A grade 12 student in Lunenburg County has been suspended from his school for wearing a t-shirt publicizing his religious beliefs. William Swinimer attends Forest Heights Community School in Chester Basin. He was suspended for five days for wearing a shirt saying "Life is Wasted without Jesus." Swinimer is a devout Christian. School Board Superintendent Nancy Pynch-Worthylake says the school has spoken with Swinimer a number of times about the shirt, asking him not to wear it. She says the slogan suggests people need to change their beliefs.
"When an expression is based on a student's personal belief, there is no issue whatsoever. Should there be a situation, where an expression or slogan could be interpreted or is obviously offensive to other beliefs, that would be unacceptable."
Pynch-Worthylake says the school tried mediation before suspending him. However, she says the student seems set in his ways and is being defiant. The superintendent says she is exploring a mediated approach that respects the rights of everyone involved.
