My dd's teacher is being too policitally correct!

[ChrisnSteph]

If anyone objects, they can suggest singing their "own" song. It's not "freedom FROM religion", its "FREEDOM OF RELIGION".

 

[bicker]

Spending money is establishment; establishment is unconstitutional.

 

[Miss Inga Depointe]

Spending money is establishment; establishment is unconstitutional.

wow, that went way over my head. say what?

 

[LauraR]

If anyone objects, they can suggest singing their "own" song. It's not "freedom FROM religion", its "FREEDOM OF RELIGION".

ITA. We're a non-religious family but I don't mind if my kids are exposed to religion in school, as long as they include a variety of religions (and it doesn't all have to be at the same time---I don't think you have give equal time to "all" religions any time you bring up "any" religion).

 

[SRUAlmn]

I am a Kindergarten teacher and I agree that 'PC' has gotten way out of control, but it's not totally schools that are at fault, it's society as a whole. I have this one little boy who hates to read, but he came in all excited that he wanted to read this book to the class and it was about Noah's ark. I couldn't let him read it, there would have been major trouble (but I did tell him he could come to my table and read it to me alone later in the day ) We don't get to have Christmas or Easter celebrations, we can't even mention Santa or the Easter Bunny. I mean it's Kindergarten, this is what they live for! Those icons in themselves are not religiously based, they are formed from a commercial holiday.

However, you will see that for every thread like this on the DIS there is another one stating the complete opposite. That a parent is upset that a teacher is imposing his/her values or beliefs onto their child. It's a very fine line that we walk.

In this particular situation, I agree. The teacher should have never even suggested a gospel song to begin with, and Jewish songs should not be allowed either then.

 

[bicker]

wow, that went way over my head. say what?

Public resources support our schools. Using those resources to venerate any religious perspective isn't permitted.

 

[Miss Inga Depointe]

Oh, come on, religion is part of humanity. It's part of our mythology, our history, and our psychology. You cut out every mention of Buddha and Islam and every other world religious reference and what kind of education are you offering?

Look, I'm sorry if Ultra conservative Christians have offended you or something, but I'm tired of paying for their sins. I want to learn about other people's religions and appreciate them and I'm not pretending mine is something to be ashamed of any more.

 

[bicker]

Learning about religion takes place during Social Studies, with a teacher qualified to discuss comparative religion.

Don't be ashamed of your religion; I'm sure not ashamed of mine. You practice your religion in your house of worship. I'll practice my religion in my house of worship.

 

[Miss Inga Depointe]

I'm sorry, but I've decided this is a new "thing" of mine. Not being able to even mention Jesus in a song at a concert is just over the top.

So those songs that slaves sang, the spirituals that helped them pass information to each other, they're "out"? You going to start censoring all the books in the library that mention Christmas and other religious holidays, cause there are alot of them. Oh, God forbid your child should happen upon Babar and Father Christmas or the Polar Express!

I'm sorry, but making it some kind of crime to mention Jesus in a work of art, and a song at a concert is just that, is censorship, and well, just petty.

 

[bicker]

Well, spend a few years as a non-Christian, and you'll be singing a different tune. Luckily, the Constitution is on our side in this case. We get dumped on most of the rest of the time.

 

[goofy's friends]

The point that would bother me is that she was asked not to say the name "Jesus" because it would offend people. What about the people that you are purposefully offending by taking the name out of a song about Him??? It would be less offensive to sing something else entirely.

PC is WAY out of control. Especially around small children. They don't understand why they can't talk about Santa, etc. a school around here went so far as to say they couldn't wear red or green on the day of Winter parties---ridiculous and kids were sent home for it---Do you think Kindergarteners understand all the reasons for this? And do we really want to have to explain it at such a young age? In our school,The kidnergartender who wasn't allowed to share a book about Noah's Ark would have been allowed to share, because it was his belief, not the teacher trying to influence the kids. This seems reasonable to me. To the other kids it would have just been a good story.

 

[JoeEpcotRocks]

The point that would bother me is that she was asked not to say the name "Jesus" because it would offend people. What about the people that you are purposefully offending by taking the name out of a song about Him??? It would be less offensive to sing something else entirely.

PC is WAY out of control. Especially around small children. They don't understand why they can't talk about Santa, etc. a school around here went so far as to say they couldn't wear red or green on the day of Winter parties---ridiculous and kids were sent home for it---Do you think Kindergarteners understand all the reasons for this? And do we really want to have to explain it at such a young age? In our school,The kidnergartender who wasn't allowed to share a book about Noah's Ark would have been allowed to share, because it was his belief, not the teacher trying to influence the kids. This seems reasonable to me. To the other kids it would have just been a good story.

ITA. Well said!

 

[Miss Inga Depointe]

Well, spend a few years as a non-Christian, and you'll be singing a different tune. Luckily, the Constitution is on our side in this case. We get dumped on most of the rest of the time.

See? There it is right there. I'm paying for the way things used to be. Really, I'm sorry that Christian society had so much control, but punishing all of us for that is just wrong and an issue I think many people need to deal with. The constitution, and I, will fight to keep prayer groups out of the classroom, but the I'd love to see the court battle in which someone fought to keep There is a balm in Gilead out a concert.

 

[SRUAlmn]

In our school,The kidnergartender who wasn't allowed to share a book about Noah's Ark would have been allowed to share, because it was his belief, not the teacher trying to influence the kids. This seems reasonable to me. To the other kids it would have just been a good story.

It was not me trying to influence the kids, it was me trying to avoid having other parents (and my principal) upset with me because a book about the bible was read to the class. I think it's just as absurd as many on here do, but unfortunately, it's my job. I still let him read the book, just not to the whole class.


ETA: I re-read your post and I think maybe you didn't mean that you thought it was me trying to influence the kids, but rather that the child could read the book without it being seen as the teacher trying to influence the kids. If so, consider yourself lucky to be in such a school

 

[JoeEpcotRocks]

Well, spend a few years as a non-Christian, and you'll be singing a different tune. Luckily, the Constitution is on our side in this case. We get dumped on most of the rest of the time.

So you agree with the teacher then??

 

[bicker]

I'm paying for the way things used to be.

We're all paying for the way it is. Once upon a time, the GOP was in favor of less government: Live and let live. Until the GOP is released from the stranglehold of the Christian fundamentalists, there will be lots of conflicts like this in our society. Until then, our society will be jerked back-and-forth between the evils of religious fanaticism and tax-and-spend liberalism.

So you agree with the teacher then??

No, not really. The teacher should just have indicated that religious songs were not appropriate for a secular venue.

 

[goofy's friends]

It was not me trying to influence the kids, it was me trying to avoid having other parents (and my principal) upset with me because a book about the bible was read to the class. I think it's just as absurd as many on here do, but unfortunately, it's my job. I still let him read the book, just not to the whole class.


ETA: I re-read your post and I think maybe you didn't mean that you thought it was me trying to influence the kids, but rather that the child could read the book without it being seen as the teacher trying to influence the kids. If so, consider yourself lucky to be in such a school

Yes, that is what I meant I do believe we are fortunate--

 

[LukenDC]

For my dd's school, they always have a spring concert. My dd was asked to sing a Gospel song (picked out by the music teacher) most of the other songs are from Fiddler on the Roof and three are Jewish songs (lots of Jewish kids in this school) Well the teacher (who by the way picked out this song for my dd) told her today to omit the word Jesus as it might offend people. She's kidding right??? My dd went nuts, as did all the other Christian kids, and now theres going to be a problem. Why is it ok to sing songs about the Jewish faith and not say Jesus in a Gospel song? I am sure tomorrow will be interesting. But very proud of dd, who is learning at a young age to stand up for what she believes in!

I'm a huge advocate of strict separation of church and state and the need to keep religion out of schools. This, however, goes too far. What harm will it cause to mention Jesus in a song that is sung as part of a concert offering multi-faith and secular music? We live in a multi-cultural society and Christians are as much a part of that society as Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, atheists, etc.

 

[Miss Inga Depointe]

I don't have to pay for anything. I'm speaking my mind now and I'll continue to do it. I'm not asking (or desiring) bible study, crosses, morning prayer, or any such thing. I'm asking that students be able to express themselves in artistic ways without being accused of proselytising. An art show can feature any expression of faith a student chooses to create. Books that have stories about people of all faiths and their spiritual lives should be available in every education.

Jesus! Jesus! Jesus! See? Its not like saying Beetlejuice 3 times! There is a balance and it's all I'm proposing.

 

[TinkInPink]

yes this is what gets me mad, you can do things about other religions as long as its not christianity. if i were hearing the gospel and she took out jesus i woul be offended. at school they can teach you about channaca (sorry i cant spell ) and kwanza but not christmas. this year in our cultural geography class we learn about the religions in the area we are studying. i feel its ok to talk about religion as long as you are fair. so if you learn jewish holidy traditions you should learn about christian ones to.