Amelia Posted June 9, 2007 Share Posted June 9, 2007 Christian teacher sues for suspension over banning Harry Potter book in class Saturday 9th June, 2007 London, June 9 : A teaching assistant, Sariya Allan, is claiming 50,000 pounds damages from her former school for religious discrimination, after her employers reprimanded her for telling her pupil not to read out a Harry Potter book to her because witchcraft theme was against her faith. Allan, who was working in Durand Primary School in Stockwell, South London, was suspended by the school's authorities, in 2006. Forty-seven year-old Allen later resigned from her job in July the same year. In a hearing to the case in Croydon, South London, she claimed that she felt 'harassed, humiliated, and discriminated'. She admitted that she told her student that she does not indulge in witchcraft in any form. "I admit I said to the child that I don't do witchcraft in any form. I said this because it is known that the subject of the Harry Potter books is white magic, the main character is a wizard who casts spells and uses the supernatural to triumph in various plots throughout the stories,' The Daily Mail quoted her, as saying. Allen added that the book contains many practices that are against preaching in the Holy Bible. "The Holy Bible gives express instruction against some of the practices contained in the book, and I therefore objected to the child reading this book to me. I was put in the position that listening to the child reading this book would compromise my religious beliefs," she added. Ben Oduje, counsel for the school, said: that she wasn't suspended for the book incident alone, and that it was her 'obstructive conduct' that made the school to take an action against her "This incident with the Harry Potter book says an awful lot about the claimant's attitude towards the school. Her suspension was due to her obstructive conduct over time. It was not down to that day alone,' Oduje said. Oduje added that Allan was imposing her religious belief on the child was 'inappropriate'. "She was dealing with a seven-year-old child. Her expressing her disapproval of the child's choice of book had the effect of imposing her own religious beliefs on the child. By any stretch of the imagination, to say that to a child is wholly inappropriate," he added. Quote <p><span style="color:#0000FF;"><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">"Do not use harmful words, but only helpful words, the kind that build up and provide what is needed, so that what you say will do good to those who hear you."</span></span> Eph 4:29</span><br><br><img src="http://banners.wunderground.com/weathersticker/gizmotimetemp_both/US/OR/Fairview.gif" alt="Fairview.gif"> Fairview Or</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olger Posted June 10, 2007 Share Posted June 10, 2007 It true that the condition of public schools is going downhill rapidly. While I admire this teacher for her convictions, I question if sueing is helping the Lord's cause. onward a& upward, `og Quote "Please don't feed the drama queens.." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amelia Posted June 10, 2007 Author Share Posted June 10, 2007 Quote: Oduje added that Allan was imposing her religious belief on the child was 'inappropriate'. have you noticed that Christianity is always seen as "Imposing" and not respected while with other religions kids are taught to "respect" their beliefs? Quote <p><span style="color:#0000FF;"><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">"Do not use harmful words, but only helpful words, the kind that build up and provide what is needed, so that what you say will do good to those who hear you."</span></span> Eph 4:29</span><br><br><img src="http://banners.wunderground.com/weathersticker/gizmotimetemp_both/US/OR/Fairview.gif" alt="Fairview.gif"> Fairview Or</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olger Posted June 10, 2007 Share Posted June 10, 2007 Quote: have you noticed that Christianity is always seen as "Imposing" and not respected while with other religions kids are taught to "respect" their beliefs? Boy that's the truth!! For instance if you say "I disagree with homosexuality as a lifestyle because of Scriptural convictions" you are instantly called a "hater" and a "homophobe" and probably a "neo-nazi anti-semitic member of a hate cult." heh olger Quote "Please don't feed the drama queens.." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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