Caring Teacher Loses Job

I came across the following news item today, and couldn't believe my eyes! The short version is that a well meaning teacher has been dismissed because she asked if it would be ok to pray for one of her pupils who wasn't feeling well. No, she didn't actually pray, she ASKED if she could pray! She was dismissed because "The Oak Hill Short Stay School and Tuition Service in Nailsea, North Somerset told the teacher that sharing her faith with a child could be deemed to be bullying."

"Olive Jones was dismissed from her job as a home-visit teacher after she spoke about her faith with a girl's mother.

The maths teacher gives lessons to children who are too ill to attend school.

When the girl did not feel up to the November 25 visit, Mrs Jones spoke to her mother over a cup of tea and asked whether she could say a prayer.

The teacher - a mother of two herself - said when the woman told her the family were not believers, she did not go ahead.

But Mrs Jones was later let go after the mother complained the teacher's comments had distressed her and her child.

The Oak Hill Short Stay School and Tuition Service in Nailsea, North Somerset told the teacher that sharing her faith with a child could be deemed to be bullying." End of quote, as reported by Sky News 20 Dec 2009.

I am not sure how you define bullying in your house, but ASKING if you can pray for a sick child is not my definition of bullying. Where do these people come from? How does a teacher lose her job for caring? Even if the child's family were 'non believers', what possible harm could it have done?

Our nation is fast losing any credibility it once had as a 'God fearing nation', and more's the pity. We allow changes to happen around us, and especially as the season of goodwill approaches. My observation is that the 'silent majority' are the ones expected to 'compromise', 'change', 'understand other's views', and 'make allowances' for any and all other groups. Except for the normal, middle of the road, Christian believers who make all the concessions, but see no movement from those others in return.

As you can see, this really made me fizz. I don't know who you are, Olive Jones, but for what little it is worth, my opinion is that you should keep praying, keep believing, and hold the Faith. You did nothing wrong in asking if you could pray for a sick child. I wish there were more like you, and more who would dare to stand behind you in support!