I think it’s right. I think it’s definitely something that I would do myself.

April 26, 2008, 8:36 am

Submitted by Emily Updegraff From Mount Vernon, OH 67.76.24.138

I’m opposed to the trouble they’re making out of it. I think he’s a good man, his ideas are good. I think there are so many problems right now with the young people ... they need a little bit more training and so forth.

April 26, 2008, 8:37 am

Submitted by Neil Neer From Apple Valley, OH 67.76.24.138

I’ve heard different sides of the story ... I don’t think he should hurt a child ... It’s good that the kids are standing behind him ... I can see both sides.

April 26, 2008, 8:37 am

Submitted by Dave Frase From Delaware, OH 67.76.24.138

He’s not the only teacher with the Bible on his desk. I think [the Bible] should be allowed to be there. I don’t think he burned students ... it doesn’t sound like him.

April 26, 2008, 8:37 am

Submitted by Brook Zellar From Mount Vernon, OH 67.76.24.138

My daughter is a student in Mount Vernon Middle School. She has been harassed [and] called an atheist. I feel that being a Christian is more than just wearing a shirt, being a Christian is in your heart. If you claim to be a Christian, you should be a Christian every day of the year. Bringing the Bible to school doesn’t make us Christians.

April 26, 2008, 8:38 am

Submitted by Beth Murdoch From Gambier, OH 67.76.24.138

I think it’s a wonderful opportunity for everyone in our community to focus afresh on the fact that our public schools are a community for learning, where differences of belief are respected. John Freshwater’s actions are limited by the terms of his contract. He willingly entered into an agreement with the Mount Vernon Public Schools to teach the curriculum proscribed by the Ohio Board of Education.

April 26, 2008, 8:38 am

Submitted by Anne Storan From Mount Vernon, OH 67.76.24.138

This isn't a matter of religion, it is a matter of employee insubordination and he should be terminated. If he were a professional he would remove the bible as his employer instructed and seek recourse within the terms of his employment contract and the statuatory laws. The school board and administration should do their jobs and dismiss him.

April 26, 2008, 9:06 am

Submitted by Dink From Mt. Vernon, OH 24.26.146.172

I don't believe the most serious allegations against Freshwater-- that he burned a cross in a student's arm-- are true. I do, however, believe that John Freshwater is a religious bully. Teachers such as him, who choose to turn classrooms into bully pulpits instead of allowing students to consult with their parents and clergy regarding their formative religious beliefs, have no place in Ohio's public schools.

April 26, 2008, 10:11 am

Submitted by Jeff Billman From Windham, OH 65.25.27.68

Seems to me the Mt. Vernon school administration needs to be looked at more closely. One guy is being paid not to work and the other had a complaint against him months ago. If these situations would have been handled properly by the administration, we wouldn't have this mess now. Because of the administrations lack of being able to properly handle these situations, it will be extremely costly to the tax payers.

April 26, 2008, 11:14 am

Submitted by Amy From Mt Vernon, OH 71.53.50.114

I do not believe that he burned a cross on anybodys arm. My daughter is in his class this year & thinks he is a wonderful teacher. However, I do feel he needs to follows the rules & leave religon out of the classroom.

April 26, 2008, 11:46 am

Submitted by Trish From Mt Vernon, OH 75.105.128.56

i stand behind mr. freshwater 1000% 4 of my 6 children had him and loved him, i don't believe he's pushing or bulling anyone into his beliefs he's just giving them choices on monkey based evolution , or God based creation. i don't believe he's being insubordinate either . it is a freedom that is being taken away and isn't this country based on freedom and in God we trust. for goodness sake it's just a bible / history/ science book . what are you scared of

April 26, 2008, 2:39 pm

Submitted by becky price From mount vernon, oh 71.53.36.19

I don't believe he burned a students arm. If he lives his Christian walk and part of that is reading his bible several times a day on his free time, I see nothing wrong with a plain bible sitting on his desk. It's not a playboy with pictures on the cover, or a Harry Potter book with sorcery-type pictures on the cover, which IS allowed in public schools, and is even promoted, though it still offends many, including Christians. What about that? JMHO...

April 26, 2008, 2:50 pm

Submitted by Val Stevens From Mt. Vernon, OH 24.210.128.178

i think it is crappy.....it has sat there when i had him and mr fry
at the same time
i had mr fresh water he is a good teacher

April 26, 2008, 3:00 pm

Submitted by dave From vernon, oh 24.166.82.106

Mr. Freshwater, be he Christian or not, needs to follow the rules just like everyone else. He should be allowed to resign, and take his platorm to the media and to the courts, rather than allowing the controversy to pit neighbor against neighbor, student against student. By taking the high-road, he would gain much respect. By continuing to insist on insubordination, he places himself in a lose-lose situation. And he hurts the entire community.

April 26, 2008, 3:50 pm

Submitted by CM From Mount Vernon, OH 69.69.47.138

I had lunch at a downtown restaurant today and the topic of conversation among the employees and some lingering diners was the Freshwater fiasco. One of the waitresses claims that she knows Jody Goetzman (school board member) and that Mrs. Goetzman was recently in the restaurant and told her that Mr. Freshwater had been asked to resign but he refused. By asking Freshwater to resign, it looks like the local school board and administration just want the problem to "go away". Hate to tell them this, (not really), but getting rid of Freshwater isn't the end of the problem. There are still issues with how the board and administration handled (or didn't handle) this situation with Freshwater LONG ago and why it took 4 months and an attorney to get anyone to look into a complaint filed by parents.

There has been an ongoing problem with Freshwater being reprimanded for pushing his religious views in the classroom. He kept finding ways to get around the rules and buck the system and keep doing what he was doing all along. Why didn't anyone take action when he was being blatantly insubordinate? The board and administration need to answer this and other questions about their OWN (mis)conduct. Time to form a group of citizens to gather 1600 signatures of registered voters so we can have board members recalled. With those 1600 signatures, this will HAVE to be heard in the courts and the board WILL be held accountable and possibly recalled.

April 26, 2008, 6:02 pm

Submitted by Mike W. From Mt. Vernon, OH 65.186.91.29

I wonder what would have happened had it been a Muslim teacher that had a copy of the Quran on his desk and refused to remove it, or for that matter a teacher of any faith other than the Christian faith. Would he be getting the support from the community that Freshwater is? I don't think so. Otherwise people would be saying that public school is not the place for religion (other than their own of course). We live in a pluralistic country. Not everyone is a Christian and not every child that goes to Mount Vernon Middle School is of the Christian faith. If a person in a position of authority is in any way promoting their personal beliefs in the classroom, that has the potential of creating a very hostile environment for students who don't agree with the teacher, preventing them from getting an equal chance at their education.

It comes down to the fact that he is a public school employee, and needs to abide by the terms of any agreement he has signed with the school board. There are more issues at hand than just the Bible on his desk, and I think the school board is right in hiring an independent investigator. Someone needs to look at all sides, verify facts, and go from there.

April 26, 2008, 6:06 pm

Submitted by April From Mount Vernon, OH 65.189.163.101

I feel he should be able to have the bible on his desk.....I stand behind him 110%

April 26, 2008, 6:25 pm

Submitted by Lisa From Danville, Oh 71.55.36.29

I had Mr Freshwater as my science teacher about 8 years ago. His bible sitting on his desk was NO different than the Biology teacher I had a few years later that displayed 'EVOLUTION' in huge bouncing letters on his whiteboard during class.
Neither man pushed his beliefs onto their students. The controversy stands in the media's portrayal of this man.
As for 'burning crosses into students arms'..let me tell you from PERSONAL experience that the 'cross' was the X he marked to show where the electricity would transmit through during an experiment many teachers conducted. What does an X look like if you turn it sideways?

April 26, 2008, 6:30 pm

Submitted by Ashley Lemiszki From MCAS Cherry Point, NC 65.184.39.185

I say stand up for what you believe in Mr Freshwater.

That Bible has been there forever and 100's of student have seen it day in and day out and it takes 1 person to complain and that's it? Whatever happened to majority rule? Is this country so worried about what 1 person says that they've lost all reason.

I have a real problem with them trying to make him remove the "good book" while others are allowed to blatantly show signs of their religion's (ex: Jewish, Muslim, Indian, etc) with their clothing and decoration. I feel this is no different and the board see's nothing wrong with that? I'm confused.....

And as to the allegations of Mr Freshwater going overboard at FCA and "preaching", I say good for him. These kids today could use a little moral cleansing.

Good for you Mr Freshwater, in standing up for your rights!

April 26, 2008, 8:46 pm

Submitted by sassy From mt v, OH 24.210.130.99

Don't know the man, but am a teacher. This is all I have to say on the issue. If this is all about the bible being on his work place desk, as he has said, then this has been turned into a larger issue than need be.
However, if the school board and parent's claim are correct. And this man has been preaching ideas, specific to one religion, then this is a HUGE issue and he should resign.
The book on his desk is simple, as long as everyone will except if he had a Quran or Torah on his desk, which is hard to believe that same reaction would have been recived by this prodominatly Christian comunity. However, just because the children are mostly Christian, does not give him the right to preach. How would you like to be the only Christian, in a many Muslin school district, and suddenly they announced prayer time? Not a comfortable thought? Or a many athesit school district, and all a teacher did was preach how he can prove there is no God? Becuase it is not about forcing it on anyone, it is about making them feel uncomfortable because the students believes are totally different.
This issue has been potched on all sides for the most part.

April 26, 2008, 8:49 pm

Submitted by Sean S From Mount Vernon, Oh 71.72.73.104

What do I think? I think this is just another way that the MTV school system is trying to bully their way to get rid of somebody who they do not like.

If the book was any other form of a Bible, would I have the same thoughts? YES! As long as the teacher is NOT preaching HIS beliefs to me or my children, let the book STAY!

As far as burning a cross in the child's arm ... I still stand by my belief ... He (the Teacher) did not do this! Either a student got a bad grade, the parents got ticked or Mr. Freshwater ticked off somebody else in administration, but why would he (the Teacher) risk losing his job over this kind of accusation?

I have asked this question before, does ANYONE know what denomination of Christianity this man belongs to? (That would be a good question to ask.)

Has anyone talked to any of the other students or parents - past or present that sit during his lectures?

Listen to YOUR children. Ask them questions. The truth will come out, and when it does ...

Who of you who are casting stones, will be the first to apologize?

and PS: There are a LOT worse things that any of these teachers could do besides have a BIBLE on their desks ... child pornography, kidnapping or inappropriate behavior.

April 26, 2008, 10:18 pm

Submitted by MVHS Alumni - Los Angeles From Los Angeles, CA 75.2.221.246

I feel that it was not dealt with properly when he brunt the kid, he should have been fired right there. Yet they let him continue to teach. Now they are blaming everything on a book. This is a bible belt you cannot make him take it off his desk then no posters would be hung up at schools and that sort of stuff. He should be aloud to have it on his desk but he should have lost his job when burning a student.

April 26, 2008, 10:27 pm

Submitted by Stephanie From Mt Vernon, OH 71.79.106.155

I don't like the idea of people publicly trying to ruin a man when they want to maintain their own annonimity.

Also, did those parents take pictures of the burn or take their son to the doctors?

April 26, 2008, 11:01 pm

Submitted by Jeanine Davenport From Mt. Vernon, Oh 71.116.61.154

In my opinion.....religion was taken out of schools, like it or not, right or wrong, it was taken out. Where in the world were all these protestors when that was being decided. So how can one teacher decide that although he is a teacher, although he signed the contract agreeing to the specifications, he does not need to adhere to the policies or follow the rules? A rule is a rule, it does not matter what book is sitting there. Others are right too, if it were a Wiccan book, a Satanist book, people would be blowing a gasket. I believe in God, I believe God should be put back in our schools but for now he is not allowed. I was amazed when i read that he had agree to take down posters, the Ten Commandments, etc., these items were always there but no one ever said anything? Why did it take so long for someone to say something....

So for me, this has nothing to do with my religion, it is just a simple matter of following the rules, doing what is expected of you and being a teacher......having the book on his desk is opening a door that is not supposed to be opened. Your right, he can keep it in ihs drawer, take it out and read it when he is on his own time....

Now he has caused a huge mess and it looks like they are digging and things are going to get dirty, accusations flying all around....I wonder if now he would say it was all worth it? What are people trying to say here, because he is Christian we should look the other way while he bends the rules that apply to him?

April 27, 2008, 12:25 am

Submitted by Mary From Mount Vernon, OH 24.26.146.45

I'll try to keep it short and sweet.

First, for Mr. Freshwater. The classroom is a place of public instruction, not a place for religious indoctrination. Put the religious materials away, because they are obviously a disruption. You might enjoy being a martyr, and you might think you are teaching the students a good lesson, but all you are doing is showing students that, when they don't get their own way at work, all they have to do is throw a temper tantrum. You're teaching irresponsibility and insubordination. Grow up.

Second, to Mr. Daubenmire. When your religion is in the majority, and when the president of the country shares your religion and flaunts it whenever possible, you canNOT claim religious persecution. Get over yourself.

Third, to those who hate the ACLU. Say what you want about the ACLU, but the ACLU would be the FIRST group to step up and defend your right to say what you want to say. I saw a local business tonight with a sign saying, "remove the ACLU." You might not realize this, oh quick-lube joint, but if the city of Mount Vernon told you that you were not allowed to put that message on your sign, the ACLU would love to defend you in court. Please read up on what the ACLU does; don't listen to right-wing lies about what it does not do.

That's all for tonight. Thanks.

April 27, 2008, 12:34 am

Submitted by Adam From Mount Vernon, OH 65.189.163.199

Sam from Columbus,

Until you move to a metropolis sophisticated enough to reduce reliance on the personal automobile add passenger rail to its transportation roster--both intercity and commuter--please refrain from gloating about living a century beyond other communities. Thanks.

April 27, 2008, 9:15 am

Submitted by Adam From Mount Venron, OH 65.189.163.199

I thought this was to voice your opinion, not to attack people......

I feel that things are being blown out of porportion. If the teacher was forcing the kids to acknowledge the bible on his desk or force them to read it or else be punished....it would be different.

Its been there for years, and he wants to be proud of his faith. His desk is his area. I think people need to focus on larger issues out there rather than medling in other people's business.

Mr. Freshwater, I believe you are doing the right thing for standing up for yourself.

April 27, 2008, 10:14 am

Submitted by tj From howard, oh 199.89.80.18

Why is it in this day and age when a person has the right to freedom of speech but cant say what they really want. How is it that a man can have a book on his desk and we are worried that it may affect our children wrongly when it is up to the parents to raise our children not the teachers. From what im understanding the only people at school he talked religon to were the Christian group. Is the man raping our kids NO. Is he teaching right from wrong I hope so. Fire him because he is a bad teacher not because of a stupid book. One parent got mad and are wanting to destroy a man who has spent his life trying his best to teach kids that have no dicipline, no cares and have no future. So what if he may have quoted the bible once in a while did it physically or emotionally hurt your children? Do parents have any idea how their kids really are now a days. NO they are so spoiled that if u were to give them of dicipline then the parents could go to jail. That is crap. I dont have a problem with him saying something in class. Of al the things to worry about a book . Why not worry about the drug dealers and murders then some one trying to help.

April 27, 2008, 10:37 am

Submitted by andy From mt vernon, oh 24.210.86.230

To Andy ...

I could NOT have said it more perfectly!

Again - parents, teachers ... administrators - ASK THE STUDENTS (PAST AND PRESENT) IF ANYONE ELSE HAS BEEN OFFENDED.

I still believe someone is on a witch-hunt because of a bad grade or some sort of hurt feelings.

April 27, 2008, 11:25 am

Submitted by MVHS Alumni - Los Angeles From Los Angeles, CA 71.156.42.239

With the breakdown of the family,lack of personal responsability,self respect,and respect for others, the lack of focus and disapline in todays youth as a direct result of the liberal war against religion that has been waged since the 1960's, should'nt we be talking about how to return the fundamental teachings of the bible and ten commandments to the schools?. The moral fabiric of this nation has been slowly torn apart for the last 50 years, can someone honestly tell me we are better off having the schools not teach right from wrong? I'm not saying the schools should promote any religion, but i believe it should teach the the basic message of it, We all know it is'nt always taught at home. This country cannot survive much longer if we continue down this path. Religion worked for nearly 200 years,it's time to bring it back before it's too late.

April 27, 2008, 1:21 pm

Submitted by Wayne From Mt.Vernpon, OH 24.210.84.211

Andy-
Yes except it is against the law!!!

April 27, 2008, 1:22 pm

Submitted by jade From mtv, oh 24.210.80.223

It's getting pretty tiring hearing people say "If it were a Koran or a Wiccan book..."" Okay, if it WERE a Koran or Wiccan book, so what? AS LONG AS IT'S CLOSED AND NOT BEING TAUGHT, THEN OKAY>" Do you understand this? And if you don't believe I'd feel that way, then you don't know me. Jeesh...

April 27, 2008, 2:37 pm

Submitted by VS From Mt. Vernon, OH 24.210.128.178

I'm a student in his class and I can tell you that hes not doing any of this. I didnt even know the bible was in his class. The people are saying that it was a cross but theres no proof of that who said it wasnt an X or a lower case t for the kids name. Pull the monitor out, theyre distracing the students during test and when hes trying to teach.

April 27, 2008, 3:13 pm

Submitted by Swimmer From MTV, OH 74.5.9.255

Some folks have said that he's breaking school rules. Well, if school rules happen to be unconstitutional, he has every right to break them. Contrary to what some of our history and civics teachers teach in their classes, it does not violate the First Amendment (or any of the other 26) for a teacher or any other government employee to have a Bible, Torah, Koran, or any other religious text on their desk, nor does it prohibit them from promoting their faith publicly. If the district's rule is "no religious this or that," then the district is indeed in violation of the First Amendment. Something about prohibiting the free exercise thereof. Being a teacher, soldier, congressman, or any other government employee doesn't mean that we check our religion at the door. Unless we're going to ignore the First Amendment.

April 27, 2008, 8:58 pm

Submitted by John White From Mount Vernon, OH 71.72.73.31

Before someone gets a burr up their rear about what I said, remember, the government as an entity cannot promote one religion or another. But the individuals in the government are free to do so, just as Washington, Adams, and Jefferson did.

April 27, 2008, 9:02 pm

Submitted by John White From Mount Vernon, OH 71.72.73.31

I think it is great that Mr. Freshwater has a Bible on his desk at school. To bad that more Christian teachers would do this in school.If they can teach the Muslim faith as a so called diversity class, they can teach Christianty in schools, too. I don't care what anyone says, this country was started with Christian roots and we should be proud to teach our children the real facts about this in school. I would rather this than things such as witchcraft and garbage like that in our schools. I wish they had never taken prayer out of our schools and the pledge of allegiance needs to be kept in schools.Mr. Freshwater keep the faith and the fight.

April 27, 2008, 9:06 pm

Submitted by JS From Fredericktown, OH 63.87.129.222

Im a christian rap artist who supports Freshwater. If it were my desk at a school job or anywhere and i needed my bible on my desk to remind me of different bible verses to get me through the day than i would bring it everyday. Keep your bible on your desk. Satan is tryin to attack in many ways against Christians. We need to stand on the truth that Christ is lord. I would like to write a christian Rap song called "bible on my desk" with the permission from Freshwater. God Bless you all

April 27, 2008, 9:12 pm

Submitted by Eric Bressi From Fredericktown , oh 71.64.28.33

If he is such a devout christian he shouldn't need the bible on his desk to reaffirm his faith. Your faith is within and carried with you inside and outside by how you live your life. A bible on your desk is not needed.

April 27, 2008, 9:28 pm

Submitted by sean From mtv, OH 71.50.252.249

There is a law that states separation of church and state and last time I checked, the schools where considered part of the state.
I agree that Freshwater is a great teacher, I had him in middle school, but how many of you would feel the same if he had a copy of a Wiccan text, or a Satanist Bible on his desk? I'm sure that many of you would change your tune, but both religions are covered under the First Amendment as well.
Why try to force a religion onto a kid at school, when their family may not feel the same way about it, or study it at home? If you want to bring prayer back into school, why make those students who are of a different religion or no religion at all practice something they don't believe in? Or worse make them feel bad for being different? As if there isn't enough stress and emotional issues in school, I mean with having to worry about grades, your weight, what other people think of you for trivial things, sure lets add religion and see how students of other religions are treated and feel after being forced to learn about another religion, pray to another religion and not have the ability to teach their classmates and friends about the similarities and differences in their religion.
I'm a Wiccan and very proud of it, personally I wouldn't have cared because I really don't care much for religion as a whole, but I graduated with many other Wiccan's and some of the other student's harassed us ad tried to "save" us, it got very annoying and made us mad about it just because we choose to believe another religion. Not saying that I'm not friends with people of other religions because I have friends who all believe in different religions, ranging from Baptist's to atheist.
There are reasons for laws, they are to protect us all and for the better good of the country.
I think that the school should be able to teach religion, but not just one or two, I think they should teach all religions, it would help to make everyone more tolerable to people of other beliefs.

April 28, 2008, 1:35 am

Submitted by M From Mount Vernon, Oh 76.2.239.149

I understand that bringing religon into schools is againgt. I didnt say anything to mean that it wasnt. But you go to a sports game, what do a majority of players do before a game? they pray for help to win. why isnt that stopped? because sports bring $$$$. Say your child raised $10,000 from a bake sale and his family belived in the koran. Would the school still except the money. Yep because their broke. They have spend all the government aid and a majority of monies that they recieve to make sure that their school is PC. Why cant they use that money for i dont know books that arent 20 years old? that would make sense. but alas no they have to pay for lawyers and anything else that is associated with this case. I kid gets offended and the rest of the school system has to suffer Aint AMERICA GREAT? our country is so perfect that we end u screwing ourselves.

April 28, 2008, 5:03 am

Submitted by ANDY From mt vernon, oh 24.210.86.230

We need to stop talking just about the Bible in this situation....it goes a lot deeper than the bible in this situation. There needs to be a seperation between church and state and he has been over stepping this for years. His record will show that the school system has given him many chances to step back and avoid this. I am not asking him to stop being a Christian...just teach the curriculum from 8-3:30 and then teach your religion after school hours off school grounds.

April 28, 2008, 7:30 am

Submitted by Jason From Howard, OH 71.50.237.192

Personally, I am offended by the teaching of evolution. If he is forced to remove the bible, then I feel the teaching of evolution should be banned as well. Along with any items on desks, walls or computers refering to evolution.

April 28, 2008, 7:33 am

Submitted by B From Mt Vernon, OH 207.133.248.241

You need to read the 1st amendment again. People quote 5 words out of context, "separation of church and state" and think that covers them. I'm not going to quote the whole thing here; read it in it's entirety- then you might understand what "separation of church and state" means...

April 28, 2008, 8:28 am

Submitted by VS From Mt. Vernon, OH 24.210.128.178

...and in keeping with that, a bible on his desk is the LAST thing separation of church and state means...

April 28, 2008, 8:31 am

Submitted by VS From Mt. Vernon, OH 24.210.128.178

As others here mentioned: AGAIN: Wiccan texts and Satanic texts, CLOSED, with no pictures on the cover, on a desk isn't a threat. That wouldn't matter. What are you so afraid of?

April 28, 2008, 8:34 am

Submitted by KF From Mt. Vernon, OH 24.210.128.178

all this talk about bibles isn't the issue. this teacher's conduct in the classroom while on the taxpayer dime is the focus.

April 28, 2008, 9:10 am

Submitted by p. Davies From lowellville, oh 67.76.24.138

If you truly want seperation of church and state then make the school body and parents enforce it. No one is allowed to say GOD in any sporting game, no one can pray for anything at any time on school grounds our while their out on trips. Does that also mean that all reading material that has any religous ties needs to be banned. This is getting too ridicolious. At what point did we become a communist society where we cant say what we want. You know that they dont pay these teachers enough to deal with crap. They are educators not babysitters. Once in a while they may say things that anger parents. But the parents have to understand that they have to deal with their children 8 hours a day and have the parents ever looked at their kids lately? they aint perfect little angels and someone has to teach them right from wrong cause their parents sure aint doing it.

April 28, 2008, 10:13 am

Submitted by ANDY From mt vernon, oh 24.210.86.230

When did separation of Church and State become the issue? When a teacher left the Bible on his desk?

If that is the case, then the administrators - along with almost every major (and minor) league sport team MUST also ban the pledge ...

"On nation under GOD, with liberty and justice for all ..."

.... HMMMMMM

April 28, 2008, 10:24 am

Submitted by MVHS Alumni - Los Angeles From Los Angeles, CA 75.1.243.74

These exchanges through e-mail are worth reading because, I assume, they reflect the biases, prejudices, ignorance, knowledge, wisdom, and thoughtfulness of the city. The one problem I find that is shared by too many writers is their lack of the history of the US. This is not a Christian country if dated from the Revolutionary leaders; certainly Jefferson was a Deist, which many today would equate with atheism. Read the Deists and histories of the that time. And know that the word, god, was added to the Pledge and to the money decades after the Revolution by people who were largely hypocrites trying to find favor with voters. Benjamin Franklin, a great Deist, also played that game by promoting prayer at the opening of each congressional session. It is sad and even impossible for some people to realize that we are just like most of the other humans we share this planet with. Jesus would call us brothers and sisters--in need of love and care from each other.

April 28, 2008, 10:44 am

Submitted by george sebouhian From danville, oh 74.5.131.12

The separation of church and state is not to protect us from religion running the country, but rather to protect the church from being run by the government!

April 28, 2008, 11:16 am

Submitted by Lori From Lakeville, OH 205.188.116.78

Lori
How is that so? in the upcoming election all you ever hear about is the Obamas pastor? also with past presidents most were romaan catholics. Why is it one man speaks his mind and if we dont like it we hang him out to dry? Kids these need some type of emotional outlet. would rather them lead by our example?how many people smoke?drink? view porn reguralry? sleep around?do drugs? fight? go to jail? or just dont care? Im not saying that christanity is the one stop fix all for them but at least they know that their is more out there than TV and videogames and with MR FREHSWATERS help maybe they can do what we never could. Live in a society where people auctually care about their neighbors instead of shun them. I know that i would like to see more of that in this day and age where people are scared to even go out because they might get robbed, raped or murdered.

April 28, 2008, 11:36 am

Submitted by ANDY From mt vernon, oh 24.210.86.230

I think the whole thing is stupid. Let the man have his damn bible on his desk. as long as hes not forcing his students to read it or praise it, there is no harm done. leave him be and find someone else to harrass. his freedom of expression is being taken away from him. What about his constitutional rights? Idiots!!!!

April 28, 2008, 11:42 am

Submitted by nunya From miami, fl 76.2.235.4

Mr. Freshwater, My family would like to say GOD BLESS YOU, FIRST OF ALL...You have taught 3 of our 5 children,all of which thought very highly of you... You are a GREAT TEACHER. NONE OF OUR CHILDREN EVER CAME HOME FROM SCHOOL WITH ANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT BEING ENDANGERED IN YOUR CLASS.

April 28, 2008, 11:49 am

Submitted by Deby Hart From Mount Vernon, Oh 65.24.53.120

I have just read down the long list of E-mails, and the one that asked for 1600 signatures, here is my permission for you to put mine at the top of the list ! ! ! MR. FRESHWATER IS A VERY CARING INDIVIDUAL AND RESPECTED BY HIS STUDENTS. I don't believe for a minute that he would knowingly harm anyone. I have accompanied his classes on field trips on more than one occasion, there were never any impoprieties on any of them.. the three children of ours that he taught are very upset and outraged about all of this "hooha". Leave him alone and let him continue to teach our children...P.S. Mr.FreshH2o as our kids refer to you as, IF YOU NEED A "SPARE PLACE TO SET YOUR BIBLE, YOU CAN SET IT WITH OURS " !!

April 28, 2008, 12:12 pm

Submitted by Deby Hart From Mount Vernon, Oh 65.24.53.120

There is a simple thing here too, it is called insabortination (sorry if I spelled it wrong). There is a process to issue a complaint. He has a union to take care of this. You are suppose to follow any order, unless you find it immoral (like sexual) or illegal (like murder) then you can refuse. In both cases, your next action is to file a grivance. If that fails, then take it to court. He didn't need to hold a press confrence. He is insabortnant. If he felt he had a good reason, he should have taken it to the union or court without holding a news confrence.
He should be applauded for his strong views and conviction, I agree there. And he very well could be a great teacher. But there is a right way to handle this, and he isn't doing it.

April 28, 2008, 12:18 pm

Submitted by Sean S From Mount Vernon, Oh 66.203.51.61

It seems that some people are missing the point that I and many others have been trying to make. There have been studies that have shown that when a child feels as though they are in a hostile environment in the classroom/school they don't perform as well as those students who don't. This can be as simple as a child being made fun of for what they look like/weigh, what clothing they can afford to wear, to something I think is more serious, what religious beliefs they hold. If we as a society are going to give students an equal education then there needs to be a safe environment for them to do so. That means that a teacher or any adult in a position of authority has the responsibility to see to that safe environment. That means they need to teach the subject they were hired to teach and leave any personal feelings at the door.

I said before we live in a pluralistic country, not everyone is the same, that's part of the great thing about this country. We have the freedom to believe what we want and worship in any way we want. However that only extends so far... once you infringe upon another's right to the same thing, you've overstepped the bounds of your freedom. That's the way freedom works.

As far as the person who claimed bringing in foods and decorations from other "religions" as part of diversity education... that's not about religion, that's about culture. Even in countries with a majority population of one faith there are still people of other faiths, who eat the same foods, wear the same clothes, and speak the same language. That's not about religion that's about culture.

The Bible on Freshwater's desk is not the only issue in this situation. And all allegations need to be looked at, the facts verified and the truth of the matter found out.

April 28, 2008, 12:27 pm

Submitted by April From Mount Vernon, OH 65.189.163.101

I think that ALL parties involved are sensationalizing the entire issue. Mr Freshwater is using it to push his views, and MV City Schools are trying to show they will stand up for our youth over a teachers beliefs. It is very sad when Mt Vernon, being a great place to live is being thrown into the limelight as such a negative community. This entire issue saddens me, and should be put to rest...

April 28, 2008, 12:50 pm

Submitted by Bobby Fitzsimmons From Mount Vernon, Oh 68.143.234.110

Maybe if the Bible was taught in the schools their would not so many problems in the country! This country was founded as one nation under God. Today God is left out of about everything. I think Mr Freshwater is a wonderfl man, and thank God for someone that will stand up for what is right!!!

April 28, 2008, 12:51 pm

Submitted by george From mt vernon, oh 71.2.7.93

Who cares! You people need to find some real issues to care about. What's next, the firing of the new doctor in town because he doesn't believe the Earth is flat?

April 28, 2008, 12:54 pm

Submitted by William From Dublin, Oh 163.192.21.44

OK. THIS IS A BUNCH OF CRAP....WHAT ARE YOU PEOPLE TEACHING OUR CHILDREN ABOUT THE BIBLE, WHEN A MAN CAN NOT HAVE A BIBLE LAYING ON HIS DESK...THIS IS SO UPSETTING AND I FEEL TOTALLY OUT OF CONTROL. WHY DONT YOU ADDRESS PROBLEMS AT THAT SCHOOL LIKE FIGHTS AND DRUGS AND THE THINGS THAT MATTER...I PULLED MY DAUGHTER OUT OF THIS SCHOOL SYSTEM BECAUSE IT IS A JOKE... AND NOW YOU HAVE PROVEN ME RIGHT BY TELLING A MAN HE CAN NOT HAVE A BIBLE LAYING ON HIS DESK...WOW GET A LIFE AND LEAVE MR. FRESHWATER ALONE!!!!

April 28, 2008, 1:04 pm

Submitted by Lisa From Mount Vernon, oh 71.72.72.99

So many of you aren't 'getting it.' No teacher is allowed to prostelize during school hours. It has been alleged that Mr. Freshwater used the science class to share his own beliefs - He has breached his contract with the school district. Period. Becoming involved with Daubenmire and Cline were two other bad, bad decisions on his part. This isn't about having a Bible on the desk. It's about insubordination, and a breach of contract. Mr. Freshwater should have complied with his employer's wishes, then taken his grievances to the union and the courts. He chose, instead, to make his insubordination public, and ally himself with fanatics. I am sure he is a great teacher. It's sad that he chose take his insubordination public, thus ensuring a finding of breach of contract, and the end of his teaching career here in Mount Vernon. He would better have followed his superiors' requests, and THEN taken his cause public. He didn't.

April 28, 2008, 1:09 pm

Submitted by cm From mount vernon, oh 69.69.47.138

I feel that Mr.Freshwater has had his bible on his desk for 20 some years and it never bothered anyone intill now. I think the family is just haveing some problems some where and trying to put blame on anyone at this time. Even if Mr.Freshwater had done the things he has to the boy back in December 2007 the family would have done more then that to protect there child. I am a parent and if anything goes wrong when my children get home I will be at that school finding out what had happened if the school did not contact me. Then not only that but if Mr. Freshwater had hurt the boy then why was he still in his class room? The parents are just trying to get propular or money out of his deal. Yes we all don't know the name of the family but lots of people do.
JUST LEAVE THE FRESHWATERS ALONE.

April 28, 2008, 1:24 pm

Submitted by Cyphers From Danville, Oh 24.210.84.241

If he is teaching the bible let it be it's better then teacher that are taking the children home and showing them porn and doing adult things to them. And for what the man said he wasn't even teaching the bible. It's not no different then other teachers reading on there time what they want to read.

April 28, 2008, 1:27 pm

Submitted by Smith From mt.vernon, oh 24.210.84.241

I agree B from Mt. Vernon. And while we are on the subject! Why when some people are offended about Christian things, it gets blown up out of proportion, and if we Christians are offended by any non Christian beliefs WE just have to deal with it and Go On ! Like all the Satanic stuff in the schools and librarys around. They have books to teach kids spells etc. I have seen kids in a public library reading a book of that kind. I wonder if their parent knows that the Librarys Allow this? And they wonder why we have a problem with some of the youth! You people better get a grip and open your eyes! Be Glad it is a Christian BIBLE!!! IF IT were a Satanic one would you be doing the same thing ??? Probably NOT! YOU MIGHT OFFEND SOMEONE!!

April 28, 2008, 1:41 pm

Submitted by Donna From Mansfield, OH 24.166.77.112

I think people have nothing better to do anymore besides causing trouble. If seeing a bable on a desk offends you...then how are you coping in highschool? people that wear their pants down past their butt offend me, but they have the right to do that, and we should have the right to have a bible!!

April 28, 2008, 1:58 pm

Submitted by nicky fawcett From Mountvernon, Oh 71.72.72.236