So cruelty is OK, as long as it's for religious reasons

[Gempress]

Some religious groups are protesting anti-bullying laws, claiming the laws are meant to be gateways to the acceptance of homosexuality.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/...ws-christian-religious-freedom_n_1406757.html

Some states have even written laws protecting religious bullying. Michigan's bill has a provision that allows bullying resulting from "a sincerely held religious belief or moral conviction."

So basically, as long as the schoolkid genuinely DOES have a moral hatred against the kid he's bullying, everything is perfectly hunky-dory. :wall:

 

[Doberluv]

That's sick! I don't care what these religious fanatics do and neither does the law (usually) as long as it doesn't hurt others or prevent their freedoms and rights. This is preventing the "pursuit of happiness." That's flat out messed up. That's like saying it's okay to rob someone or beat someone up if it's for religious reasons.

 

[Psyfalcon]

When we have a prominent (but small) church touring the country to picket funerals I can't find this surprising. It was Jon Stewart that said that these groups are mistaking not getting their way on everything with an attack on their religious freedom.

We do have limits on both regular and religious speech. A group trying to claim it is their religious right to steal, rape or murder won't get too far. I see no reason to allow children to attack other children in an environment where they can not escape (School).

 

[Renee750il]

I will be fine with bullying being allowed when everyone else is fine with it being okay for someone to step in and hand the bullies' asses to them without reprisal.

But, seeing that it's religious bullying that's supposed to be okay, that would never happen, because then defending someone who is being bullied would be persecuting the bully's religion.

 

[Kristen1980]

Bullying is bullying hands down. Doesn't matter what you are, its still bullying and needs to be stopped.

 

[Fran101]

I don't want to live on this planet anymore

 

[sparks19]

Religious fanatics suck, always

Mean people suck period

But yeah I definitely don't think its so bad that I don't want to live on this planet anymore. They are SUCH a minority. Seems worse because you only hear about the bad things people do and the crazier they are the more you hear about them but there so many more people on this earth that are incredible, loving, giving, selfless people

In the end I am more concerned about the politicians that can be bought out by these people

 

[ravennr]

My eye is twitching. Hard.

 

[puppydog]

Firstly. WTF????? I was bullied. It sucked. It changed who I am.

Secondly. I don't think Fran was being literal.

 

[Fran101]

Wasn't being literal lol it's a joke from a tv show lol probably should've made that more clear

he sais it every time he sees people being stupid/ignorant/mean

 

[sparks19]

I figured she wasn't being literal... Especially since as of yet moving to another planet is not possible.

I took her post to mean she's lost faith in humanity. That is very sad. Only the bad makes the news. I wish they would do more stories about the incredible things people do for others every single day.

Eta: i know what its from lol. I figured it was obvious that I didn't think fran wanted to actually leave the planet lol

 

[Fran101]

Just figured I would clarify in case anybody saw that and thought I was crazy or suicidal! or both..lol

 

[Tortilla]

Wow, that's awful. My brother was bullied and it makes me sad to think that it would have been okay had the bullies done it for 'religious reasons.' What he went through was horrible.

 

[Renee750il]

Firstly. WTF????? I was bullied. It sucked. It changed who I am.

I've seen too much of what bullying does. I wasn't ever bullied (hell, I was 5'2" in the 3rd grade -- and redheaded, lol), but I was the one the kids who got bullied came to to get away from it. Pissed me off then, pisses me off now.

The worst bullies, though, weren't the out and out cretins who pushed and hit and made crude remarks; the worst ones were the manipulative, passive aggressive, snide ones (they were usually the tattleasses too) that did their sh1t behind the teachers' and adults' backs and managed to maintain an angelic facade -- and their victims generally were the ones who got punished when they finally snapped.

A bully is a bully no matter what tactics they use or what their sorry excuse is and they generally don't straighten up until someone hands them their ass.

 

[Greenmagick]

Sadly I don't think the minority is actually that small, especially when it comes to homosexuality. I do think many thing the bad is focused on and people think it's worse than it is, but in bullying? I think it's way underreported. It's just really hard to see from the outside.

 

[sparks19]

Oh i don't think bullying is a small minority. I think the religious fanatics (ie: the ones protesting funerals and making the news all the time) are the minority.

 

[Renee750il]

They are -- I hope. They're really, really loud though, and they seem to be gaining clout.

The Silent Majority needs to speak up a bit louder.

 

[Dekka]

Oh i don't think bullying is a small minority. I think the religious fanatics (ie: the ones protesting funerals and making the news all the time) are the minority.

I dont' think this is really it though. Your kid can be bullied (not making news of course) as long as the bully is doing it from a moral conviction. So its ok for most of a school to bully a gay teen, cause you know.. religion.

That is what is sick. Sure I agree the minority is loud so gets noticed. But this isn't about them, its about what is ok in school yards.

Slightly related I read this yesterday.
http://www.danoah.com/2012/04/a-teens-brave-response-to-im-christian-unless-youre-gay.html

 

[sparks19]

Oh don't get me wrong.. I wish there was a zero tileran e policy for all bullying emrathet than this idea that bullies need to be saved because most have issues at home. I watched that movie cyberbully and OMG I cried. It breaks my heart. I wish schools would (or ccould) do more about it

My comment was more to frans comment about not living on this planet (which I know was not literal... And also know she isn't suicidal or anything lol)

 

[Jules]

Extremists like this, who actually try to pass laws, sure they are the minority. People who tell homosexuals that their sexuality is wrong are very common. People who think that gays should be denied civil rights because of the bible, are not the minority.

Sure, it's not the same open, confrontational bullying, but it's being a bully nonetheless.