Education

Bullied? Canadian Student Suspended for Wearing ‘Life Is Wasted Without Jesus’ T-Shirt

A pastor in Nova Scotia, Canada, is claiming that a teenager who was suspended after wearing a shirt that reads, “Life is wasted without Jesus,” is being bullied by his high school. The 12th grade student, William Swinimer, was suspended from Forest Height Community School last week for wearing the shirt after being told by staffers not to.

The suspension took effect last Monday and according to pastor Varrick Day of Jesus the Good Shepherd Church in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, the student has been targeted by the school over his faith for the past year. Now, SUN News is reporting that a facilitator is being called in to help alleviate tensions between students, school officials and staff members.

“I believe there’s a personal vendetta,” Day said in an interview with the QMI Agency. “I feel William is being bullied.”

The pastor also noted that the message on the teen’s shirt comes directly from the Bible and he said that school officials are free to argue with God, should they so choose.

Swinimer, too, has defended his actions.

“I believe there are things that are bigger than me,” he told CBC. “And I think that I need to stand up for the rights of people in this country, and religious rights and freedom of speech.”

Jamie Baillie, the leader of the Progressive Conservative Caucus, has also weighed in on the issue, saying that the school’s actions against Swinimer were “heavy-handed“ and that the student has ”certain fundamental freedoms.” In his statement Baillie said, “The actions of the appointed school board are far more inappropriate than a slogan on a t-shirt.”

Canadian Student Suspended Over Jesus T Shirt Pledges to Wear it Again

Image Credit: SUN News

While superintendent Nancy Pynch-Worthylake claims that the school supports students’ rights, she has proclaimed that the teenager was suspended over the fact that he was being non-compliant with the principal.

“We are supportive of students right to have religious beliefs in school,” the South Shore Regional School Board superintendent said. ”The only time we would ever try to change message is when others student interpret the message as a criticism of their beliefs.”

This, of course, is exactly what the shirt is accused of doing – condemning the non-Christian beliefs of others.

“If I have an expression that says ‘My life is enhanced with Jesus,‘ then there’s no issue with that, everybody is able to quickly understand that that’s my opinion about my own belief,” Pynch-Worthylake said. ”If the shirt were to say ‘Without Jesus, your life is a complete waste,‘ then that’s clear that it is an opinion aimed at somebody else’s belief.”

Swinimer plans to wear the t-shirt to school again on Monday, even if it means that he will be suspended again.

(H/T: SUN News)

Comments (87)

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  • roadhog
    Posted on May 4, 2012 at 8:30pm

    From the Land were an Senale 83 year old women his head of State .With anti Americanism is the Glue that holds the Queen lovers together No God is allowed.

    Report Post »  
    • closetotheedge
      Posted on May 5, 2012 at 11:51am

      Just the mention of His name and you are a bigot,a terrorest again’st every form of belief in the World.The times are upon us as we were forwarned of this battle in the Bible and the outcome of standing for ones belief in Jesus Christ and the Word.The World will hate you till one moment on one day that those crazy christians are gone.But the hate heaped upon us who know Jesus as our Savior and Lord will be tortured without mercy to deny Jesus and bow to Islam or Catholilism( Pope,only hears from God) Roman Catholic Church inquasition murdering christians who would’nt bow and denounce Jesus,torturing them even after they told them the lie they wanted to be sure they lieing,so alittle more torture and then death,to be sure/oops wrong answer.A simple t-shirt with a simple saying.If it was about satan or freedom to murder,promote or push an agenda of hatred if justified by freedom of speech it’s ok, But useing His name to slam someone or in cursing the rain or anything is just fine. But to beleive in Jesus and proclaim His word is again’st the law and you will be beheaded! Even here in the USA,so-called ‘Honor Killing’ is practiced here and treated as a normal thing cuz it‘s a Islamic law and they don’t want to offend them.And with AG Eric Holder at the helm,even the Black Panties get a free pass. So keep on getting the Word out.The time is close and are you ready to meet you’re maker? Another Christian Patriot / with love

      Report Post »  
    • do_it_all_again
      Posted on May 6, 2012 at 11:26pm

      if you notice, she is twisting the words on the shirt into saying something it does not say.
      the phrase does not single out anyone, and is not pointed at any one person, but it does
      speak of the beliefs, of the wearer,, that life is wasted without JESUS, simply his own belief.

      Report Post »  
  • Daveed
    Posted on May 4, 2012 at 8:18pm

    Canada has been lost and Godless for a long long time. They need missionaries to be sent to them with the gospel. God Bless this young Man. What a Patriot! Keep it up, God will richly reward you.
    Will keep you in our prayers.

    Christ is worth defending. Everything is for nought without Christ. If that offends you. Too bad.

    Report Post »  
    • RossPoldark
      Posted on May 5, 2012 at 3:15am

      I understand Canada is becoming another Deerborn Michigan.

      Report Post »  
    • SaneAmerican
      Posted on May 6, 2012 at 8:53am

      The problem isn’t that it is offensive or not offensive, it’s a distraction from education. If people sit around talking about religion at school instead of studying and learning things they are supposed to that will further their futures, then school becomes a waste of time.

      Most schools have a policy against disruptive activities and attire. Prostheletizing at school can fall into this category if not reigned in.

      If the students want to learn about Jesus, there’s a place for that, it’s called church.

      Report Post »  
  • Pontiac
    Posted on May 4, 2012 at 7:45pm

    Mandate school uniforms in all public schools. Just put an end to this slogan, gang colors, provocative clothing, designer label bull crap once and for all. They’re there to learn, not to be a walking billboard.

    Report Post » Pontiac  
    • bdcmpny
      Posted on May 4, 2012 at 8:09pm

      Why should kids in a free country be able to express themselves? Ridiculous. Do you think forcing a kids family to buy their slacks and crested polo makes them safer when they are at school? What world are you living in?

      Report Post »  
    • Pontiac
      Posted on May 4, 2012 at 8:46pm

      [Why should kids in a free country be able to express themselves? ]
      Why should they even be required to go to school or be educated? It is a free country after all. (Btw, that was Canada.)

      1-Schools already have “dress codes”. So much for your hurr durr we’re free mantra.
      2-A uniform removes inane distractions from education and is less confusing on what is and is not appropriate dress.
      3-Uniforms are prevalent in Japan and other nations that our kicking our uneducated asses.
      4-Imagine a liberal using your argument to justify a student going nude. Stupid argument is stupid.
      5-You’re there to learn, not for the class clowns to “express” themselves.

      A uniform in school shows you are a subject of a government education system and should be fully aware of that. Don’t like it? Find and pay for a private school that lets you dress like a slut or slob.

      Report Post » Pontiac  
    • mauijonny
      Posted on May 5, 2012 at 12:11am

      A dress code is not the same as a uniform. And lots of commie countries have them, as did the hitler youth. Perhaps if respect for oneself rather than PC were the norm, we’d all be a lot better off.

      Report Post » mauijonny  
    • lukerw
      Posted on May 5, 2012 at 12:53am

      How about Remote Controled Computer Chips in their little heads to make them all conform?

      Report Post » lukerw  
    • ToddH
      Posted on May 5, 2012 at 4:56am

      I understand what Pontiac is saying.
      Naturally, there will be this outrage on the other side when students are wearing T-shirts to school that say “Anyone who doubts Allah is an infidel worthy of death”, etc., or T-shirts that state “I hate religous bigots”, and so on.
      The school has plenty to deal with, and letting the kid wear a shirt that gently insults nonbelievers is asking for trouble. Some gay kid will commit suicide and leave in his letter that it was because of this simple T-shirt. Then some Christian kids will be bullied and they will commit suicide because there are too many rainbow flags at school. Then the school will be sued 100 times over for not stopping the bullying in forms of slogans anti-this and anti-that and rainbow flags. It just doesn’t end.
      I was raised in a Christian home and I wore all sorts of cute little slogan “Jesus Saves” T-shirts like this to school in my majority Mormon town, and the kids were all cool with it. But things have changed and there are a lot of conflicting religions and beliefs with the students in any public school these days. The only way the schools can effectively deal with the conflicting viewpoints is to ask students to steer discussions about politics, religion, and sex (the 3 things you should never discuss in polite company) off of school grounds.

      Report Post »  
    • Amos37
      Posted on May 5, 2012 at 11:40am

      it should never be wrong to wear the truth on your shirt. idiots who say “oh pc your shirt not to offend the muslims” need to move to a muslim country and see how they treat your pc shirt referring to Jesus as the Son of God. idiots

      Report Post »  
    • Melika
      Posted on May 5, 2012 at 12:39pm

      @mauijonny: Wait a second, there are plenty (almost all) of private schools & many charter schools in the U.S. that mandate a dress code because it improves the learning environment of students. Are you saying they are all akin to Hitler youth? That is a ridiculous and ill-informed argument. A school that requires a uniform reflects a seriousness on the part of the administration to education because a uniform code works. Children are NOT adults. They don’t think like adults, they don’t process like adults. You don’t limit them or stifle them simply by having rules. Only an idiot liberal gives children unlimited choice, and we see where that leads.
      The same goes for single sex schools (or at a minimum, a classroom). Boys learn differently from girls. The idea of throwing them all in the same classroom to promote equality or social balance is a fallacious argument, no matter their age. Facts don’t lie, neither do statistics. An optimal learning environment requires control because children can not maintain control on their own. It is one of the reasons why we call them children.
      As for home schooling, get lost. Not everyone is capable of schooling their children. It’s a nice idea, but if you really want change, you should ban together with your fellow parents and ALL the people who are forced to pay for education to make a change. You won’t fix the problem by abandoning it.

      Report Post »  
    • Pontiac
      Posted on May 5, 2012 at 1:06pm

      @mauijonny
      [And lots of commie countries have them, as did the hitler youth.]
      And a lot of Catholic schools have them. Your point? If you still had one see Melika’s post.

      Report Post » Pontiac  
    • LastAmerican
      Posted on May 6, 2012 at 9:30am

      Ok, well let’s just make sure there are absolutely no variances whatsoever for the religion of peace also. No prayers in school. No special foods. No changing of curriculum. Nothing for anyone. You are not allowed to express your religious at all.

      Report Post »  
  • Light_V_Dark
    Posted on May 4, 2012 at 7:43pm

    Paul had been a Pharisee. Persecuted, hunted and KILLED, followers of Jesus. ZAP, ON THE ROAD TO DAMASCUS. Here’s a little of what Paul wrote to the Romans. Gotta SMOKE, COMRADE?
    {:-Q

    http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%201&version=NIV

    21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human(Obumessiah, 4 eg.) being and birds and animals and reptiles.

    They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31 they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. 32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

    Report Post »  
  • lukerw
    Posted on May 4, 2012 at 7:35pm

    My concern ends at out Sovereign Boarder!

    Report Post » lukerw  
  • Light_V_Dark
    Posted on May 4, 2012 at 7:17pm

    Proud_A_&_GAY_THEISTS, are SUPERSTITIOUS_HYSTERICAL_IDOL WORSHIPING_DENIZENS_OF_DARKNESS.

    An HYSTERICAL_GHEH, IS AN HYSTERICAL_FEMARXIST, OR ANY
    LEFTIST_PAGAN_GOVERNMENT_WORSHIPER, for that matter.
    ￦￦￦￦￦￦￦￦￦￦￦￦￦￦
    Usually these individuals show little interest in intellectual achievement and careful,
    analytic thinking. Individuals with this disorder* are lively and dramatic and are always
    drawing attention to themselves. They are prone to exaggeration and often act out a
    role, such as ‘victim’ or the ‘princess’, without being aware of it.

    An intriguing analogue to the feminist hysteric is the homosexual activist. The
    Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM), within the hysterical context, has also said
    that “in both sexes overt behavior is often a caricature of femininity.”

    *Histrionic Personality Disorder, Cluster B, BORDERLINE, SOCIOPATHIC, NIHILISTIC, NARCISSISTIC…}8-Q GOTTA SMOKE? CUCKOO, CUCKOO, CUCKOO…

    http://www.dadi.org/hysteria.htm

    Report Post »  
  • 5061304072
    Posted on May 4, 2012 at 6:57pm

    I think that I would much rather believe in Jesus, the son of the Almighty, and live my life according to their laws and their blessings and be wrong, than to NOT believe and be wrong.

    Report Post » 5061304072  
  • pma_guy
    Posted on May 4, 2012 at 6:57pm

    Jesus will have the last Word.

    Report Post » pma_guy  
  • inblack
    Posted on May 4, 2012 at 6:51pm

    How much do you want to bet CAIR or the atheists are behind this?

    “Teacher I’m offended by that shirt.”
    “That’s ok Billy just stop looking at it.”

    Report Post »  
  • Sarahinez
    Posted on May 4, 2012 at 6:44pm

    And, so what if other students feel their beliefs are disrespected? There are lots of t-shirts that manage to insult others. One great example reads, YET DESPITE THE LOOK ON MY FACE YOU ARE STILL TALKING. Others: “I have multiple personalities and none of them like you,“ ”I’d love to have a “battle of wits” with you… but you appear unarmed“ and ”Meat is murder.”

    The principal was foolish to tell the kid not to wear the shirt. No teenager would acquiesce, even one who’s supposedly following the Prince of Peace.

    Report Post »  
    • ToddH
      Posted on May 5, 2012 at 5:07am

      You are completely right if the school tolerates other shirts that are far more offensive, then that is clear hypocrisy and the school needs to be called on it. I wonder what types of shirts are allowed at this school?

      Report Post »  
  • Loki
    Posted on May 4, 2012 at 6:43pm

    let the kid wear it….
    but not one single christian should bitch when an athiest or a non christian wears a shirt saying the same thing about their faith or lack there of….
    too many christians bitch and moan on the anti religious “attacks” ie free speech of citizens then when the shoe is on the other foot, they cry foul….
    you have the right to be offensive, but no right to be offended…

    Report Post » Loki  
    • Light_V_Dark
      Posted on May 4, 2012 at 7:24pm

      Do you despise Muslims as much as you do Christians? Christians are pretty dumb to advertise their faith. Getting so, it’s as dangerous being a Christian or Bible believing Jew, in AmeriKa, as it is in say, Yemen, or COMMUNIST CHINA. Gotta SMOKE? }B-Q

      http://thereligionofpeace.com/

      Report Post »  
  • sawbuck
    Posted on May 4, 2012 at 6:33pm

    Well there you go BruceP.
    Or should I use the same term of Endearment that your mother uses .
    .Little Mommies Commie.. Anyway
    You can MOVE to Canada where you can HAVE and USE them ..
    What kind of RIGHTS were they…?? that line about “Birth-Rights” How did you put it…
    what was it again ..??
    Oh yea…here it is…
    ~~~
    they are intrinsic to all people, our birthright as human beings, regardless of race, faith or
    sexual orientation.
    ~~~
    Tell me again that our “RIGHTS” are NOT given to us by GOD here in the good ole U.S. of A.
    and they are “intrinsic” they are given to ALL PEOPLE OF THE WORLD by just being born.. Automatically ..

    Maybe up in Canada you can apply that utopian ideology up there…Since “Intrinsic Rights”
    NEVER existed in our own history here in the U.S .
    AND BY THAT I MEAN YOU CANT GO BACK TO SOMTHING THAT NEVER WAS…!
    (you like to also call your self a patriot)..I don’t ..But I do like what your Mother calls you…
    Little Mommies Commie… AND
    You also like calling people tyrants or intolerant ..when they disagree with
    “little- mommies- commies-utopian- ideology”
    But I digress.. anyway… I imagine Canada will embrace them “Intrinsic Rights”
    that are given by Just being born here on earth..
    That seems to be.“ their speed ” now a days….You might want to give a shout out to
    ALL the Counties though….Where “intrinsic Rights” don’t exist …
    They didn’t get the memo.

    Report Post » sawbuck  
  • Jezreel
    Posted on May 4, 2012 at 6:14pm

    Taking a walk today with my dog, I was thinking how wonderful it will be when God comes with his holy angels and destroys all the wickedness and evil inventions and filth upon our earth with fire. I am so fed up with all the evil, all the mockery, all the ungodliness that I hope it is not too long before this happens. People are by nature evil and rotten. We are only saved by grace and we all deserve to die anyhow.

    Report Post »  
  • saranda
    Posted on May 4, 2012 at 6:00pm

    Ridiculous on both sides. He should be able to wear it, but why is he wearing it everyday for weeks. Methinks he seeks the attention he is getting now. Sounds like the kid has an attitude.

    Report Post »  
    • ToddH
      Posted on May 5, 2012 at 5:15am

      I wondered that too. They claim this boy was suspended because he was being non-compliant with the principal. Frankly, it sounds like the boy who was suspended from school for wearing women’s clothing at the Itawamba Agricultural High School (the same high school Constance McMillan had her prom cancelled at for pushing to wear a tuxedo to the prom).
      In the case of Itawamba, the boy’s name was Juin Baize, and he was suspended for his clothes.
      This was a boy who likes to wear pink.
      I figure: it does not so much matter what a student wears, the principal is likely to suspend a student who gives attitude and is non-compliant, which both boys were being.

      Report Post »  
  • sooner12
    Posted on May 4, 2012 at 5:56pm

    I‘m afraid that we’ve lost in the public school system. (Frankly, it has yet to reach Oklahoma.) There was a time when these were non-issues in school. With the PC croud, as it is, we can no longer express ourselves, especially when it comes to religious beliefs.

    Report Post »  
  • suedstate
    Posted on May 4, 2012 at 5:54pm

    They have a bigger Muslim problem than we do, it’s easier to get into Canada then sneak across the border.
    Both countries have been facilatating for years.
    Coming to a State near you.

    Report Post »  
  • dont_tax_me_bro
    Posted on May 4, 2012 at 5:52pm

    “Life is wasted without Jesus,”

    That is just his opinion. Big deal. And that is all it is. An OPINION. Not a fact.

    Report Post » dont_tax_me_bro  
    • Gnostyk
      Posted on May 4, 2012 at 8:39pm

      It’s a shame that Canada, apparently, doesn’t have a First Amendment to their constitution.

      Report Post » Gnostyk  
  • N37BU6
    Posted on May 4, 2012 at 5:47pm

    Tacky shirt anyway…

    Report Post » N37BU6  
  • Its Gonna Getcha
    Posted on May 4, 2012 at 5:46pm

    There were many times during the Darwin/Creator debates that I leaned towards Darwin simply because the “Creator” theory said Adam & Eve came out of no where. Like Poof! It came across as a very UNbelievable myth. However, just imagine if there was a purely valid & scientific explanation for the Creator theory, such as humans having been colonized here, and perhaps colonized on other planets in slightly different forms.

    If there are civilizations that are millions of years ahead of us, wouldn‘t it be possible that they’ve managed to quantify the essence of the Soul itself?

    If the God gene is one and the same universally, and was spliced into a life form that has been given the time to adapt to it’s planetary climate, wouldn’t it be possible that Jesus is a conglomerate of a life form on planet Earth & the “God gene”? And that maybe other planets would have their own version of Jesus pertaining to their most adept lifeform, in order to become the best representation for each lifeform?

    So you’d have maybe a planet with 3-legged people, what better representation than to splice a 3-legged person with the God gene to best represent them. Just a thought.

    Report Post » Its Gonna Getcha  
    • N37BU6
      Posted on May 4, 2012 at 6:39pm

      3 legged person here.

      Carry on.

      Report Post » N37BU6  
    • WARRIORSCROWN
      Posted on May 5, 2012 at 12:53am

      Yeah sometimes I enjoy a good sci-fi flick too, but good Lord you should at least try to come back down to earth afterward.

      Report Post »  
    • Light_V_Dark
      Posted on May 5, 2012 at 2:30am

      Gentle Muslims believe in Adam & Eve…The MURDER EVERYBODY who disagrees with THEIR BLACK FAITH.

      Actually, Atheism is a Faith as well, and Buddhists, Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Falon Gong and Jews have been MASS MURDERED BY COMMUNISTS.

      Mostly though, Communists just love slaughtering their OWN people…Utopian_Nihilism, is the way I describe it. Misanthropy is another way.

      http://thereligionofpeace.com/ “Mohammed is God’s apostle. Those who follow him are ruthless to the unbelievers but merciful to one another” Quran 48:29

      Narcissism is a defense mechanism..
      http://www.globalpolitician.com/25109-barack-obama-elections

      Report Post »  
    • DeavonReye
      Posted on May 7, 2012 at 3:32pm

      Atheism is as much a “faith” as “bald” is a hair color. . . . . or not playing football is a sport. . . . nor not collecting stamps is a hobby. “Faith” is believing WITHOUT evidence to back it up. Atheist don’t “just believe there is no god”. It is a stance of “we don’t accept your statement”. And there isn’t a reason to accept any of the thousands of gods that men have invented, based upon the complete lack of evidence for them.

      And before you say, “prove there is no god. . . . . and because you can’t, that is your faith”, . . . please read the statement above this sentence.

      Report Post » DeavonReye  
  • frust@ted
    Posted on May 4, 2012 at 5:46pm

    ”The only time we would ever try to change message is when others student interpret the message as a criticism of their beliefs.”

    well isnt’ that exactly what the school is doing to the kid that wants to wear the tshirt? Are they not criticizing this kids beleif that life is wasted without jesus”

    i wish these people would just be honest on why they don’t want him to wear the shirt.

    Report Post »  
  • 57states
    Posted on May 4, 2012 at 5:42pm

    good 4 him is right! godbless him

    Report Post » 57states  
  • blackyb
    Posted on May 4, 2012 at 5:36pm

    Canadians have bee about as stupid as some here in America who have allowed people to dictate to us what to wear and what to say. It is not the people they hate but Christ. They do not want to reminded they are going to hell. There may be some of them worth saving, but it is getting so I feel like I would be wasting my time even praying for the heatherns. They are the ones who need to pray and ask for salvation. If they are too good to humble themselves, then let them go to hell because, it is their call.

    Report Post » blackyb  
  • Captain Crunch
    Posted on May 4, 2012 at 5:32pm

    Schools are wasted without Jesus.

    Report Post »  
    • dont_tax_me_bro
      Posted on May 4, 2012 at 5:52pm

      Oh really. Have you met Jesus? Did he tell you that?..LOL!

      Report Post » dont_tax_me_bro  
    • Al J Zira
      Posted on May 4, 2012 at 5:55pm

      That’s the truth!!

      Report Post » Al J Zira  
    • let us prey
      Posted on May 4, 2012 at 6:03pm

      Agreed captain.

      Report Post » let us prey  
    • Captain Crunch
      Posted on May 4, 2012 at 6:42pm

      @dont_tax_me_bro

      As a matter of fact Yes….and Yes again. Home Schooled 4 children who have more common sense and morals on their little finger than atleast one of the posters on this website.

      Report Post »  
  • boxy
    Posted on May 4, 2012 at 5:28pm

    Good for him. Stay strong buddy.

    Report Post »  
  • SpeckledPup
    Posted on May 4, 2012 at 5:27pm

    God bless that brave kid.

    Report Post »  
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