Dominionism is alive and well in Kearny NJ.
When school started in September one of Matts LaClairs' teachers started the year off by diving into Creationism/Dominionism. On the 3rd day Matt recorded the teacher's "sermon". Later in October, a meeting was held with the Principal, the teacher David Paszkiewicz, Matt & Paul LaClair. During the meeting Matt cited dozens of quotes of the teacher, Paszkiewicz denied everything. Matt then produced Audio CD's he had burned of the "Sermonizing".
Later on Paszkiewicz publicly portrays the meeting with the Principal falsely. If you get into trouble because you were recorded one time, what are the odds you would be recorded again ? Right, Matt had recorded the meeting with the Principal. Proving beyond a shadow of a doubt that Paszkiewicz lied.
Lying in order to do Gods work is a basic tenent of Dominionism. D. James Kennedy, Pastor of Coral Ridge Ministries, calls on his followers to exercise "godly dominion ... over every aspect ... of human society." At a "Reclaiming America for Christ" conference in February, 2005, Kennedy said:
Our job is to reclaim America for Christ, whatever the cost. As the vice regents of God, we are to exercise godly dominion and influence over our neighborhoods, our schools, our government, our literature and arts, our sports arenas, our entertainment media, our news media, our scientific endeavors -- in short, over every aspect and institution of human society.
http://www.theocracy...
Listen for yourself, Here is the 45 minute MP3 of teacher David Paszkiewicz misusing his position to proselytize biblical fundamentalism (he is a Baptist) in a public school. Thanks to David Kowalski for posting the MP3.
Here is an ABC video of the Febuary Kearny School Board meeting.
Here is video of Paul LaClair speaking on behalf of his son Matthew LaClaire, he's the second speaker:
Here are some diarys from BLUE JERSEY folks who have been blogging on this issue, "njdem" on Feb 19th, Nick Lento did a follow up on Feb 21st, and the father of the 17 yr old student, Paul LaClair's diary of Feb 26th, Nick Lento then posted some video on Feb 27th.
Separation of Church and State:
"Those who would renegotiate the boundaries between church and state must therefore answer a difficult question: why would we trade a system that has served us so well for one that has served others so poorly?"
Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Conner on June 27, 2005
Since David Paszkiewicz has been teaching in Kearny for 14 years, I had wondered if this proselytizing was new behavior, or a long term trend. If its been a trend, and the BOE knew and did nothing, its a great issue to elect new BOE members on.
So after trading emails with Paul LaClair, I hit the google, and here is what I found....
He has done this for years. My child, a former student of his and other student/friends, confirm this. Surprisingly, each student, including my own child, is compelled to protect him. Why? In spite of his inappropriate diatribes, they were willing to look past it because he was a good teacher.
Fact: he told his class that "hippies" were evil and anti-Christ because their peace sign was an upside down broken cross.
Fact: he denigrated the humiliated a homosexual student claiming his homosexuality would result in eternal damnation.
Fact: he consistently preached that not accepting Jesus as personal savior would result in eternal damnation and regularly brought up that prayer and religion should be allowed in public schools.
I, on the other hand, feel for this student who had the integrity and bravery to do something--something I should have done and didn't because I feared what the LaClair family is going through would happen to me.
From The Observer.
I also found the Observer Editor's blog., which posted numerous letters to the Editor.
Hello,
I was a student at KHS a few years ago and had Mr. Paszkiewicz for history for three days before I decided to switch out because of more or less the same reasons that student is complaining. I had decided not to write anything in because I thought everyone knew about his less-than-conventional way of teaching, but after reading the article it seems everyone is under the delusion this guy is tolerable.
The VERY first day I was in his class, he said something like "in my class, you will not only gain a good education, but a new perspective." For the next few days, he couldn't help but throw in his opinions on things, such as how "Bush is one of the best presidents to be elected to office." He constantly liked to give his opinions on things instead of giving unbiased reports of what the class was about: history. He needs to keep his comments to himself and teach the class instead of trying to sway people into believing the way he does. I even told my counselor about him and she said something like: "Yeah, some people don't know how to keep their mouth shut on certain things." So I thought everyone knew about it, but was keeping quiet. I don't see why. He isn't as great as a lot of people are making him out to be, and he needs to change his teaching style quick. I was VERY glad to leave his class and be transferred into a more educational and unbiased environment for learning.
-KHS Alumni
The more I find out about this teacher, David Paszkiewicz, the more I wonder about Paszkiewicz, & the Kearny School Board. Things like this don't exactly stay buried for years unles someone wields a shovel and keeps them buried. I am starting to have the feeling that Paszkiewicz has friends, and they have helped to cover up Paszkiewicz's actions, possibly more than one time.
If this is so, Paszkiewicz and anyone else involved, Principal or School Board members, needs to go.
To any Kossackers in north Jersey, please attend the Kearny BOE meeting on monday:
Where:
100 Davis Avenue (The Franklin School)
Kearny
07032
When: 07:00 PM - 10:15 PM