On February 27, 2013, the Supreme Court of Ohio heard the case of Freshwater v. Mount Vernon City School District Board of Education, which involved the firing of an eighth grade public school science teacher, allegedly for teaching creationism in science class and for insubordination, which raises fascinating issues about both the Free Exercise
First Amendment
What’s On Their Minds? Teacher Termination: First Amendment Violation or Inappropriate Injection of Christian Beliefs into Science Class? Freshwater v. Mount Vernon City School District Board of Education.
By Marianna Bettman on
Posted in Ohio Supreme Court Watch, What's On Their Minds?
For additional information on the issues raised in this case, read this In Sharper Focus Guest Post
On February 27, 2013, the Supreme Court heard oral argument in the case of Freshwater v. Mount Vernon City School District Board of Education, 2012-0613. The case involves the firing of a public school science teacher. He…
Of Funerals, Protests, and Hate Speech
By Marianna Bettman on
Posted in Commentary
In Snyder v. Phelps (pdf), the U.S. Supreme Court shielded the Westboro Baptist Church from tort liability for its hateful picketing.
“G-d Hates Fags.” “You’re Going to Hell.” “Thank G-d for Dead Soldiers.” “G-d Hates the USA/Thank G-d for 9/11.” These are a few of the hateful signs carried by picketers from the Westboro…