Student fails art assignment due to religious reference

Personally, I think it's absolute bull that this kid is failing. Im not religious....but gimme a break!!!

Student sues Wisconsin school district over religious drawing
BY TODD RICHMOND
Associated Press
Monday, March 31, 2008 3:58 PM CDT

MADISON - A Tomah High School student has filed a federal lawsuit alleging his art teacher censored his drawing because it featured a cross and a biblical reference.

The lawsuit alleges other students were allowed to draw "demonic" images and asks a judge to declare a school policy prohibiting religion in art unconstitutional.

"We hear so much today about tolerance," said David Cortman, an attorney with the Alliance Defense Fund, a Christian legal advocacy group representing the student. "But where is the tolerance for religious beliefs? The whole purpose of art is to reflect your own personal experience. To tell a student his religious beliefs can legally be censored sends the wrong message."

Tomah School District Business Manager Greg Gaarder said the district hadn't seen the lawsuit and declined to comment.

According to the lawsuit, the student's art teacher asked his fellow students in February to draw landscapes. The student, a senior identified in the lawsuit by the initials A.P., added a cross and the words "John 3:16 A sign of peace" in his drawing.

His teacher, Julie Millin, asked him to remove the reference to the Bible, saying students were making remarks about it. He refused, and she gave him a zero on the project.

Millin showed the student a policy for the school that prohibited any violence, blood, sexual connotations or religious beliefs in artwork. The lawsuit claims Millin told the boy he had signed away his constitutional rights when he signed the policy at the beginning of the semester.

The boy tore the policy up in front of Millin, who kicked him out of school Later that day, assistant principal Cale Jackson told the boy his religious expression infringed on other students' rights.

Jackson told the boy, his stepfather and his pastor at a meeting a week later that religious expression could be legally censored in school assignments. Millin stated at the meeting the cross in the drawing also infringed on other students' rights.

The boy received two detentions for tearing up the policy. Jackson referred questions about the lawsuit to Gaarder.

Sometime after that meeting, the boy's metals teacher rejected his idea to build a chain-mail cross, telling him it was religious and could offend someone, the lawsuit claims. The boy decided in March to shelve plans to make a pin with the words "pray" and "praise" on it because he was afraid he'd get a zero for a grade.

The lawsuit also alleges school officials allow other religious items and artwork to be displayed on campus.

A Buddha and Hindu figurines are on display in a social studies clasroom, the lawsuit claims, adding the teacher passionately teaches Hindu to students.

In addition, a replica of Michaelangelo's "The Creation of Man" is displayed at the school's entrance, a picture of a six-limbed Hindu woman is in the school's hallway and a drawing of a robed sorcerer hangs on a hallway bulletin board.

Drawings of Medusa, the Grim Reaper with a scythe and a being with a horned head and protruding tongue hang in the art room and demonic masks are displayed in the metals room, the lawsuit alleges.

A.P. suffered unequal treatment because of his religion even though student expression is protected by the First Amendment, according to the lawsuit, which was filed Friday.

"Students do not shed their constitutional rights at the schoolhouse gate," the lawsuit said. "No compelling state interest exists to justify the censorship of A.P.'s religious expression."

Link to pic of artNews

Freedom of religion comes to mind...

Maybe the teacher failed him because it isn't that good? I dunno, while I believe he can put whatever he wants into his artwork it isn't as if we are staring at the next Sistine Chapel here...interesting story.TheSystemLord1

If you read the article you would know the student got a complete 0. He was also shown a copy of the schools policy when it comes to expression in art. You don't show a copy of that to students if their pictures are bad. He was also told to remove the offending bits from the drawing.

Why was this listed in the article under religious references on display in the school, though?

"a drawing of a robed sorcerer hangs on a hallway bulletin board."

Sorcerers are religious?

Obviously the kid is going to win this case. Good for him. Hypocrisy should be denounced, whether religious or secular.

...though I do wonder: are we hearing the whole story?

Does everything that guy do have to include crosses and biblical references. Some variety would be nice kid!

Anyhoo, yeah its total BS. There is a serious double standard when it comes to religion in the west.

That's the fine line you trod when you go to a secular school. He signed a waiver telling him he couldn't use religious references in his art? Failed before takeoff?foxhound_fox

From what I gathered, is that other people were going against the TOS. They didn't get moderated.

OMG ITS A CROSS!!! *runs*

The boy tore the policy up in front of Millin, who kicked him out of school Later that day, assistant principal Cale Jackson told the boy his religious expression infringed on other students' rights. News

the kid is obviously gonna win.

In this certain situation, there's not much he can do if he, personally, signed a waiver, agreeing to the notion that religious references weren't allowed in a student's artwork.

However, the policy itself is unbelievable. In this country, every citizen has a right to freedom of expression and of religion. Furthermore, he meant it, in no way, to be offensive. I think it's a beautiful piece of work- it is a product of his very person. And high school or not, art is art, regardless how vulgar, profane, or violent; 'good' art or 'bad.'

[QUOTE="TheSystemLord1"]Maybe the teacher failed him because it isn't that good? I dunno, while I believe he can put whatever he wants into his artwork it isn't as if we are staring at the next Sistine Chapel here...interesting story.Hoobinator

If you read the article you would know the student got a complete 0. He was also shown a copy of the schools policy when it comes to expression in art. You don't show a copy of that to students if their pictures are bad. He was also told to remove the offending bits from the drawing.

Yeah I guess it wasn't because of the aesthetics...well...I dunno...he should be able to draw a picture of whatever he wants I guess. Even if people get offended.

This is pretty bogus. I understand why the school cant talk or promote religion, but if a student decides to do he or she should be able to as it is his or her right to do so.

But, the fact is, he signed a contract. Yet the fact that the school didnt honor the contract (i.e. thebuddha stature, the masks, etc) shows that it is bogus. Just give the kid a passing grade and drop the matter before all schools become boring, sterilized places free of any controversy.

It seems pretty clear that he had knowledge of the school's policy regarding religious representaions. Why he expected some different outcome here, I don't know.

"Millin showed the student a policy for the school that prohibited any violence, blood, sexual connotations or religious beliefs in artwork. The lawsuit claims Millin told the boy he had signed away his constitutional rights when he signed the policy at the beginning of the semester. The boy tore the policy up in front of Millin..."

I agree,however, that this rule is pretty stupid and limiting to the students, but the fact remains, he agreed to it, so he is in the wrong.

Is Wisconsin a conservative state?

I live in California and in seventh grade I remember I drew a naked chick and the teacher didnt complain. Of course she was French, so that might have been it...

but still, just let the chillins' draw what they want so long as its not some tentacle monster fornicating a 14 year old schoolgirl.

It seems pretty clear that he had knowledge of the school's policy regarding religious representaions. Why he expected some different outcome here, I don't know.

"Millin showed the student a policy for the school that prohibited any violence, blood, sexual connotations or religious beliefs in artwork. The lawsuit claims Millin told the boy he had signed away his constitutional rights when he signed the policy at the beginning of the semester. The boy tore the policy up in front of Millin..."

I agree,however, that this rule is pretty stupid and limiting to the students, but the fact remains, he agreed to it, so he is in the wrong.

Wetall_basic

[QUOTE="Wetall_basic"]

It seems pretty clear that he had knowledge of the school's policy regarding religious representaions. Why he expected some different outcome here, I don't know.

"Millin showed the student a policy for the school that prohibited any violence, blood, sexual connotations or religious beliefs in artwork. The lawsuit claims Millin told the boy he had signed away his constitutional rights when he signed the policy at the beginning of the semester. The boy tore the policy up in front of Millin..."

I agree,however, that this rule is pretty stupid and limiting to the students, but the fact remains, he agreed to it, so he is in the wrong.

Elraptor

ya i think youre right. But it needs to be taken to the supreme court and, good lord, I hope this BS incident doesnt go that far.

If it was the other way around, nobody would care.Ilived

[QUOTE="Wetall_basic"]

It seems pretty clear that he had knowledge of the school's policy regarding religious representaions. Why he expected some different outcome here, I don't know.

"Millin showed the student a policy for the school that prohibited any violence, blood, sexual connotations or religious beliefs in artwork. The lawsuit claims Millin told the boy he had signed away his constitutional rights when he signed the policy at the beginning of the semester. The boy tore the policy up in front of Millin..."

I agree,however, that this rule is pretty stupid and limiting to the students, but the fact remains, he agreed to it, so he is in the wrong.

Elraptor

If it was the other way around, nobody would care.Ilived

ya i think youre right. But it needs to be taken to the supreme court and, good lord, I hope this BS incident doesnt go that far.

mrbojangles25

It's completely fair, the teacher asked the student to remove the religious reference....he refused. It's that simple.jointed

[QUOTE="jointed"]It's completely fair, the teacher asked the student to remove the religious reference....he refused. It's that simple.DivergeUnify

Because it's school policy...

[QUOTE="DivergeUnify"][QUOTE="jointed"]It's completely fair, the teacher asked the student to remove the religious reference....he refused. It's that simple.jointed

Because it's school policy...

I'm not well versed in any area of law, so you're ahead of me in this way. Just my opinion, if you sign away your right to religious expression, you shouldn't be able to express yourself religiously. This argument should have been had at the time when he signed, not now, after he's made the decision to agree to the rules, then break them.
Wetall_basic

[QUOTE="jointed"]

[QUOTE="DivergeUnify"][QUOTE="jointed"]It's completely fair, the teacher asked the student to remove the religious reference....he refused. It's that simple.DivergeUnify

Because it's school policy...

Hehe yeah well, it's not as if I agree with this ridiculous policy...it's just that it's kind of silly to go against it and then act all surprised an innocent when you get an F.

[QUOTE="Wetall_basic"]
I'm not well versed in any area of law, so you're ahead of me in this way. Just my opinion, if you sign away your right to religious expression, you shouldn't be able to express yourself religiously. This argument should have been had at the time when he signed, not now, after he's made the decision to agree to the rules, then break them.
Elraptor

[QUOTE="Ilived"]If it was the other way around, nobody would care.Jandurin

If the student was athiest. Nobody would care about his case.

He signed away his rights when he was forced to go to school? So teenagers and children aren't people? Why not make us sign away our rights in order to become citizens of this country, hm?Video_Game_King

The way he's drawn it offend someone, but i think it should still be marked and displayed, freedom of expression

Personaly i think they should censor less alow the blood and violance, sex i'm not so sure about, as long as it shows a different insight then it's fine with me,

[QUOTE="Video_Game_King"]He signed away his rights when he was forced to go to school? So teenagers and children aren't people? Why not make us sign away our rights in order to become citizens of this country, hm?Wetall_basic

There's a difference between breaking the law and civil disobedience. This is an unjust policy, and I'm not really understanding why it has been up for so damn long.

Personally, I think it's absolute bull that this kid is failing. Im not religious....but gimme a break!!!

[quote="News"] Student sues Wisconsin school district over religious drawing
BY TODD RICHMOND
Associated Press
Monday, March 31, 2008 3:58 PM CDT

MADISON - A Tomah High School student has filed a federal lawsuit alleging his art teacher censored his drawing because it featured a cross and a biblical reference.

The lawsuit alleges other students were allowed to draw "demonic" images and asks a judge to declare a school policy prohibiting religion in art unconstitutional.

"We hear so much today about tolerance," said David Cortman, an attorney with the Alliance Defense Fund, a Christian legal advocacy group representing the student. "But where is the tolerance for religious beliefs? The whole purpose of art is to reflect your own personal experience. To tell a student his religious beliefs can legally be censored sends the wrong message."

Tomah School District Business Manager Greg Gaarder said the district hadn't seen the lawsuit and declined to comment.

According to the lawsuit, the student's art teacher asked his fellow students in February to draw landscapes. The student, a senior identified in the lawsuit by the initials A.P., added a cross and the words "John 3:16 A sign of peace" in his drawing.

His teacher, Julie Millin, asked him to remove the reference to the Bible, saying students were making remarks about it. He refused, and she gave him a zero on the project.

Millin showed the student a policy for the school that prohibited any violence, blood, sexual connotations or religious beliefs in artwork. The lawsuit claims Millin told the boy he had signed away his constitutional rights when he signed the policy at the beginning of the semester.

The boy tore the policy up in front of Millin, who kicked him out of school Later that day, assistant principal Cale Jackson told the boy his religious expression infringed on other students' rights.

Jackson told the boy, his stepfather and his pastor at a meeting a week later that religious expression could be legally censored in school assignments. Millin stated at the meeting the cross in the drawing also infringed on other students' rights.

The boy received two detentions for tearing up the policy. Jackson referred questions about the lawsuit to Gaarder.

Sometime after that meeting, the boy's metals teacher rejected his idea to build a chain-mail cross, telling him it was religious and could offend someone, the lawsuit claims. The boy decided in March to shelve plans to make a pin with the words "pray" and "praise" on it because he was afraid he'd get a zero for a grade.

The lawsuit also alleges school officials allow other religious items and artwork to be displayed on campus.

A Buddha and Hindu figurines are on display in a social studies clasroom, the lawsuit claims, adding the teacher passionately teaches Hindu to students.

In addition, a replica of Michaelangelo's "The Creation of Man" is displayed at the school's entrance, a picture of a six-limbed Hindu woman is in the school's hallway and a drawing of a robed sorcerer hangs on a hallway bulletin board.

Drawings of Medusa, the Grim Reaper with a scythe and a being with a horned head and protruding tongue hang in the art room and demonic masks are displayed in the metals room, the lawsuit alleges.

A.P. suffered unequal treatment because of his religion even though student expression is protected by the First Amendment, according to the lawsuit, which was filed Friday.

"Students do not shed their constitutional rights at the schoolhouse gate," the lawsuit said. "No compelling state interest exists to justify the censorship of A.P.'s religious expression."

Link to pic of artTruth_Seekr

Freedom of religion comes to mind...

first off if the kid is under 18 that signature of his holds NO ground in court.....

[QUOTE="Video_Game_King"]He signed away his rights when he was forced to go to school? So teenagers and children aren't people? Why not make us sign away our rights in order to become citizens of this country, hm?Wetall_basic

the student doesn't have to agree to all rules laid before him by the school if they violate his basic rights... schools try to push their authority as absolute and it isn't. state law over rules anything a school says and federal over rules that.

There's a difference between breaking the law and civil disobedience. This is an unjust policy, and I'm not really understanding why it has been up for so damn long.

Video_Game_King

[QUOTE="Video_Game_King"]

There's a difference between breaking the law and civil disobedience. This is an unjust policy, and I'm not really understanding why it has been up for so damn long.

Wetall_basic

I have to say it awfully sounds like it to rebel. I am quite confident that the teacher stated before the assignment the criteria..