You are totally justified, look at the outcry there has been over the last few months in schools regarding the headscarfs.
I went to a R.C school but I am not catholic.
I chose to take part in the services but not the religious side of things and was never forced into it.
This "teacher" was out of line forcing her/his beliefs onto a child who is entering the age where they are able to decide what they do and do not believe in.
I would speak to the head and kick up as big as fuss as possible or this will only occur in other schools if this is a supply teacher.
I honestly believe that in mixed culture schools that the assemblies etc should be more relaxed and open and the R.E an optional subject for all ages.
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Religious Intolerance
Quote by
Am I justified?
Yes
Have I blown this out of all proportion?
No
Or should this be pursued to a conclusion that will ensure that no child has to endure this kind of discrimination at this teacher's hands again?
Personally I would have re-acted in the same way... No-one be they teacher, parent, government official, law enforcer etc has the right to make you pray.... It is not a legal requirement and therefore the teacher in question was out of order....
Shireen
xxx
,
Replying as a mum (so a kind of teacher ;) ) i had a similar experience with my son.
He is at a Catholic school and decided he didn't want to do his first communion. He wasnt alone in his choice as a few Muslim children are in his year. I discussed his choice at length with the Head as this sort of thing never goes down well and she assured me that they would not make a big deal of it...
The first day the class had instruction of the communion, my son and his 2 Muslim friends were sent out to the yard to pick up litter.
Well, you can imagine the response that got from me! I wanted to put the horrible cow through a window..but calmly explained that it was not right to treat children like that because of the choices they make. After that the 3 absconders got extra art tuition during the communion instruction ;)
Personally I will always back my children (especially against narrow-minded bigots) but you also have to consider your position. No child wants to feel different and as parents we have a right to support them in their choices. I don't think you have blown it out of proportion..maybe a quiet word with the teacher concerned would be sufficient?
Good luck with this one hun where your children are concerned rational thoughts can go out of the window
Minx xx
Replying as a mum (so a kind of teacher ;) ) i had a similar experience with my son.
He is at a Catholic school and decided he didn't want to do his first communion. He wasnt alone in his choice as a few Muslim children are in his year. I discussed his choice at length with the Head as this sort of thing never goes down well and she assured me that they would not make a big deal of it...
The first day the class had instruction of the communion, my son and his 2 Muslim friends were sent out to the yard to pick up litter.
Well, you can imagine the response that got from me! I wanted to put the horrible cow through a window..but calmly explained that it was not right to treat children like that because of the choices they make. After that the 3 absconders got extra art tuition during the communion instruction ;)
Personally I will always back my children (especially against narrow-minded bigots) but you also have to consider your position. No child wants to feel different and as parents we have a right to support them in their choices. I don't think you have blown it out of proportion..maybe a quiet word with the teacher concerned would be sufficient?
Good luck with this one hun where your children are concerned rational thoughts can go out of the window
Minx xx
Hi
Can you just clariffy (maybe you have and i have missed it) what you mean by "segregated", what did the teacher do to your son?Give me the details and ill comment as an atheist, a parent and an ex teacher at 3 roman catholic schools.
Seconsly, why do you specificaly mention "violece towards women" rather than violence in general?
Can you just clariffy (maybe you have and i have missed it) what you mean by "segregated", what did the teacher do to your son?Give me the details and ill comment as an atheist, a parent and an ex teacher at 3 roman catholic schools.
Seconsly, why do you specificaly mention "violece towards women" rather than violence in general?
Quote by BiWelshMinx
,
Replying as a mum (so a kind of teacher ;) ) i had a similar experience with my son.
He is at a Catholic school and decided he didn't want to do his first communion. He wasnt alone in his choice as a few Muslim children are in his year. I discussed his choice at length with the Head as this sort of thing never goes down well and she assured me that they would not make a big deal of it...
The first day the class had instruction of the communion, my son and his 2 Muslim friends were sent out to the yard to pick up litter.
Well, you can imagine the response that got from me! I wanted to put the horrible cow through a window..but calmly explained that it was not right to treat children like that because of the choices they make. After that the 3 absconders got extra art tuition during the communion instruction ;)
Personally I will always back my children (especially against narrow-minded bigots) but you also have to consider your position. No child wants to feel different and as parents we have a right to support them in their choices. I don't think you have blown it out of proportion..maybe a quiet word with the teacher concerned would be sufficient?
Good luck with this one hun where your children are concerned rational thoughts can go out of the window
Minx xx
"extra art tuition" !!!!! mpow that is postively child cruelth, if i had been him i would much ave preffered picking up litter!!!
Sex God
De. Sade, the school should have a policy regarding collective worship and you should be able to see it. If they haven't, they need to have ready a very good explanation. As a parent, you can ask that your child does not take part in collective worship but if you haven't specifically said that, then your son will be expected to 'toe the line', as it were.
I have seen teachers try to make children adopt the 'pose' for praying, with and without success. They usually make themselves look daft. I don't, and never would, make any child 'pray' if he/she doesn't want to; I don't do it, so how can I make them do it?
If you've asked for him not to join in collective worship then he should be allowed to stay out of the room. He shouldn't be penalised for it though. The supply teacher may not have been acting in a manner sympathetic with the school policy and the school needs to take up this matter with the agency which sent him/her. At the very least, that teacher should be appraised of how to deal with this in future and I'd insist on an apology if I were you.
Sorry to hear about your son's treatment and I wish him well for his SATs (I hate them too).
I have seen teachers try to make children adopt the 'pose' for praying, with and without success. They usually make themselves look daft. I don't, and never would, make any child 'pray' if he/she doesn't want to; I don't do it, so how can I make them do it?
If you've asked for him not to join in collective worship then he should be allowed to stay out of the room. He shouldn't be penalised for it though. The supply teacher may not have been acting in a manner sympathetic with the school policy and the school needs to take up this matter with the agency which sent him/her. At the very least, that teacher should be appraised of how to deal with this in future and I'd insist on an apology if I were you.
Sorry to hear about your son's treatment and I wish him well for his SATs (I hate them too).
my personal opinion is that religious education should be left to the parents / guardians of the child/ren. and in no circumstances should a child made made to feel inferior or wrong for having a different belief to his/her peers (or non-belief) I would have gone balistic too de-sade.
:love:
:love:
Sex God
Peenut he said that in his first post on the thread.
Quote by Jas-Tim
Have to say I bloody hate religious intolerance - even more so since Timmy was subjected to it recently.
Some things get so ingrained though
Stick to your guns and make a formal complaint.
Jas
XXX
Well, if he WILL insist on walking around looking like Jesus, what does he expect?
Venusxxx
Quote by VenusnMars
Have to say I bloody hate religious intolerance - even more so since Timmy was subjected to it recently.
Some things get so ingrained though
Stick to your guns and make a formal complaint.
Jas
XXX
Well, if he WILL insist on walking around looking like Jesus, what does he expect?
Venusxxx
:rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao:It could be worse, he could look like Judas :P
Jas
XXX
Sex God
Quote by Sexysteph
Copy a letter of complaint to the teacher concerned; their agency, the head and the chair of Governors. Make it very clear you deem this unacceptable and contrary to an reasonable school and education policy currently in existance.
The supply teacher should be made to apologise to your child in front of you.
If the school choose not to take action then copy the director of Education in on the letter as well.
Good luck honey and the best of luck to your son for his SATs.
Steph:D
I agree with Step here except in one point, the supply teacher should be made to apologise to your son in front of the whole school, and should no longer be able to teach at the school again.
John
Quote by Horous
Copy a letter of complaint to the teacher concerned; their agency, the head and the chair of Governors. Make it very clear you deem this unacceptable and contrary to an reasonable school and education policy currently in existance.
The supply teacher should be made to apologise to your child in front of you.
If the school choose not to take action then copy the director of Education in on the letter as well.
Good luck honey and the best of luck to your son for his SATs.
Steph
I agree with Step here except in one point, the supply teacher should be made to apologise to your son in front of the whole school, and should no longer be able to teach at the school again.
John
That's a little harsh IMO. The teacher in question should be taught respect atheism as a belief instead of assuming the kid was 'playing up'. The other kids were backed up by their differing religions, and multi-cultural awareness allows for this. It's time this was extended to non-belief granted, but destroying a person's job in the process is not contructive.
Venusxxx
Sex God
Quote by VenusnMars
Copy a letter of complaint to the teacher concerned; their agency, the head and the chair of Governors. Make it very clear you deem this unacceptable and contrary to an reasonable school and education policy currently in existance.
The supply teacher should be made to apologise to your child in front of you.
If the school choose not to take action then copy the director of Education in on the letter as well.
Good luck honey and the best of luck to your son for his SATs.
Steph
I agree with Step here except in one point, the supply teacher should be made to apologise to your son in front of the whole school, and should no longer be able to teach at the school again.
John
That's a little harsh IMO. The teacher in question should be taught respect atheism as a belief instead of assuming the kid was 'playing up'. The other kids were backed up by their differing religions, and multi-cultural awareness allows for this. It's time this was extended to non-belief granted, but destroying a person's job in the process is not contructive.
Venusxxx
If that teacher's beliefs don't fit with those of the school and they are going to enforce their own in such a manner, they are being unprofessional and shouldn't be allowed to work at that school. However, that doesn't mean that they should be excluded from working in all schools, as there will be others where their beliefs fit. Supply teachers can and do work at more than one school.
Sex God
Exactly FB, my feelings as well, especially at a time where an 11 year old is going through such a stressful time. SATS and moving to a new school in September.
John
John
Quote by freckledbird
If that teacher's beliefs don't fit with those of the school and they are going to enforce their own in such a manner, they are being unprofessional and shouldn't be allowed to work at that school. However, that doesn't mean that they should be excluded from working in all schools, as there will be others where their beliefs fit. Supply teachers can and do work at more than one school.
I agree that if the teacher makes a habit of it, but a reprimand should be in order before someone has to face losing their current job.
Venusxxx
Sex God
Quote by VenusnMars
If that teacher's beliefs don't fit with those of the school and they are going to enforce their own in such a manner, they are being unprofessional and shouldn't be allowed to work at that school. However, that doesn't mean that they should be excluded from working in all schools, as there will be others where their beliefs fit. Supply teachers can and do work at more than one school.
I agree that if the teacher makes a habit of it, but a reprimand should be in order before someone has to face losing their current job.
Venusxxx
I doubt the teacher would lose their job anyway; if it's a supply, they will work at other schools and will most likely only have been there for the day.
Losing a job over this is way to harsh and any employer who took things that far would be in for a bad time at an industrial tribunal. Nor is their any need to publically shame the teacher (not that it would be an acceptable thing to do under employment law anyway) as it is a private matter between the teacher, the headteacher, the parent and the child.
So saying, De Sade, you reacted in all the right ways as far as I see it. Do take it up with the school and get a decent apology. However, for your son's future benefit it might also be worth having a talk to him about the benfits of keeping his head down and not rocking the boat in all situations. For instance, he might well find himself visiting a friend's home, or perhaps travelling abroad, where he would be expected to go along with someone's religious practices simply out of courtesy. I went to schools that pushed the prayer angle on occassion so I tended to just adopt the position and think about anything other than prayers. Easy option, but there was nothing to be gained by standing up for my agnostic beliefs either. But non-denominational schools are not the place for pushing any kind or religion as far as I am concerned.
H
So saying, De Sade, you reacted in all the right ways as far as I see it. Do take it up with the school and get a decent apology. However, for your son's future benefit it might also be worth having a talk to him about the benfits of keeping his head down and not rocking the boat in all situations. For instance, he might well find himself visiting a friend's home, or perhaps travelling abroad, where he would be expected to go along with someone's religious practices simply out of courtesy. I went to schools that pushed the prayer angle on occassion so I tended to just adopt the position and think about anything other than prayers. Easy option, but there was nothing to be gained by standing up for my agnostic beliefs either. But non-denominational schools are not the place for pushing any kind or religion as far as I am concerned.
H
This thread is exactly why I can't stand Christian Fundamentalists. I don't know if that teacher was one or not, but imposing your own views on children and singling them out because they don't agree or follow that is very wrong.
They shouldn't be sacked as some suggest, but taught tolerance like others have suggested. I'm completely behind you in agreeing that you should kick up a fuss about it, but if it was old news then is it best to drag it up again?
They shouldn't be sacked as some suggest, but taught tolerance like others have suggested. I'm completely behind you in agreeing that you should kick up a fuss about it, but if it was old news then is it best to drag it up again?
To be perfectly honest i'm unsure as to why you have this up as a post. You have decided already to kick up a fuss about it, and really we are serving no other purpose than to flame your fire.
I'm not saying that your fire should or shouldn't be flaming. I'm not saying that you don't have the right to be angry. All i'm suggesting is that perhaps without all of the facts no-one is in any position to really give a open view point.
Talk to the teacher. Air your views in a calm manner and see what the response is. You'll know what actually happened, you'll feel it, and how the whole scenario came about. Only then will you ACTUALLY BE in a position to know of your next steps, or course of action, which might also be, that you meet with the teacher and discuss it, and no further action is either deemed necessary or appropriate.
All i'm really saying is that, you are incredibly upset and angry at the moment without being in a position of knowing all of the facts for yourself. It might be that when you have the facts that you will be angry, but i can't see how it serves of any value to anyone, least of all yourself, to be emotionally charged without the full script.
I'm not trying to be argumentative, nor am i trying to upset anyone, nor am i belittling the whole episode, i'm just trying to give another perspective.
Lots of love, hugs and kisses
Little
XXX
I'm not saying that your fire should or shouldn't be flaming. I'm not saying that you don't have the right to be angry. All i'm suggesting is that perhaps without all of the facts no-one is in any position to really give a open view point.
Talk to the teacher. Air your views in a calm manner and see what the response is. You'll know what actually happened, you'll feel it, and how the whole scenario came about. Only then will you ACTUALLY BE in a position to know of your next steps, or course of action, which might also be, that you meet with the teacher and discuss it, and no further action is either deemed necessary or appropriate.
All i'm really saying is that, you are incredibly upset and angry at the moment without being in a position of knowing all of the facts for yourself. It might be that when you have the facts that you will be angry, but i can't see how it serves of any value to anyone, least of all yourself, to be emotionally charged without the full script.
I'm not trying to be argumentative, nor am i trying to upset anyone, nor am i belittling the whole episode, i'm just trying to give another perspective.
Lots of love, hugs and kisses
Little
XXX
Sexpert
Personally I don't have anytime for religion,but I do respect those that do and as long as they don't try and ram their views down my thoat then live and let live.
Im a bit late replying but..................................................
I agree wit you that the incident should not have happened, and that your child should have been dealt with in a different manner. Personally i would never insist that a child prays (in fact i would never lead pryers in school, but that is a different story) and certainly sending him out of class is very harsh.
However, i think the teacher in question probably so it as a control issue. Supply teachers are often given a very hard time by pupils who try to undermine their control. The teacher probably felt that if s/he didnt establish who was in control at this stage they would have lost it forever with that particular classand maybee the whold school. Through in his/her own religious views and it was a receipe fo dissaster.
So, yes its a good idea to go and she the head privately and insist that this does not happen if your son is genuine and adameant that he does not believe in parying you might feel able to support him by putting in writting to the school your wish that he does not take part in religious indoctrination (ooohhhpppsss sorry i mean religious worship)?
I agree wit you that the incident should not have happened, and that your child should have been dealt with in a different manner. Personally i would never insist that a child prays (in fact i would never lead pryers in school, but that is a different story) and certainly sending him out of class is very harsh.
However, i think the teacher in question probably so it as a control issue. Supply teachers are often given a very hard time by pupils who try to undermine their control. The teacher probably felt that if s/he didnt establish who was in control at this stage they would have lost it forever with that particular classand maybee the whold school. Through in his/her own religious views and it was a receipe fo dissaster.
So, yes its a good idea to go and she the head privately and insist that this does not happen if your son is genuine and adameant that he does not believe in parying you might feel able to support him by putting in writting to the school your wish that he does not take part in religious indoctrination (ooohhhpppsss sorry i mean religious worship)?
Good luck to your son with his SATS,
Good luck with your meeting with the head.
The choice of not praying is as significant and valid as who to pray to.
If your child has been singled out for this reason, the issue needs to be addressed.
A person wiser beyond her years once compared religion to football: "We all know the rules and what it's all about, it's just that some of us prefer one team to the others"
Amen to Man City
Good luck with your meeting with the head.
The choice of not praying is as significant and valid as who to pray to.
If your child has been singled out for this reason, the issue needs to be addressed.
A person wiser beyond her years once compared religion to football: "We all know the rules and what it's all about, it's just that some of us prefer one team to the others"
Amen to Man City
Quote by pb4u
Personally I don't have anytime for religion,but I do respect those that do and as long as they don't try and ram their views down my thoat then live and let live.
I always smile at comments like this would you respect someone who was a Nazi
Of course not. To me there is not a lot of difference between the Nazis and most major religions all a bunch of murdering scum :x 