Fundamentalist Christian school decides they have authority over their pupils outside of school, too

All that 17-year-old Tyler Frost wants to do at the end of the school year is to take his girlfriend to her school's prom. But he might have some troubles if he does so – or so his fundamentalist Christian school is threatening, telling him he'd be suspended if he so much as visits the prom. And don't even think about beer or sex, he may as well pack his bags at once.

But then, the school (Heritage Christian School in northwest Ohio) also bans dancing, rock music, kissing and even holding hands, so really, what else would you expect from such a bunch of control-freaks?

The teen, who is scheduled to receive his diploma May 24, would be suspended from classes and receive an "incomplete" on remaining assignments, England said. Frost also would not be permitted to attend graduation but would get a diploma once he completes final exams. If Frost is involved with alcohol or sex at the prom, he will be expelled, England said.

Frost's stepfather Stephan Johnson said the school's rules should not apply outside the classroom.

"He deserves to wear that cap and gown," Johnson said.

I'm certainly not saying he doesn't deserve to graduate, but frankly, you probably should see this sort of ridiculousness coming if you sign your kid in a fundamentalist Christian establishment, no?

"In life, we constantly make decisions whether we are going to please self or please God. (Frost) chose one path, and the school committee chose the other," England said.

Yes, because you and other Christians always know exactly how to please God, don't you? Despite you always saying no-one can ever know what He's thinking or planning or what He even wants, yet you're always following His will ... ha.

Here's a hint, bub: somehow, I doubt God would be happy with you overstepping your bounds and punishing a good kid and earnest student and depriving him of his diploma just for having a little innocent fun for one night in his bland monotonous life.

(I just assume it's bland and monotonous because he's the sort of kid who goes to a fundamentalist Christian school.)

This isn't just an issue pertaining to wackaloon religious schools; one of my problems with schools and establishments is how they always seem to consider whatever you do outside their walls as deserving to be noted on your report cards. A student shouldn't have to fear that whatever they do or don't do beyond a school's jurisdiction would reflect on how the school treats them.

Schools are for education, and nothing more, and it does irritate me a fair bit when they think they serve any further purpose than that. Ethics, morals and right-from-wrong, you learn from your parents until you define your own world view. Academics are the school's responsibility – and nothing more or else. About time they grasped that notion.