New Tennessee "Religious Freedom" bill to allow religiously inspired bullying.

[Gamma Male]

http://www.queerty.com/tennessee-passes-bill-allowing-antigay-bullying-under-religious-freedom-20140326/
It’s amazing how far some people can stretch the idea of religious freedom.

The American-as-apple-pie concept seems to be the ammo of choice these days for the religious right to sanction flat-out discrimination, and the passing of Tennessee’s new “Religious Viewpoints Antidiscrimination Act” is yet another deceptively worded protection plan for hate speech.

The bill, which passed the Tennessee senate 32-0 and t students from religious persecution in public schools. I campus facilities like classrooms and assemblies availa In other words: “[p]rovide the forum in a manner that student’s voluntary expression of a religious viewpoint

Which is hugely problematic even on its own. It means recess, preach creationism in biology class or hail Sata

Or, you know, explain with impunity in front of fellow homosexuality is evil and punishable by an eternity in punish or even reprimand them.

Now it’s up to Republican Governor Bill Haslam to hop Brewer in Arizona) and veto the bill. Though based on approval, an overruling could very possibly be in the works.

But I suppose if we aren’t going to let our kids bully ea them to hate in the first place?

So, basically, if the kid in charge of the morning announcements wanted to remind everyone that gays are disgusting sinners who're all going to hell, or that whites are gods perfect race and blacks are supposed to be our slaves he could. Because of, ya know, Jesus.

Where was the ACLU during all this?

Merged double post. -Cygnus David

[Etcetera]

-sigh-

We should be able to say what we want within reason. This doesn't mean we are going to bully people.

[Gamma Male]

-sigh-

We should be able to say what we want within reason. This doesn't mean we are going to bully people.

So you would be okay with someone telling another student during recess that they thought all jews are evil scumbags because that's what their pastor said? Or a Muslim student saying all of his classmates are infidels who're gonna burn in hell, and that 9/11 was gods way of punishing america?

[Typhlosion]

Or what, the Jew/Muslim will at worst cry?

I'm full of this political correctness where we must always be smiling and be 100% careful not to hurt anyone's feelings. Someone called someone else fat on the Ellen Show and people are shocked. Really?

Unless the message is confidential, I'm all to freedom of speech.

[ninja789]

So you would be okay with someone telling another student during recess that they thought all jews are evil scumbags because that's what their pastor said? Or a Muslim student saying all of his classmates are infidels who're gonna burn in hell, and that 9/11 was gods way of punishing america?

as much as I disagree with this I hate that you chose to reference a muslim child being in support of 9/11 as if this is a fairly common opinion. Personally I have been told by more Christians I am burning in hell than Muslims because of me not following their religion.

I don't agree with this bill though

[Gamma Male]

Or what, the Jew/Muslim will at worst cry?

I'm full of this political correctness where we must always be smiling and be 100% careful not to hurt anyone's feelings. Someone called someone else fat on the Ellen Show and people are shocked. Really?

Unless the message is confidential, I'm all to freedom of speech.

I would agree with you if this bill only affected adults. But when dozens, if not hundreds of teenagers and children are committing suicide every year because of bullying, it's not just about free speech anymore. It's a matter of safety. And why should regular bullying be punished, but bullying based on religious reasons be given a free pass?


as much as I disagree with this I hate that you chose to reference in support of 9/11 as if this is a fairly common opinion. Personall more ChristiansI am burning in hell than Muslims because of m religion.

I don't agree with this bill though
I wasn't implying that all muslims share those views, I was just using that as an example.

[Etcetera]

So you would be okay with someone telling another student during recess that they thought all jews are evil scumbags because that's what their pastor said? Or a Muslim student saying all of his classmates are infidels who're gonna burn in hell, and that 9/11 was gods way of punishing america?

That's inevitable. You think making some rule is going to stop it? Get real. Marijuana and Cocaine and all the other drugs are illegal in the US, but find any street corner and ask the right person and you've got it in your hands within minutes. Rape is also illegal, but every 2 minutes, someone in the US is raped. Laws don't stop stuff. Same reason why gun control wont work.

[Karkat]

This is disgusting, because this literally makes ANY kind of bullying acceptable so long as it's somehow religious.

The targets are going to be:

-Literally anyone who does not follow the religion of the majority in that area
-Agnostics and atheists
-Intersexed, not to even mention LGBT
-Anyone considered to be 'darker-skinned'
-The mentally and physically ill
-Addicts
-Anyone born with a vagina
-Boys with longer hair, girls with shorter hair
-Those with parents who are any of the above (minus the female part, because obviously if one does not have two dads, there has to be a mom somewhere in there)
-Rape victims
-Etc.
-Girls who are on their periods

And this is just for those who would be twisting CHRISTIANITY. I honestly don't know a ton about other religions...

Point being that you literally give POPULAR children license to give indirect death threats to UNPOPULAR children. That's what it honest-to-god boils down to. Freaking Southeast America. I hate living in Utah enough as it is because of the HIGH and OBVIOUS amount of influence the LDS church has with the government, but the south tends to be even worse...

[conniption]

That's inevitable. You think making some rule is going to stop it? Get real. Marijuana and Cocaine and all the other drugs are illegal in the US, but find any street corner and ask the right person and you've got it in your hands within minutes. Rape is also illegal, but every 2 minutes, someone in the US is raped. Laws don't stop stuff. Same reason why gun control wont work.

That's true, but that doesn't mean we should legalize drugs, rape, and murder. What this bill is basically saying is that it's alright to verbally attack others, as long as it's religiously motivated. This bill is one of the most ridiculous things I've ever heard.

[Gamma Male]

That's inevitable. You think making some rule is going to stop it? Get real. Marijuana and Cocaine and all the other drugs are illegal in the US, but find any street corner and ask the right person and you've got it in your hands within minutes. Rape is also illegal, but every 2 minutes, someone in the US is raped. Laws don't stop stuff. Same reason why gun control wont work.

You're wrong. Bullying can never be stopped completely, but it can be greatly reduced. And the only thing laws like this will do is increase bullying.

[Willy_Nilly]

What worries me the most is that this bill meant to "help" got passed 32-0. Not a single person in that room ever stopped and considered what that could do to a gay kid, a Muslim kid, or anyone else DIFFERENT from them.

[Gamma Male]

What worries me the most is that this bill meant to "help" got passed 32-0. Not a single person in that room ever stopped and considered what that could do to a gay kid, a Muslim kid, or anyone else DIFFERENT from them.

I know. Those guys should be fucking ashamed.

[Aajj333]

Well shit im moving to Tennessee this summer.

[Darth Vader]

Fair enough

[Ethe14]

Honestly WTF? I get there are values people have but this is taking it too far. I get that Christianity is the majority of the south but there are going to be May people affected by this. Also for the kids in school what happened to separation of church and state?

[EddietheZombie]

See, the bullying has absolutely %0 to do with religion. Christianity and many other religions says to be kind to everyone. But then you have the dumb f**** that paint a completely different picture and make everyone look bad. If they raised their kids right and people would stop getting "offended" they wouldn't need to pass a law. The law does nothing anyway. If some asshole kids wants to bully someone, then they are going to do it. You can't stop it. Back about 40 years ago, at least what I here from people older than me, is that if you had a problem with someone, you took it outside and fought. After that, they stop bothering you. Now, granted, that people today are "Weaker" probably because they never had to hold down a job with manual labor, so it may not work out for the right person. And also back then you didn't have to worry about school shootings if you won against the bully. The bill is a good idea, just poorly worded. They need to stop lumping everyone together and look at the individual problems.

Sorry for the longish post by the way.

[phuckphace]

Or what, the Jew/Muslim will at worst cry?

I'm full of this political correctness where we must always be smiling and be 100% careful not to hurt anyone's feelings. Someone called someone else fat on the Ellen Show and people are shocked. Really?

Unless the message is confidential, I'm all to freedom of speech.

I agree with this.

thought crimes are dumb because people are going to believe what they're going to believe regardless of any law to the contrary. the world is a cruel and inhospitable place, and no amount of anti-hatespeech laws will turn it into an acceptance utopia where nobody gets judged.

I'm gay and I've lost count of the number of times I've had someone call me faggot and queer and homo. I could either be butthurt and cry about it or I could shrug it off as freedom of speech and move on. I chose the latter because it's the mature thing to do.

[Gamma Male]

I agree with this.

thought crimes are dumb because people are going to believe what they're going to believe regardless of any law to the contrary. the world is a cruel and inhospitable place, and no amount of anti-hatespeech laws will turn it into an acceptance utopia where nobody gets judged.

I'm gay and I've lost count of the number of times I've had someone call me faggot and queer and homo. I could either be butthurt and cry about it or I could shrug it off as freedom of speech and move on. I chose the latter because it's the mature thing to do.
And what exactly does not supporting a law that makes it impossible for teachers to punish bullies(with shitty religious excuses) have anything to to with anti-hatespeech laws? You don't have to support anti-discrimination laws, but supporting a law that says bullies can't be punished if they have religious excuses seems kinda ridiculous. Not to mention irrelevant.

[Vlerchan]

thought crimes are dumb because people are going to believe what they're going to believe regardless of any law to the contrary. the world is a cruel and inhospitable place, and no amount of anti-hatespeech laws will turn it into an acceptance utopia where nobody gets judged.
It's a bit more than that: the bill retracts the rights of private institutions - i.e., schools - to the use of their own freedom of speech rights and forces them leave speach, that they as a private-institution deem harmful, unchallenged. Right to a religiously-based opinion was always there in Tennesse - this law simply forces schools to tolerate them.

It extends to more than that, though: under this law if a student, say, decided to answer the question: "Where does water come from?" with "God" then that answer must be accepted, because otherwise you're discriminating against their religious beliefs. I shouldn't need to expand on how purely ridiculous that is.

[CassnovA]

i dont think this will change much. if you was respectful or not before, i dont think youd change that part of your personality just because the law changed a bit.

[xxdrakeTxx]

that has got to be the stupidest bill americas ever seen, we already have freedom of speech and religion ,this bill really just give a bunch of kids a pass to discriminate . and dont say that it wont cause bullying. and what on earth do you even need religion for in a school it aint church their aint no preacher . and your there to learn actual things not yap about some old dude walken on water and burning trees and holy gohst . all it gives is a green flag for hate

[Aajj333]

I'll be moving to Tennessee and can anyone help me think of ways to "combat" this? I dont know if I explained my untentions well enough and Ill clarify if need be.

[Babiole]

Makes me glad that French schools are extremely secular. Schools here won't even let us wear religious symbols. It's a shame since I like wearing my Catholic crucifix. A lot of the hijab-wearing Muslim girls face problems because many of them believe that it's their obligation to do so (though most Muslim girls I know don't wear hijab) - girls should be allowed to wear hijab because it's part of their beliefs. My friend Ali's older sisters have voiced their objections to the rule since though they don't wear hijab, they have friends who do.

In France, we have a long-standing secular tradition going back to the French Revolution, so this kind of religious fundamentalism is unthinkable.

I always thought that American schools had a lot of anti-bullying measures, and this just throws that out the window.

[thatcountrykid]

Its simple freedom ilif speach! It means that anyone can say what ever they want! Its
Not just for Christians! It means gays can say what they want. Muslims can say what they want. I'm not gonna shelter my beleifs just cause somebody isn't comfortable with themselves an they might get upse! That's their problem not mine.

[rinikuma]

my opinion on any "BUT IT'S FREE SPEECH" kind of a matter is free speech gives you the right to say what you want and not be persecuted for it, it doesn't give you the right to be a wank off and verbally abuse others.

[Gamma Male]

Its simple freedom ilif speach! It means that anyone can say what ever they want! Its
Not just for Christians! It means gays can say what they want. Muslims can say what they want. I'm not gonna shelter my beleifs just cause somebody isn't comfortable with themselves an they might get upse! That's their problem not mine.

Kids and teenagers do not have the to bully other kids. Because, contrary to your "SUCK IT UP AND BE A MAN! STOP YER WHINING AN FIGHT BACK" attitude, gettinfg bullied as a teenager can cause a variety of mental issues, and in a startlingly large number of cases it can even lead to suicide and mass killings. Not everyone has the capacity to ignore bullying.


And while theoretically the bill allows everyone to speak their minds, considering just how high the christian population is I seriously doubt that'll actually be the case.

[Lovelife090994]

Makes me glad that French schools are extremely secular. Schools here won't even let us wear religious symbols. It's a shame since I like wearing my Catholic crucifix. A lot of the hijab-wearing Muslim girls face problems because many of them believe that it's their obligation to do so (though most Muslim girls I know don't wear hijab) - girls should be allowed to wear hijab because it's part of their beliefs. My friend Ali's older sisters have voiced their objections to the rule since though they don't wear hijab, they have friends who do.

In France, we have a long-standing secular tradition going back to the French Revolution, so this kind of religious fundamentalism is unthinkable.

I always thought that American schools had a lot of anti-bullying measures, and this just throws that out the window.

This is where that goes a little far. Preventing hijabs and crucifixes is insane. In the Muslim faith and in Middle Eastern culture it is proper for a female to wear a hijab Muslim or not.

[Gamma Male]

This is where that goes a little far. Preventing hijabs and crucifixes is insane. In the Muslim faith and in Middle Eastern culture it is proper for a female to wear a hijab Muslim or not.

You see, this is why theocracies are a problem.

[Lovelife090994]

You see, this is why theocracies are a problem.

The hijab has a meaning behind it. Banning it is like banning a culture.

[Gamma Male]

The hijab has a meaning behind it. Banning it is like banning a culture.

Stop putting words in my mouth. I don't want to hijabs to be banned, I want them to be optional.

[thatcountrykid]

Kids and teenagers do not have the to bully other kids. Because, contrary to your "SUCK IT UP AND BE A MAN! STOP YER WHINING AN FIGHT BACK" attitude, gettinfg bullied as a teenager can cause a variety of mental issues, and in a startlingly large number of cases it can even lead to suicide and mass killings. Not everyone has the capacity to ignore bullying.


And while theoretically the bill allows everyone to speak their minds, considering just how high the christian population is I seriously doubt that'll actually be the case.

I'm not saying its ok to be an ass about your beleifs but someone should be able to speak their mind and not hide their beleifs cause they might offend someone. You cant get upset and get all suicidal over someone else's beleifs. That's just stupid. Why do you need to worry yourselves over others beleifs unless it's an actual physical threat.

And if they want to say what they want they can. Majority doesn't matter because if someone else does try to stop you then thats their grovel em because its a law.

[Gamma Male]

I'm not saying its ok to be an ass about your beleifs but someone should be able to speak their mind and not hide their beleifs cause they might offend someone. You cant get upset and get all suicidal over someone else's beleifs. That's just stupid. Why do you need to worry yourselves over others beleifs unless it's an actual physical threat.

And if they want to say what they want they can. Majority doesn't matter because if someone else does try to stop you then thats their grovel em because its a law.

So schools should stop punishing bullies, and just let students pick on and make other students miserable? You may be able to just shrug off insults and bullying, but what you don't seem to realize is that not everyone is psychologically capable of just ignoring it. As "stupid" as it may seem to you, telling someone to just ignore bullying doesn't actually mean they can ignore it. Suicidal teens on the brink of a violent outburst are literally unable to just shrug it off, and religion does not give a school student a right to bully others when it would otherwise be punished.

[thatcountrykid]

So schools should stop punishing bullies, and just let students pick on and make other students miserable? You may be able to just shrug off insults and bullying, but what you don't seem to realize is that not everyone is psychologically capable of just ignoring it. As "stupid" as it may seem to you, telling someone to just ignore bullying doesn't actually mean they can ignore it. Suicidal teens on the brink of a violent outburst are literally unable to just shrug it off, and religion does not give a school student a right to bully others when it would otherwise be punished.

Did you not read it I just said? I said don't be an ass about it which means don't be a bully. They can still punish them of their being rude but what I'm saying is you don't need to concern yourself over someone else's beliefs. you should never gotten that Way the first place if you're on the brink of suicide. I know when I say next is going to bother a lot of people but a lot of these "suicidal teens" are being overly sensitive over nothing. it's nothing to be sad about they need to look around look at their lives and see that it's not as bad as they think it is. I have seen the types of places where its something to be depressed about and trust me something like this isn't even close to being that bad.

[Lovelife090994]

Stop putting words in my mouth. I don't want to hijabs to be banned, I want them to be optional.

Calm down, Touchy. I never claimed you said that now did I? However, hijabs are up to the girl and family. Also, hijabs are mandatory in some countries because it adheres to their culture. What then?

[Gamma Male]

Did you not read it I just said? I said don't be an ass about it which means don't be a bully. They can still punish them of their being rude but what I'm saying is you don't need to concern yourself over someone else's beliefs. you should never gotten that Way the first place if you're on the brink of suicide. I know when I say next is going to bother a lot of people but a lot of these "suicidal teens" are being overly sensitive over nothing. it's nothing to be sad about they need to look around look at their lives and see that it's not as bad as they think it is. I have seen the types of places where its something to be depressed about and trust me something like this isn't even close to being that bad.

If you agreed bullies should be punished, you wouldn't agree with this bill since it stops teachers fom being able to intervene in many cases, even when serious verbal abuse is occuring.


Did you read what I said? It isn't as simple as just telling a suicidal person to "stop being so sensitive!" And then expecting them to be fine. Some people(especially teenagers) are literally mentally and emotionally unable to just tune hurtful words out. Telling a suicidal teen that he should just shrug it off and not be so sensitive is telling someone getting punched in the face that his face shouldn't be so sensitive and he should just ignore the pain.

Calm down, Touchy. I never claimed you said that now did I? However, hijabs are up to the girl and family. Also, hijabs are mandatory in some countries because it adheres to their culture. What then?

I don't care if it's part of their culture or not, nobody should be forced by the government to wear a certain type of hat or be shot. That's one seriously fucked up tradition. And the fact that something is an integral part of a culture does not make it okay. Slavery was part of US culture once, but it's still unethical.

Merged double post. -Cygnus David

[Lovelife090994]

I don't care if it's part of their culture or not, nobody should be forced by the government to wear a certain type of hat or be shot. That's one seriously fucked up tradition. And the fact that something is an integral part of a culture does not make it okay. Slavery was part of US culture once, but it's still unethical.

Wait, calm down. Quit cursing for once and use your words. I am talking about letting her choose. Then you bring in the Taliban and slavery? This is a case of the Frecnh government saying "no hijabs".

[thatcountrykid]

If you agreed bullies should be punished, you wouldn't agree with this bill since it stops teachers fom being able to intervene in many cases, even when serious verbal abuse is occuring.


Did you read what I said? It isn't as simple as just telling a suicidal person to "stop being so sensitive!" And then expecting them to be fine. Some people(especially teenagers) are literally mentally and emotionally unable to just tune hurtful words out. Telling a suicidal teen that he should just shrug it off and not be so sensitive is telling someone getting punched in the face that his face shouldn't be so sensitive and he should just ignore the pain.

That their problem then. Why should someone have to shelter their beleifs because it might offend someone it doesn't even affect?

[Gamma Male]

Wait, calm down. Quit cursing for once and use your words. I am talking about letting her choose. Then you bring in the Taliban and slavery? This is a case of the Frecnh government saying "no hijabs".

Yes, of course the french government should let her choose. But I wasn't talking about them, I was responding to question about it being a cultural tradition.

That their problem then. Why should someone have to shelter their beleifs because it might offend someone it doesn't even affect?

I don't think you understand just how far this bill goes. I'm all for free speech, and if someone wants to express their religious beliefs in a calm, respectful manner then that's fine. But this bill goes beyond that, this bill actually makes it impossible for teachers to intervene when students are being specifically targeted and harassed, so long as the bullies have a religious excuse. What could normally get someone suspended or expelled will now be okay, but only for religious reasons. So, for example, if a group of student went up to another student and cornered him, called him a fag, told him he was worthless, and that he was going to hell the teacher could not legally put a stop to this. Read the bill, I'm not even exaggerating. This goes way beyond free speech.

Merged double post. -Cygnus David

[thatcountrykid]

I don't think you understand just how far this bill goes. I'm all for free speech, and if someone wants to express their religious beliefs in a calm, respectful manner then that's fine. But this bill goes beyond that, this bill actually makes it impossible for teachers to intervene when students are being specifically targeted and harassed, so long as the bullies have a religious excuse. What could normally get someone suspended or expelled will now be okay, but only for religious reasons. So, for example, if a group of student went up to another student and cornered him, called him a fag, told him he was worthless, and that he was going to hell the teacher could not legally put a stop to this. Read the bill, I'm not even exaggerating. This goes way beyond free speech.

The bill will not however will not stop intervention from police which will happen when it needs too.

[Nyan-Katharine]

Anyone who allows their religion to interfere with their politics is not fit to serve as a politician.

[Allbutanillusion]

http://www.queerty.com/tennessee-passes-bill-allowing-antigay-bullying-under-religious-freedom-20140326/


So, basically, if the kid in charge of the morning announcements wanted to remind everyone that gays are disgusting sinners who're all going to hell, or that whites are gods perfect race and blacks are supposed to be our slaves he could. Because of, ya know, Jesus.

Where was the ACLU during all this?

Merged double post. -Cygnus David


I don't think it is a big deal. It is so absurd that I am sure that it will be vetoed.

Now it’s up to Republican Governor Bill Haslam to hopefully do the right thing (think Jan Brewer in Arizona) and veto the bill. Though based on its nearly unanimous congressional approval, an overruling could very possibly be in the works.

Perhaps that is why the ACLU didn't get involved, because of the sheer ridiculousness of it.