This is absolutely amazing and quite disgusting.
Via the AP:
FINDLAY, Ohio – A student at a fundamentalist Baptist school that forbids dancing, rock music, hand-holding and kissing will be suspended if he takes his girlfriend to her public high school prom, his principal said.
Despite the warning, 17-year-old Tyler Frost, who has never been to a dance before, said he plans to attend Findlay High School’s prom Saturday.
Frost, a senior at Heritage Christian School in northwest Ohio, agreed to the school’s rules when he signed a statement of cooperation at the beginning of the year, principal Tim England said.
The teen, who is scheduled to receive his diploma May 24, would be suspended from classes and receive an “incomplete” on remaining assignments, England said. Frost also would not be permitted to attend graduation but would get a diploma once he completes final exams. If Frost is involved with alcohol or sex at the prom, he will be expelled, England said.
Frost’s stepfather Stephan Johnson said the school’s rules should not apply outside the classroom.
“He deserves to wear that cap and gown,” Johnson said.
Frost said he thought he had handled the situation properly. Findlay requires students from other schools attending the prom to get a signature from their principal, which Frost did.
“I expected a short lecture about making the right decisions and not doing something stupid,” Frost said. “I thought I would get his signature and that would be the end.”
England acknowledged signing the form but warned Frost there would be consequences if he attended the dance. England then took the issue to a school committee made up of church members, who decided to threaten Frost with suspension.
“In life, we constantly make decisions whether we are going to please self or please God. (Frost) chose one path, and the school committee chose the other,” England said.
The handbook for the 84-student Christian school says rock music “is part of the counterculture which seeks to implant seeds of rebellion in young people’s hearts and minds.”
England said Frost’s family should not be surprised by the school’s position.
“For the parents to claim any injustice regarding this issue is at best forgetful and at worst disingenuous,” he said. “It is our hope that the student and his parents will abide by the policies they have already agreed to.”
The principal at Findlay High School, whose graduates include Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, said he respects, but does not agree with, Heritage Christian School’s view of prom.
“I don’t see (dancing and rock music) as immoral acts,” Craig Kupferberg said.
Of course, the liberal Blogosphere is going crazy over there. But here’s the little problem. The boy’s parents knowingly signed an agreement; stating that their kid would not partake in any activities that the school found to be unacceptable. I have news for the Liberals; this sort of thing is absolutely normal for most Christian schools. As someone who basically grew up in those sort of schools, I ought to know this. The media also goes out of it’s way to mention the fact that the school is run by a group of Fundamental Baptists. That’s more of the Liberal attack on Christians.
The point is this; the child’s step father is now complaining about something that the parents signed an agreement to uphold and the School, legally has the right to tell the kid, that he will get into trouble, if he breaks the agreement. If I were this school, I would expel this troublemaker and further more; I would sue, in court, the step father of the senior in question.
This is nothing more, than another attack by the Liberals on Christians. I trust that Bill O’Reilly will be featuring this on his show. I am also surprised that other Conservative bloggers are not standing up for this school.
The list Liberal Bloggers attacking this poor Christian School: Lance Mannion, Alan Colmes’ Liberaland, Comments from Left Field, Pharyngula, Washington Monthly, Liberty Street and The Huffington Post
This is more than an attack by liberals on Christians. This is illustrative of something that has been going on for ages. Contracts in general have been allowed to be broken when ‘something’ comes up that gives the signer ‘second thoughts’.
We take contracts too lightly because there is always some lawyer willing to take the issue to court.
This is an attack on an organization that just happens to be a Christian school enforcing its rules on someone who is knowingly breaking those rules.
Bottom line: a contract is a contract. If its provisions are not upheld and enforced then the contract loses all authority and meaning. Liberal or not, this tenant must be followed.
Anyone breaking a contract should face penalties. Period.
Why is this being turned into a Liberal vs Christian thing?
If you enroll at a strict religious school, why would you be surprised that they have strict religious rules?
This reminds me of an old joke that goes something like this:
A pschiatrist was asked if he enjoyed his profession. He replied, Yes, it’s very interesting. The only problem is that you keep meeting so many sick people. (!)
Yep, it’s Murka foks, contracts should be upheld.
Father hands over money. School provides education.
The xtian school principal, Tim England, gave signed permission to attend.
Can you tell me what element of contract has been broken here?
Yep it’s Murka, it’s ok to put these fundamentalist yahoos up for ridicule. If they had their way, the whole country would be under their dominionist, ever-probing iron thumb.
I have to say I agree with all of you. I do have a problem with the following though:
“In life, we constantly make decisions whether we are going to please self or please God. (Frost) chose one path, and the school committee chose the other,” England said.
Equating dancing or even breaking a contract with displeasing God is carrying it a bit far, as is the arrogance in believing that because the school committee decides something it necessarily pleases Him
Paleo Pat points out: “The boy’s parents knowingly signed an agreement…”
Yeah, and so did the principal knowingly sign an agreement allowing the boy to attend the dance.
That you leave out this fact is quite disgusting. But absolutely predictable.
This is not an attack on religiuos beliefs. The parents and child agreed “how he should handle himself” within the school. No one can dictate what goes on outside of the school. That is where the parents take over.
The contract that England signed to “agree” to allow the child to go to the prom, made the rules nul in void. He said there “may be” ramifications. Get real. Sounds more like a threat than anything.
If you are going to follow your so called bible. Then follow the entire thing.
Its not attack on Christians, It an attack on a school saying what a student is allowed to do OUTSIDE of school!! That contract should have no bearing on what that boy does on his own time as long as his parents see no problem with it then why should a school have the right to say different!!
WOW!!! Glad I didn’t go to that school. Rules are rules but…..there are exceptions to EVERY rule. This dance took place on his own time, with his parents permission.
What if it were a wedding. There is a reception with dancing afterwards. Would he be suspended for that or because it is a “religious” ceremony it would be okay.
As far as contracts….Donald Trump just let Miss California keep her crown even after breech of contract. We NO longer rule with an iron fist. Not saying it’s ok but take ALL things into consideration [behavior, attendance, grades, etc.] In regards to Tyler it’s a judgment call and the principal wants to control the situation. [dig deep enough and you know there are skeletons in that principals closet]
Graduation is a BIG step in life. Let this Tyler graduate with his class. You’ll sleep better knowing you didn’t scare this boy for life.