I’m a Survivor…
I survived the processing of 350 sixth graders through Ellis Island. It turned out to be pretty fun, even if the weather didn’t cooperate. I had kids who took their “identities” pretty seriously, wearing raggedy clothes if they were poor, wearing hats or knickers to look like they were from their homeland. Some had brought baby dolls to represent their character’s children. One thing struck me, though. A student of mine had the identity of a priest and he wanted to know if it was okay to bring in a Bible as a prop. He was worried about getting in trouble.
Now how sad is that?? I told him it wasn’t a weapon and the Constitution protected freedom of religion–bring it on. Had he asked to bring in a copy of the Koran or another religious book, I would have said the same thing.
What does that say about our schools when the students who do want to say a prayer or say the words “under God” during the pledge feel threatened? I think they should feel free to do so, just as those who are uncomfortable about religion in schools should not feel pressured to participate in anything of that nature.
I used to teach in a Catholic school, and I found the morning prayer time to be calming. Students were allowed to voice their concerns and their fears freely and have the support of their classmates during tough times. It was a bonding experience. In the state of Virginia, we have a mandated moment of silence. Do you know what happens during that time? Students are straightening their notebooks, copying homework assignments, and in general, ignoring the purpose.
What are your thoughts about prayer in schools?
Michelle posted in Writing @ 7:43 pm | Viewed 1374 times
Melissa Marsh Says:
What a fascinating and wonderful way to teach history! I applaud you for doing that, Michelle. That experience will truly stay in those children’s memories the rest of their lives.
Prayer in schools…hmm, a delicate question. I think that those children who do want to say a prayer should be allowed to do so. IMO, their freedom of religion and freedom of speech is being trampled, too.
Kelly Says:
I think you were right to tell him he could use the bible. As for prayer in schools, I don’t think it should be there simply because it’s nearly impossible to cover the wide spectrum of religions, not to mention those who do not believe or adhere to any religion. It becomes too exclusionary. I think the place for religion is the church or the home.
Peggy Says:
I’m for prayer and God and Christmas and, yes, Halloween. A very hot subject with me. We live in the Western civilization where Christianity has always been the number one religion. My kids attended a school for years in a small town where one church or “cult” in town make a huge ruckus with the school about celebrating any of the holidays. No Christmas, no birthdays, no Easter, no Halloween. There was never a Christmas play depicting Jesus or Mary or even a scene of the birth hanging on the walls. At Halloween, I sent the children’s book “The Old Devil Wind” with my youngest to be read by the teacher. Teacher sent it back and told me she couldn’t read it because of the word “devil”. Someone had a poem, I don’t remember who, that asked God why he didn’t save all those students who have been killed at school over the years. His answer? Sorry, I’m not allowed in schools.
Sharon Says:
Oy! Don’t get me started. Honestly, if people don’t have something to piss and moan over, they aren’t fulfilled in life.
If your beliefs are firm then I fail to see how someone praying at school, bringing a Bible etc is going to shake the foundations of your core beliefs.
So an Atheist goes to school and witnesses someone praying to God. Ok does it send the atheist into therapy? Is their entire psyche crushed? Will they be scarred for life? Or make them a perpetual victim of those mean ole people who pray.
I’m all for doing whatever makes your boat float, but as my American History teacher used to say, your rights only extend as far as when they infringe on MINE.
If you’re offended, get over it, and I’m not just talking about prayer, I’m referring to all the little hot buttons in society where someone starts whining because they’re “offended”
There’s no law that says you can’t be offended, and besides, you have completely control over whether you are offended or not.
There is a LOT of talk about tolerance in this country, but I find it interesting that there are such attitudes of INTOLERANCE when it comes to God, prayer etc.
Why are religious people supposed to be tolerant of the mainstream, broad spectrum etc but conversely, the first time a non religious person hears the word Jesus in public, they run screeching to an ACLU lawyer. Hello? Tolerance anyone?
Christina Says:
I agree. I think this political correctness has gone entirely too far. Everyone is afraid to offend someone else. I’m not condoning the way things were a few decades ago, but at least we could still say “Christmas” or a quick Hail Mary before a test and not send society into a tizzy. (Hmm, I wonder what the sports world is considering changing that desperation football play to.) For crying out loud, they’re changing the words to Christmas carols and hymns at church to be PC. “Him” and “He” are being changed simply to “God”…which STILL offends people.
I think I responded to a post somewhere, perhaps even Michelle’s on dotmoms, that if my child wants to say a quick prayer before a test or before eating, then it’s my child’s prerogative. Freedom of Religion and Freedom of Expression. HELLOO! Didn’t our ancestors (see, “forefathers” might have offended someone) come to this country to get away from sovereign rule, to get away from the government telling them which church they could believe in and that if they didn’t believe in a church at all, that they were evil and should be punsihed?
If Joe wants to believe in God, Kelly in Buddha, Sam in Yaweh, Steve in Darwin, Peggy in no one, Achmed in Alah, then so be it.
If my neighbor doesn’t celebrate Halloween or Christmas then, that’s fine, that’s his right. Mine, however, is to believe in what I chose. As long as we respect each other’s rights instead of being careful not to step on someone’s toes and maybe cause some hurt feelings, I think everything will be just fine.
Come ON people…this is the 21st Century.http://michellewillingham.com/blog/wp-images/smilies/icon_banghead.gif
Rene Says:
I’m not really keen on a set aside time for prayer in schools. My kids go to a school where there are Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus and a bunch of other religions, somebody is going to get their beliefs stepped on. However, I think it is fine to have a classroom open before school starts where likeminded kids could gather.
I see nothing wrong with bringing a religous text to school and does seem ridiculous that your student would have to ask the question. As long as it isn’t a weapon or pornography, I don’t see the problem. My kids’ school explores all the religious holidays. Usually a mom does latkes for Hannukah, somebody does something for Kwaanza, someone talks about Ramadan and of course Christmas. They aren’t supposed to wear costumes for Halloween, but the kids do anyway, no one gets sent home.
Christina Says:
As an added side note, and an addition to Rene’s comment:
My children go to a Catholic school. There are children who attend there because of where they live: ie: they would have to go to school in a poor school, bad neighborhood, etc, so they come in to our village to go to a safe school and/or to get the religion. Many are not even Catholic. Many are of mixed faiths.
My 13 yr old daughter has a friend whose mother is catholic and father is muslim. They teach their children both religions and are very open minded. My daughter’s friend was observing Ramadan. The really great thing here is that the group of friends gathered together and fasted with her - to support her and to show that they have open minds to each other’s religions and beliefs and cultures.
THAT is what diversity is. THAT is what “Correctness is”. They didn’t have to do that, and they weren’t afraid that they would offend their friend if they didn’t help her to observe her day. They did it out of support and respect and understanding.
If only the rest of the world would grasp onto that concept.
Suzanne Says:
It doesn’t surprise me at all the middle schoolers would use the moment of silence for anything but introspection, LOL.
Danica Says:
You know, the whole prayer in schools debate drives me insane. The whole separation of church and state thing wasn’t to prevent people from say, praying in school, but to prevent the state from having its own state church. Think Church of England here.
I don’t think we should force people to pray, but what’s wrong with giving that option for people who so choose? Just because a person chooses to express their own personal faith doesn’t mean the people around them have to do it.
I could go on, but I won’t.
(former constitutional law junkie here)
Michelle Says:
Great discussion, ladies.
I think, for me, it’s just bothersome when other people’s freedoms are threatened. I’m a big believer in respect, and that goes across the board for everyone.