Bible Ripped In School
Bible Ripped In School Save Email Print
Reporter: Zac Schultz
Email Address: zschultz@nbc15.com

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Posted Friday --- December 21, 2007 -- 6:00pm

Janesville: A Janesville student was suspended after ripping up the Bible and making disparaging remarks about Christians during a class presentation.

The incident occurred December 7th at Janesville Parker High School.

Elle Jacobson says a boy got up to give his assigned speech on the teachings of Ralph Waldo Emerson and produced a Bible. "He pointed to the Bible and said now this piece crap had absolutely no reasoning and he went on to declare how the Bible was not true."

Elle said the whole speech only lasted a couple minutes. "He said he was going to do something that our little stupid minds wouldn't be able to comprehend. He took the Bible and pulled it out in front of the class and first he started ripping out pages, and then he started ripping out sections. Everybody looked stunned. I was stunned. I was shocked."

The Janesville School District confirms the incident occurs, but can't release any disciplinary actions due to privacy concerns.

The Janesville Gazette reports the student was suspended and required to undergo a psychological evaluation before he could return to school.

Parker Principal Dale Carlson says the student was not disciplined just for ripping up the Bible. "There were other behaviors that came to our attention from the classroom."

Paul Jacobson is Elle's father. "This is really a story about school safety. That's what had me concerned."

Paul pulled both his daughters out of Parker 9 days ago. He wants the district to convince him this incident was not a precursor to another school shooting. "This boy has done something that is unbalanced, violent in my opinion. He tore that Bible apart as a effigy for Christians. This was not some kind of a demonstration about free speech, this was in my opinion the words of a sociopath."

Karen Schulte is Janesville's Safety and Security Coordinator. She say they consult with police and do a threat assessment on potentially dangerous students.

Schulte understands the Jacobson's concerns, and is frustrated herself when she can't help them. "It is hard sometimes because I want all students to feel safe at school, though I can't divulge certain information."

As for Elle, she doesn't want to go back to Parker. "The speech was so violating and hostile that I can't deal with going through another one again."

Friday was the last day of classes before Janesville's winter break.

School officials would not say if the boy has returned to school.

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Posted by: Anonymous Location: Austin TX on May 3, 2008 at 12:06 AM
As far as the school is concerned, they MUST take action. If you put the school in the position of the company (management), then they are legally REQUIRED to deal with a harassment issue if they are made aware of the situation. Failure to respond (talking with the student/employee for the first incident with or without disciplinary action) can make them legally responsible if there are repeated incidents. The school would be required to at least discuss the situation with the student and his parents. Disciplinary action may or may not be needed for the first offense. But if there are other situations that the school faculty is made aware of, then they will be required to take action against the employee/student, up to suspension or firing.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Austin TX on May 3, 2008 at 12:00 AM
This is neither a religious issue, nor a free speech issue to me. In a single word, this is about harrasment. In to words, workplace harassment. If you changed the situation a bit and made this a workplace incident instead of a public school, the boy would be guilty of creating a hostile work environment. This applies to many different varieties of harassment: sexual, ethnic, religious, or even just a personal dislike. Everyone is entitled to go to work and not feel threatened or uncomfortable by other employees or by their managers. This is no different. For those individuals who are saying that he wasn't threatening anyone, it doesn't matter what you think -- it only matters what the other employees (students in this case) think. The law allows the "victims" to determine if they've been harassed. If the boy made even one student feel uncomfortable, then he's pretty much guilty of having created a hostile work environment. There's no denying that he set the tone here.

Posted by: Pstudent Location: Janesville on Jan 2, 2008 at 08:36 PM
I think everyone can agree that the speech was offensive, however, he did have the right to do it. After all. The bible is a book. It's material. The fact of the matter is: If you're a Christian, and you take your faith seriously...then what some junior does in our school shouldn't affect you. You shouldn't allow it to. If you really believe your faith is that strong than why /should/ it bother you. And really, the idea that he's a sociopath is absurd. Elle's the one that needs the evaluation. She's the only one that took it so seriously and to say she felt violated? Please. Grow up.

Posted by: Robert Location: Arkansas on Dec 31, 2007 at 02:00 PM
I have been claiming to be an atheist for about a year, or so. One thing I would like to point out is that there is just one requirement to be an atheist. The belief that there are no gods. That is it. Just because the boy ripped out a page or two from the bible does not automatically make him an atheist. Also, irreligious doesn't mean atheist either. Granted, some atheists are irreligious at times. But it is not a requirement. Declaring my atheism, was a hard thing for me to do. I struggled with my disbelief for a long time. It wasn't something I did because I was mad or filled with hate. I just realized that I didn't believe anymore. There was no switch I could pull to make myself believe again, so I just had to be honest with myself and others. I didn't decide to be an atheist, I discovered I was one. Any questions? Email me. rbtmdl@email.com

Posted by: truth on Dec 31, 2007 at 05:44 AM
" He wants the district to convince him this incident was not a precursor to another school shooting. "This boy has done something that is unbalanced, violent in my opinion. He tore that Bible apart as a effigy for Christians. This was not some kind of a demonstration about free speech, this was in my opinion the words of a sociopath." It's the Christians who equate tearing the bible with mass murder who are dangerous and insane.

Posted by: Jill Swift Location: SF,NM,USA on Dec 31, 2007 at 03:39 AM
It was an inappropriate speech, but in no way could any rational, sensible person feel outright threatened by such a display. I think the girl is the one in need of an evaluation.

Posted by: babbatheist Location: Earth on Dec 31, 2007 at 01:44 AM
Guess the conditioning didn't take, sentence him to an extra week a vacation bible school. Maybe there is hope for this world yet if there are more like this kid that haven't been conditioned to mindlessly believe.

Posted by: JJ Location: Columbus, Ohio on Dec 31, 2007 at 12:03 AM
Anyone know how to contact this kid? I mean, he needs protected from all those wacknuts who think ripping up a Bible equals a dangerous sociopath. But I'd sure like to thank him for his courage, and hopefully get a few dollars in his hands to ease any hardships he has had to deal with since this occured.

Posted by: pbg Location: Elgin, IL on Dec 30, 2007 at 11:54 PM
People like to assert the depravity of Muslims by their rioting over cartoons that insulted Mohammed. Christians would never react like that!

Posted by: Classmate Location: Janesville on Dec 30, 2007 at 09:22 PM
As a member of the class and a witness to what happened, i'd just like to say this. im outraged, not by what chris did, but by how everyone is reacting. im not surprised drama elle had to make a scene, but wow. Thank "god" praying has been taken out of schools. I look at myself and wonder, what if i was religious, oh what a mess I would be. This is sick, he is a threat to no one, but is instead a well spoken, outgoing, friendly individual. He did what sometimes many of us wish we could do, make a valid point. If only he would have seen all this drama and these outrageous statements. Christians make me sick, you know oh, we're not going to worry about all our kids that we know are smoking pot, drinking themselves into and oblivion, or getting an STD from all the people they're having sex with. Yes, your very unchristian like sons and daughters are more a threat to themselves then chris will ever be. Please, Insecure Parents, deal with that one.

Posted by: lutton Location: Philadelphia, PA on Dec 29, 2007 at 10:47 PM
somewhere, Lenny Bruce is smiling... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lenny_Bruce

Posted by: Ellen Haupt on Dec 24, 2007 at 04:54 PM
Knowing only what's been reported here (because I wasn't there and I don't know anybody who was), I would say this is not a free speech issue, but a respect issue. Does this boy have a right to express his feelings about the Bible? Yes. Does he have a right to express that belief with a violent act and demeaning comments for anyone who doesn't believe as he does? Yes, but those actions show a disrespect for his classmates and others who happen to believe that Jesus Christ is God come to earth to pay the price for the sins of mankind. His position could have been demonstrated considerately with logic and evidence. Free speech is a right in this country, but respect for others is essential for civilized society. I am also surprised that this violent demonstration earned this boy a B grade. I'd like to hear from the teacher how this demonstration fulfilled the assignment given. Perhaps the problem is not with the student but with the school staff/administration/board.

Posted by: Mertin on Dec 24, 2007 at 08:39 AM
What is so deranged about being against Christianity?

Posted by: DramaQueen on Dec 23, 2007 at 11:12 PM
Everyone feels that he did this to get attention, but aren't the Jacboson's doing the same thing? Let's be mature here. I go to Parker, and at first this situation really upset me, but seeing him again and realizing he was just expressing the first amendment, it made me realize how immature people can be to drag this out.

Posted by: M Location: Janesville on Dec 23, 2007 at 01:41 PM
How dare you people say what you say. No one is in any danger. Just because someone doesn't like Christianity "The best religion EVER" or so it seems. Look at you Christians and your supposedly forgiving ways. FORGIVE LIKE YOUR RELIGION TELLS YOU your kids are fine.

Posted by: Jessica Location: Madison on Dec 23, 2007 at 12:54 PM
Yes, this boy does need attention and probably some major counseling, and the school district needs to be on alert to avert any harm to the students, but Christians get SO offended when they find out that not everyone is Christian. Isn't one of the tenets of their faith tolerance? Oh, I see, tolerance of other Christians!

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Janesville on Dec 23, 2007 at 12:46 PM
As a student that saw the speech personally like Elle. I find her reaction quite over the top. The student talked about here is not a threat what-so-ever. Elle is more of a threat then he is. He expressed his views on both sides and said which side he is, irreligious. He ripped the bible to show that in fact it does not hold him and he will not instantly die or something. He was simply following the guidelines for the speech and received a B on the speech. The student was removed and got the review, and then was allowed back into school. Where people started throwing the idea around that he was going to start a shooting and was unstable is beyond be. Just because he doesn't believe in god? It is quite frankly ridiculous and for everyone that says he's 'attention seeking', he declined to be interviewed from everyone cause he isn't seeking attention. Unlike Elle here..

Posted by: pat Location: Tomah on Dec 23, 2007 at 07:22 AM
This boy is very deranged. Scary thought that he should be in school with other kids or even walking the streets. If it was my child he would be getting some good help immediately. How did he and for what reason would he be against christins or against the Bible? Where did he learn this?

Posted by: Student Location: Parker High School Classmate on Dec 22, 2007 at 09:34 AM
Elle's actions were over the top. He is not a 'sociopath' he is a brilliant student that is not a threat what-so-ever. He didn't threaten any of us in the class when he gave the speach. Just expressed how the people hold to the bible without questioning it and that he didn't believe it. But the fact that Elle said that he ripped 'sections' is completely false. he ripped several pages at max. He was not official suspended, just forced to get a evaluation. Thus deemed not a threat allowed to return to school. He is not atheist he is Irreligious. He completed his project/speech with a 20/25. For them to call him a sociopath is outrageous and false.

Posted by: Dylan Location: Waunakee on Dec 22, 2007 at 07:17 AM
Hahahahaha!! Awesome. I applaud that student for what he did. That's pretty sweet. The bible isn't true, rip it up all you want. Who cares?

Posted by: Jim Location: Janesville on Dec 21, 2007 at 10:31 PM
Knowing Paul. This is another example of over reacting to someone seeking attention. Unfortunately, NBC-15 also gave Paul similar attention to his radical view point. The student was removed. Situation dealt with. Unfortunately, for some, free speech only applies to those that have like ideas.

Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 21, 2007 at 09:06 PM
and now we know what taking prayer out of our schools has done!!!

Posted by: Bill Location: Janesville on Dec 21, 2007 at 08:43 PM
Our family had a problem with the Janesville School District and we also felt our child was unsafe at school. We followed the chain of command up to superintendent with no response from him. We contacted Karen Schulte for help. But, nothing was ever resolved and Karen and the school district ignored our concerns and did nothing to help us feel that our child was safe at school. Hopefully by this family bringing media attention on the Janesville School District about their daughters unfortunate experience the Janesville School District will do their job so all our children can feel safe and are safe at school.

Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 21, 2007 at 05:48 PM
there is no legal way u can suspend someone for voicing there oppinion on a stolen religion. all that shows u is that church and state are combined. its sad the christians are so woried about a bible gettn torn up when its a work of fiction. i hope this kids parents sue the school.

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