Oct 19, 2011
Print This Post
UPDATE:
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has chimed in on the controversy saying that he found Knox’s comments on her personal Facebook page “disturbing.”
“I think that kind of example is not a positive one at all to be setting for folks who have such an important and influential position in our society,” Christie told WABC Radio. “I’m really concerned about those kinds of statements being made.”
ORIGINAL STORY:
A New Jersey high school teacher is under investigation after she allegedly posted a message on her private Facebook page that she opposed homosexuality because of her Christian faith.
The Union Township school district said they are investigating whether Viki Knox violated school policies when she allegedly posted remarks saying homosexuality is a sin that “breeds like cancer” and describing it as “perverted.”
Knox also complained, on her private Facebook page, that Union High School featured a display recognizing October as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender History month. The display reportedly featured photos of Harvey Milk, Neil Patrick Harris and Virginia Woolf.
“The district is taking the matter very seriously,” school superintendent Patrick Martin said. “We are running a thorough investigation. The board of education will act appropriately based on the outcome of the investigation.”
He declined to confirm or deny reports that Knox was put on leave and was escorted from the school building by administrators.
Hundreds of people, both supporters and critics turned out at a school board meeting Tuesday night after a statewide civil rights organization launched a campaign demanding the firing of Knox.
“I was pleased with the openness of the meeting and the decorum of the meeting,” Martin said. “There was no calling out, no cheering, or booing. People were listening to what was being said.”
Knox has been advised by her union attorney not to talk to the media, but she was defended by her husband in an interview with WCBS-TV.
“They can persecute her but they can’t prosecute her,” Gene Knox told the television station, stating that “everybody’s entitled to an opinion.”
But a spokesman for Garden State Equality, a group that advocates gay rights, said that’s not true.
“She should not be teaching in the classroom,” said Steven Goldstein, chair of the gay rights group. He said her “vicious, anti-gay remarks on Facebook crossed the line.”
Goldestein’s group launched a statewide campaign to have the Christian teacher fired – sending hundreds of phone calls and emails to the school district.
“I find what she wrote on Facebook endangers the learning atmosphere for students beyond repair and violates the school district’s own policy of a safe and comfortable environment for all,” Goldstein said. “She’s no longer in a position to teach in the classroom because she will make many students fearful of her hatred.”
Ada Davis, an attorney with the Alliance Defense Fund, attended the meeting and said she was very alarmed at how the school system is treating the Christian teacher. The ADF recently represented a Florida school teacher accused of posting similar anti-gay Facebook messages.
“The problem is they don’t want anyone who believes homosexuality is a sin to be a teacher,” Davis said. “Teachers obviously should not be punished for exercising these kinds of constitutionally protected rights. She has a right to communicate her religious beliefs.”
Davis said the ADF found it necessary to take a stand on behalf of the teacher because of what they called the massive opposition against her by New Jersey’s homosexual community.
“She is being persecuted for having a belief,” Davis said. “It’s very scary – she has a right to communicate her religious beliefs.”
Davis reiterated that what Knox did was on her own time, in her own house, and on her personal computer.
Does she believe the teacher is a victim of a witch hunt?
“That’s a very good way to describe it,” Davis said. “Any opposition is just attacked.”
Gay rights groups aren’t the only ones attacking the teacher. John Paragano, an attorney and former member of the Union Township Committee, told The New York Times he was offended by what Knox wrote on her private Facebook page. He questioned whether she could enforce the state’s anti-bullying law.
“Teachers are at the forefront of that, enforcing that,” he told the newspaper. “My concern is that if this teacher had these feelings, is she going to call out the bullying of a gay, lesbian, and transgender person?”
Superintendent Martin was non-committal on how long the investigation might last.
I think it’s a very tough situation for many people,” he said. “We’re having a very difficult time working our way through this. It’s tough all around. I don’t think anybody is really enjoying this.”
FOX News Talk
A teacher calls a minority group 'perverted' and a 'cancer'. She has made it clear she teaches this to her students in the comments she made. A teacher making comments like this encourages animus and bullying. Bullying leads to low self esteem in young people. It can also lead to suicide. Would you want your kids to be called a 'cancer' by their teacher?
Daniel, Homosexuality! is a Abomination God hates it! It's wrong! If this was turned around saying that a gay teacher did the exact same thing, it would be ok! because this is ok with society, It's twisted, so wrong in so many ways………. and their is a God a loving GOD! and if you don't know him well what do you have to lose? your soul, not good! and there is Jesus Gods only begotten son that was sent to die for you and the whole world that you would be saved and live in eternity with him for ever, AWESOME! SO I'm behind her all the way on this one,
This is a clear cut case of viewpoint discrimination against the teacher. They are essentially demanding she recant her faith, which the First Amendment prohibits or face ruin by the merciless state and its new quisling pawns, the homo-fascists. Pure, intimidation and coercive indoctrination by a renegade state. "When fascism comes to America it will be carrying a pink swastika wrapped in a rainbow flag." Larry Upton Lewis Sinclaire And it has come to America. This is just the beginning of the persecution of Christians by the ghosts of Sodom. They should remember that vengeance belongs to The Lord.
No one has the right not to be offended.
Goldesteins comment about Knox's opinion making students " fearful of her hatred" is completely subjective and has no basis in fact. Who does he/she think he/she is telling students what they should or should not think or feel about Knox's private statements on her personal and private facebook page. BTW my page carries a disclaimer with a hold harmless clause. Goldsteins brief is limp and won't stand up in court, or anywhere else. ha ha ha , yawn.
New York legalizes gay marriage – For the first time in history the U.S. credit rating is down graded – The State of New York suffers historic never before seen flooding – The first seeds of rioting in the streets of New York now being planted – Am I the only one who sees a pattern here. Sexual immorality is first birthed in the mind before finding expression in the flesh. If we choose to ignore the danger it poses, it will indeed be the cancer that destroys us.
If she said these things on her private facebook page and not in a class room, then it's a non issue that nobody including Chris Christie has any reason to comment publicly. To Superintendent Patrick Martin and to Governor Christie I say, There's this thing called the 1st amendment. Look it up.
Bigotry and hate are "opinions" simply aren't tolerated; You wouldn't want a teacher in the classroom who posted racist or anti-semantic Facebook posts would you?
Perhaps there is a secondary agenda in this…they may want her to give up and resign. Make her uncomfortable enough and she may go away. Loose ends would tie up neatly for the accusers if she just gave up.
Ok, let me get this straight— so if a teacher posts something negative, opposing, or hateful opinion about a Christian…that teacher will be investigated too? If that's the case, then there are alot of professors and teachers I have come across that need to lose THEIR job also. So what about opposing opinions about a republican? A democrat? The President? Slippery slope here people. Honestly, I know there are real struggles with bullying & persecution and there needs to be protections against those…but I am SOOOO tired of whiners that want everyone to agree with them, and stomp their feet & pout & threaten people if they don't. You know, I am a Christian who believes strongly in what God has to say about homosexuality, but I also know that a sin is a sin is a sin is a sin to God. And we ALL sin. So for us to condemn someone else for their particular sin is hypocritical. Therefore, I can love a gay person for who they are and not particularly like what they do –and likewise they may find one of my sins equally offensive— but we can be friends, and we can care for each other and be honest with each other. But I also am having a hard time with some gay people who want to shove it down everyone's throat and want to jail people for expressing that dislike for their behavior! GET OVER IT. You aren't the only ones with an opinion! It should never ever come to condoning or encouraging bullying or violence because of someone's differences, gay, christian, fat, skinny, pretty, ugly, WHATever….but an opinion on a facebook page? Come ON. This is petty, childish stuff here….and its threatening the freedoms we have in this country—one of the reasons you can actually BE GAY in public. Iran suppresses peoples freedom of speech & opposing opinions— try living there and see how far you get being gay or Christian there, people.
I hope she sues everyone connected with this ridiculous farce.
MS Knox please set up a fund to accept contributions to allow you to see every member of the school board, every member of the administration, involved in this ridiculous farce, I want o hep defray your costs and I am sure that many other people feel the same way.
Don't stop with institutional suits sue all of these people personally, also.
No where did I read that she hated the students! As a Christian, I agree with the word of God. He loves every person on the face of the earth, but He hates the sin, all sin. Let the words of my mouth & the meditation of my heart be acceptable in the sight of the Lord. Love people
this is so…queer…I mean, sodomy is to be taught in the classroom? But…you can't say that it offends you… and that just seems queer to me…pretty soon they'll want to be having a Gay Appreciation Month…won't that be queer! I know that when you go to a Gay picnic…you never eat the hot dogs!
Anyone who is still sending their children to public school is committing child abuse. Love your kids enough to figure out a way to school them privately and/or at home. The schools are wasting our money with this kind of crap. Sexuality has no business in the schools. No wonder the kids can't read!
What ever happen to Free Speach, She posted it on her facebook not a public one. You can say anything agaist Christan principles and that is fine. John Paragano should be as concerned about the bullying of The cripple, the Christan, the ugly persons All Teachers need to interviene whenever bullying is done to who ever. Yes the BIBLE calls Homosexual a preverted way of life it is a choose people make.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but this was her personal page! If she was screaming it at her students in the class room I would understand people getting upset. But I don't see how the school has the right to control what she does or says on her own time, in her own home. It shouldn't affect her job in any way. I'm really confused on as to how this even became and issue for the school to handel.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but this was her personal page! If she was screaming it at her students in the class room I would understand people getting upset. But I don't see how the school has the right to control what she does or says on her own time, in her own home. It shouldn't affect her job in any way. I'm really confused on as to how this even became and issue for the school to handel.
'Let the blinders of the enemy be LOOSED' off all those who are either oppressed or possessed by that demon spirit of homosexuality…oh and that demon spirit of witchcraft! We thank You Abba that You send laborers to the harvest of their 'ill-begotten' souls (minds, wills, emotions, conscience) that they may be given THE 'opportunity of a lifetime' for a 'lifetime of freedom' that nearly 'too good to be true news' that they have available to them the salvation sotieria, that is, prosperity in peace of mind, heart, joy, love, mercy, grace and the Blessing of You Abba God, whoooooooya, and amen!' Be it done, in the name of Jesus the Christ, who has GIVEN TO US ALL POWER AND AUTHORITY (that 'last will and testament after He 'finished His work'!)OVER THE ENEMY VIA HIS NAME, WHOOOOOOOYA AND AMEN!
People, let's get real, they ARE NOT 'gay', that is a huge misnomer, a 'homosexual' is a 'demonic spirit' that chooses to have physical relationship with a person of the same sex, that's all it is and it is an insult to God by Satan to say that that is 'okay' and to actually involve ones self in such vile behavior because it goes against ALL principal of creation………..the enemy ALWAYS uses the 'same ol same ol' sayings and practices, nothing new in his antics yet they will 'hold people in a hell prison on earth' and the only way to 'set them free' is to share in a manner that is truthfilled, honest, and bold without compromise or apology!
So, the next time you hear yourself calling someone who has allowed that demon to 'reside' in them, think twice about calling them 'gay'………they are far from that!
And, let us NOT 'judge' them for we have all 'erred' somewhere in life, but let us 'lift them up' and give them hope, it is plausible, possible and probable to be 'delivered from this evil' as well as ALL evil simply because in the 'nearly too good to be true news' God PROMISES it to us! (Galatians 1:4!) and we can HAVE IT AS WE 'BELIEVE' WHEN WE DECREE AND 'TAKE' THE PROMISE AS OURS (Isaiah 30:15!).
Yes, we must be 'bold in spirit', 'giving hope and encouragement' in this world with the 'salt of Truth' in a compassionate yet non-compromising manner………you see, I was once an alcohol abuser for over 20+ years and in ONE NITE WITH THE ABOVE METHOD, I WAS SET FREE AND NEVER TURNED BACK, that was on Oct 17 1991 and I have NEVER experienced that 'temptation/test/trial' again…….if it could happen for me, this can happen for them too!
Bravo sweet Teacher, God bless you and keep you safe and take you beyond into the blessed grace and mercy and abundant prosperity for your courage to speak Truth, whooooooooya!
This goes way beyond gay rights. You have the right to live your life as you choose but you don't have the right shut down other people's free speech. If it was a private school they could do what they want, but for a public employee to be fired because they spoke their mind on private property – that sets a dangerous precedent.
Just because some people are upset by the fact that she's against gay displays in school doesn't mean that she should be fired. Does that mean that if a teacher is against a Christmas display at school and says so on her private Facebook page that she should be fired because Christian students might fear being discriminated or bullied in school?
Either scenario would be ridiculous.
Can't people just let other people have their own opinions? I think the schools should be neutral on the gay issue -not promote it or condemn it. But if someone has an opinion and voices it away from school grounds, then they have every single right to do so.
Absolutely right Phillip. This is a land of free expressions, free speech. Uneducated and inconsiderate decisions?
it is only free speech if the government agrees with you. after that, you are on your own.
Expressing support of homosexuality is good, realizing it for the vile, unnatural and disgusting choice that it is is bad. When having to decide to allow a MAN to continue showering/changing/using the sauna in front of SIX year old baby girls because you claim you are "Transgender" is good, removing that waste of human tissue from the gym to protect babies is bad. Dismembering and sucking a baby out of the womb with a vacuum is good, killing whales is bad. Wearing American flag t-shirts in school is bad, giving illegal aliens' children the run of the school because of sicko-day-mayonnaise is good. Throwing condoms on little Christian girls, urinating on an alter, destroying a Christ on the Cross cross and burning THE Holy Bible inside a Church that offered "Occupy Wall Street"ers sanctuary is good, being a supporter of the Tea Party is bad (despite the fact that NOT ONE SOLITARY arrest has ever been made, nor any criminal complaint filed). This TINY little list could go on and on, but why? It would not change the mind of one single democrat in their chosen party affiliation, and all Republicans already realize all of this and understand that these are but a miniscule of examples as to why we are human (AND HUMANE) enough to despise the democrap party. It is NOT possible for anyone to call themselves Christian and support the demoncrap party. Impossible…
AMEN!!!