Michigan Bill Allows Religious Based Bullying

[NMMNG]

(Cross-posted in R/T)

Bullying is bad--unless you can claim you're doing it in the name of your "religious beliefs". Then it seems you have free reign to do as you please, whatever the consequences.

<snip>

The GOP pushed through an amended bill, SB 137, which does nothing advocates have pushed for — including reporting requirements and enumeration, or listing, of protected classes. In addition, the legislation provides an exception which allows bullying based on “moral convictions.”

The full language of the insert is: “This section does not prohibit a statement of a sincerely held religious belief or moral conviction of a school employee, school volunteer, pupil, or a pupil and parent or guardian.”

<snip>

“To the families of the ten reported suicides that were directly linked to bullying and the countless others that have gone unreported, this bill adds insult to injury,” said Senator Glenn Anderson (D-Westland). “I have been working for years to pass legislation to provide a safe school environment for all of our students. This bill goes in the exact opposite direction and in fact provides a license to bully.”

<snip>

“You may be able to pat yourselves on the back today and say that you did something, but in actuality you are explicitly outlining how to get away with bullying,” she said. “Your exceptions have swallowed the rule. As passed today, bullying kids is OK if a student, parent, teacher or school employee can come up with a moral or religious reason for doing it.”

Disgusting. :puke:

[handmade34]

1. evil and disgusting n/t

[NMMNG]

2. Agreed

I can't believe that in the 21st century they're still getting away with this crap.

[laconicsax]

3. This bill is the ultimate conscience clause. n/t

[NMMNG]

4. For people who don't have consciences

Really, how do you defend bullying a child to death?

[laconicsax]

5. I think you're supposed to blame the victim(s). n/t

[NMMNG]

6. Yes

Gay people are bullied to death, bullies use that as "evidence" that being gay is harmful to people.

[saras]

7. MY religion says that everyone, of all genders, has to have homosexual sex with me daily.

Do I have the right to take it by force, or do I have to bully people into some pathetic semblance of consent?

And all I want is plain old sex. Wait 'till the Satanists run with this one.

[Amimnoch]

8. Fine, then Athiests can bully Christians?

This means, as a gay Athiest, I can bully Christians because my deeply held religious beliefs that Christianity is evil, and against the natural order of nature itself should be abolished.

[NMMNG]

9. Acccording to this law they can

I guess some people should be careful what they ask for, eh?

[Initech]

10. To quote Stephen Colbert: This just in - Jesus has quit!

[NMMNG]

11. Considering some of the crap people do in his name

I couldn't blame him.

[RetiredTrotskyite]

12. It's MY Religious Belief That I Should Be Able to Bully Xtians

Not really, but if it was should I be allowed to do so? Sorry but there have to be limits on religious beliefs.