Rant Rant Rant, and Fanta(the drink).

[Simone]

Haven't really had time to post this (it happened a week or so ago) but I've been busy with school work, and work work.

Anyhow, there's this group of younger adults (possibly 17-26 years of age) who go around Canada to spread the word of the Lord. Seeing that I attend a Catholic High School, it just seems to make sense that this kind of whacked troupe would cross my path some day. I was thinking of all kinds of excuses, of why to skip that thing, (it lasted all day) it was either "they're going to be idiots" or, "they're going to be freaks" or even "dude, this is lame" I know, I know, I shouldn't judge them, but I was getting really pissed off for some reason the second I heard news of the visit. Anyhow, so judgment day came. Our whole grade assembled in the cafeteria, awaiting their arrival. We waited and waited, and finally saw them, they were wearing matching outfits, red shirts, and black pants, topped off with a cross on each of their necks, a bible at hand, and a rosary on their left wrists. They walk through the door, with this aura about, I know, sounds kind of weird, but I just started to boil, the second I saw them, my blood started to boil, it was either the fact that they were here to brainwash the young children of our country, or just because I have temper issues, or maybe just because I know that close to 97.9 percent of the children in my grade believe this b.s.
They had two group leaders, one, a female, the second, a male. There were six of them. Three males, and three females (that includes the group leaders). Two stood straight up, with their shoulders far, far back up against the wall, (to the left of the podium) and the two others, to the right of the podium, while the two "leaders" were introducing their cause. They divided us into six groups, I think each group had around 10 to 12 people each. Anyhow, the first thing that came out of her mouth was, "let's start off with a prayer" so she says her little prayer, and we start. A few seconds later, after saying "Amen" she says, "Please state your names, you age, your relation with God, and a bit about you." The two first said some real wacko jacko stuff, the third started crying, and there I was, the fourth. She asks my name, I replied "Simone" she then asked my age, I said "14" she then asked my relation with God. (Oh gosh) I thought to myself, I wonder what her reaction will be, although when I think back to it, I'm not quite sure why I cared. Maybe it was my human nature kicking in. Anyhow, 8 out of 10 of the people there stared at me (they clearly knew my position on that particular topic) Melissa started laughing, and Katie kept on nudging me and saying "Come on Simone, she won't bite" (sure she wouldn't). Anyhow, The lady repeated her question, how's your relationship with God? "Complicated" I responded. "Very, very, complicated". "Do you ever give straight answers?" she asked me. "Do you?" I responded rudely (Oh gosh, now I'm in trouble). I really don't know what came over me, but I was really, really angry that whole day for some reason. A few seconds later she says "Next". They ring the bell around 7 minutes later. She says "Let's finish with a prayer, hold each others hand and join in" Everybody joins hands, Melissa tries to grab my hand, and to make a point, I pull my hand back, put it in my pocket, and step out of the circle. The lady looks at me with some confused air about her (as if she doesn't know what's happening). I mean, she wasn't mean or anything, I just didn't agree with her, so I tried to keep my communication that day to a minimum, even though their talks offended me, I didn't want to offend them. Because she was really nice, she was sweet, she had a great personality, the only problem was, that she was a drone.

We go back out to the main room, and gather around the podium, they open the worshiping room, a priest walks in, and I was like: (Dude.... I don't think that I can take this much longer).

They tell us that this is the time to let everything out, our tears, our feelings, everything. (Although I later found out that they didn't mean my opinion.)

They start playing this real provocative music, it could make anyone cry, they start singing, I mean, they had the whole works going on. Kids were crying, I mean, the place could of flooded with all the drama going on there. Anyhow, the priest explains that the group leaders will be passing by everyone and saying a prayer for them by putting their hands on their shoulders and reciting a prayer aloud. And if we felt uncomfortable, then we could put our hand on our shoulder to not have one said. Nobody, and I mean nobody, put their hands on their shoulders, even the so called "atheist kids" in my class. Anyhow, when she gets to me, I thought that she would just skip me, seeing that I had my hand on my shoulder, but no, she "hovers" her hand over my shoulder, and starts saying a prayer aloud saying along these lines "Please save this poor soul, bring her back on the right track with your love and care, yada yada yada...." I get so pissed off that I pull my chair forward, I turn around, and I say calmly, "Look, I'm sorry, you really seem to be enjoying this, but I'm not, so please, remove your hand, and your prayers, because it's really making me feel uncomfortable." The vice principal gives me the "stare" and so does every adult in the room, I storm out, and right when I was about to leave the school grounds, the principal stops me, he says "Where do you think you're going?" I responded with a smirk (I managed to get on out just to piss him off) "Where sane people live" "What?" he responded "I know, the place is hard to find, but I'll find it." (So I skipped the rest of the day. Thank gosh there were only a few more hours to go) The very next Monday I get called to the office, and they tell me that I have a detention. I go back up to my class, and they see a blue slip in my hand, and of course, they know what it's for. So this guy called Kevin starts laughing at me, and says, "Dude... what happened to miss perfect?"

So I'm thinking that I should change schools or something now... Otherwise I wasted like 11 years of working on my rep for nothing. Gosh, I really don't know what happened to me that day. You see, religion really does screw everything up.

[SteveS]

For what its worth - I think you did okay.  What's one lousy detention?  I think it took courage to stick up for your view under such incredible peer pressure to conform.  You could always try to appeal the detention - just ask politely why you weren't allowed to participate even though you followed the rules?  You were clear that the prayers made you uncomfortable, and you put your hand on your shoulder signaling that you didn't want a prayer, and yet they violated their own rules and went ahead with the prayer anyway.  Then explain that leaving was the only way for you to avoid an uncomfortable situation because they had violated their own participation rules.

If they don't agree, then just give them a sarcastic smile and say the detention was a juvenile way for adults to have revenge on a student - and mention that you'll serve it with pride.

I guess if you don't occasionally run afoul of the faculty in an authoritarian institution like a school you're just not drawing any water.  I say you've done nothing wrong - you have my full support!  

Ya done good kid - don't let the man get you down.....
 :wink:

[Bella]

Go you! I would also fight the detention. Depending on your parents, all it would probably take is a phone call from one of them to bitch at the principle.

I don't know how you could stand to go to a Catholic school... how did THAT happen?

[Mister Joy]

Good on you, love I don't think you lost your temper, you kept it very well under control from the sounds of things. You just showed a bit of guts, that's all. Nowt wrong with that.

And yeah, Steve & Bella are right, you shouldn't have to put up with being given a detention just because you stood up for yourself.

[McQ]

Simone, you handled yourself well. Much better than the so-called christians who showed no respect for your beliefs.

Well done.

[ryanvc76]

I can only echo what the others here have already stated.  You did a great thing standing up for yourself and I honestly think you dealt with the situation with much more patience than I ever could.

[Simone]

I don't know how you could stand to go to a Catholic school... how did THAT happen?[/quote]


Well actually, it's my parents, since I'm still "young" I don't really have a choice. Although I don't quite mind going to a religious school, on a regular basis, I guess it's ok, because the school's a great one, it's just on the rare times I guess that it pisses me off.

Also, seeing my parents religious view point, I highly doubt that they would call the school to stand up for me, they're too taken in with it, plus the vice principal and my mother are like best friends, so it may make it a bit odd for them.... Plus, if I had told my parents what I had done, I have to face some much worst things than a detention So let's just keep them in the blue...

[Bella]

Ah, so they don't know you're an athiest?

If your mom and vice principle are best friends, I'm surprised you ended up with a detention for that. Well, then I guess you could handle it yourself... explain that you are old enough to be treated like an adult in this matter and you don't see why you should be punished for holding different beliefs... Bring up the dark ages or something if you have to, but I would be forever bitter if I spent time in detention for being an athiest... church time in my younger years was bad enough.

[Raggy]

You should set fire to the principals car. Wear a mask though, there's CCTV all over the surface of the planet these days.

[Simone]

School does not know that I am an atheist, they just think that I'm confused.

Parents know that I'm an atheist, but they like to make themselves believe that it's a phase.

Now to respond to the setting their car ablaze, that may just make things worse... Still, let's give it a try.

[Raggy]

Nah don't worry about it, God will put the blaze out.

[McQ]

Simone, as long as you stay as level-headed as you are now, you'll be fine. You seem to be able to deal with things in a really thoughtful manner. Keep on track!

[Bella]

Nah don't worry about it, God will put the blaze out.

Hahahahahahahahahahhahaha

[donkeyhoty]

possibly 17-26 years of age

The contempt I have for people of my own "generation" knows no bounds.  But, don't worry old folks, I have contempt for your generations as well.

[LSchune]

Nah don't worry about it, God will put the blaze out.

ROFLMAO.  Holy shit.

OP:  Damn, some people have all the fun   Good luck dealing with the school.