Religion classes in school - Megathread

Yeah, I’ve got some right here on this thread.

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Back when my kid was in first grade, there were maybe three or four times where they actually had religious studies on the schedule. Every single time it happened, we made it very clear to the school administration that it just wasn't something we were okay with. Then, in second grade, it didn't happen even once. Now that they're in third grade, I'm just crossing my fingers that it gets scheduled as either the very first period or the last one of the day—that way, they can either sleep in a little longer or just get home earlier...

Susan James said:Well, the goal isn't to upset him,
but rather to have him experience something positive during religion class so he actually asks his parents to sign him up! 😉

I get what they were trying to pull, I really do. I’m just saying, the bigger deal is that my kid actually caught on.
(Knowing my daughter, she’d probably spend the next ten days grilling me about which animals didn't make it onto Noah's Ark.)

She was already coming home from preschool talking about heaven, hell, sin, and all that stuff. Then at night, right before bed—total anxiety.

But honestly, it’s not even the teacher's fault. Now that it's been a while since communion season, these little kids just pass along everything they hear from their older siblings.

And what am I supposed to do? I tried explaining to her that believing in God is kind of like believing in Santa Claus. I've told her from day one that Santa isn't real, but her mom insists he is. At the end of the day, the kid just wants the presents. 😛

Richard Perez3 said:Honestly, I’m kind of tempted to just go scorched earth and cause a massive scene.
On the flip side, there's only four working days left until this whole thing is over.
I can't tell if even bothering to react right now is worth the energy.
Actually, it just hit me—next school year, when I'm filling out those famous parental consent forms, I might just hand-write a note explicitly banning any audio, video, or printed materials with religious themes.

Someone else didn't bother before, so you shouldn't start now; just let it go.☕

@Richard Perez3

Don't start making a scene now, not three days before the finish line.

But you definitely better bring it up in September.

Richard Perez3 said:The kids were hanging out in the library with the librarian, who basically had nowhere else to be since her entire job is being stuck in that building.
The only way things change is if she’s gone, then the teacher steps in.
Honestly, it blows my mind that neither one was actually there, which is why they supposedly went "visiting" elsewhere.
Something feels seriously off about this. It doesn't just smell fishy; if I were running things, I'd cut ties immediately because this looks like nothing more than propaganda to brainwash the kids for next year.

I mean this without any intention of being offensive, but have you perhaps considered talking to a therapist? This starts to feel a bit paranoid.

I truly don't mean to insult you, but this is right up there with those people who see the FBI behind every single shadow.

If religious education isn't something you're comfortable with for your child, just opt them out; go to the teacher and explain that it conflicts with your beliefs and your parenting style, and it's all settled.

I am entirely in favor of having religious studies in schools, though I do believe it shouldn't be scheduled during the first or last period, but is it really fair to force a student to participate in something their parents have explicitly asked them to avoid?

Keith Miller30 said:I mean this without any intention of being offensive, but have you perhaps considered talking to a therapist? This starts to feel a bit paranoid.

I truly don't mean to insult you, but this is right up there with those people who see the FBI behind every single shadow.

If religious education isn't something you're comfortable with for your child, just opt them out; go to the teacher and explain that it conflicts with your beliefs and your parenting style, and it's all settled.

I am entirely in favor of having religious studies in schools, though I do believe it shouldn't be scheduled during the first or last period, but is it really fair to force a student to participate in something their parents have explicitly asked them to avoid?

I'm totally with you on that. Honestly, just send me to the graveyard shift—it'll probably go better than my attempts at learning Spanish. ☕

Keith Miller30 said:I mean this without any intention of being offensive, but have you perhaps considered talking to a therapist? This starts to feel a bit paranoid.

I truly don't mean to insult you, but this is right up there with those people who see the FBI behind every single shadow.

If religious education isn't something you're comfortable with for your child, just opt them out; go to the teacher and explain that it conflicts with your beliefs and your parenting style, and it's all settled.

I am entirely in favor of having religious studies in schools, though I do believe it shouldn't be scheduled during the first or last period, but is it really fair to force a student to participate in something their parents have explicitly asked them to avoid?

Maybe I am. And how does that change anything? Like what you clearly didn't read, this isn't my first time dealing with this kind of crap, and it obviously won't be my last, though I wish it wasn't. So, Mr. Friendly, what would you suggest after finding out everything's already been done, yet you're still being 'invited over' specifically because of the things they're supposedly against?

I might need a shrink for plenty of other reasons, but honestly, not for this one.

Sarah Hall53 said:I'm totally with you on that. Honestly, just send me to the graveyard shift—it'll probably go better than my attempts at learning Spanish. ☕

Actually, I think it should just be treated like any other subject and scheduled for first, second, or third period. But honestly, it doesn't really matter; I have no desire to get into a heated debate over this, especially since nobody seems to care what anyone thinks—religious studies will remain part of the school curriculum regardless.

I was simply noting that what was mentioned above strikes me as somewhat psychologically unsound, and I say that with complete sincerity and absolutely no intention of being offensive.

Richard Perez3 said:Maybe I am. And how does that change anything? Like what you clearly didn't read, this isn't my first time dealing with this kind of crap, and it obviously won't be my last, though I wish it wasn't. So, Mr. Friendly, what would you suggest after finding out everything's already been done, yet you're still being 'invited over' specifically because of the things they're supposedly against?

I might need a shrink for plenty of other reasons, but honestly, not for this one.

Look, I can see you're upset with me, and please believe that wasn't my intention. Since I haven't read through the entire thread, I don't know what your previous experiences have been like, but from where I'm sitting, this whole situation just doesn't seem right.

In any case, you really have to stand your ground; there is simply no reason for them to be calling your kid out for religious studies if you are so explicitly against it. You might need to threaten to take the matter to the local news or even pull the child from the school entirely.

I mean, why would I even complain about someone bringing up mental health? Honestly, it was a pretty constructive point and actually helps with figuring out how to deal with all these idiots we're fighting. God help us. But hey, now that you’ve finally caught up to my line of thinking—that nobody here actually knows what they're doing—why don't you try being rational for once? Give me a practical way to handle this mess that won't just end in some clinical diagnosis, but actually gives me the answer I'm looking for.

Richard Perez3 said:I mean, why would I even complain about someone bringing up mental health? Honestly, it was a pretty constructive point and actually helps with figuring out how to deal with all these idiots we're fighting. God help us. But hey, now that you’ve finally caught up to my line of thinking—that nobody here actually knows what they're doing—why don't you try being rational for once? Give me a practical way to handle this mess that won't just end in some clinical diagnosis, but actually gives me the answer I'm looking for.

I mean, I told you, you threatened to pull the kid out of school. Was that your big move? How did the other parents react to that visit? Were they just as blindsided as you were?

Look, it’s absolutely insane to be getting threatened with a ban. I’m apparently the one under investigation here because I dared to call out someone for ignoring what I want, while this person—who’s out here threatening to go to the press and get people kicked off—is suddenly playing doctor? They’re throwing diagnoses at me after just two posts without having any clue what’s actually going on.

I couldn't care less about other parents and their little drama sagas. What I actually care about is whether or not I can actually enforce my rights and how I'm gonna do it.

Richard Perez3 said:Look, man, you’re more than welcome to suspect this was all a staged operation; there's no shame in that. For instance, I personally doubt your posts were intended to be malicious—they probably weren't. But what can you do? Doubt is a natural reaction, regardless of what the actual facts turn out to be.

See? That's how the logic flows.

Alright, so when we consider things like the leaked transcripts or the media coverage, even just empty threats from them don't really sit right with me. Instead, I find myself looking for that specific feminine touch, especially considering his timing. I might not necessarily act on it, but I certainly feel entitled to discuss it, don't I?

I'm heading out to grab some small pink pills now; I'm running late. 😵

😉

Well, if it isn't the scenario I just described, then what alternative would you suggest?

Richard Perez3 said:And here we go again with the same old routine.
Yesterday, they dragged everyone into religion class under the guise of being "guests" just to watch some cartoon about us.
The propaganda machine is clearly working overtime, setting the bait for next year.

What a joke. 👎
"God wiped out all the children and animals because they were disobedient, and God is love... and the Bible is a wonderful book of true events." 🙂

The clergy in America really can get away with anything since the public just stays quiet and plays along, especially with that treaty with Vatican City cemented "forever."
They'll even sabotage curriculum reforms just to maintain their grip on kids' minds.

***


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Magic_of_Reality

Imagine if they invited the religious kids into science class "as guests" to watch this movie on evolution. 🙂
There would be a massive national scandal and opak osmjeh would be hauled onto the nightly news to explain it to everyone. 😂

I mean, that’s why I’ve got you guys—all you smart, decent people 🙂 someone’s bound to give me some inspiration eventually. Maybe even you, but honestly, not until this therapy actually starts kicking in. 😁

Keith Miller30 said:Actually, I think it should just be treated like any other subject and scheduled for first, second, or third period. But honestly, it doesn't really matter; I have no desire to get into a heated debate over this, especially since nobody seems to care what anyone thinks—religious studies will remain part of the school curriculum regardless.

I was simply noting that what was mentioned above strikes me as somewhat psychologically unsound, and I say that with complete sincerity and absolutely no intention of being offensive.

It’d be pretty great if computer science and my German class were also scheduled during those times, rather than just being stuck in the afternoon session.
I guess all animals are created equal, right? ☕

Keith Miller30 said:Actually, I think it should just be treated like any other subject and scheduled for first, second, or third period. But honestly, it doesn't really matter; I have no desire to get into a heated debate over this, especially since nobody seems to care what anyone thinks—religious studies will remain part of the school curriculum regardless.

I was simply noting that what was mentioned above strikes me as somewhat psychologically unsound, and I say that with complete sincerity and absolutely no intention of being offensive.

I don't have an issue with school kids and religious studies—I’m probably a bit of an outlier on that subject myself—but just a quick reminder for Disney: religious education is still... Election season. The subject matter itself should probably be placed at either the beginning or the end of the schedule, or perhaps just slotted into a different shift like everyone else. Elective courses..

I suppose the debate over where to send kids who aren't enrolled in religious studies will eventually settle down on its own. It’s only a matter of time before that whole headache clears up.
Parents will probably figure out whether their kids are heading into school late that day or showing up early. Or maybe they’re just opting into some other elective course.

Chloe Martinez7 said:I don't have an issue with school kids and religious studies—I’m probably a bit of an outlier on that subject myself—but just a quick reminder for Disney: religious education is still... Election season. The subject matter itself should probably be placed at either the beginning or the end of the schedule, or perhaps just slotted into a different shift like everyone else. Elective courses..

I suppose the debate over where to send kids who aren't enrolled in religious studies will eventually settle down on its own. It’s only a matter of time before that whole headache clears up.
Parents will probably figure out whether their kids are heading into school late that day or showing up early. Or maybe they’re just opting into some other elective course.

Religious studies isn't actually an elective; it’s more like a "mandatory requirement for those who choose it." It explicitly shouldn't be placed within the daily schedule in a different position than any other mandatory subject. That is how it is written in the agreements through which the USA transfers its sovereignty to the capital.

It’s actually explicitly stated—and this applies to things like second languages or computer science too—in what I believe is the state education code (I really don't feel like digging through legal documents right now to find the exact statute, sorry!): once an elective is chosen, it becomes mandatory for those students. All that means is that if you pick it, you're expected to show up, do the work, and get graded on it. It’s basically just a way to ensure these classes are ranked higher than things like the debate club, choir, or even some of those casual hobby groups where you don't have to show up regularly, don't need to excuse absences, can drop out whenever you feel like it mid-semester, and don't even end up on the official transcript or receive grades.