All I want is not to get tongue-tied on Tuesday...

[gregoria44]

I am entitled to an opinion (still) and I'm bloody well going to express it!

(The above sentence aimed squarely at my parents for the time being.)

Comments

[charisstoma]

We teach our children what we expect in correct behavior all the time. What is appropriate in a friend's home may not be in ours. We have knives in our home. The children were taught that they were not toys and not to be used as toys the same way my parents didn't have to worry about storing poisonous cleaning products under the sink. This is similar. One teaches to protect.

You are correct Atheism isn't a religion but it is a way of looking and reacting to the world. The correct way to act towards others and set circumstances is a manner of belief. Why doesn't one do this to others? Why should you act this way if this happens?
An explanation that 'this is what other people believe and we don't think they are correct' is called for. You want your own views on religion to come forward but you want the child to know that that is what is out there so they don't get hurt.

*SIGHS* I am probably speaking from a different perspective. We have separation of church and state here. I was truely shocked at work to see a Holy Bible on the school's library shelves and that it wasn't in reference but could be checked out. But this is Texas after all *rolls eyes* and not the state where I was raised.

[lankyguy]

'An explanation that 'this is what other people believe and we don't think they are correct' is called for. You want your own views on religion to come forward but you want the child to know that that is what is out there so they don't get hurt.'

This only works on the assumption that a given community is homogeneous in it's beliefs. Who is the school to speak for everyone? It is a civil institution, it should not be taking sides.

I am a US citizen born and bred, went to high school in Texas as a matter of fact, I know full well how it is and in particular the Christian bias forced on everyone in the public school system.

[charisstoma]

I work IN a public school. We don't push religion, it's not part of the curriculum. In fact you aren't allowed to push it.
We have essentially 3 schools in the building. Two of which are for students that are coming from out of country. This includes Arab and Asian students. Our district is very careful to try to not offend any religious group, I've seen what the hoops/questions are they make V. Principals go through during the selection process.

Here if you want to have religion taught to your kids (not college or higher) you either home school or send them to places whose name include words like All Saints (that similarity did not escape me).

Additionally I am aware of what it is like in Texas for students who are of a different less well known religion in a charter school environment. A co-worker has talked to me about her sons problems with other students, not problems with the school itself. As a single mom, she had prepared her sons for what they might be exposed to and they are doing well in spite of the harassment from other students.

I was keying off the opt out section of the paperwork that gregoria quoted. *shrugs* Perhaps I didn't understand. Maybe she needs legal counsel to determine her options better and she should if she's able attend one of the sessions at the school to see if it's going to be a problem. *sighs* I was raised in a much more secular environment. My parents only had to concern themselves with the sex ed instruction that was offered us at the onset of puberty and that was opt out too.

[lankyguy]

Not pushing religion and there not being a particular bias are not the same.

You want proof of bias, simply witness the fight over teaching so-called intelligent design, it is entirely coming from conservative Christians forcing their views on others. There are teachers that refuse to teach evolution; teachers refusing to teach science!

There's also Texas' recent attempts to introduce new text books to favor a particular political leaning. This isn't coming from the Buddhists. You can't claim there's no bias going on, it's just not true.

I was a young, gay student in the Texas public school system, back when it was more liberal, and it was biased then!

Just MHO YMMV

[charisstoma]

No idea what MHO YMMV means, sorry if I missed a point you were making.

Can tell you had a great time in school and I didn't do it, nor would I do it nor would the people I work with.

I am appalled by the turn the whole country is going at the moment. We just had the Westboro Baptists in town. The whole thing with Arizona and Utah is mind boggling. I have hope that White will be elected and knock Perry, Palin's good buddy, off his throne.

Enough, don't think we are exchanging anything useful any more. Gregoria's decision to make. Her kid.

[lankyguy]

MHO short for IMHO "In My Humble Opinion"

YMMV "Your Mileage May Vary"