Atheists & Agnostics
Related: About this forumNova Scotia Teen in Trouble for Wearing ‘Life is Wasted Without Jesus’ Shirt
Nova Scotia Teen in Trouble for Wearing Life is Wasted Without Jesus Shirt
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Swinimer is surprised his Life is Wasted without Jesus shirt has been at the center of so much controversy:
I believe this is worth standing up for its not just standing up for religious rights, its standing up for my rights as a Canadian citizen; for freedom of speech, freedom of religion. I dont think this is right.
Im all for students having freedom to express their beliefs. But that doesnt mean I approve of this shirt. Theres a pretty clear reason why:
It insults people who dont believe in Jesus. It says very directly that theyre wasting their lives and that theyre worthless. Its a form of bullying. (Its also completely false How many brilliant people have made contributions to our world without believing in Christian nonsense? Its a shirt anyone can refute with about 2 seconds of thought.)
If Swinimer wore a shirt that said, Life is great with Jesus, I dont think I would care much at all. Thats a personal message with positive tones (at least in theory). Its no different than students expressing themselves by wearing a cross. Or atheists saying we can be good without god. It doesnt say anything negative about people who dont agree with your beliefs.
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For what its worth, the Centre For Inquiry in Canada put out a statement in support of Swinimer:
While CFI sponsored the Atheist Bus Campaign, we are a strong champion of freedom of speech and freedom of religion, said National Communications Director Justin Trottier. This shirt causes no harm and is a perfectly acceptable contribution to the marketplace of ideas.
More:
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2012/05/04/nova-scotia-teen-in-trouble-for-wearing-life-is-wasted-without-jesus-shirt/
rrneck
(17,671 posts)Fuck you and the blind bow legged goat you rode in on. And I say exactly the same thing to his face.
RebelOne
(30,947 posts)but this is a country of free speech and he has every right to express his views.
rrneck
(17,671 posts)sakabatou
(42,202 posts)EvolveOrConvolve
(6,452 posts)And I'm free to point out that he's an asshat.
If he truly believes the shirt's message then he's a weak human being.
and-justice-for-all
(14,765 posts)immoderate
(20,885 posts)--imm
edcantor
(325 posts)http://www.fhcs.ednet.ns.ca/2012/05/updated-information/
Rob H.
(5,354 posts)I wonder if he was hoping no one would notice the "without Jesus" part. (Just look at how much smaller those two words are.)
I also wonder if he'd be supportive if someone wore this to school:
Somehow, I think not.
dimbear
(6,271 posts)Ian David
(69,059 posts)2ndAmForComputers
(3,527 posts)Same thing.
PufPuf23
(8,854 posts)When he realized Jesus is a myth and not a personal God, he just wants to get wasted all the time.
Note R Crumb-style script on "Wasted".
edcantor
(325 posts)Refused to take part in religious tolerance sessions
William Swinimer, who's in Grade 12, was scheduled to attend a session for all students on how to express their beliefs in a way that is respectful to all.
But John Swinimer said he wants Forest Heights Community School in Chester Basin, Lunenburg County, to only teach the basic courses, leaving religion out of it.
John Swinimer said his son will not return to school until it gets back to teaching the basics. (CBC)
"He will not attend this school unless they are having reading, writing and arithmetic good old-fashioned academics," he said, waving a New Testament bible. "When they're having forums, when they're having other extra-curricular activity, he will not attend that school."
Students said William Swinimer has been preaching and making them feel uncomfortable, and the shirt was the last straw so they complained.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/story/2012/05/07/ns-jesus-shirt-student-school.html
This kid and his father seem like pretty intolerant closed minded Christians to me!!! What do you all think?
Rob H.
(5,354 posts)Specifically this:
Sounds like the 'freedom of religion' he was talking about was referring only to his OWN religion:
It also sounds as if his dad wants him to be free to preach at/condemn his fellow students without having to consider how that might be offensive to them. He wants the school to " get) back to teaching the basics" when that's what they've been doing this entire time--his son is the one who tried to inject something other than "the basics" into the daily lives of his fellow students!
Edited to add:
Ri-i-i-i-i-i-ight.
trotsky
(49,533 posts)It wasn't about his T-shirt at all, really. He was just another fundie asshole harassing others.
edcantor
(325 posts)The boy and his father evidently don't know how to behave themselves, and are closed to the concept that there could be something wrong with being an asshole in a public school.
Ian David
(69,059 posts)Update on Student Who Wore Life is Wasted Without Jesus Shirt
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More stories are coming out about the shirt-wearing sons behavior:
Students said William Swinimer has been preaching and making them feel uncomfortable, and the shirt was the last straw so they complained.
Hes told kids theyll burn in hell if they dont confess themselves to Jesus, student Riley Gibb-Smith said.
Katelyn Hiltz, student council vice-president, agreed the controversy didnt begin with the T-shirt.
It started with him preaching his religion to kids and then telling them to go to hell. A lot of kids dont want to deal with this anymore, she said.
The Swinimers clearly prioritize getting an education (Mike Dembeck - The Canadian Press)
More:
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/
edcantor
(325 posts)If I were that kid, I would run away.
Goblinmonger
(22,340 posts)is actually a d-bag.
Ian David
(69,059 posts)edcantor
(325 posts)you've seen them all. They all whine the same tune.
redqueen
(115,108 posts)MrModerate
(9,753 posts)BUT well within the bounds of common speech typically expected on printed t-shirts.
Ultimately, there has to be space in human interactions to allow for at least some sub-juridical assholery.
Think of it as high-visibility clothing worn by dicks so you'll know them from a hundred yards away. Heck, that's a public service as far as I'm concerned.
edcantor
(325 posts)Evidently this bigot and his idiot father don't deserve coverage anymore.
Fine with me!