KEARNY, N.J., Feb. 20 — The teacher who is the subject of a potential lawsuit regarding proselytizing in a public high school history class denied on Tuesday night that he had preached in class and said that the student who taped him had never expressed discomfort to him about his comments.
The teacher, David Paszkiewicz, 38, spoke for the first time with reporters about the controversy outside a school board meeting here during which the board took the first step toward approving a policy that specifically requires teachers to “refrain from advocating one religion.”
The student, Matthew LaClair, 16, recorded the teacher’s history classes in September after, he said, he became uncomfortable with the religious nature of the discussions in class. He has said that he felt his criticisms of the popular teacher would not be believed otherwise....
Why has no outrage been expressed over the student's illegal and egregious taping of the conversation without consent of all parties? This information, however true and revealing it may be, should not be permissible evidence against the teacher.
Alan, Well, Chris M will take you seriously, he just comes down as seriously skewed in much of his theology. However, he would say the same thing about you and me so that's that. Welcome to you by the way.
As you rightly say, I am fairly new around here... I am very unfamiliar with many of the different people's viewpoints (beliefs), but it doesn't take long to figure out who believes what. It sure seems like many of the same names keep popping up. Depending on topic of the thread, you can be sure that certain people will be there, voicing their opinions. I wish I had more time to read some of the threads; some of them are very interesting. I really enjoy the interaction and there are many good comments made (many bad ones too, which make it hard not to want to debate).
Anyway, thanks for the warning. I am already getting a sense that it is very unlikely that Chris M will ever take anything which I say seriously.
Alan, I'm not sure if you are new around here, but Chris M has been like he is for years on this site. It's too bad too, but you just basically have to ignore him.
"Exactly Vic. The bible knows no such sectarianism as the titles 'Calvinist' or 'Arminian' etc. It is an abomination for a professing follower of Christ to adopt other unbiblical titles and to bandy them around at others."
Chris, please consider what you say before you speak, lest you be found to be a liar. I never called myself a Calvinist, you suggested it! I did say what I considered to be the truth, but if you look back you will plainly see that it was you who "tagged me" and others with that title. Frankly, you can call me what ever you want; you seem very liberal with your titles: i.e. "your sectarian view," "the extreme sectarian views of the Calvinists," "extreme Calvs," "sectarian bleaters." Chris, will you please take a moment and listen to yourself. You speak much worse about us than we ever did about this teacher.
And where in the Bible does it say that adopting other titles is "an abomination" or giving them to others? It is just not there! Falsely accuse us if you will, but do not abuse the Scripture, by saying that it says something which it does not. Look up the word "abomination"; you have made a very strong accusation against us, and that without any warrant. It may not be edifying, or it may be sinful, but an abomination? Come on Chris M...
I certainly support this teacher for answering the kids questions in earnest. Too many others sidestep the issue, being intimidated by the Anti-Christian Civil Liberties Union. It should be obvious by now that they, (ACLU), intend on destroying this country one step at a time. Our politicians are letting this happen.... note the trend .... the Democrats ALWAYS side with the ACLU of which it seems most ACLU mewmbers are democrats. Abe Lincoln said: "If this country is ever destroyed, it will be from inside....... The ACLU is making sure it happens, with the Democrat, America haters that they are, and sanctioned by Hollywood. Americans are lilly livered with no principles by which they stand. Where does it come from? Very subtly, the TV..... a little at a time. Think about it!
As a christian and a teacher, I am all too aware of the fact that this world hates the gospel. But Like this teacher I have sided with God and am prepared to pay the price for sharing the truth. I lost my job over it. In the west we suffer little. Paul lived in poverty, under threat of death beatings and shipwreck and whatever else and was obedient. Jesus was crushed under the hand of the father. Whatever price this teacher pays this experience will further conform Him to Christ likeness and make heaven all the more appealing. Lets fearlessly be obedient to Christ.
Exactly Vic. The bible knows no such sectarianism as the titles 'Calvinist' or 'Arminian' etc. It is an abomination for a professing follower of Christ to adopt other unbiblical titles and to bandy them around at others.
Shame on you sectarian bleaters who criticize the preaching of this teacher!
Is it not enough that this man must endure the wrath of Secular Humanist? Must he also endure the wrath of his fellow believers over trivial points of doctrine? It is enough for me that he is obeying the command of Christ, to preach his Gospel to all creatures.
Chris M. you talk about the bias of the Calvinists, and you don't see the log in your own eye. Alan H. simply made a statement, and yes, there may have been something behind it (I would have, and have, done the same thing), but the contention lies on both sides of the debate. Look in the mirror, brother, you may be surprised (and saddened) by what you see.
You said, "Tom it is because of the extreme sectarian views of the Calvinists who regard anyone outside of Calvinism as not even a Christian."
"It seems this teacher did the right thing and preached the gospel but to extreme Calvs he is just another Arminian cur."
"CUR, n. A degenerate dog; and in reproach, a worthless man." (Webster's 1828 Dictionary)
My dear friend Chris, I said he was Arminian in his understanding of the gospel, which is very true; from the viewpoint of a Calvinist, if you like. I did not even suggest the word "cur" in any way shape or form regarding him, nor would I. It would be really good if you would be honest and listen to the way in which you speak about sectarian Calvinists; you might hear in yourself that very scorn which you attribute to them.
"In your sectarian view he probably is [Arminian]."
I spoke nothing which was untrue. If I said certain things concerning my own perception of the Gospel, you would immediately say, or at least assume that I was a Calvinist.
For example, when Cbcpreacher says, "I'm thankful that my Bible tells me of a Savior who is not only willing to save, but actually saves those who have been given to Him by the Father from before the foundation of the world," that's fully Calvinistic. Wouldn't you say so?
Suppose I responded with, "If they were given to the Son of God before the foundation of the world, then they were known of God and owned of God at that time; and if He was already willing to save them before they were even created or had sinned, then they shall certainly be saved; unless we are to suppose that --God will change what He purposed to do--, or --He cannot save that which He purposed to save--, or --something could change the immutable God's mind, causing Him not to save those whom He originally purposed to save--.
Now isn't that Calvinistic? But you don't believe it, do you? For you to deny it indicates to me that you are Arminian in your understanding of the Gospel, for me to admit it is to place me in a Calvinistic understanding of the Gospel.
Regardless of views, this guy is standing up as a public witness more than... well, pretty much any calvinist or arminian I know. I commend him for his efforts.
To make the statements he made (once again, regardless of views) as a public teacher is quite a stand. It will be interesting to see what becomes of this when all is said and done. Expecially for those of us Christians who are public school teachers.
And of course he had to be a Conservative Baptist...
Alan H. Makes Jesus sound pretty pathetic, doesn't it. I'm thankful that my Bible tells me of a Savior who is not only willing to save, but actually saves those who have been given to Him by the Father from before the foundation of the world
"In the recordings, Mr. Paszkiewicz said of Jesus, “If you reject his gift of salvation, then you know where you belong.” He also said: “He did everything in his power to make sure that you could go to heaven, so much so that he took your sins on his own body, suffered your pains for you, and he’s saying, ‘Please, accept me, believe.’ If you reject that, you belong in hell.”"
"He did everything in his power to make sure that you could go to heaven..."
"...he’s saying, ‘Please, accept me, believe."
Mr. Paszkiewicz is obviously an Arminian.
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Jason Lisle | 6/1/2005
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