Girl suspended for saying ‘bless you’ at school

[Newby]

Since I can’t verify the specifics of what was said (including the remarks about “Godly speaking”), let me offer this hypothetical:

The class was supposed to be quiet. Someone sneezed. Turner said *something* in response (it doesn’t matter what) and the teacher asked her to be quiet. Turner took that as a knock on her faith and felt the need to defend against it. The teacher only saw this as a further disruption and the situation escalated. The student, clearly frustrated, ran out of the classroom and, not long after that, posted something on Facebook.
I’m not saying that happened, but it’s plausible

This is the author of Pogo's 'evidence' from an atheist blog that he holds up as being the 'truth'. This dude who wrote the blog doesn't know a damn thing about what happened or didn't happen, didn't even talk to the girl involved, claims he talked to the principal to get whatever small amount of information he did have. And then he offers up his theory of what happened, when there's no plausible way for him to even have a theory to begin with, let alone a 'theory' that's anywhere near factual. And Pogo will take an author's theory of what happened that he posted on an atheist blog over the words of the girl that it actually happened to. You people are f'in nuts.

 

[Newby]

And btw since WGN is in Chicago (which is not in Tennessee), here's the page from WMC in Memphis where they got the story, complete with that station's "report". Notice once again that they describe the whole thing as "social media" story, that it's carefully worded to report not what happened but what the girl says happened, and that their sources consist entirely of the girl and her pastor -- and not a word from the school. Entirely from one side.

Wake UP folks. You're being played like a cheap banjo. TV "news" is not put there to disseminate the news. It's put there to sell soap.

Did you see the picture of the white board that listed words/phrases not acceptable in that classroom?

While you're in here accusing everyone of jumping to conclusions and believing everything they read, you're doing the exact same thing with your source being an atheist blog? And you consider yourself an intellectual? Or should I say, attempt to pass yourself off as one? Please, spare us the bullshit.

Uh --- where did I ever say that, speaking of bullshit? Fabricate much?

Yes I saw the whiteboard and much more. I saw enough of the OP to tell me the title and its purported story reeks of bullshit, and I found out why. Part of what I posted was a reported conversation with the school prinicpal --- I found that site through a search on the terms, specifically the proper names and I got that quote, which makes no conclusions about what went down, in fact the writer specifically noted he's in no position to know that.

And it's not an "atheist blog"; it's an atheist's blog. This particular article was not about atheism or about religion. No doubt the blogger looked into the story out of his interest in such matters (who else would be doing it? A plumber?) but he never made it about atheism or about religion. As he noted neither he nor we were there to hear the phrase, intonation, loudness, etc, so context is something we can imagine.

Unless we have more background, like this from the pastor's husband

Rev. Winegardner suggests that the unnamed Dyer County High School teacher’s response to Kendra’s comment may have been due to feeling as if her authority was being openly challenged, rather than being wholly based on a religious issue.

According to Winegardner, this incident took place in a typing class wherein the teacher speaks commands and tries to get the students to get used to the keyboard.

“This may be more of a case of a teacher who required absolute silence and also had difficulty with words and phrases being used as well,” he said. “I know the media is trying hard to make this all about religion, but part of it is about how different teachers teach.” (here)​

As I said, all indications tell us this is about challenging authority -- not religion.

Now how is a Nosebook post, which has already been indicated above to be agenda-driven by the student herself, some kind of more credible source than a quote from the principal, the girl's pastor and her own agenda given in her press conference? Tell me, why would a genuine martyr be holding a press conference?

And do tell me what's 'credible' about taking sites that say "girl says she was suspended for saying 'bless you'" and morphing that into "girl WAS suspended for saying 'bless you'"?

I'll enjoy those links when you can find 'em. Like you did last time.

Denialists...

You found out why??? Seriously? From a writer on an atheist blog that has no clue what happened? Wasn't there? Had nothing to do with the story? Who is biased? Like I said, f'in nuts.

 

[Pogo]

And btw since WGN is in Chicago (which is not in Tennessee), here's the page from WMC in Memphis where they got the story, complete with that station's "report". Notice once again that they describe the whole thing as "social media" story, that it's carefully worded to report not what happened but what the girl says happened, and that their sources consist entirely of the girl and her pastor -- and not a word from the school. Entirely from one side.

Wake UP folks. You're being played like a cheap banjo. TV "news" is not put there to disseminate the news. It's put there to sell soap.

Did you see the picture of the white board that listed words/phrases not acceptable in that classroom?

While you're in here accusing everyone of jumping to conclusions and believing everything they read, you're doing the exact same thing with your source being an atheist blog? And you consider yourself an intellectual? Or should I say, attempt to pass yourself off as one? Please, spare us the bullshit.

Uh --- where did I ever say that, speaking of bullshit? Fabricate much?

Yes I saw the whiteboard and much more. I saw enough of the OP to tell me the title and its purported story reeks of bullshit, and I found out why. Part of what I posted was a reported conversation with the school prinicpal --- I found that site through a search on the terms, specifically the proper names and I got that quote, which makes no conclusions about what went down, in fact the writer specifically noted he's in no position to know that.

And it's not an "atheist blog"; it's an atheist's blog. This particular article was not about atheism or about religion. No doubt the blogger looked into the story out of his interest in such matters (who else would be doing it? A plumber?) but he never made it about atheism or about religion. As he noted neither he nor we were there to hear the phrase, intonation, loudness, etc, so context is something we can imagine.

Unless we have more background, like this from the pastor's husband

Rev. Winegardner suggests that the unnamed Dyer County High School teacher’s response to Kendra’s comment may have been due to feeling as if her authority was being openly challenged, rather than being wholly based on a religious issue.

According to Winegardner, this incident took place in a typing class wherein the teacher speaks commands and tries to get the students to get used to the keyboard.

“This may be more of a case of a teacher who required absolute silence and also had difficulty with words and phrases being used as well,” he said. “I know the media is trying hard to make this all about religion, but part of it is about how different teachers teach.” (here)​

As I said, all indications tell us this is about challenging authority -- not religion.

Now how is a Nosebook post, which has already been indicated above to be agenda-driven by the student herself, some kind of more credible source than a quote from the principal, the girl's pastor and her own agenda given in her press conference? Tell me, why would a genuine martyr be holding a press conference?

And do tell me what's 'credible' about taking sites that say "girl says she was suspended for saying 'bless you'" and morphing that into "girl WAS suspended for saying 'bless you'"?

I'll enjoy those links when you can find 'em. Like you did last time.

Denialists...

You found out why??? Seriously? From a writer on an atheist blog that has no clue what happened? Wasn't there? Had nothing to do with the story? Who is biased? Like I said, f'in nuts.

So---- you have nothing. Again, like last time. And btw where is any contradiction to what I, the blogger quoting the principal, the Reverend Winegardner, or Kendra herself said in her press conference?

Where, indeed.

 

[Newby]

And btw since WGN is in Chicago (which is not in Tennessee), here's the page from WMC in Memphis where they got the story, complete with that station's "report". Notice once again that they describe the whole thing as "social media" story, that it's carefully worded to report not what happened but what the girl says happened, and that their sources consist entirely of the girl and her pastor -- and not a word from the school. Entirely from one side.

Wake UP folks. You're being played like a cheap banjo. TV "news" is not put there to disseminate the news. It's put there to sell soap.

Did you see the picture of the white board that listed words/phrases not acceptable in that classroom?

While you're in here accusing everyone of jumping to conclusions and believing everything they read, you're doing the exact same thing with your source being an atheist blog? And you consider yourself an intellectual? Or should I say, attempt to pass yourself off as one? Please, spare us the bullshit.

Uh --- where did I ever say that, speaking of bullshit? Fabricate much?

Yes I saw the whiteboard and much more. I saw enough of the OP to tell me the title and its purported story reeks of bullshit, and I found out why. Part of what I posted was a reported conversation with the school prinicpal --- I found that site through a search on the terms, specifically the proper names and I got that quote, which makes no conclusions about what went down, in fact the writer specifically noted he's in no position to know that.

And it's not an "atheist blog"; it's an atheist's blog. This particular article was not about atheism or about religion. No doubt the blogger looked into the story out of his interest in such matters (who else would be doing it? A plumber?) but he never made it about atheism or about religion. As he noted neither he nor we were there to hear the phrase, intonation, loudness, etc, so context is something we can imagine.

Unless we have more background, like this from the pastor's husband

Rev. Winegardner suggests that the unnamed Dyer County High School teacher’s response to Kendra’s comment may have been due to feeling as if her authority was being openly challenged, rather than being wholly based on a religious issue.

According to Winegardner, this incident took place in a typing class wherein the teacher speaks commands and tries to get the students to get used to the keyboard.

“This may be more of a case of a teacher who required absolute silence and also had difficulty with words and phrases being used as well,” he said. “I know the media is trying hard to make this all about religion, but part of it is about how different teachers teach.” (here)​

As I said, all indications tell us this is about challenging authority -- not religion.

Now how is a Nosebook post, which has already been indicated above to be agenda-driven by the student herself, some kind of more credible source than a quote from the principal, the girl's pastor and her own agenda given in her press conference? Tell me, why would a genuine martyr be holding a press conference?

And do tell me what's 'credible' about taking sites that say "girl says she was suspended for saying 'bless you'" and morphing that into "girl WAS suspended for saying 'bless you'"?

I'll enjoy those links when you can find 'em. Like you did last time.

Denialists...

You found out why??? Seriously? From a writer on an atheist blog that has no clue what happened? Wasn't there? Had nothing to do with the story? Who is biased? Like I said, f'in nuts.

So---- you have nothing. Again, like last time. And btw where is any contradiction to what I, the blogger quoting the principal, the Reverend Winegardner, or Kendra herself said in her press conference?

Where, indeed.

His entire story is a contradiction! Half of his 'story' is a completely fake theory on what he thought actually happened which completely contradicted the girl's own words.

What don't you get about your source being totally corrupt? Dude, you need serious help!

 

[Pogo]

Since I can’t verify the specifics of what was said (including the remarks about “Godly speaking”), let me offer this hypothetical:

The class was supposed to be quiet. Someone sneezed. Turner said *something* in response (it doesn’t matter what) and the teacher asked her to be quiet. Turner took that as a knock on her faith and felt the need to defend against it. The teacher only saw this as a further disruption and the situation escalated. The student, clearly frustrated, ran out of the classroom and, not long after that, posted something on Facebook.
I’m not saying that happened, but it’s plausible

This is the author of Pogo's 'evidence' from an atheist blog that he holds up as being the 'truth'. This dude who wrote the blog doesn't know a damn thing about what happened or didn't happen, didn't even talk to the girl involved, claims he talked to the principal to get whatever small amount of information he did have. And then he offers up his theory of what happened, when there's no plausible way for him to even have a theory to begin with, let alone a 'theory' that's anywhere near factual. And Pogo will take an author's theory of what happened that he posted on an atheist blog over the words of the girl that it actually happened to. You people are f'in nuts.

So ---- a theory, honestly presented as theory, by an adult, is to be dismissed because he's an "atheist", while a Nosebook post, completely uncorroborated, by a teenage girl, and then morphed by commercial media (that means they stand to make money from this sort of thing) from SAYS SHE WAS into WAS is "evidence" that dare not be challenged. Even though the concept has already been challenged by Rev. Winegardner. Is he "f'n nuts" too?

I mean if atheism is the benchmark for credibility ....

your own logic dood.

 

[Book of Jeremiah]

Esmeralda? That is about the lamest excuse I have ever heard concerning why a student shouldn't be permitted to say God bless you when someone sneezes! Seriously!

 

[Pogo]

And btw since WGN is in Chicago (which is not in Tennessee), here's the page from WMC in Memphis where they got the story, complete with that station's "report". Notice once again that they describe the whole thing as "social media" story, that it's carefully worded to report not what happened but what the girl says happened, and that their sources consist entirely of the girl and her pastor -- and not a word from the school. Entirely from one side.

Wake UP folks. You're being played like a cheap banjo. TV "news" is not put there to disseminate the news. It's put there to sell soap.

Did you see the picture of the white board that listed words/phrases not acceptable in that classroom?

While you're in here accusing everyone of jumping to conclusions and believing everything they read, you're doing the exact same thing with your source being an atheist blog? And you consider yourself an intellectual? Or should I say, attempt to pass yourself off as one? Please, spare us the bullshit.

Uh --- where did I ever say that, speaking of bullshit? Fabricate much?

Yes I saw the whiteboard and much more. I saw enough of the OP to tell me the title and its purported story reeks of bullshit, and I found out why. Part of what I posted was a reported conversation with the school prinicpal --- I found that site through a search on the terms, specifically the proper names and I got that quote, which makes no conclusions about what went down, in fact the writer specifically noted he's in no position to know that.

And it's not an "atheist blog"; it's an atheist's blog. This particular article was not about atheism or about religion. No doubt the blogger looked into the story out of his interest in such matters (who else would be doing it? A plumber?) but he never made it about atheism or about religion. As he noted neither he nor we were there to hear the phrase, intonation, loudness, etc, so context is something we can imagine.

Unless we have more background, like this from the pastor's husband

Rev. Winegardner suggests that the unnamed Dyer County High School teacher’s response to Kendra’s comment may have been due to feeling as if her authority was being openly challenged, rather than being wholly based on a religious issue.

According to Winegardner, this incident took place in a typing class wherein the teacher speaks commands and tries to get the students to get used to the keyboard.

“This may be more of a case of a teacher who required absolute silence and also had difficulty with words and phrases being used as well,” he said. “I know the media is trying hard to make this all about religion, but part of it is about how different teachers teach.” (here)​

As I said, all indications tell us this is about challenging authority -- not religion.

Now how is a Nosebook post, which has already been indicated above to be agenda-driven by the student herself, some kind of more credible source than a quote from the principal, the girl's pastor and her own agenda given in her press conference? Tell me, why would a genuine martyr be holding a press conference?

And do tell me what's 'credible' about taking sites that say "girl says she was suspended for saying 'bless you'" and morphing that into "girl WAS suspended for saying 'bless you'"?

I'll enjoy those links when you can find 'em. Like you did last time.

Denialists...

You found out why??? Seriously? From a writer on an atheist blog that has no clue what happened? Wasn't there? Had nothing to do with the story? Who is biased? Like I said, f'in nuts.

So---- you have nothing. Again, like last time. And btw where is any contradiction to what I, the blogger quoting the principal, the Reverend Winegardner, or Kendra herself said in her press conference?

Where, indeed.

His entire story is a contradiction! Half of his 'story' is a completely fake theory on what he thought actually happened which completely contradicted the girl's own words.

What don't you get about your source being totally corrupt? Dude, you need serious help!

Your links to evidence of this "corruption" are no doubt coming with those links to my claim to be an "intellectual".

Yeah that's the ticket.

By all means, make the case for us that being an atheist makes one dishonest. Why not just give us the whole ranking list. Are Presbyterians more credible than Episcopalians perhaps? Inquiring minds wanna know. This site would like to know too. You could shut them down.

 

[Book of Jeremiah]

I personally 100% believe there is a secular PC cultural war against Christian's in America.

Just an astute observation..........

Ya think?

No, but the suggestion sure sells papers, donut?

Mkay.

This story is an example of said assault on Christianity. Being polite has been turned into misconduct..... just because the teacher has a problem with religious customs, or Christianity in general.

Exactly and as usual when these people are exposed for what they are up to in the classroom - those who agree with their wicked tactics will defend them with ridiculous arguments that make no sense.

 

[Care4all]

Even though I consider saying "Bless you" after someone sneezes to be silliness, I find making a big deal out of it to the point of suspending a child from school to be the definition of asinine.

There is zero evidence she was "suspended". For that matter there is zero evidence the incident had anything to do with saying "bless you". This is a bullshit "story".

to be fair, there is evidence....you've just chosen not to believe it....

But based on other evidence...what the school has said...her statements do not seem reliable. And based on many cases of claimed religious intolerance by teachers, this one seems more likely to fall into the category of untrue.

I believe the most likely scenario is that the girl shouted or yelled or otherwise made some obnoxious point in her "Bless you" and it was the attitude and disrespect that got her sent to the office.

The in school suspension was normal procedure for being sent to the principal and not a direct consequence of her words.

you too have made a choice regarding which evidence you believe....

Hearsay is not "evidence". If you actually did spend time in court as you claim, you'd know that. Hell, journalists know that --- real journalists that is, not this malarkey --- which is why they always get another source to confirm if it's a straightforward event, and if there's another view, to get that for balance. This "story" has neither.

???....I do spend time in court....I am an attorney.....th:at is why I know first hand testimony is not hearsay......

So, is what the girl is saying: Is this TESTIMONY? Is this what you are saying is testimony even though this girl is NOT in court and has not sworn to tell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help me God?

 

[Newby]

Since I can’t verify the specifics of what was said (including the remarks about “Godly speaking”), let me offer this hypothetical:

The class was supposed to be quiet. Someone sneezed. Turner said *something* in response (it doesn’t matter what) and the teacher asked her to be quiet. Turner took that as a knock on her faith and felt the need to defend against it. The teacher only saw this as a further disruption and the situation escalated. The student, clearly frustrated, ran out of the classroom and, not long after that, posted something on Facebook.
I’m not saying that happened, but it’s plausible

This is the author of Pogo's 'evidence' from an atheist blog that he holds up as being the 'truth'. This dude who wrote the blog doesn't know a damn thing about what happened or didn't happen, didn't even talk to the girl involved, claims he talked to the principal to get whatever small amount of information he did have. And then he offers up his theory of what happened, when there's no plausible way for him to even have a theory to begin with, let alone a 'theory' that's anywhere near factual. And Pogo will take an author's theory of what happened that he posted on an atheist blog over the words of the girl that it actually happened to. You people are f'in nuts.

So ---- a theory, honestly presented as theory, by an adult, is to be dismissed because he's an "atheist", while a Nosebook post, completely uncorroborated, by a teenage girl, and then morphed by commercial media (that means they stand to make money from this sort of thing) from SAYS SHE WAS into WAS is "evidence" that dare not be challenged. Even though the concept has already been challenged by Rev. Winegardner. Is he "f'n nuts" too?

I mean if atheism is the benchmark for credibility ....

your own logic dood.

Except you're using his theory as the basis for calling the girl a liar and saying she didn't experience what she said she did. And in this case, an atheist does not have credibility, especially an atheist with an agenda. And you apparently do not take that into consideration at all in holding up his 'theory' as the basis for your so called 'truth'. The girl in her own words is not to be believed, but some unknown atheist blogger who posts a theory about what might have happened is much more credible and believable. If you don't see the fatal flaw in that, then there is no hope for you.

I really don't know why you keep going on and on about a facebook post, it's really starting to make you look demented. This story has been presented on all the major news networks, and she has held a press conference telling what happened to her. Can you explain why when someone would post something that happened to them on a social media forum that it somehow just cannot be true? Especially when followed up by interviews in the media and press conference?

 

[Newby]

And btw since WGN is in Chicago (which is not in Tennessee), here's the page from WMC in Memphis where they got the story, complete with that station's "report". Notice once again that they describe the whole thing as "social media" story, that it's carefully worded to report not what happened but what the girl says happened, and that their sources consist entirely of the girl and her pastor -- and not a word from the school. Entirely from one side.

Wake UP folks. You're being played like a cheap banjo. TV "news" is not put there to disseminate the news. It's put there to sell soap.

Did you see the picture of the white board that listed words/phrases not acceptable in that classroom?

While you're in here accusing everyone of jumping to conclusions and believing everything they read, you're doing the exact same thing with your source being an atheist blog? And you consider yourself an intellectual? Or should I say, attempt to pass yourself off as one? Please, spare us the bullshit.

Uh --- where did I ever say that, speaking of bullshit? Fabricate much?

Yes I saw the whiteboard and much more. I saw enough of the OP to tell me the title and its purported story reeks of bullshit, and I found out why. Part of what I posted was a reported conversation with the school prinicpal --- I found that site through a search on the terms, specifically the proper names and I got that quote, which makes no conclusions about what went down, in fact the writer specifically noted he's in no position to know that.

And it's not an "atheist blog"; it's an atheist's blog. This particular article was not about atheism or about religion. No doubt the blogger looked into the story out of his interest in such matters (who else would be doing it? A plumber?) but he never made it about atheism or about religion. As he noted neither he nor we were there to hear the phrase, intonation, loudness, etc, so context is something we can imagine.

Unless we have more background, like this from the pastor's husband

Rev. Winegardner suggests that the unnamed Dyer County High School teacher’s response to Kendra’s comment may have been due to feeling as if her authority was being openly challenged, rather than being wholly based on a religious issue.

According to Winegardner, this incident took place in a typing class wherein the teacher speaks commands and tries to get the students to get used to the keyboard.

“This may be more of a case of a teacher who required absolute silence and also had difficulty with words and phrases being used as well,” he said. “I know the media is trying hard to make this all about religion, but part of it is about how different teachers teach.” (here)​

As I said, all indications tell us this is about challenging authority -- not religion.

Now how is a Nosebook post, which has already been indicated above to be agenda-driven by the student herself, some kind of more credible source than a quote from the principal, the girl's pastor and her own agenda given in her press conference? Tell me, why would a genuine martyr be holding a press conference?

And do tell me what's 'credible' about taking sites that say "girl says she was suspended for saying 'bless you'" and morphing that into "girl WAS suspended for saying 'bless you'"?

I'll enjoy those links when you can find 'em. Like you did last time.

Denialists...

You found out why??? Seriously? From a writer on an atheist blog that has no clue what happened? Wasn't there? Had nothing to do with the story? Who is biased? Like I said, f'in nuts.

So---- you have nothing. Again, like last time. And btw where is any contradiction to what I, the blogger quoting the principal, the Reverend Winegardner, or Kendra herself said in her press conference?

Where, indeed.

His entire story is a contradiction! Half of his 'story' is a completely fake theory on what he thought actually happened which completely contradicted the girl's own words.

What don't you get about your source being totally corrupt? Dude, you need serious help!

Your links to evidence of this "corruption" are no doubt coming with those links to my claim to be an "intellectual".

Yeah that's the ticket.

By all means, make the case for us that being an atheist makes one dishonest. Why not just give us the whole ranking list. Are Presbyterians more credible than Episcopalians perhaps? Inquiring minds wanna know. This site would like to know too. You could shut them down.

I didn't say it made him dishonest, I said it made him biased, and his 'theory', which completely contradicts what the girl said happened, has absolutely no bearing whatsoever on the validity of her claims. He's a nobody, his opinion is as meaningless as yours, and for you to try to hold it up as some kind of 'evidence' in this thread is beyond ridiculous.

 

[Newby]

Even though I consider saying "Bless you" after someone sneezes to be silliness, I find making a big deal out of it to the point of suspending a child from school to be the definition of asinine.

There is zero evidence she was "suspended". For that matter there is zero evidence the incident had anything to do with saying "bless you". This is a bullshit "story".

to be fair, there is evidence....you've just chosen not to believe it....

But based on other evidence...what the school has said...her statements do not seem reliable. And based on many cases of claimed religious intolerance by teachers, this one seems more likely to fall into the category of untrue.

I believe the most likely scenario is that the girl shouted or yelled or otherwise made some obnoxious point in her "Bless you" and it was the attitude and disrespect that got her sent to the office.

The in school suspension was normal procedure for being sent to the principal and not a direct consequence of her words.

you too have made a choice regarding which evidence you believe....

Hearsay is not "evidence". If you actually did spend time in court as you claim, you'd know that. Hell, journalists know that --- real journalists that is, not this malarkey --- which is why they always get another source to confirm if it's a straightforward event, and if there's another view, to get that for balance. This "story" has neither.

???....I do spend time in court....I am an attorney.....th:at is why I know first hand testimony is not hearsay......

So, is what the girl is saying: Is this TESTIMONY? Is this what you are saying is testimony even though this girl is NOT in court and has not sworn to tell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help me God?

I guess I just don't get the point of your question? Do you believe the girl is lying? If so, why?

 

[Pogo]

I personally 100% believe there is a secular PC cultural war against Christian's in America.

Just an astute observation..........

Ya think?

No, but the suggestion sure sells papers, donut?

Mkay.

This story is an example of said assault on Christianity. Being polite has been turned into misconduct..... just because the teacher has a problem with religious customs, or Christianity in general.

Exactly and as usual when these people are exposed for what they are up to in the classroom - those who agree with their wicked tactics will defend them with ridiculous arguments that make no sense.

Jeri, Mudwhistle has no evidence that "being polite" was the underlying motive, while indications to the contrary have been presented. Nor does he or we have evidence that a teacher's "problem with religious customs or Christianity in general" had any causal relationship. That too is speculation and again, contraindicated -- Rev. Winegardner again from the link above:

“I don’t think it’s fair for people to be saying this teacher isn’t religious because I’ve been told by a number of people she attends a church in town,” he said. “People need to stop being hateful and laying blame so we can put this behind us and deal with real educational issues at hand like revamping the Memphis schools that are nearby. That’s what our school system is trying to do and they don’t need to be distracted from that ongoing task.”
​

This is what happens when one side of a story is run like a football while the other side isn't even on the field.
"Whole lotta speculatin' goin' on" -- Jerry Lee Lewis

 

[Newby]

I personally 100% believe there is a secular PC cultural war against Christian's in America.

Just an astute observation..........

Ya think?

No, but the suggestion sure sells papers, donut?

Mkay.

This story is an example of said assault on Christianity. Being polite has been turned into misconduct..... just because the teacher has a problem with religious customs, or Christianity in general.

Exactly and as usual when these people are exposed for what they are up to in the classroom - those who agree with their wicked tactics will defend them with ridiculous arguments that make no sense.

Jeri, Mudwhistle has no evidence that "being polite" was the underlying motive, while indications to the contrary have been presented. Nor does he or we have evidence that a teacher's "problem with religious customs or Christianity in general" had any causal relationship. That too is speculation and again, contraindicated -- Rev. Winegardner again from the link above:

“I don’t think it’s fair for people to be saying this teacher isn’t religious because I’ve been told by a number of people she attends a church in town,” he said. “People need to stop being hateful and laying blame so we can put this behind us and deal with real educational issues at hand like revamping the Memphis schools that are nearby. That’s what our school system is trying to do and they don’t need to be distracted from that ongoing task.”
​

This is what happens when one side of a story is run like a football while the other side isn't even on the field.
"Whole lotta speculatin' goin' on" -- Jerry Lee Lewis

Which link?

The one that also said this?

While Rev. Winegardner says that this is not an issue bases solely on religion, his wife pointed out in interviews that this same teacher had allegedly made negative remarks to students on the subject of their faith the previous week.
“There were several students that were talking about this particular faculty member there that was very demeaning to them in regard to their faith,” Becky Winegardner told WMCTV. “This was something that had come up previously in the last few weeks just since the beginning of school and I shared with all of those students what their rights were.”
Therefore a few days later, when someone sneezed and Kendra told them “Bless You” as her first response, she also commented on constitutional law surrounding free speech, which may have triggered a more harsh response from the teacher.

 

[Pogo]

And btw since WGN is in Chicago (which is not in Tennessee), here's the page from WMC in Memphis where they got the story, complete with that station's "report". Notice once again that they describe the whole thing as "social media" story, that it's carefully worded to report not what happened but what the girl says happened, and that their sources consist entirely of the girl and her pastor -- and not a word from the school. Entirely from one side.

Wake UP folks. You're being played like a cheap banjo. TV "news" is not put there to disseminate the news. It's put there to sell soap.

Did you see the picture of the white board that listed words/phrases not acceptable in that classroom?

While you're in here accusing everyone of jumping to conclusions and believing everything they read, you're doing the exact same thing with your source being an atheist blog? And you consider yourself an intellectual? Or should I say, attempt to pass yourself off as one? Please, spare us the bullshit.

Uh --- where did I ever say that, speaking of bullshit? Fabricate much?

Yes I saw the whiteboard and much more. I saw enough of the OP to tell me the title and its purported story reeks of bullshit, and I found out why. Part of what I posted was a reported conversation with the school prinicpal --- I found that site through a search on the terms, specifically the proper names and I got that quote, which makes no conclusions about what went down, in fact the writer specifically noted he's in no position to know that.

And it's not an "atheist blog"; it's an atheist's blog. This particular article was not about atheism or about religion. No doubt the blogger looked into the story out of his interest in such matters (who else would be doing it? A plumber?) but he never made it about atheism or about religion. As he noted neither he nor we were there to hear the phrase, intonation, loudness, etc, so context is something we can imagine.

Unless we have more background, like this from the pastor's husband

Rev. Winegardner suggests that the unnamed Dyer County High School teacher’s response to Kendra’s comment may have been due to feeling as if her authority was being openly challenged, rather than being wholly based on a religious issue.

According to Winegardner, this incident took place in a typing class wherein the teacher speaks commands and tries to get the students to get used to the keyboard.

“This may be more of a case of a teacher who required absolute silence and also had difficulty with words and phrases being used as well,” he said. “I know the media is trying hard to make this all about religion, but part of it is about how different teachers teach.” (here)​

As I said, all indications tell us this is about challenging authority -- not religion.

Now how is a Nosebook post, which has already been indicated above to be agenda-driven by the student herself, some kind of more credible source than a quote from the principal, the girl's pastor and her own agenda given in her press conference? Tell me, why would a genuine martyr be holding a press conference?

And do tell me what's 'credible' about taking sites that say "girl says she was suspended for saying 'bless you'" and morphing that into "girl WAS suspended for saying 'bless you'"?

I'll enjoy those links when you can find 'em. Like you did last time.

Denialists...

You found out why??? Seriously? From a writer on an atheist blog that has no clue what happened? Wasn't there? Had nothing to do with the story? Who is biased? Like I said, f'in nuts.

So---- you have nothing. Again, like last time. And btw where is any contradiction to what I, the blogger quoting the principal, the Reverend Winegardner, or Kendra herself said in her press conference?

Where, indeed.

His entire story is a contradiction! Half of his 'story' is a completely fake theory on what he thought actually happened which completely contradicted the girl's own words.

What don't you get about your source being totally corrupt? Dude, you need serious help!

Your links to evidence of this "corruption" are no doubt coming with those links to my claim to be an "intellectual".

Yeah that's the ticket.

By all means, make the case for us that being an atheist makes one dishonest. Why not just give us the whole ranking list. Are Presbyterians more credible than Episcopalians perhaps? Inquiring minds wanna know. This site would like to know too. You could shut them down.

I didn't say it made him dishonest, I said it made him biased, and his 'theory', which completely contradicts what the girl said happened, has absolutely no bearing whatsoever on the validity of her claims. He's a nobody, his opinion is as meaningless as yours, and for you to try to hold it up as some kind of 'evidence' in this thread is beyond ridiculous.

I haven't been claiming "evidence" -- that's that Postmodernprof guy. That's why we're taking him to task for pretending a Facebook post is "evidence" and even "testimony". You'll note that I use terms like indications. You'll also note that the dishonest OP title and most of the Google hit reports you'll find on this story, I'll say it agian until it finally sinks in, have morphed "girl SAYS she was suspended" to "girl WAS suspended". There's a big chasm of difference there.

A person SAYS this or that, fine, that's a fact that they said it. Whether it actually happened is a whole 'nother smoke. Have you never had kids? On the contrary I'm the one who has been pointing out that discrepancy. Because I've been a copy writer and editor, and this kind of crap pseudojournalsm would never have made it off my desk and the writer would be stopping at the unemployment office on the way home. Because this kind of abuse of journalism is unethical.

Yours,
Jimmy Olsen, cub reporter

 

[Pogo]

Mkay.

This story is an example of said assault on Christianity. Being polite has been turned into misconduct..... just because the teacher has a problem with religious customs, or Christianity in general.

Exactly and as usual when these people are exposed for what they are up to in the classroom - those who agree with their wicked tactics will defend them with ridiculous arguments that make no sense.

Jeri, Mudwhistle has no evidence that "being polite" was the underlying motive, while indications to the contrary have been presented. Nor does he or we have evidence that a teacher's "problem with religious customs or Christianity in general" had any causal relationship. That too is speculation and again, contraindicated -- Rev. Winegardner again from the link above:

“I don’t think it’s fair for people to be saying this teacher isn’t religious because I’ve been told by a number of people she attends a church in town,” he said. “People need to stop being hateful and laying blame so we can put this behind us and deal with real educational issues at hand like revamping the Memphis schools that are nearby. That’s what our school system is trying to do and they don’t need to be distracted from that ongoing task.”
​

This is what happens when one side of a story is run like a football while the other side isn't even on the field.
"Whole lotta speculatin' goin' on" -- Jerry Lee Lewis

Which link?

This one - Christian Science Monitor

 

[Newby]

And btw since WGN is in Chicago (which is not in Tennessee), here's the page from WMC in Memphis where they got the story, complete with that station's "report". Notice once again that they describe the whole thing as "social media" story, that it's carefully worded to report not what happened but what the girl says happened, and that their sources consist entirely of the girl and her pastor -- and not a word from the school. Entirely from one side.

Wake UP folks. You're being played like a cheap banjo. TV "news" is not put there to disseminate the news. It's put there to sell soap.

Did you see the picture of the white board that listed words/phrases not acceptable in that classroom?

While you're in here accusing everyone of jumping to conclusions and believing everything they read, you're doing the exact same thing with your source being an atheist blog? And you consider yourself an intellectual? Or should I say, attempt to pass yourself off as one? Please, spare us the bullshit.

Uh --- where did I ever say that, speaking of bullshit? Fabricate much?

Yes I saw the whiteboard and much more. I saw enough of the OP to tell me the title and its purported story reeks of bullshit, and I found out why. Part of what I posted was a reported conversation with the school prinicpal --- I found that site through a search on the terms, specifically the proper names and I got that quote, which makes no conclusions about what went down, in fact the writer specifically noted he's in no position to know that.

And it's not an "atheist blog"; it's an atheist's blog. This particular article was not about atheism or about religion. No doubt the blogger looked into the story out of his interest in such matters (who else would be doing it? A plumber?) but he never made it about atheism or about religion. As he noted neither he nor we were there to hear the phrase, intonation, loudness, etc, so context is something we can imagine.

Unless we have more background, like this from the pastor's husband

Rev. Winegardner suggests that the unnamed Dyer County High School teacher’s response to Kendra’s comment may have been due to feeling as if her authority was being openly challenged, rather than being wholly based on a religious issue.

According to Winegardner, this incident took place in a typing class wherein the teacher speaks commands and tries to get the students to get used to the keyboard.

“This may be more of a case of a teacher who required absolute silence and also had difficulty with words and phrases being used as well,” he said. “I know the media is trying hard to make this all about religion, but part of it is about how different teachers teach.” (here)​

As I said, all indications tell us this is about challenging authority -- not religion.

Now how is a Nosebook post, which has already been indicated above to be agenda-driven by the student herself, some kind of more credible source than a quote from the principal, the girl's pastor and her own agenda given in her press conference? Tell me, why would a genuine martyr be holding a press conference?

And do tell me what's 'credible' about taking sites that say "girl says she was suspended for saying 'bless you'" and morphing that into "girl WAS suspended for saying 'bless you'"?

I'll enjoy those links when you can find 'em. Like you did last time.

Denialists...

You found out why??? Seriously? From a writer on an atheist blog that has no clue what happened? Wasn't there? Had nothing to do with the story? Who is biased? Like I said, f'in nuts.

So---- you have nothing. Again, like last time. And btw where is any contradiction to what I, the blogger quoting the principal, the Reverend Winegardner, or Kendra herself said in her press conference?

Where, indeed.

His entire story is a contradiction! Half of his 'story' is a completely fake theory on what he thought actually happened which completely contradicted the girl's own words.

What don't you get about your source being totally corrupt? Dude, you need serious help!

Your links to evidence of this "corruption" are no doubt coming with those links to my claim to be an "intellectual".

Yeah that's the ticket.

By all means, make the case for us that being an atheist makes one dishonest. Why not just give us the whole ranking list. Are Presbyterians more credible than Episcopalians perhaps? Inquiring minds wanna know. This site would like to know too. You could shut them down.

I didn't say it made him dishonest, I said it made him biased, and his 'theory', which completely contradicts what the girl said happened, has absolutely no bearing whatsoever on the validity of her claims. He's a nobody, his opinion is as meaningless as yours, and for you to try to hold it up as some kind of 'evidence' in this thread is beyond ridiculous.

I haven't been claiming "evidence" -- that's that Postmodernprof guy. That's why we're taking him to task for pretending a Facebook post is "evidence" and even "testimony". You'll note that I use terms like indications. You'll also note that the dishonest OP title and most of the Google hit reports you'll find on this story, I'll say it agian until it finally sinks in, have morphed "girl SAYS she was suspended" to "girl WAS suspended". There's a big chasm of difference there.

A person SAYS this or that, fine, that's a fact that they said it. Whether it actually happened is a whole 'nother smoke. Have you never had kids?

Yes you have, you used that to malign the girl and her claims saying the story was total bullshit, do I need to provide your posts back to you?

I had 'evidence' in quotes, which means it was the opposite.

Why is she lying?

 

[mudwhistle]

I personally 100% believe there is a secular PC cultural war against Christian's in America.

Just an astute observation..........

Ya think?

No, but the suggestion sure sells papers, donut?

Mkay.

This story is an example of said assault on Christianity. Being polite has been turned into misconduct..... just because the teacher has a problem with religious customs, or Christianity in general.

Exactly and as usual when these people are exposed for what they are up to in the classroom - those who agree with their wicked tactics will defend them with ridiculous arguments that make no sense.

Jeri, Mudwhistle has no evidence that "being polite" was the underlying motive, while indications to the contrary have been presented. Nor does he or we have evidence that a teacher's "problem with religious customs or Christianity in general" had any causal relationship. That too is speculation and again, contraindicated -- Rev. Winegardner again from the link above:

“I don’t think it’s fair for people to be saying this teacher isn’t religious because I’ve been told by a number of people she attends a church in town,” he said. “People need to stop being hateful and laying blame so we can put this behind us and deal with real educational issues at hand like revamping the Memphis schools that are nearby. That’s what our school system is trying to do and they don’t need to be distracted from that ongoing task.”
​

This is what happens when one side of a story is run like a football while the other side isn't even on the field.
"Whole lotta speculatin' goin' on" -- Jerry Lee Lewis

We can only read the article. We can't witness the act.
Explain why bless you is banned in the first place.

Seems to me the teacher has lost control of her class, don't you think?

 

[Care4all]

Even though I consider saying "Bless you" after someone sneezes to be silliness, I find making a big deal out of it to the point of suspending a child from school to be the definition of asinine.

There is zero evidence she was "suspended". For that matter there is zero evidence the incident had anything to do with saying "bless you". This is a bullshit "story".

to be fair, there is evidence....you've just chosen not to believe it....

But based on other evidence...what the school has said...her statements do not seem reliable. And based on many cases of claimed religious intolerance by teachers, this one seems more likely to fall into the category of untrue.

I believe the most likely scenario is that the girl shouted or yelled or otherwise made some obnoxious point in her "Bless you" and it was the attitude and disrespect that got her sent to the office.

The in school suspension was normal procedure for being sent to the principal and not a direct consequence of her words.

you too have made a choice regarding which evidence you believe....

Hearsay is not "evidence". If you actually did spend time in court as you claim, you'd know that. Hell, journalists know that --- real journalists that is, not this malarkey --- which is why they always get another source to confirm if it's a straightforward event, and if there's another view, to get that for balance. This "story" has neither.

???....I do spend time in court....I am an attorney.....th:at is why I know first hand testimony is not hearsay......

So, is what the girl is saying: Is this TESTIMONY? Is this what you are saying is testimony even though this girl is NOT in court and has not sworn to tell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help me God?

I guess I just don't get the point of your question? Do you believe the girl is lying? If so, why?

I don't know if the girl is lying or not Newby....especially about the part where she says the teacher said that kind of talk belonged in church.....why would a teacher say that? she did not say GOD BLESS YOU, she said only "bless you" and why would the teacher have a white board with a list of all the things she did not want her class to say or do, ALL THINGS on the list secular things, not RELIGIOUS things....that she listed to keep her class in order? I am speculating, but it appears that the kids in her class used "sneezes and bless yous" to disrupt the class and this is why she had that term listed on the board with all the DON'TS that she wanted to not see in her class....so that the class would not be disrupted by children's antics....

I have seen many cases over the years that would qualify as atheist trying to silence God out of the public square....but by no means do I see this, as the way it was presented by just this girl, one of them...at least not yet....there are NOT enough facts posted,, and there simply is no proof of it being otherwise....

 

[Newby]

Even though I consider saying "Bless you" after someone sneezes to be silliness, I find making a big deal out of it to the point of suspending a child from school to be the definition of asinine.

There is zero evidence she was "suspended". For that matter there is zero evidence the incident had anything to do with saying "bless you". This is a bullshit "story".

to be fair, there is evidence....you've just chosen not to believe it....

But based on other evidence...what the school has said...her statements do not seem reliable. And based on many cases of claimed religious intolerance by teachers, this one seems more likely to fall into the category of untrue.

I believe the most likely scenario is that the girl shouted or yelled or otherwise made some obnoxious point in her "Bless you" and it was the attitude and disrespect that got her sent to the office.

The in school suspension was normal procedure for being sent to the principal and not a direct consequence of her words.

you too have made a choice regarding which evidence you believe....

Hearsay is not "evidence". If you actually did spend time in court as you claim, you'd know that. Hell, journalists know that --- real journalists that is, not this malarkey --- which is why they always get another source to confirm if it's a straightforward event, and if there's another view, to get that for balance. This "story" has neither.

???....I do spend time in court....I am an attorney.....th:at is why I know first hand testimony is not hearsay......

So, is what the girl is saying: Is this TESTIMONY? Is this what you are saying is testimony even though this girl is NOT in court and has not sworn to tell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help me God?

I guess I just don't get the point of your question? Do you believe the girl is lying? If so, why?

I don't know if the girl is lying or not Newby....especially about the part where she says the eteachers said that kind of talk belonged in church.....why would a teacher say that? she did not say GOD BLESS YOU, she said only "bless you" and why would the teacher have a white board with alist of all the things she did not want her class to say or do, ALL THINGS on the list secular things, not RELIGIOUS things....that she listed to keep her class in order? I am speculating, but it appears that the kids in her class used "sneezes and bless yous" to disrupt the class and this is why she had that term listed on the board with all the DON'TS that she wanted to not see in her class....so that the class would not be disrupted by children's antics....

I have seen many cases over the years that would qualify as atheist trying to silence God out of the public square....but by no means do I see this, as the way it was presented by just this girl, one of them...at least not yet....there are NOT enough facts posted,, and there simply is no proof of it being otherwise....

Where did that 'appear' (bolded), that was all speculation as to why she would ban it from her class. No one has ever said that disruption from people sneezing ever happened at all. Why would 'stupid' be banned? How would that be used as a 'disruption' to the class? All the words on the list sound like words she dislikes, not things that cause any disruption.

The girl had no reason to lie, yet because this goes against the liberal political agenda, you all jump on her and call her a liar. Pretty sad if you ask me.