Michigan Won’t Tolerate Bullys, Unless they’re ‘Religious’ (?)

Posted on by

That’s bizarre.

An anti-bullying law in the Michigan State Senate, SB 137, ironically also called “Matt’s Safe School Law” after 14-year old Matt Eppling who committed suicide in 2002 after being bullied, was passed on partisan lines by Michigan Republican senators without a single Democratic vote. And while most anti-bullying laws are to be applauded, the Michigan Republicans passed an amended bill, which contained an insert reading:

“This section does not prohibit a statement of a sincerely held religious belief or moral conviction of a school employee, school volunteer, pupil, or a pupil and parent or guardian.”

AMAZINGLY, Michigan Republicans excluded anything said from a “sincerely held religious belief or moral conviction” from being considered as bullying. An accused bully who claims that his speech emanated from his or her religious beliefs, is by definition in this law, not a bully.

No, let me rephrase my first sentence: that isn’t bizarre- it’s stupid.

Related articles

5 thoughts on “Michigan Won’t Tolerate Bullys, Unless they’re ‘Religious’ (?)”

  1. If a Christian student said to another student “abortion – homosexuality – beastiality – or whatever is wrong in God’s sight”, are you saying that the Christian student should not have their speech protected but should run the risk of been punished as a bully if the other child says their feelings were hurt? Appropriate protection of free speech is needed for Christians as well as others with religious beliefs in a society that hates people with religious beliefs

    Like

    • saying such things are wrong isn’t bullying. bullying is threatening physical intimidation or attack.

      Like

  2. Pingback: Anti-Bullying Legislation Turns into A Bully's Blueprint | Tangled Up in Blue Guy

  3. Pingback: The bumper sticker Michigan Republicans should put on their cars « The Michigan Telephone blog

  4. So, if my Autistic son is bullied in school, the bully can claim that he is a “Scientologist” and they don’t believe in psychological afflictions, so, under THIS bill, he has the “right” to bully my son for having a proven psychological affliction?
    This has GOT to be the most rediculous thing I have ever heard! I am ashamed to be a Republican today! I will say this – if any bully EVER gets to my son, it will be the worst day of his life! I will come up with “some” religious reason that I had a “right” to bully HIM!

    Like

Comments are closed.