How is someone not being able to say something with a religious connotation without getting intro trouble not considered that?

The phrase "Bless you" (notice that it doesn't say "God Bless You") is based on archaic superstition, not off of any modern religion. Even still, I don't think asking someone to not use religious phrases in a public institution can be considered repression or anything close to that. But going past that, she didn't get in trouble for saying that (she got told not to say things that weren't allowed "she calls "bless you" and other expressions distract and interrupts smooth flow."), she got in trouble for the way she acted afterwards by saying stupid stuff like "well my pastor told me it's my constitutional right" and further disrupting the class...

It's probably a result of the MANNER of how the student defended herself. Teachers really don't want to look like idiots in front of the kids, even if they ARE in the wrong.

True Story: one lunch period in sixth grade we couldn't hear the teachers say it was time to leave and proceeded to lock all but three of the kids in the four classes in the cafeteria out of their classrooms. Absolutely brilliant, right? When it was over I called the teacher out on this REALLY stupid call and she gave me a detention.

1. The fact that she referenced her pastor suggests that she is either a genuine Christian or at least goes to a Christian church (there aren't muslim, jewish, buddhist, hindu pastors). So by saying "bless you" she is implying "God bless you" most likely due to her realization that God does exist and that he could be blessing someone at that moment.

2. The smooth flow argument just sounds like a cover up to silence those who may make the teacher uncomfortable. It is an absolute JOKE that any teacher would think that would be an interruption to the flow. That is like saying you aren't allowed to sneeze because it will interuppt the work flow. And I AM a teacher (a special education one who deals with interupptions from kids all day long and I don't mind someone saying "God bless you!" after someone sneezes).

3. You're saying it is stupid for someone to stand up for themselves and their rights? The day that the defense of our constitutional rights is considered interuption is a sad day indeed.

*I say all these things in love (as someone who is loved by Christ despite not deserving to be so loved) and without any snark or rudeness. It is hard to tell sometimes the tone of someone in type, but I am responding to you in a polite tone.

I think its a stupid rule, but it neither represses Christians, nor imposes on any constitutional rights (read posts from earlier in the thread if you don't understand this part). The student honestly sounded really uppity to me, making a big fuss out of nothing. Its just a sensationalist headline trying to make new where there isn't any.

I'm not denying that someone could sound uppity with this stuff. The right wing extremists can be and, often are, just as infuriating as the left wing ones (especially when they identify themselves as Christians based on culture/family even though they don't practice it).

Its not a one time incident. It has happened enough for several students to talk to their youth pastor about it. And if the teacher did say she won't have Godly speaking in her class than it is oppression. The student responded to the teacher after being educated by her pastor abour her rights.

""She told me that we're not going to have godly speaking in her class," Turner said. "I said, 'well my pastor told me it's my constitutional right.'""

Its on a list of words and slang, so its not like only religious words were being targeted. The teacher wanted to set up a neutral environment in the classroom, and while I think it was a stupid rule and a dumb way of going about it, there is nothing overtly wrong with it.

As previously stated, she got suspended for disrupting class and being uppity, not for just saying "bless you".

Finally, as stated multiple times, the pastor is wrong...that isn't your constitutional right. Thats not how the bill of rights works...

The Pastor is a Moron, the teacher didn't want any Godly talk in class it's his/her rule. Such as no Swear word talking in class.

You can get kicked off property for using words other disagree but you can't get arrested for practicing your constitutional right.

sorry it is how it works. its public not private property. not allowing or punishing godly speak as she put it is a form of discrimination, i am not talking just about her rules on the board, if she actually said not allowing godly speak in her class that is very discriminatory. The student has every right to stand up for themselves when it's an ongoing issue. Hopefully the principal has decided to step in and talk to the teacher about this now.