Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Muslim principal fires Christian coach after Muslim student converts — off-campus

Gerald Marszalek is a state and national Hall of Fame wrestling coach at Fordson High School. Or he was for thirty-five years — until Muslim principal Imad Fadlallah let him go.

First, a Christian pastor who volunteered as an assistant coach was fired after a Muslim student converted to faith in Jesus Christ during a private, off-campus wrestling camp. (The pastor claims that he never preached while serving as a coach.) The student was baptized.

It is of interest to note that the convert reportedly "was not a student at Fordson high school at the time as this took place in the summer before his freshman year."

Nonetheless, the complaint that has been filed alleges that
[s]ubsequently, in full view of students and faculty, Defendant Fadlallah approached the young Fordson student who had chosen to be baptized a Christian at Hancock's summer wrestling camp, punched the student, and advised the student that he had "disgraced his family" by converting to Christianity from Islam.
Marszalek was ordered to keep the pastor (Trey Hancock) off-campus, as if he were some sort of child molestor or otherwise imminent threat. But Hancock had a son who was a star wrestler, so he eventually did come on campus. Whereafter Marszalek was let go.

Principal Fadlallah is a Muslim, as are many within that community. Can a threat be detected in this note Fadlallah sent Pastor Hancock in letting him go?
"I would like to keep this matter under strict confidentiality. If this issue is leaked to the community, I cannot stop the adverse reaction that it will cause."
The coach has filed suit. Here's a striking note: in spite of the allegation of obvious rights violations, the ACLU was not interested in the case.

The lawsuit alleges that Marszalek, a Hall of Famer who had achieved over 450 wins and was made "Sportsman of the Year" by the All-American Athletic Association, was let go simply because he was a Christian, and because Principal Fadlallah has been systematically eradicating Christianity from the school.

WorldNetDaily reports that Marszalek "is suing both the principal and the school in the U.S. District Court of Eastern Michigan, seeking back pay, injunctive and declaratory relief, damages, and to be reinstated as coach of the wrestling team."

Further:
"We are getting a glimpse of what happens when Muslims who refuse to accept American values and principles gain political power in an American community," said Richard Thompson, president and chief counsel of the Thomas More Law Center, which is representing Marsazalek. "Failure to renew coach Marszalek's contract had nothing to do with wrestling and everything to do with religion."
The Religion of Peace. Coming to power near you.

19 comments:

The Squirrel said...

Signs of the times? A hint of things to come? Already Christianity is the only "socially unacceptable" religion in America, how long before it is declared officially illegal?

If the coach is the victor in his lawsuit, it will only be a delaying action, I fear.

~Squirrel

NoLongerBlind said...

Assuming the alleged facts to be true, I can only imagine how this would be all over the nightly "news" on the MSM networks if the Principal were a Christian, and the student had converted to Islam/Buddhism/Judaism, and the coach had been of same religious affiliation.

Also how the ACLU would be all over it in that scenario.

Hypocrites showing their true colors!

On a side note, in reading the comments on the linked article about the ACLU's declining the case, how sad that the name of Christ is maligned due to the previous behavior of self-proclaimed "christians" who shame His name.

Sort of makes me long for the days of the early church, wishing God would demonstrate His power as He did with Ananias and Sapphira; "And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things." (Acts 5:11)

DJP said...

NLB, quite right in every regard. I linked to several sources in the hopes of broadly-grounding the report of the facts. Yet I couldn't find the breadth of coverage we surely would see were the religions reversed.

If you're not depressed enough, check Democrat Underground, where they discuss this. The tenor is delight in the singing of the "fundie." Because the more vocal, in-power Democrats tend to hate practicing, distinct Christians.

mikepettengill said...

Don't forget...in most of the Islamic world those two Christians would not be given prominent jobs. Not to mention that all involved would be put to death for converting others away from Islam.

At least in the U.S. our intolerance of Christianity and bigotry towards Christians is LITTLE less overt.

DJP said...

True dat, but what matters for something is trajectory. In our case, I'd say it's not good.

NoLongerBlind said...

Not that I'm a masochist or anything, but, the more persecution, the greater the cost.

The greater the cost, the purer the church!


Word verification - ismsmsh:

What happens to some of the captives of false religions (___ism) when the Word is boldly and accurately proclaimed, and the Spirit, like the wind, moves where He wishes!

Mike Riccardi said...

This just makes me angry. Does that reaction find any place in any of you guys? It just seriously makes me angry. It's probably not righteous anger, either.

These legal issues that keep popping up are so obviously inequitable and bigoted that you'd think that a country/state devoted to equality and freedom of religion these issues would be no-brainers.

Click.

DJP said...

Yep.

If half the allegations are accurate, the man should never find employment in the school system again.

Herding Grasshoppers said...

Gives me chills.

And I'm with you on the anger.

Julie

threegirldad said...

Why would the American Criminal Liberties Union be interested in a case like this, anyway? It doesn't fit their profile.

Fred Butler said...

When will that Glasgow art museum have an ancient Qu'ran for people to write their thoughts in the margins? That opens next week, right?

Barbara said...

But...are we supposed to be suing over things like this?

I thought we were to rejoice in it as ones blessed?

Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you....filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions, rejoicing in being counted worthy of sharing in His sufferings.... why sue? Why whine? Why complain? Why not just rejoice and trust the Savior, knowing that when a flower is bruised it rewards you with its perfume? Am I missing something?

DJP said...

A lot of people fought, bled and died so that Gerald Marszalek would have religious freedom guaranteed to him as an American citizen. He's as correct to assert those rights as Paul was to assert his rights as a Roman citizen, rather than simply suffering without a word (Acts 16:35-40; 22:25).

Nick Jesch said...

Certainly, rejoice in such persecution. BUT-- at the same time, we know the God-assigned task of the civil magistrate is to bear the sword against those who do harm to others. This man, through NO action of his own, was deprived of the means of provision for his family, and ripped asunder from a long-standing relationship he obviously treasured. That is harm. Thus, the civil magistrate is appointed by God to bear the sword against the perpetrators. Not to mention it appears, from what we read here, the moslem principal physically assaulted the lad, in front of others. More harm. I do hope the civil magistrate will do their appointed work and bear the sword against this man, obviously not suited to be the principal of this school.

Paula said...

From the complaint: In March 2007, assistant coach Smuk tragically died while coaching for Fordson at the Michigan State Finals wrestling tournament. Even though Smuk died at a school function, Defendant Fadlallah refused to acknowledge his passing, refused to make mention of it to the Fordson wrestling team, Plaintiff Marszalek, or Smuk’s widow, and treated Smuk’s passing with smug disdain.

After you peel away all the layers of outward aggression and bad behavior by the principal, this shows the seething hatred simmering below.


27. During this same time frame, with Defendant Fadlallah’s knowledge and approval,
Fordson had–and continues to have–a very public policy of allowing student athletes to recite
Muslim prayers before, during, and after school-sanctioned athletic events...Local and national periodicals have written articles substantiating these practices.


Hey ACLU! How about that??? Where are you Most Reverend Barry Lind?

59. Defendant School District’s and Fadlallah’s actions have devastated and ruined
Plaintiff Marszalek’s life. Plaintiff Marszalek’s life, and that of his loving wife of 40 years.... as well as the
statements they subsequently disseminated about him, have forced him into a life of reclusive anxiety
and humiliation.


OK, I know this is lawyer-speak, but ruined his life? Should any Christian really be saying this? WAY over the top!

From WND: An estimated 30,000 of its 98,000 residents are Muslims, and roughly 80 percent of the student population of Fordson High School is Arabic, many of whom are also Muslims.

Wow. That's almost 1/3 of that community! A powder keg waiting for a fuse to be lit. You've got to wonder if the school board is scared to death (literally) to rock to boat. Why else would they allow a principal who assaulted a student in front of witnesses (if that's true) to remain in his position? Of course, it's quite possible the school board is also stacked with Muslims. Wow.

Jay said...

Coming soon to an America near you.

Aaron said...

Maybe, maybe. It's possible the union collapses before then under the crushing weight of debt.

But if our country does become Muslim, at least we won't have to worry about the homosexual movement anymore.

Susan said...

Sir Aaron: But if our country does become Muslim, at least we won't have to worry about the homosexual movement anymore.

Sire, I know not whether to laugh or to hang my head....

Mike R. and Julie, ditto on anger.

Paula, thanks for the excerpts. It makes me even angrier to read them, but it just shows how lopsided this whole thing is. Somebody PUH-LEEZE shove some religious freedom down this principal's throat or remove him from the school!!

Susan said...

(Didn't have time to read the links earlier. Now that I've read through most of the complaint, the only other thing I can say about this principal is that he is crazy AND vicious--worst combo possible!)