Santa Ana, USA - A high school student and his parents have filed a lawsuit against a teacher, accusing him of making offensive comments in class about Christianity.
The lawsuit filed Wednesday in federal court in Santa Ana claims teacher James Corbett of demonstrating "a sense of hostility toward religion" that caused Christian students at Capistrano Valley High School to "feel ostracized and treated as second-class citizens."
Chad Farnan, 16, claims his constitutional rights were violated and wants Corbett removed from the classroom.
"The teacher is a representative of the state and the Constitution requires government neutrality toward religion," attorney Jennifer Monk said. "We will not seek damages if the teacher is removed."
It wasn't immediately known if Corbett had retained a lawyer. Principal Tom Ressler described Corbett as a solid teacher who has been with the Capistrano Unified School District for more than 15 years.
"It's really premature to say anything about this," he said. "People can make allegations all they want; we have to see the reality and context of what was said."
Among the statements the lawsuit contends Corbett said to students include "when you put on your Jesus glasses, you can't see the truth"; religion is not "connected with morality"; and suggested that churchgoers are more likely to commit rape and murder.
Chad Farnan said he taped the teacher's lectures with a tape recorder in plain sight on his backpack.
"I'm not sure whether he saw me," Farnan said. "He's against Christianity and bashes it all the time. He's been indoctrinating us and not teaching the class; we don't need to be hearing his political views during school time when we should be learning."
Farnan said he would remain in school but stay out of Corbett's class until the lawsuit is settled.