melissa if you're reading this, we support you and stand behind you, whatever you need! we're here for you.

At this point finding more information beyond the anecdotal seems prudent. If her students were acting out, esp at the behest of the parents as a few columns insinuated, it's a huge problem.

I'm waiting for corroboration really.

I agree, though I think it is entirely plausible for a group of students to harass their teacher.

Melissa, as the parent of two children in NC public schools, I just want to say I'm behind you 100%. I'm sorry for the harassment you suffered, and I'm sorry that your principal and district superiors aren't standing behind you.

Don't back down!

Is there an account for legal defense? I would be willing to donate for that or just expenses associated with fighting these bigots.

Well I dont think she is at the point of needing a lawyer at this point..She is suspended WITH PAY. At this point, I would contact your local school board member to express your thoughts.

With or without pay, the idea that she was suspended at all is ludicrous.

These bigot? You people are utterly and totally skewed into some kind of fantasy world. You girlfriend is the bigot here. She is the adult and she's whining about getting a card and book?

There is real pathology here. The mental health industry could make Billions of you and your ilk.

I smell bigot parents behind this.

you're skewed into some kind of fantasy world where church and state separation in public schools doesn't exist. THIS IS THE LAW. THEY BROKE IT. THE END. IT ISN'T SOME INNOCENT LITTLE GAME ITS HARASSING SOMEONE BASED ON THEIR BELIEFS. and if you knew what this country was founded out, it was religious freedom as well. which doesn't mean entitlement... See More to violently shove religion on others; it means freedom from harassment for being different. And real Christians, frankly, not fundamentalist nutjobs, respect this. There's a gulf of difference between a true Christian and an intolerant bigot scum. Period.

if you don't like public school's dealings with science, go to a private school. but you don't have the right to force a theocracy into a public place where everyone has the right to be free to get an education free from religious dogma. religion has no place in a public school. children are there to learn about science, evolution. folks don't like... See More it? get the fuck out. but don't try to change it for everyone else. that's sick. of course, the arrogance it takes for such will to try to do so means MANY are out of touch with what it means to live in America, and American laws. A sad state. No this kids are NOT protected to pull their zealoted bullshit in a public school, that is AGAINST the law. Ms. Hussain has a right to put a stop to it. THE. LAW.

As someone else said, I wonder what tune you'd be singing if some Pagan kids did this to a Southern Baptist teacher. Then you'd sure be crying persecution, wouldn't you? You sure as hell would.

Someone who classifies a Bible given to her as a "hate crime", who whines on facebook about her ELEMENTARY school kids and who is too stupid to make her FB page private has NO BUSINESS being a school teacher.

Whine some more about seperation of church and state, the real issue is Melissa is unfit as a teacher!

Why should she make her FB page private? She has the right to free speech.

Yeah, and so does the caring student who tried to leave her a Bible. "Religious harassment" and "Intolerance"? You've got to be kidding! What about the Muslim teacher in Smithfield, NC who gave his students assignments containing messages like "Destroy America"? I guess that would also fall into the category of INTOLERANCE?

This woman is a joke!

PLEASE SUPPORT MELISSA HUSSAIN writes..." which doesn't mean entitlement... See More to violently shove religion on others"

So now leaving a Bible on the desk with a card, is an act of VIOLENCE?? LOL! I just love the loaded language you people have to use, just to prove your feeble point. And the person who left this Bible is an "Intolerant, ... See Morebigot scum". Wow.

Maybe they were just a person who was concerned for their teacher. But keep the emotional exaggerations coming....they only make this whole think look more ridiculous.

concerned for their teacher...is that their place? god...do you seriously hear yourself, you people? are you this ignorant of the fact that these students are breaking a LAW? tell me you aren't this ignorant of the constitution. nutcases like you who think students in a public school, again PUBLIC SCHOOL, have a right to try to 'help' their ... See Moreteacher with Bibles, and think that isn't persecution, scare me. Are you that threatened by someone having different religious views than you, nutcake? that they need your 'help'? You and people like you are the worst and most dangerous kind of lunatic.

thank god for the freedom to teach in public schools without fruitcakes like derrick here being allowed to 'help' you with bibles.

oh and clearly with this many people in support of not just this woman, but freedom of religion in this country and in its schools and respecting our laws and constitutions...makes it not a feeble point at all.

but hey i bet she needed help because all muslims are terrorists, right? only to nutbags like you, sir.

I see this a bit differently. I don't think the kids were breaking the law by leaving Bibles on the desk with notes. However it is a form of intollerance and should be against school policy and probably is. The students in her class from the limited information I have seen seem to be disrupting class because of their difference in religion from that of their teacher and that is wrong and there should be discipline for the students...

i'm going to try to find the legal language of church and state separation to try to clear all this up...just so once and for all we can point out that religion in any form in school hours on this level is constitutionally illegal, and illegal in such a manner for reasons like this, like white trash christian kids feeling its their duty to 'save' ... See Moretheir muslim public school teacher.

i cannot believe i'm surrounded by such a lack of common sense and such ignorance. don't call it a liberal matter...liberal, conservative, there's no excuse on any side for ignorance of our constitutional law.

State endorsed religion is against the constitution. As a teacher she is not allowed to endore a religion for example, but the students have the right to their free speech. Now if the students are disrupting class for any reason, religious or not, they are violating school rules, not the law. I am with you on the issue and I support Melissa Hussain and I think the students should be punished and should practice tollerance, I just disagree with your assumption that they are breaking the law.

look at the way the nutty extreme right-wing fundies have invaded this group, because they can't ever mind their own business and respect the beliefs of those that disagree with them, as the perfect Exhibit A reason why these laws are in place. I can tell you folks this, people like Derrick here, I think Jesus would be ashamed of the way you feel ... See Moreit is your duty to infringe on the lives of others' personal lives. You are an absolute braindead moron if you can't see how leaving a Bible on a teacher's desk in a public school to try to 'help her' is inappropriate. But, and none of you fundie nuts have answered this yet, I guess it'd be different if a Jew or a Pagan left their literature on a Baptist's desk wouldn't it? That would be somehow be okay. I tell you, you people should be ashamed! Ashamed that you think people should go to a school where they are made to feel different for their personal beliefs by your little 'followers'. You respect nothing about America or about freedom, and I think Jesus would say FUCK your world of homogenous drones. God loves all of us in our differences, and no amount of you hiding your self-righteous, small minded ignorant fear of people with different backgrounds than you, and couching it in moral superiority, can change it or make you a true Christian. Sir, you are no Christian. You are a joke.

thank God for a country where a Muslim teacher can operate without Christian pressure to change by people ignorant of our freedom and laws wishing to bend the laws of the people to their will. Where children can learn about evolution and true science free of your targeting and your zealotry. That world will never change, the Christian right-wing ... See Moreguard is dying and you will NEVER get our public schools back, EVER. You can try all you want, but it will NEVER happen. And that is God's work right there, to save us from people like you. Thank GOD for our laws.

one last thought - if any of you read your Bibles, you'd known that Jesus teaches us to judge not, and to walk in someone else's shoes before opening your mouth.

Would any of you dare put yourself in this woman's place, trying to do her job and persecuted for her beliefs, and then having nuts like you defend them as just trying to 'help'? No help ... See Moreis needed, we are all beautifully different. This is a public school, they broke the law and thank God those laws are there. It isn't their right or place to help. And none of you twisted moral bullshit can ever change that fact.

I'm done venting for now. Peace (something you folks know nothing, NOTHING about).

I am sorry to say that I don't think you help your case much. You scream about tolerance all the while throwing out your rants of intollerance against the right wing nut jobs... I agree with your position on the issue, other than the fact that it is not against the law to demonstrate your personal views on religion and you will find this out if you look it up, but the way you express yourself seems to be counter to what you want to accomplish...

Seriously, you are going to rupture a blood vessel if you aren't careful. You cannot even make an intelligent point without vulgar language and name-calling, making YOU guilty of the very intolerance that you are complaining about. Sorry, but you need to grow up. If you have a legitimate point, then you should be able to make it without the loaded language. "Brain-dead moron, fruitcake, ignorant, nutcake, lunatic, nutty extreme right-wing fundie, homogenous drone, etc..."....these are just a few of the loving nicknames you have christened me with...LOL. I think you have some issues.

Oh, and let's not forget about your referring to the student as "white trash". Hmmm...not a little bit racist, are we?

No, there is NO law that was broken by a Christian student leaving a Bible and a card as a gift. The teacher was free to do with it as she wished. I am amazed how you have so completely missed the real issue here, and that is the remarks made by this teacher on her FB that she was going to make things tough on the students for this, and calling it a "hate crime". ... See More

Really simple...there has to be HATE, for there to be a hate crime. Oh, and there also has to be a CRIME. Neither apply here. A MATURE teacher would simply have thanked the class/student for their concern, but explained that they believe differently and would appreciate no further episodes of this in the future. For this woman to go home and post her own INTOLERANCE on her Facebook, shows as the other poster pointed out, she has no business teaching kids. Period. There's nothing to support here, because no law was broken, and this teacher acted VERY childish.

i'm just honest. if people are trying to change my laws and hurt freedom in my country, if they're playing dirty, i will too. i'm sick of every progressive being 'nice'. it's time for the gloves to come off and do some serious boxing. i'm glad to have your support mr. mcdonnell, but i won't muzzle myself and let idiots tramp all over me. that's how it'll be here.

i see no problem with not tolerating intolerance. they bring it on with their interference of peoples' private lives and their sheer ignorance on pretty much every subject imaginable.

and let me rephrase because maybe im not making clear...school policy is modeled after the broader law of church/state separation. thusly when i say it is being violated and a law being broken, that is the shorthand i'm using. there, confusion remedied. school policy is there as a basis of constitutional law to protect schools from becoming theocratic.

I am afraid that you don't understand church/state separation. The state as an authority can must remain neutral to religion. The students not being part of the authority don't have to remain neutral...

Schools should teach tolerance and should discipline students who are not tolarant, but it is not a legal issue.

As far as the FB issue, ... See Moreshe has the right to her own free speech outside of the classroom. If you state that the students have the rights to free speech as well. Teachers should not be punished for what they say outside of the classroom...

i disagree. i think you'll find any school designs their codes in terms of religious intolerance with the separation of church and state in mind. thus it extends to schools. if it didn't, then we'd sure have a harder time keeping school prayer out, wouldn't we?

no one HAS to remain neutral, but there are consequences. but it's all semantics, we're essentially on the same side. let's stop dithering shall we?

You are missing my point. Yes the separation of church and state applies to the schools, but not to the students. If I want to where a shirt that says "Jesus loves me" the school can't do anything about it. If I want to pray during school, the school can't stop me. Now if I am being disruptive in school, the school has the right to do something about it.

I agree that we are on the same side, but I do believe you are wrong in your interpretation of what church/state separation does...

The teacher does not lose her constitutional liberties when entering those classroom doors. As the "state" she cannot endorse a particular religious perspective, but neither does she have to endure repetitive harassment. Those students leaving little "gifts of God," and singing Sunday school songs, shows that they missed the bigger lesson of Sunday... See More school. Their parents should be talking to them about the rights of others, and what respect is all about. They've shown none.

Does anyone know if she brought her complaints to the administration, and if so, what was done?

One could argue though, Mr. McDonnell, that praying during school hours and wearing such a shirt are disruptive in their very nature, namely if they're against school policy. Personal prayer and clothing however is not something I have a problem with. But I know of no high school where group prayer, witnessing, etc. is allowed under public school ... See Morecode. The reasons cited are unfailingly the separation of church and state. My point is not that they are directly applicable to the school, merely that the school is basing their decisions upon that principle. that's all.

If you pray silently, it would not be disruptive and if it is outloud it can be done anytime other than during class. Wearing religious t-shirts have not been shown to be disruptive unless they are intolerant, like people wearing "God hates fags" t-shirts for example. I have the right to profess my religious beliefs and school policy will not ... See Moreaddress an issue that is strictly religious.

As far as group prayer, many students have flag pole prayers before school or during lunch time. It is 100% constitutional to do so because they have the right to free speech. Students can also witness to other students if they would like to. If other students don't like it, they can complain but I assure you that it is not in any policy that students can't witness because it would be a violation of law for them to address a religious practice...

Better contact the FRFF.

Derrick ... the students and zealot parents were HARASSING her. They knew full and well that the bible would not be a welcomed gift.

I agree with Llewelly ... the FFRF looks like the way to go.

I still support Melissa Hussain, but it is clear to me that this group is not the way to go about it.

Seriously, the person running this fan page sounds like the "progressive" version of the right wing lunatics. If I didn't know any better, I'd call a reverse poe, or think it was someone from the other side trying to sabbatoge this cause.

Stop, please. Hand this page over to someone who has a clearer head and maybe some legal expertise. As it is, you are doing much more harm than good.

I still support Melissa Hussain, but it is clear to me that this group is not the way to go about it.

Seriously, the person running this fan page sounds like the "progressive" version of the right wing lunatics. If I didn't know any better, I'd call a reverse poe, or think it was someone from the other side trying to sabbatoge this cause.

Stop, please. Hand this page over to someone who has a clearer head and maybe some legal expertise. As it is, you are doing much more harm than good.

I still support Melissa Hussain, but it is clear to me that this group is not the way to go about it.

Seriously, the person running this fan page sounds like the "progressive" version of the right wing lunatics. If I didn't know any better, I'd call a reverse poe, or think it was someone from the other side trying to sabbatoge this cause.

Stop, please. Hand this page over to someone who has a clearer head and maybe some legal expertise. As it is, you are doing much more harm than good.

Sorry. I appreciate the effort, and I appreciate the sentiment that liberals shouldn't be PC pussies, but you are zelous and ignorant. Your ignorance undermines our credibility, and your zeloutry highlights your ignorance. No amount of passion can make up for ignorance.

Students are allowed to openly express their faith. They have a right to ... See Moreopenly pray, proselytize, wear religious clothing, even (and especially!) criticize other religions. The problem is not with the religious nature of the students' behavior. The problem is that it was harrassment that disrupted the learning environment, and that punishing the teacher's response to it is punishment based on her lack of Christian belief.

Psmh you are so full of shit. You say , "they" broke the law. 8th graders come on , give me a break. Now you have got to be , a woman if not you sure bitch like one. Someone put a bible on her desk and she was offended.



... See More
Sure I know the law of church , and state. Do you speed "bet you do. "
There are you , happy I have GOODER ENGLISH. Freaking whiny ass women , thats why y'all don't fart you never build enough pressure. Geesh Johnny left a bible on my desk I am telling.