Religion in Schools

[goodgrlnteruptd]

What is the name of your state? Oregon

I am a little concerned about the reading material that has been given to my eight year old third grader. He is not allowed to pray in school, The Pledge of Allegiance has been now altered to not say "One Nation Under God", and teachers are no longer to discuss or teach any kind of subject that has to do with religion.

My child has been assigned a reading book though, that he brings home and must read every night out loud to me. This book is about witches, warlocks, ghosts and magic all of which go against our family's belief's. We do not condone witchcraft we do not partake in magic. My question is what if this book was about a priest, a nun and partaking in Communion? Or about Anti-Christ, the seven plagues and Revelations? We would be watching it on CNN or Dateline I do believe. I do not want my child reading about witches, warlocks, ghosts and magic so what can I do to change this since it is against every belief this family has and is an insult to it as well. They did not ask my permission to let my child read this and isn't this just another form of religion some call wicca?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[fairisfair]

you mean that the school is actually teaching your child to concoct potions and utter spells???

Can he fly??

 

[Shay-Pari'e]

It's a book for goodness sakes. Talk to the teacher and see if he can be given a different book, if you are that overly sensitive. My kids loved those type of books, and I certainly didn't read religion into any of them.

 

[Silverplum]

It's a book for goodness sakes. Talk to the teacher and see if he can be given a different book, if you are that overly sensitive. My kids loved those type of books, and I certainly didn't read religion into any of them.

Actually, I did read "religion" into what OP described. IMHO. And for Christians, witchcraft is prohibited in all forms -- which is probably why OP and I agree on this issue.

But do talk to the teacher and see if he can read a different book. Or send the kid to Christian school.

(edited to add: witchcraft is also prohibited for those of the Jewish faith. I was not being ecumenical or multicultural when I restricted myself to my own faith. )

 

[Shay-Pari'e]

Actually, I did read "religion" into what OP described. IMHO. And for Christians, witchcraft is prohibited in all forms -- which is probably why OP and I agree on this issue.

But do talk to the teacher and see if he can read a different book. Or send the kid to Christian school.

No Rum pudding for me today?

 

[Silverplum]

No Rum pudding for me today?

Of course you get rum pudding! It's Friday, I'm ecumenical, and I luvs ya, Shay!

 

[fairisfair]

Actually, I did read "religion" into what OP described. IMHO. And for Christians, witchcraft is prohibited in all forms -- which is probably why OP and I agree on this issue.

But do talk to the teacher and see if he can read a different book. Or send the kid to Christian school.

I take offense, I am a christian, and I am not forbidden by my religion to read anything.

 

[Silverplum]

I take offense, I am a christian, and I am not forbidden by my religion to read anything.

aaaggghhhh! Please don't take offense!
Yes, you can read whatever you want. No prohibitions on reading.

 

[Shay-Pari'e]

Of course you get rum pudding! It's Friday, I'm ecumenical, and I luvs ya, Shay!

YAH! Pudding for me.

 

[fairisfair]

it's okay. I agree, too, that parents should have some control over what their children are taught to be fact. But I disagree with the thought that "pretend" equals satanic. I grew up with alot of heros that were obviously magical, cartoonlike, or could fly, animals that could talk, people with superhuman strength, I think I was able to distinguish what was real from fantasy and I am sure that today's children are capable of doing the same.

I doubt seriously that the schools intent is to turn anyone wiccan. But instead probably chose a book that would capture the attention of the children.

Remember Pippi Longstocking? I don't think she was evil, but she was certainly magical.

 

[Silverplum]

it's okay. I agree, too, that parents should have some control over what their children are taught to be fact. But I disagree with the thought that "pretend" equals satanic. I grew up with alot of heros that were obviously magical, cartoonlike, or could fly, animals that could talk, people with superhuman strength, I think I was able to distinguish what was real from fantasy and I am sure that today's children are capable of doing the same.

I doubt seriously that the schools intent is to turn anyone wiccan. But instead probably chose a book that would capture the attention of the children.

Remember Pippi Longstocking? I don't think she was evil, but she was certainly magical.

Narnia! And it didn't faze me in the least, religion-wise. Of course, the series was written by one of the world's greatest Christian apologists.

I agree with you, Fair. But I can see where OP is coming from, especially if she and her family are particularly observant.

 

[notsmartmark]

There is a lot of info on the ed.gov website regarding students rights in school settings. This is archived, but it is very informative:
http://www.ed.gov/Speeches/04-1995/prayer.html

Or:
http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/religionandschools/prayer_guidance.html
The plain English language starts about half way down.

Or:
http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/religionandschools/letter_20030207.html

 

[Ozark_Sophist]

The book is probably Harry Potter. I was raised Catholic (at least until I was old enough to make my own decisions about my faith), and my brother was a Jesuit. It's interesting that the Catholic Church is so opposed to the Harry Potter series but supports Lord of the Rings. I prefer Potter over Rings anyday.

 

[Shay-Pari'e]

it's okay. I agree, too, that parents should have some control over what their children are taught to be fact. But I disagree with the thought that "pretend" equals satanic. I grew up with alot of heros that were obviously magical, cartoonlike, or could fly, animals that could talk, people with superhuman strength, I think I was able to distinguish what was real from fantasy and I am sure that today's children are capable of doing the same.

I doubt seriously that the schools intent is to turn anyone wiccan. But instead probably chose a book that would capture the attention of the children.

Remember Pippi Longstocking? I don't think she was evil, but she was certainly magical.

I do, I do! I have not heard that name since me and my four sisters watched every one of her movies in the front row!

 

[Shay-Pari'e]

Narnia! And it didn't faze me in the least, religion-wise. Of course, the series was written by one of the world's greatest Christian apologists.

I agree with you, Fair. But I can see where OP is coming from, especially if she and her family are particularly observant.

Honestly, you should look at her posting history.