Is this a violation of freedom of speech and religious expression?

Question

I found this article while reading today's Minneapolis Star Tribune from Minneapolis, Minnesota. An employee at a metro school district was fired for talking to students both on and off campus about abstinence and sexual orientation. This employee has given students who come to him advice for years. Clearly, all the details are not given in the article, but it does give a good overview of what is happening.

http://www.startribune.com/south/story/1255310.html

Personally, I think this will be an interesting case when it does go to trial. It will really show what the boundaries of free speech and religious expression are with respect to the workplace.

I want to know what everyone else thinks. Some of his comments would, in my opinion, have been inappropriate. However, I think he does have the right and responsibility as a school employee to give advice to students who ask him for advice.

Ohio:

Clearly, he would have the same rights of expression regardless of what views he was expressing.

Answer 1

First of all, this case will not have any appreciable effect on the boundaries of free speech and religious expression in the workplace, as most of us do not work for the government. If this man did not, then this issue never would have happened.

However, upon reading the article it seems apparent that there is no issue here. This man was not fired for talking to students off campus, he was fired for talking with them inappropriately on campus. Discussing students' sexual orientation is simply not proper. Even if many students were friendly with him, that's not something anyone employed by the school other than a counselor or psychologist should be doing on school grounds.

Answer 2

Re the article identifying, the teacher as a "Christian" and his answers to those about sexual orientation.
Sadly, students have instructors, whom they feel comfortable discussing issues with rather than with family members.
For several years, the property known as the "school" has become out of bounds for any references with a christian slant. Mind you though students can espouse satin and satanic worship without penalty.
Additionally schools recommend reading material with issues such as Susie has two mommies.
In my recent question, of congressional bills which exist that can possibly censor clergy speaking on the same issue from the pulpit, it is only a short leap to that arena from the school.
The censorship of the teachers is a school thing, to my knowledge there is no legislation. These schools are an island unto themselves, the irony is that after hours and on weekends ,school facilities can be rented by novice churches so they can hold their services.
If this issue comes to court, it will be unusual, generally they do not want the publicity and a settlement is made.
But this suppression of speech, AKA politically correct, come to an end. Ironically, last month it was reported on "The Daily Buzz" that politically correct is now a dead thing.

Answer 3

that is ridiculous. i agree completely with the school board. anyone who tells someone it's a sin to be gay should be shot. it's not up to him or god or anybody else to decide someones sexual orientation except for themself. besides, a teacher shouldn't be giving students advice on sexual orientation in the first place. it sounds like a town full of small minded people to me.

Answer 4

I think the public school system in general looks down on its students.
They don't think that their students merit a good talk about abstinence and self-respect. They just throw easy remedies to this like offering them condoms or how to have access to free abortions.
Its sad.

Answer 5

A teacher at a public school shouldn't be pushing his religious ideaology - whether that's what really happened isn't clear from the article, but that'd be the objection. He could always work at a private, christian, school.

Answer 6

If he had been expousing the virtues of converting to hinduism, or promoting a free sex lifestyle, or encouraging students to become gay, would you also feel he has the right to express himself?......

Answer 7

i wouldn't be surprised to see the ACLU take the case on his behalf.

but it seems like he doesn't have a leg to stand on.