Another example of why we atheists are prickly

[Stuckinthebush]

My subject line is tongue-in-cheek, of course, but there will be those theists who tell me I'm being too sensitive.

So, my daughter - an 8th grade atheist - gets in the car after school on Friday and tells me, "I have a new quote from Ms. Mack". She and her other non-theist friend often write down things her social studies teacher says that are out of line.

They are studying the crusades and her teacher explains that one of the reasons the crusaders signed up was they thought it would secure their place in heaven. Ok, so stop there and this is a historically factual statement that is quite appropriate when discussing the crusades. But, she then had to stop, turn to the class and say,

"Of course, we all know that the only way to heaven is through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!"

Silly crusaders.

I have a deal with my daughter that if she keeps an open line of communication with me about these incidents that I will not report them. This one, however, made me cringe and I told her I had to talk to the principal. She begged me not to because it would cause a great deal of pain for her personally. She is most likely correct.

So here is a great example of our non-Christian children having to endure foolishness from their highly religious teachers in public school. The message is "You are flawed if you aren't a Christian."

My daughter chooses to ignore it but what about the non-Christian child who isn't as able? Why should their beliefs be judged as inadequate by a public school teacher? This teacher is out of line. But, if we atheists say anything we are being overly sensitive and are trouble makers.

[LeftishBrit]

1. Good grief.

I do not remember ever being told anything quite like that in my far from progressive school in the 70s. We had Assembly and Prayers every morning, and religious education classes, but no one said anything like that in history lessons.

I do remember the slightly dotty music teacher once telling us, 'You have to be humble to be a Christian'; but I think that was it as regards religious preaching outside Assembly and RE.

[Arugula Latte]

2. That's disgusting!

Imagine how this idiot teacher would react if she were the student and the teacher said: "We all know these Christians are deluding themselves because Jesus isn't coming back and there is no God."

[Stuckinthebush]

4. Brilliant line!

I think I'll use that if I email the principal. I'll say, "If I told a class of students that Christians are deluding themselves then I'd be out of line, right?"

I'll see where that conversation takes me.

[enuegii]

3. My 8th grade atheist daughter and I have a similar problem...

and it also involves a social studies teacher in a public school. There have been a number of irritating little things in a pro-religious vein from this teacher that both of us have objected to over the course of the school year, with the latest being the teacher's handling of class discussions concerning the world's major religions.

Of course, I don't object to that in itself-- the particular problem I have is, as my daughter tells me, that the teacher, when referring to Christians, uses the pronoun "we," as in "we believe this," etc., and uses "they" when referring to other religions. Now, even though this is a small town in the midst of the Bible Belt, I know for a fact that there are Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Wiccan and atheist families in the area who have children in the school system. Apparently, they don't count.

I don't really know what to do about it, "But, if we atheists say anything we are being overly sensitive and are trouble makers," as you wrote above, pretty much sums up the situation.

[cleanhippie]

10. Have a look.

I replied to the op with this, but it is applicable as a response to you. Have a look, please.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=263&topic_id=44254&mesg_id=44274

[ZombieHorde]

5. Fucking Christ. nt

[darkstar3]

6. Necropheliac.

[ZombieHorde]

7. Never waste a stigmata. nt

[darkstar3]

8. My hat to you, sir, for making me laugh so hard the neighbors heard me.

[cleanhippie]

9. Friend, you are doing not only your dauaghter a major disservice by not reporting it

you are doing a major disservice to every child in that school. Seriously.


May I invite you to read Dale McGowans blog, parenting beyond belief

www.parentingbeyondbelief.com

and read the many posting he has where he has dealt with this issue with his own kids, and not ruined their lives, but instead fixed major problems, both personal and legal, without making a huge stink about it.


Please, you need to report it, for ALL of our kids sake. Seriously.

[darkstar3]

12. Careful CH.

You have no idea how the intervention of a parent with an unpopular point of view can ostracize a child in a school like this. Don't presume that it is a disservice to the child for the parent to remain silent, as it may be a far bigger disservice to the child for the parent to speak. Bullying is bad enough without allowing the bullies to believe that they should do more than torture you.

[cleanhippie]

13. I agree, and that is why I invited him to read about the experiences of a person who

deals with it, professionally. In the end, the decision is his and his daughters to make. But I would hope you would agree that allowing these "teachers" to both break the law AND indoctrinate the children in their charge with religious nonsense is not something to be tolerated in a public school. Ever. No?

[darkstar3]

14. I don't think it's something to be tolerated,

but I also know how dangerous the situation is. If the principal is sympathetic to the teacher's ideas, which isn't, you know, out of the realm of possibility...that principal can help make the daughter's life really fucking difficult.

Complaints about what teachers teach in public schools must be handled delicately if you intend to protect your child, especially in small or tight-knit communities. My advice would be to build documentation of the teacher's actions, and then calmly submit that carefully built documentation to the principal only a few weeks before school ends for the summer. This will be good timing for the principal to consider all options for how to deal with this teacher, and also ensure that any reprisals are short lived before there is time for people to cool off.

[Stuckinthebush]

16. I appreciate the poke there

We need to stick together and we need our comrades to tell us to rethink. Remember, I live in a lonely world as an Alabama atheist.

You are correct, sir. I will rethink.

Thank you.

[cleanhippie]

19. Good luck!

And perhaps email Dale McGowan and ask him how to approach it. He WILL answer your email, personally.

[laconicsax]

11. You really should report it.

The only way to put a stop to that kind of inappropriate behavior and keep it from getting worse is to do something about it.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

15. Can't you find, like, 5 Jewish students and raise a stink together? -nt

[Stuckinthebush]

17. I think there are 3 in the city

:)

But we do have enough non-Christians hiding here and there. I can find a few.

[Stuckinthebush]

18. An example of why this forum is needed

I have been thinking about my post overnight and have decided to send an email to the principal. Some background I haven't shared is that the principal is a former doctoral student of mine so I have a power issue thing to think about. He will be VERY receptive and I'm sure will grab the offending teacher by the ear. With the end of the year upon us, I think that my daughter will be spared any repercussions. Summer is here, and the time is right...

I may wait a week for all grades to be submitted and then see if the principal would like to have a cup of coffee.

I'd like to give a big thank you to Cleanhippie and Laconicsax for challenging me on this. We need to stick together and it is important to kindly remind each other of our responsibilities.

I'll keep you posted.