Posts by Richard Perez3

Look, let’s be real—they didn't just "get lost." They were basically invited over.
I honestly have no clue what the standard procedure is for this kind of thing.
See, if the school's policy allows for "guesting" in a class you wouldn't normally take—like an elective you aren't enrolled in—then my complaint is pretty much dead in the water. It’s not really "attending" a class at that point; it's more like dropping in on an elective.
Maybe that's how they handle things like Spanish or Computer Science. I don't know. We're just starting freshman year, so I'm still figuring out how this whole system works.

I’m not even bothering with an email.
I want to look them dead in the eye and say, out loud, that this is total bullshit and I’ll walk out on the spot if things don't change.
But then again, we're talking about a four-day work week here... does any of this even matter anymore?
Whatever, they'll probably just throw two or three small concessions my way to shut me up.

The first parent-teacher conference isn't until sophomore year.
So basically, just push it off until then.
Man, I honestly can't decide if that's a good call or not. It feels like such a long way out just to bring this up at a meeting.
I mean, the teacher can't really do anything about it anyway. I'd have to take it up with the private tutor directly, and if I'm being real, I’ve got a few other things I’d want to throw at her too.

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.

Even if he wanted to, he wouldn't go.
Honestly, thank God (no pun intended) he finally realized what's actually going on.
He just told me recently that the whole thing is total nonsense and that his best friend basically had his "brain washed by those religious studies classes."
I asked him yesterday if he gets that it’s all just fairy tales and legends—that the cartoon is really just a cartoon—and he said he knows.
He thought it was funny, like, hey, I watched the show, but that's where it ends.
Anyway, I'm filing this episode away in my memory bank so I can bring it up with certain people at exactly the right time.

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.

granitemarlin53 said:I guess it's just because only a handful of people actually make it to the summit. Maybe that's why. 😉 The statistics pretty much say it all: hardly any high schoolers are actually sitting down to tackle those massive, doorstop novels on their reading lists. I guess some kids just aren't readers, while others find the books boring, way too long, or maybe the themes just don't resonate with them at all. It’s the same story everywhere in the States, really. You see plenty of people opting for shorter, more digestible versions for that exact reason, and honestly, those versions have a pretty loyal following. At the end of the day, I think it's better if they read something at all rather than nothing.

Nah, no it isn't.
It's all or nothing.
Would you let a doctor take an Anatomy exam halfway done?
Better to do nothing than half-ass it; what a joke.
Man, give me a break with that "only a few reach the summit" crap. Maybe in a hiking club, sure.
If you've got eyes, a brain, can recognize letters, and are actually enrolled in school, then go read the damn assigned book.
And you? Stop trying to "subtly" pitch those cheap little summaries like you just happened to stumble upon them.

hiddendriver34 said:@rowdypanther12, I totally get where you're coming from, and honestly, your points make a lot of sense.

@nosorog, listening to you, it feels like you’ve got some pretty heavy biases against religion—especially Catholicism (which might just come from a fear of the unknown). Do you seriously believe that people of faith don't feel actual pride in their achievements? Or that they only follow social norms because they're terrified of hell? That they spend their whole lives living in pure dread? I honestly don't even know how to respond to that.

I really don't have the energy to keep this debate going or dive into deep theological rabbit holes. All I'll say is that nothing makes my skin crawl more than a fanatic. As much as the sight of those ultra-conservative religious types reminds me of some of the most stuffy folks you'll find in the Midwest, I can't stand militant atheists either. You know the type—the ones who act like they hold the monopoly on TRUTH and treat every believer like some clueless idiot playing with magic tricks.😁

Look, I personally know plenty of super smart, totally grounded people who aren't morons at all, yet they still believe.
But yeah, they're definitely into that superstitious stuff.
For them, it just makes certain life situations easier—helps them deal with challenges, gives them strength, or whatever.
But it's still just superstition. 🤷
I don't get why people take offense... getting worked up over the label is pointless. Mumbling prayers, clutching a rosary, using "holy" water... at the end of the day, those are just words and bits of wood or plastic. They don't magically change just because someone believes they do.
Personally, I follow my horoscope. That doesn't make it magic just because I read it.
If that makes me weird, fine, but it shouldn't be anyone else's business.
And honestly, it's not mine either.

briskbison55 said:That's the whole point, really... nobody asks if you want it or not—it's just decided for you—but religious education should be a personal choice.

I mean, seriously, an Islamic Studies Department?

😁

briskbison55 said:Wait, so what, we aren't talking about pigs in a pen here, we're talking about actual people? I mean, maybe in some dark history book about concentration camps, but seriously, having a debate at this level is just... impossible. 😉 It’s just pure intolerance, straight-up bigotry, and blatant hatred—that’s really the only way to describe how this tiny, loud minority is reacting toward one specific elective course. And what is that course even teaching? That people like *that* deserve love too. Honestly, it's just madness.

Look, if we're gonna be pedantic about definitions, you put pigs in a sty and sheep in a pen.
I still think there's some room for style and expression on this forum.

By the way, Islamic Studies?

briskbison55 said:Look, I mean... I honestly feel like there isn't much point in talking anymore once you start comparing believers to pigs. It’s that whole "us versus them" mentality I was rambling about yesterday, you know? To me, that kind of exclusion is basically the first step toward ghettoization, which is exactly how all those totalitarian regimes in history operated and continue to operate today.

I never even thought about pigs.
The "herd" was just a metaphor for the community.
Actually, you're the one who made that comparison yourself.
You're basically projecting your own assumptions onto me.

Honestly, now I'm wondering... were you thinking about the "herd" when you brought up the pigs?
That's the only way your logic connects back to what I actually wrote.

Hey, quick question for you.
You probably saw my earlier post about my friend’s kid getting sent to Islamic Studies. Apparently, it’s one of those elective classes that supposedly "doesn't interfere with home upbringing, traditions, values, or anything like that" for kids who aren't part of the faith.

It’s the exact same garbage, just different branding. It’s not Christian this time, it’s Islamic—big freaking deal.
Would you ever actually sign your kid up for something like that?

briskbison55 said:I mean, look, I’m just speaking from my own experience here... back when I was in school, we used to spend our free periods hanging out on the playground, or in the gym, or just chilling in the cafeteria without any teachers actually watching over us. So, please, don't act like I'm being thick. I really didn't hear about any teachers being assigned to supervise students during those gaps in the schedule. I asked, I got an answer, and now we move on.

Quincy:

Are you seriously trying to equate yourself with a seven-year-old? Or are you comparing a child to yourself? You're treating the school system like it's just some random street corner, applying street logic to school rules. Comparing the authority of a teacher to someone handing out flyers on a sidewalk? Equating your ability to make decisions with a seven-year-old's decision-making process—like whether or not they decide to take a flyer? Is your ability to choose what kind of meat you eat somehow the same as a seven-year-old's ability to choose their faith?

Let me try answering that with a question of my own... honestly, what is a kid even going to do with a flyer they're handed? Hide it from their parents and secretly join a religious sect? My parents always taught me to check in with them if something was bothering me; kids aren't broken or incapable of thinking.
Quincy:

Another thing, you claimed that kids who don't attend religious classes have zero contact with them. But I can give you an example that proves the exact opposite. You just give examples from the street and treat adults like it's irrelevant, acting all like "whatever, it doesn't matter." It does matter. I signed a waiver at my school stating my child wouldn't be attending. The fact is clearly documented. And yet, a month later, they subtly pushed another form at me, basically saying, "if you haven't signed this yet..." I told them, "I already signed it, they aren't participating, end of story." Then, three weeks later, they bring religious materials home anyway.

And I'm telling you, it's the same for me—they try to shove flyers in my face at every turn even though I'm not interested in stuff regarding kids in Africa or people in Canada. I don't take it personally, but you clearly do, though I honestly don't see why.

Quincy:

That is counterproductive to a discussion, counterproductive to achieving any actual dialogue, and counterproductive to reaching any understanding of different viewpoints—which is exactly what discussions are for. And if you persist with that, well, then it's just trolling. And that won't fly. 😉

Just nonsense. It’s like whenever someone's opinion isn't being respected in a debate, they immediately start throwing around the term "trolling." So, let me say it one more time: an elective subject that doesn't touch upon home upbringing, rules, customs, emotions, or anything like that doesn't belong to people who aren't part of that community. Any attempt to suppress that leads to extremism. Today it's the right of believers to have religious education, tomorrow it's the right of believers to vote—I'm exaggerating, but you know what I mean.

You're acting like that's somehow normal.
We're telling you it isn't.
The school was obligated to have staff on duty.

briskbison55 said:I mean, look, I’m just speaking from my own experience here... back when I was in school, we used to spend our free periods hanging out on the playground, or in the gym, or just chilling in the cafeteria without any teachers actually watching over us. So, please, don't act like I'm being thick. I really didn't hear about any teachers being assigned to supervise students during those gaps in the schedule. I asked, I got an answer, and now we move on.

Quincy:

Are you seriously trying to equate yourself with a seven-year-old? Or are you comparing a child to yourself? You're treating the school system like it's just some random street corner, applying street logic to school rules. Comparing the authority of a teacher to someone handing out flyers on a sidewalk? Equating your ability to make decisions with a seven-year-old's decision-making process—like whether or not they decide to take a flyer? Is your ability to choose what kind of meat you eat somehow the same as a seven-year-old's ability to choose their faith?

Let me try answering that with a question of my own... honestly, what is a kid even going to do with a flyer they're handed? Hide it from their parents and secretly join a religious sect? My parents always taught me to check in with them if something was bothering me; kids aren't broken or incapable of thinking.
Quincy:

Another thing, you claimed that kids who don't attend religious classes have zero contact with them. But I can give you an example that proves the exact opposite. You just give examples from the street and treat adults like it's irrelevant, acting all like "whatever, it doesn't matter." It does matter. I signed a waiver at my school stating my child wouldn't be attending. The fact is clearly documented. And yet, a month later, they subtly pushed another form at me, basically saying, "if you haven't signed this yet..." I told them, "I already signed it, they aren't participating, end of story." Then, three weeks later, they bring religious materials home anyway.

And I'm telling you, it's the same for me—they try to shove flyers in my face at every turn even though I'm not interested in stuff regarding kids in Africa or people in Canada. I don't take it personally, but you clearly do, though I honestly don't see why.

Quincy:

That is counterproductive to a discussion, counterproductive to achieving any actual dialogue, and counterproductive to reaching any understanding of different viewpoints—which is exactly what discussions are for. And if you persist with that, well, then it's just trolling. And that won't fly. 😉

Just nonsense. It’s like whenever someone's opinion isn't being respected in a debate, they immediately start throwing around the term "trolling." So, let me say it one more time: an elective subject that doesn't touch upon home upbringing, rules, customs, emotions, or anything like that doesn't belong to people who aren't part of that community. Any attempt to suppress that leads to extremism. Today it's the right of believers to have religious education, tomorrow it's the right of believers to vote—I'm exaggerating, but you know what I mean.

Kids fall for stupid stuff.
So do adults.
I don't want my kid coming home singing songs about Anthony.
If I wanted that, I'd enroll them in it.
Get it?
You know, nowadays you can't do anything without that famous parental "consent."
Well, I'll withhold mine.
And suddenly, consent doesn't even matter anymore.
Yeah, we can't go down that road.

briskbison55 said:I mean, look, I’m just speaking from my own experience here... back when I was in school, we used to spend our free periods hanging out on the playground, or in the gym, or just chilling in the cafeteria without any teachers actually watching over us. So, please, don't act like I'm being thick. I really didn't hear about any teachers being assigned to supervise students during those gaps in the schedule. I asked, I got an answer, and now we move on.

Quincy:

Are you seriously trying to equate yourself with a seven-year-old? Or are you comparing a child to yourself? You're treating the school system like it's just some random street corner, applying street logic to school rules. Comparing the authority of a teacher to someone handing out flyers on a sidewalk? Equating your ability to make decisions with a seven-year-old's decision-making process—like whether or not they decide to take a flyer? Is your ability to choose what kind of meat you eat somehow the same as a seven-year-old's ability to choose their faith?

Let me try answering that with a question of my own... honestly, what is a kid even going to do with a flyer they're handed? Hide it from their parents and secretly join a religious sect? My parents always taught me to check in with them if something was bothering me; kids aren't broken or incapable of thinking.
Quincy:

Another thing, you claimed that kids who don't attend religious classes have zero contact with them. But I can give you an example that proves the exact opposite. You just give examples from the street and treat adults like it's irrelevant, acting all like "whatever, it doesn't matter." It does matter. I signed a waiver at my school stating my child wouldn't be attending. The fact is clearly documented. And yet, a month later, they subtly pushed another form at me, basically saying, "if you haven't signed this yet..." I told them, "I already signed it, they aren't participating, end of story." Then, three weeks later, they bring religious materials home anyway.

And I'm telling you, it's the same for me—they try to shove flyers in my face at every turn even though I'm not interested in stuff regarding kids in Africa or people in Canada. I don't take it personally, but you clearly do, though I honestly don't see why.

Quincy:

That is counterproductive to a discussion, counterproductive to achieving any actual dialogue, and counterproductive to reaching any understanding of different viewpoints—which is exactly what discussions are for. And if you persist with that, well, then it's just trolling. And that won't fly. 😉

Just nonsense. It’s like whenever someone's opinion isn't being respected in a debate, they immediately start throwing around the term "trolling." So, let me say it one more time: an elective subject that doesn't touch upon home upbringing, rules, customs, emotions, or anything like that doesn't belong to people who aren't part of that community. Any attempt to suppress that leads to extremism. Today it's the right of believers to have religious education, tomorrow it's the right of believers to vote—I'm exaggerating, but you know what I mean.

I view handing religious materials to a seven-year-old exactly how I described I viewed it. It's a real reason—you just don't see it, but I do, you feel me?

briskbison55 said:I mean, look, I’m just speaking from my own experience here... back when I was in school, we used to spend our free periods hanging out on the playground, or in the gym, or just chilling in the cafeteria without any teachers actually watching over us. So, please, don't act like I'm being thick. I really didn't hear about any teachers being assigned to supervise students during those gaps in the schedule. I asked, I got an answer, and now we move on.

Quincy:

Are you seriously trying to equate yourself with a seven-year-old? Or are you comparing a child to yourself? You're treating the school system like it's just some random street corner, applying street logic to school rules. Comparing the authority of a teacher to someone handing out flyers on a sidewalk? Equating your ability to make decisions with a seven-year-old's decision-making process—like whether or not they decide to take a flyer? Is your ability to choose what kind of meat you eat somehow the same as a seven-year-old's ability to choose their faith?

Let me try answering that with a question of my own... honestly, what is a kid even going to do with a flyer they're handed? Hide it from their parents and secretly join a religious sect? My parents always taught me to check in with them if something was bothering me; kids aren't broken or incapable of thinking.
Quincy:

Another thing, you claimed that kids who don't attend religious classes have zero contact with them. But I can give you an example that proves the exact opposite. You just give examples from the street and treat adults like it's irrelevant, acting all like "whatever, it doesn't matter." It does matter. I signed a waiver at my school stating my child wouldn't be attending. The fact is clearly documented. And yet, a month later, they subtly pushed another form at me, basically saying, "if you haven't signed this yet..." I told them, "I already signed it, they aren't participating, end of story." Then, three weeks later, they bring religious materials home anyway.

And I'm telling you, it's the same for me—they try to shove flyers in my face at every turn even though I'm not interested in stuff regarding kids in Africa or people in Canada. I don't take it personally, but you clearly do, though I honestly don't see why.

Quincy:

That is counterproductive to a discussion, counterproductive to achieving any actual dialogue, and counterproductive to reaching any understanding of different viewpoints—which is exactly what discussions are for. And if you persist with that, well, then it's just trolling. And that won't fly. 😉

Just nonsense. It’s like whenever someone's opinion isn't being respected in a debate, they immediately start throwing around the term "trolling." So, let me say it one more time: an elective subject that doesn't touch upon home upbringing, rules, customs, emotions, or anything like that doesn't belong to people who aren't part of that community. Any attempt to suppress that leads to extremism. Today it's the right of believers to have religious education, tomorrow it's the right of believers to vote—I'm exaggerating, but you know what I mean.

But it does interfere.
They’re trying to sneak this stuff in through the back door with all these little mind games.
Look, I don't want religious materials in my house. Period.
And yeah, they're totally overstepping when it comes to how I raise my kid. My parenting style doesn't include any of this nonsense. What's next, forced prayers?
I refuse to let my child be subtly pushed into a cult.
I've already stated that clearly in writing.
And I've said it out loud twice.
How many more times do I have to say it?
Until I finally cave? Because if I do, then apparently I wasn't "overstepping," right?

briskbison55 said:I honestly don't have any clue about that stay or the people in charge of watching over the students... I’m asking sincerely because I just haven't come across anything about it. Maybe it's some newer thing? But, I guess, looking at how much time has passed, we probably aren't that far off.

So, I was out on the street today, just walking along, and someone actually handed me this flyer... it was one of those things claiming that eating meat is basically murder. Like, seriously? Do I think meat is murder? No. I mean, I don't know, if you apply that logic to anything else, it just doesn't really hold up, I guess. It’s just... yeah.

I guess I just really love these kinds of sweeping, grand statements that don't actually have any real substance behind them... you can totally see how empty they are right here in the following post.

Quincy:

Not quite. I mean, if you think about it... those first schools were around for millennia before your church-run ones even existed. I guess it's just a matter of how you look at history, but yeah, they definitely came first. I don't know, I guess I see things a bit differently... I mean, if you ask me, the Church actually ended up stalling out real progress in education and science. It’s like they threw us right back into a dark age instead of actually pulling us out of one. Maybe that's just my take, but it feels like they held everything back, you know?

What is this even based on? I mean, sure, I could probably sit here all day and rattle off data about when universities were founded around the world, or talk about how libraries work and how knowledge gets passed down through the generations... but it just feels kind of pointless, doesn't it? Especially when you have someone on the other side just declaring their own claim as if that somehow makes it an actual argument. It's just... I don't know, it doesn't really hold water, I guess.

Quincy:

I don't even see the point in addressing the rest of your rambling about Srnavka or whatever else, mostly because I haven't actually followed her work. Not that it matters, I guess. Unlike you, I actually use my brain—which means things like history, current events, and general culture aren't just total mysteries to me. I’m perfectly capable of using actual logic and what I know to form an opinion. I realize that might sound a bit abstract to some people, though.

I mean, she’s basically just spouting nonsense like that, you know? It’s never actually backed up by any real evidence or solid arguments or facts—it’s just this raw, open-ended bitterness and pure intolerance toward anything that doesn't line up with her association's bank account. And honestly, I guess that’s pretty much the main driver for all those groups that get so loud about trying to strip religious studies out of our public schools.

Unlike Christian Europe, which started with the Crusades, then moved into persecuting scientists and "witches," followed by humanitarian work (shoutout to shtefy 🤣) through the enslavement of Africa, conquering huge chunks of the globe, and ethnically cleansing indigenous peoples across both Americas, Australia, and Oceania, while forcing their religion on everyone... plus the modern era of Christian America where they carry on traditions by printing "In God We Trust" on the dollar bills while simultaneously causing millions of innocent people to suffer because of the oil industry.
You absolute damn pagan Roman. They are definitely worse than the enlightened Christians who came after them.

It’s kind of interesting, though, how that same Church actually preserved the very scientific works that people back then were being accused of heresy for. And, uh, the whole idea that the Church was responsible for the enslavement of Africa and the ethnic cleansing of the rest of the world is... well, I'm totally unfamiliar with that. Do you have some kind of connection or proof that shows the Church's actual stance on, say, the Belgian or Dutch atrocities in Africa?

👏 Screw the Greek academies, screw the rise of the Far East, screw the Middle East that was writing about stinky (Christian) Europeans while they were centuries ahead of us in every scientific field... Oh, and since we're on the subject, you know what happened to them? They twisted Christianity (ahem, Islam) and fell straight into their own Dark Ages.
Are you seriously trying to have a debate about this?

No. I just see how some people feel this need to randomly throw Greece into the equation, but I always ask them, like, which specific Greek school of philosophy are they even talking about? We could talk about the Euphrates and Tigris valleys, the cradle of civilization, or we could talk about China, which used to be way ahead of the West in everything, but why would we bring that up when we're discussing religious education in American schools? The Church and faith have seen China pass through different eras as a superpower, and then China became this communist mess where millions went hungry... times change, I guess.

If you don't know something, you sit down, listen, read up, or just ask someone who actually does. That's what we're doing here. Just because you don't have a kid facing the same issues—or even if you do, but you aren't treating it like it's your own problem—doesn't mean the person struggling doesn't have a real issue.
Playing dumb is just wrong.
It always comes back to haunt you. Maybe not when we're talking about religious studies, but when things get heavy later, you're gonna realize how much you need someone who didn't just play blind and troll while you were dealing with something serious.

We might be close in age, but seriously, are we really that far apart if you haven't heard a single word about after-school care, the teachers on duty, or the general responsibility and oversight teachers have over students? Honestly, I have to wonder.

briskbison55 said:I honestly don't have any clue about that stay or the people in charge of watching over the students... I’m asking sincerely because I just haven't come across anything about it. Maybe it's some newer thing? But, I guess, looking at how much time has passed, we probably aren't that far off.

So, I was out on the street today, just walking along, and someone actually handed me this flyer... it was one of those things claiming that eating meat is basically murder. Like, seriously? Do I think meat is murder? No. I mean, I don't know, if you apply that logic to anything else, it just doesn't really hold up, I guess. It’s just... yeah.

I guess I just really love these kinds of sweeping, grand statements that don't actually have any real substance behind them... you can totally see how empty they are right here in the following post.

Quincy:

Not quite. I mean, if you think about it... those first schools were around for millennia before your church-run ones even existed. I guess it's just a matter of how you look at history, but yeah, they definitely came first. I don't know, I guess I see things a bit differently... I mean, if you ask me, the Church actually ended up stalling out real progress in education and science. It’s like they threw us right back into a dark age instead of actually pulling us out of one. Maybe that's just my take, but it feels like they held everything back, you know?

What is this even based on? I mean, sure, I could probably sit here all day and rattle off data about when universities were founded around the world, or talk about how libraries work and how knowledge gets passed down through the generations... but it just feels kind of pointless, doesn't it? Especially when you have someone on the other side just declaring their own claim as if that somehow makes it an actual argument. It's just... I don't know, it doesn't really hold water, I guess.

Quincy:

I don't even see the point in addressing the rest of your rambling about Srnavka or whatever else, mostly because I haven't actually followed her work. Not that it matters, I guess. Unlike you, I actually use my brain—which means things like history, current events, and general culture aren't just total mysteries to me. I’m perfectly capable of using actual logic and what I know to form an opinion. I realize that might sound a bit abstract to some people, though.

I mean, she’s basically just spouting nonsense like that, you know? It’s never actually backed up by any real evidence or solid arguments or facts—it’s just this raw, open-ended bitterness and pure intolerance toward anything that doesn't line up with her association's bank account. And honestly, I guess that’s pretty much the main driver for all those groups that get so loud about trying to strip religious studies out of our public schools.

Unlike Christian Europe, which started with the Crusades, then moved into persecuting scientists and "witches," followed by humanitarian work (shoutout to shtefy 🤣) through the enslavement of Africa, conquering huge chunks of the globe, and ethnically cleansing indigenous peoples across both Americas, Australia, and Oceania, while forcing their religion on everyone... plus the modern era of Christian America where they carry on traditions by printing "In God We Trust" on the dollar bills while simultaneously causing millions of innocent people to suffer because of the oil industry.
You absolute damn pagan Roman. They are definitely worse than the enlightened Christians who came after them.

It’s kind of interesting, though, how that same Church actually preserved the very scientific works that people back then were being accused of heresy for. And, uh, the whole idea that the Church was responsible for the enslavement of Africa and the ethnic cleansing of the rest of the world is... well, I'm totally unfamiliar with that. Do you have some kind of connection or proof that shows the Church's actual stance on, say, the Belgian or Dutch atrocities in Africa?

👏 Screw the Greek academies, screw the rise of the Far East, screw the Middle East that was writing about stinky (Christian) Europeans while they were centuries ahead of us in every scientific field... Oh, and since we're on the subject, you know what happened to them? They twisted Christianity (ahem, Islam) and fell straight into their own Dark Ages.
Are you seriously trying to have a debate about this?

No. I just see how some people feel this need to randomly throw Greece into the equation, but I always ask them, like, which specific Greek school of philosophy are they even talking about? We could talk about the Euphrates and Tigris valleys, the cradle of civilization, or we could talk about China, which used to be way ahead of the West in everything, but why would we bring that up when we're discussing religious education in American schools? The Church and faith have seen China pass through different eras as a superpower, and then China became this communist mess where millions went hungry... times change, I guess.

Excuse me, but are you equating yourself with a seven-year-old, or a seven-year-old with yourself? Are you comparing school to the sidewalk? Comparing the authority of a teacher to a guy handing out flyers? Equating your decision-making power to a child's ability to decide whether to take a pamphlet? Or are you trying to say your ability to judge what meat is is somehow the same as a seven-year-old's ability to judge what faith is?

Second off, you claimed that kids who don't attend religious classes have no connection to them whatsoever.
Let me give you an example that proves the exact opposite.
You throw out a street example involving adults to act like it doesn't matter, basically saying "whatever, who cares."
It matters.
I signed a waiver at my school stating my kid wouldn't participate.
It was clearly documented.
Then, a month later, they subtly shove another form in my face, acting all coy like, "Oh, if you haven't signed yet..."
I told them, "I already signed it, they aren't going, end of story."
Three weeks later, they show up at my house with religious materials.

Seriously, that is unacceptable.
It’s sneaky, manipulative, and plays the long game.
And it's plain rude.

You can't compare that to rules on the street. You can't equate an adult to a child, nor can you equate the authority of a teacher to a random person passing out ads—especially not when you're comparing pedestrians to actual students.

This approach kills the conversation. It makes dialogue impossible and prevents any real understanding of other people's views, which is the whole point of discussing things.
And if you keep pushing this line, well, that's just trolling.
And that's not gonna fly with me. 😉

Ugh, okay, so people say kids shouldn't be exposed to religious education if they aren't actually enrolled in the class? Yeah, right. Total nonsense. My kid had direct contact with it just last week because the teacher handed out these religious workbooks to the whole class right as we were walking out the door. I'm quoting her here, she literally said she "handed them out to everyone in the room" as we were leaving.

Oh, they have contact. It’s sneaky. It's underhanded. They're finding ways to sneak it in through the back door.

Look, there weren't any gaps back then. In my day, there was never a single moment where kids were just left hanging.
Mind you, I was born in '77, so all that religious nonsense didn't really affect me—we didn't deal with that stuff in the lower grades.
Now, once you hit the upper grades, sure, nobody needs to babysit a thirteen-year-old (even if they technically should!), but here I am talking about a seven, eight, or nine-year-old.
Yeah, those are the ones you have to watch.
Watch them.
Be there for them while they're at school, because the school and the staff are responsible for them.
And they absolutely have to be looked after.

Because if they didn't have to be, we wouldn't even have after-school programs where staff are specifically there to supervise and keep an eye on the kids. If something happens to a kid while they're inside the school building, the school and the faculty are liable. They face the consequences.

So, if that's considered normal—which it totally is—then why on earth isn't it considered normal to look after a child during religion class?

briskbison55 said:I’m not really out here advocating for anything or defending anyone, honestly. I was just reacting initially because it’s an elective course, and then, I guess, I stupidly got worked up over some comments that felt more suited to some totalitarian regime rather than our system here in the 21st century. Especially when the arguments basically boil down to, "Well, I'm not religious, so why should my kids have to deal with a drafty hallway in school where it's freezing and nobody is watching them."

And I know everyone gets it, but maybe they don't want to admit it because, let's be real, being super performative about church or someone else's faith is pretty much "in" lately—even though, realistically, it doesn't actually affect anyone else at all.

It absolutely has an impact on others, don't even try to say it doesn't.
That’s just plain wrong. If someone's faith had no influence on others, we wouldn't be sitting here typing about it. Get it? Because if it didn't matter, everyone would just practice their faith just for themselves, and there'd be nothing to debate.

Second thing, let's look at this differently.
Even though, yeah, I’m being a total idiot right now by even getting into this, but whatever—I'm starving and my coworker totally screwed me over by not coming back from lunch, so let's just say this debate is keeping me occupied.
So, you aren't religious. You don't want your kid learning stuff that goes against your values, stuff you don't live by, stuff your personality rejects and your spirit defends.
And you don't want your kid left unsupervised while that happens.
You got a problem with that fact?
Setting religion aside for a second. Let's say you have a son (do you?) and you absolutely loathe the idea of him learning something that clashes with your soul, your stance, or your vibe. Say he learns... I don't know, pick something, I don't care, but let's say you don't want him learning how to crochet.
And you have every right to say he shouldn't learn to crochet.
Everyone else is doing it. Crocheting is trendy.
Your little guy is just sitting outside somewhere, completely ignored.
Would you be okay with that?
And mind you, crocheting fills you with such horror that you'd rather take a crochet needle to the testicle than send him off to do it.

Then some smart-ass or whoever pops up here trying to convince you that crocheting is what pulled the world out of the Dark Ages, because before that... before that, nobody had invented fiber. That wool doesn't exist, leather doesn't exist, synthetic fabrics don't exist, nothing exists, only thread is the real deal.

Like, seriously, give me a break.

briskbison55, you even realize, right, that with the way you're acting—which I assume you think is just being "enlightened" or whatever—you're actually doing the exact opposite of what you intend? Honestly, man, the whole vibe is just counterproductive, at least in this thread.

redridge13 said:That old guy from the neighborhood is basically illiterate, to begin with ☕

Honestly, there's no way I'd let my kid sit through religion class either
If I actually wanted them listening to all that absolute bullshit, I would've just enrolled them in a private academy

Or just dragged them out to Coachella instead

Word.
I am totally with you on this.
It actually just popped into my head—a friend of mine was telling me (our kids go to the same school, just different first grade classes) that she absolutely lost it the other day. Turns out her daughter wasn't even going to the library with the teacher like they agreed during those two hours of religious ed. Instead, the teacher just had her sit there listening to...

...Islamic studies.
🤦

My 8-year-old isn't even going.
To say I was shocked would be an understatement.
They’re heading to the local library with their teacher instead—doing stuff like drawing, meeting new people, chatting, reading, all that jazz.
Honestly? I’m more than happy with how this is playing out so far.