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Rank: Advanced Member  Joined: 3/3/2008 Posts: 12,991
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Attorney Says School Threatened and
Punished Boy Who Opposed Gay Adoption
A 15-year-old Wisconsin boy who wrote an op-ed opposing gay adoptions was censored,
threatened with suspension and called ignorant by the superintendent of the Shawano School District,
according to an attorney representing the child.
Mathew Staver, the founder of the Liberty Counsel, sent a letter to Superintendent Todd Carlson demanding
an apology for “Its unconstitutional and irrational censorship and humiliation” of Brandon Wegner.
Wegner, a student at Shawano High School, was asked to write an op-ed for the school newspaper about
whether gays should be allowed to adopt. Wegner, who is a Christian, wrote in opposition.
Another student wrote in favor of allowing gays to adopt.
Wegner used Bible passages to defend his argument, including Scripture that called homosexuality a sin.
You can read Wegner’s editorial by clicking here.
After the op-ed was published, a gay couple whose child attend s the high school, complained.
The school immediately issued an apology – stating Wegner’s opinion was a “form of bullying and disrespect.”
“Offensive articles cultivating a negative environment of disrespect are not appropriate or condoned by the
Shawano School District,” the statement read. “We sincerely apologize to anyone we may have offended
and are taking steps to prevent items of this nature from happening in the future.”
But Staver said what the school system did next was absolutely outrageous. He said the 15-year-old was
ordered to the superintendent’s office where he was subjected to hours of meetings and was
accused of violating the school’s bullying policy.
“The superintendent called him ignorant and said he had the power to suspend him,” Staver said.
“He’s using his position to bully this student. This is absolutely the epitome of intolerance.”
Staver said the boy’s parents were never notified.
At one point, Staver said the superintendent gave him a chance to say he regretted writing the column.
“When Mr. Wegner stated that he did not regret writing it, and that he stood behind his beliefs,
Superintendent Carlson told him that he ‘had got to be one of the most ignorant kids to try to argue
with him about this topic,’” Staver said.
At that point, Staver said the superintendent told the boy that “we have the power to suspend you if we want to.”
The superintendent allegedly told Wegner that he was personally offended by Wegner’s column.
FOX News & Commentary offered Carlson a chance to address the allegations. He refused to submit to questions,
but did say he would send a statement. That statement never arrived.
Staver said Wegner was not trying to cause problems or pick a fight.
“He was asked to write an article in the newspaper overseen by a faculty adviser,” he said,
suspecting the superintendent was specifically outraged over the Bible verses Wegner had used.
“The superintendent wants everyone to accept homosexuality as normative and homosexual adoption as
something that should be standard practices,” Staver said. “In doing so, he’s belittling the views and
the biblical views of many people across this country. He is playing a zero-sum game.
He’s not interested in dialogue. He wants to cram his view down the throat of everyone else
and will not tolerate an opposing viewpoint.”
Staver said an apology from the superintendent may not suffice – and they may consider taking legal action.
“It was a very intimidating situation for this 15-year-old boy,” he said.”It was uncalled for.
He crossed the line. It’s absolutely outrageous and he needs to apologize for his actions.”
Article Source
Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth? - Galatians 4:16
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 2/25/2011
Posts: 2,958
Location: TX
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stevelundgren wrote:
Attorney Says School Threatened and
Punished Boy Who Opposed Gay Adoption
A 15-year-old Wisconsin boy who wrote an op-ed opposing gay adoptions was censored,
threatened with suspension and called ignorant by the superintendent of the Shawano School District,
according to an attorney representing the child.
Mathew Staver, the founder of the Liberty Counsel, sent a letter to Superintendent Todd Carlson demanding
an apology for “Its unconstitutional and irrational censorship and humiliation” of Brandon Wegner.
Wegner, a student at Shawano High School, was asked to write an op-ed for the school newspaper about
whether gays should be allowed to adopt. Wegner, who is a Christian, wrote in opposition.
Another student wrote in favor of allowing gays to adopt.
Wegner used Bible passages to defend his argument, including Scripture that called homosexuality a sin.
You can read Wegner’s editorial by clicking here.
After the op-ed was published, a gay couple whose child attend s the high school, complained.
The school immediately issued an apology – stating Wegner’s opinion was a “form of bullying and disrespect.”
“Offensive articles cultivating a negative environment of disrespect are not appropriate or condoned by the
Shawano School District,” the statement read. “We sincerely apologize to anyone we may have offended
and are taking steps to prevent items of this nature from happening in the future.”
But Staver said what the school system did next was absolutely outrageous. He said the 15-year-old was
ordered to the superintendent’s office where he was subjected to hours of meetings and was
accused of violating the school’s bullying policy.
“The superintendent called him ignorant and said he had the power to suspend him,” Staver said.
“He’s using his position to bully this student. This is absolutely the epitome of intolerance.”
Staver said the boy’s parents were never notified.
At one point, Staver said the superintendent gave him a chance to say he regretted writing the column.
“When Mr. Wegner stated that he did not regret writing it, and that he stood behind his beliefs,
Superintendent Carlson told him that he ‘had got to be one of the most ignorant kids to try to argue
with him about this topic,’” Staver said.
At that point, Staver said the superintendent told the boy that “we have the power to suspend you if we want to.”
The superintendent allegedly told Wegner that he was personally offended by Wegner’s column.
FOX News & Commentary offered Carlson a chance to address the allegations. He refused to submit to questions,
but did say he would send a statement. That statement never arrived.
Staver said Wegner was not trying to cause problems or pick a fight.
“He was asked to write an article in the newspaper overseen by a faculty adviser,” he said,
suspecting the superintendent was specifically outraged over the Bible verses Wegner had used.
“The superintendent wants everyone to accept homosexuality as normative and homosexual adoption as
something that should be standard practices,” Staver said. “In doing so, he’s belittling the views and
the biblical views of many people across this country. He is playing a zero-sum game.
He’s not interested in dialogue. He wants to cram his view down the throat of everyone else
and will not tolerate an opposing viewpoint.”
Staver said an apology from the superintendent may not suffice – and they may consider taking legal action.
“It was a very intimidating situation for this 15-year-old boy,” he said.”It was uncalled for.
He crossed the line. It’s absolutely outrageous and he needs to apologize for his actions.”
Article Source
It's refreshing to see there are still some who will stand up for God's laws. It would appear the Supt beleives as you, none of God's laws are in effect any more  But that is what happens to a society when it lays aside God's TC's as then anything goes, freedom from the Law because we are under grace,etc. Wonder what the odds are that that same Supt. attends church? (on sun-day)
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Rank: Advanced Member  Joined: 9/9/2008 Posts: 2,982
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John 8:7
When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”
~ Insults Should Be Written In Sand ~ Compliments Should Be Carved In Stone ~
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Rank: Advanced Member
Joined: 2/25/2011
Posts: 2,958
Location: TX
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sarge wrote:John 8:7
When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”
Hmmm?
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