he's also intelligent.

Maybe this will get some of the religious kids to start thinking.

[d_r]

5. the horrible part

he said his science teacher said that we come from "Adam and Eve."

Even with the recent bill that passed in Tennessee, the teacher can't advocate a particular religion like that.

Flat out unconstitutional.

He also said that teachers led students in prayer - "Last year, a teacher leading the class in prayer openly criticized my brother for refusing to bow his head."

[Ian David]

6. Someone in the Religion forum posted this with the usual, predictable responses...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1218&pid=23262

[EvolveOrConvolve]

7. Balls

Big ass balls!

Bravo Mr Shott, bravo!

[DetlefK]

8. Too bad. There was a historical Jesus.

AFAIR born in 4 BC

It's interesting, that the earliest depictions of this cult-leader show no symbols of power, authority or institution (like the colors gold and red symbolizing royalty for example). After all, he was just an ordinary guy spreading a message of love and non-violence.

If those earliest Christians didn't depict Jesus Christ as a higher being (god or king), what are the ramifications?
What reason could there possibly be to depict this true son of Jehova just as if he weren't godly at all?

[laconicsax]

9. There just as well may not have been.

The evidence that Jesus existed is scant at best.

[Ian David]

12. See: jesus never existed

http://www.jesusneverexisted.com/

and

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christ_myth_theory

[sakabatou]

10. Wait... is this a public high school?

[Ian David]

11. Yes. It's a PUBLIC school where the science teacher teaches Adam & Eve and the talking snake. n/t

[laconicsax]

13. You know, I'm pretty sure that can't be true...

I never had a science teacher who taught creationism. Therefore, no science teachers ever teach creationism. Also, my good friend is a climatologist and she was never taught creationism.

Checkmate, atheists!

[sakabatou]

14. Definitely illegal