Is this about religion/values, or is it about control?

Amneris · 09-14-2012, 02:58 PM

Stock letter asks school to warn when sensitive subjects arise - thestar.com

Quote:

A number of conservative Christian and Muslim parents — unusual political
allies — suddenly are asking schools across the GTA to notify them when their
child’s class will discuss topics ranging from homosexuality and birth control
to wizardry, evolution and “environmental worship,” so they can withhold their
child from classes that contradict their religious beliefs.

And...

Quote:

They are giving schools the same five-page “Traditional Values Letter” used by a Greek Orthodox father
who has sued the Hamilton school board for refusing to warn him when his
children’s teachers plan to talk about family, marriage or human sexuality.
Hamilton dentist Dr. Steve Tourloukis said Monday he only wants those issues
taught to his Grade 1 daughter and Grade 4 son “from a Christian perspective.”

Check out the letter linked in the article.

My thoughts are: is this really about religion and values, or is it about control, ie. people fearing that they may lose control of their children if they are exposed to alternate values and ways of life? Does learning about the way others live (putting aside the fact that some of these kids may themselves be gay etc.) really threaten your own values, if you are secure in them? Why not just do a good job teaching and conveying what you want to at home and then trust the teachers to do their job, raising concerns with them if you have them, and trust your child to be able to process information and make their own decisions?

What do you guys think?

Nej · 09-14-2012, 03:10 PM

I'm going with fear and control. If and when I have children I would love to expose them to beliefs outside my own. What a great platform for conversation. I believe that the more I try to control them and what they think/feel to more I risk losing a relationship with them should they branch out on their own.

But then again I don't view these things being discussed above as evil or bad. If I found out my kid was wanting to explore the KKK or homophobia I would probably react the same way as parents who view evolution and sexuality as evil or bad for risk of getting 'sucked in'.

Multitextured · 09-14-2012, 03:34 PM

If this is a public school, these issues should not be presented from a Christian, or ANY religious perspective. In addition to being illegal to do so, presenting material from a specific ideological point of view deprives kids of the opportunity for debate and critical thinking.

I certainly respect parents' desire to instill values in their children, and to protect them from material that is frightening or not age-appropriate. When I was in school, parents were informed when videos containing sensitive material were going to be shown, and they could choose to pull their kids from class during that time. I think part of the issue here is determining what constitutes "sensitive material." This may be an unpopular thing to say, but evolution does not, in my book, qualify as a sensitive topic in an academic setting. Neither, for that matter, does human sexuality, as long as it is addressed in an age-appropriate manner. Parents should be responsible for helping their kids process this information, but if they want total control over the curriculum and course content, perhaps they should home school or consider private or religious school.

Just my 2 cents...

legends · 09-14-2012, 03:44 PM

It's all about control. The Texas gop recently made a statement about how critical thinking shouldn't be taught in schools because it would make children question their parents. This is the same kind of thing.

Those parents need to send their kids to religious schools or homeschool. They sent get to dictate what public schools teach.

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Nej · 09-14-2012, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by legends

It's all about control. The Texas gop recently made a statement about how critical thinking shouldn't be taught in schools because it would make children question their parents. This is the same kind of thing.

Those parents need to send their kids to religious schools or homeschool. They sent get to dictate what public schools teach.

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Wow. Critical thinking is the only way to move forward and get passed all the awfulness in the world. That frightens me more than my children not agreeing with me.

If nothing else i hope my children learn to think critically from me.

Amneris · 09-14-2012, 03:55 PM

In their letter, they state that they interpret the Bible and their faith to mean that Christians should participate in public institutions, including public schools (with which I agree.)

Also, to play devil's advocate, homeschooling is not an option for all families, nor is private school. Ontario has a Catholic school system, but not all religions/denominations have their own schools, and some private schools that might accommodate a family are unaffordable for that family.

As I said, I do think the parents are being too controlling, but are they not also part of the diversity to be respected by public schools?

The parents are forgetting that their children may also influence others. IN religious school, I learned a lot from my friends of other faiths and think that that understanding has benefitted me in life.

legends · 09-14-2012, 04:08 PM

All opinions aren't equal, so no, religious people do not get to influence public school in that way.

I went to catholic school from prek through hs, and because most of those schools were made up of students who's parents wanted to avoided the lousy public school system, there was a huge diversity of religions. Somehow, the Muslim, Hindu, protestant etc kids all managed to hold onto the beliefs they learned at home, in spite of theology classes and regular Mass attendance. It's not that serious...those pparents needs to get a grip.
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Amneris · 09-14-2012, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by legends

All opinions aren't equal, so no, religious people do not get to influence public school in that way.

I went to catholic school from prek through hs, and because most of those schools were made up of students who's parents wanted to avoided the lousy public school system, there was a huge diversity of religions. Somehow, the Muslim, Hindu, protestant etc kids all managed to hold onto the beliefs they learned at home, in spite of theology classes and regular Mass attendance. It's not that serious...those pparents needs to get a grip.
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Yeah, that was my experience too, legends, and the learning went both ways.

spiderlashes5000 · 09-14-2012, 10:38 PM

Wizardry? WIZARDRY??

redcelticcurls · 09-14-2012, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spiderlashes5000

Wizardry? WIZARDRY??

Remember all of the hoopla about how Harry Potter was Satanic because it was about witches and wizards, even though HP was inspired by Christianity? Same thing.

spiderlashes5000 · 09-14-2012, 10:56 PM

HP was inspired by Christianity?

(I have to say, I've avoided HP...bc I thought it was satanic LOL)

redcelticcurls · 09-14-2012, 11:04 PM

Yeah. JKR said she never talked about her religious views because people would figure out the whole plotline. Harry is essentially a Christ figure. An Orthodox Christian caught on waaay back, but it was easier to buy into the stereotype of Satanic and occult influence.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/141430...dir_mdp_mobile

spiderlashes5000 · 09-14-2012, 11:11 PM

What's the other magical book series also based on Christianity? The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe? Narnia?

My little boy LOVES HP...so maybe now I don't have to be so pissed off about it. LOL

redcelticcurls · 09-14-2012, 11:15 PM

Chronicles of Narnia. C.S. Lewis. He was much more obvious about it. I still have my childhood set, though it's missing one.

You could pick up the book I linked. I enjoyed the ideas, and I think he was pretty spot on. It doesn't take away my enjoyment of HP since I'm a non-Christian. It just adds more info. It might give you info if you want to talk about it with your son.

spiderlashes5000 · 09-14-2012, 11:17 PM

Cool. Thnx

redcelticcurls · 09-14-2012, 11:19 PM

I think the HP sub thread ties in well. Things that seem sensitive and inappropriate can be good learning tools when the full context is taken in.

spiderlashes5000 · 09-14-2012, 11:28 PM

He's only 4...he just wants me to buy him little glasses and an owl. And he's always waving a plastic drinking straw (his wand) at his sister.

But maybe I can turn this obsession into something constructive.

redcelticcurls · 09-14-2012, 11:36 PM

Awwww. That's cute! I don't know why I thought he was 8!

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Quote:

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Amneris · 09-15-2012, 08:35 AM

HEY!!!! No derailing my thread with Harry Potter!

Just kidding. I never had any interest in HP just because it seemed stupid and I prefer realistic books. Then my son got into it somehow (his friends?) and someone gave him one of those Scholastic abridged versions of the Philosopher's Stone and we read it together, and it was way better than I expected and now I sort of want to read the books! (shame) I can see why conservative Christians would have issues with it, though. Lots of supernatural beings and magic powers. There is the "good triumphs over evil" Christian metaphor like in Star Wars, though.