tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19722540.post1880021711412039054..comments2023-09-09T07:28:35.681-04:00Comments on Science and Religion: A View from an Evolutionary Creationist: Mt. Vernon Heats UpJimpithecushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10143519573877156940noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19722540.post-62758961231759324382008-08-08T09:33:00.000-04:002008-08-08T09:33:00.000-04:00Interesting. Thanks for correcting my impression....Interesting. Thanks for correcting my impression. The news stories led me to believe that support was widespread for Mr. Freshwater. Being on the scene really helps. Thanks.Jimpithecushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10143519573877156940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19722540.post-7374917878853632562008-08-07T20:02:00.000-04:002008-08-07T20:02:00.000-04:00Well, in fact, he doesn't have the support of a la...Well, in fact, he doesn't have the support of a large number of local townspeople. A good part of the crowd at the Board meeting Aug 4 was from out of the district, called in by Freshwater's pastor from various churches in central Ohio. I counted cars from four non-local counties and two out of state cars in the parking lot. Most of his local support comes from his own congregation and a couple of other small fundamentalist churches in the area. My judgment is that the 'silent' majority in the district supports the board's action.<BR/><BR/>At the meeting several parents, a biology professor, an IT executive (self-described as "a committed Christian from a fundamentalist tradition"), and a former coach in the area and a student all spoke in support of the Board's action. And maybe 50 or more people in the audience were in support.RBHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13562135000111792590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19722540.post-42427521339092362302008-08-07T19:45:00.000-04:002008-08-07T19:45:00.000-04:00That is a great summation of the arguments. Thank...That is a great summation of the arguments. Thanks. It is interesting that, if shown to be true, those four counts could cost him his job and yet he seems to garner the support of a large number of townspeople.Jimpithecushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10143519573877156940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19722540.post-28547688115312688742008-08-07T16:31:00.000-04:002008-08-07T16:31:00.000-04:00There are actually four basic charges in the repor...There are actually four basic charges in the report of the independent investigators:\<BR/><BR/>1. The misuse of the Tesla coil to mark students' skin. I agree that he meant no harm, but rather displayed very bad judgment.<BR/><BR/>2. Inappropriate behavior as faculty monitor of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, exemplified by a 'healing' ceremony held at one meeting.<BR/><BR/>3. Teaching creationism after he had been explicitly denied permission to do so as early as 2003. Parents of several of his students have provided materials in evidence of this.<BR/><BR/>4. Insubordination in the matter of religious displays in his room.RBHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13562135000111792590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19722540.post-82545134964855807942008-08-07T12:33:00.000-04:002008-08-07T12:33:00.000-04:00I am afraid that I did as well. The sad thing is ...I am afraid that I did as well. The sad thing is that I could envision it happening. Now, of course, the dismissal hinges on what he taught. That will be thornier.Jimpithecushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10143519573877156940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19722540.post-85168083398997857992008-08-07T10:19:00.000-04:002008-08-07T10:19:00.000-04:00Even Panda's Thumb is saying they don't think he d...Even Panda's Thumb is saying they don't think he did the branding involuntarily. Apparently kids have been volunteering to get zapped in his classes for years. I guess the main complaint is that he agreed to it even though it goes against manufacturer warnings and common sense.<BR/><BR/>On a related note I'll offer a <I>mea culpa</I> that I accepted the notion of involuntary branding pretty uncritically. Bad form.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com