Religion in school.

[Kevin]

This is for religion in school, but I am really directing this at my high school... Just putting that out there.

I am, I feel, extremely consciouss of when something that refers to religion is said/being said in school. I just naturally am.
And lately, I have been noticing more of this stuff.
I had a teacher say something about when God put us on this Earth, something something something I forgot I didn't pay too much attention to what she said after that.

We had a few minute class discussion while we were taking notes in APUSH talking about Transcendentalists and someone brought up "Moment of silence" and how she was mad when this kid died about 2 years ago and we didn't have one, and how they bothered the principle until they did have one, and how she didn't know why... (I know why, but didn't feel like getting into it)

This Christian kid that sits next to me in one of my classes, somehow we got into a talk about religion (Me and him) and when I told him I was not a Christian, the kid beside him was like "You're not a Christian? Go live in a hole". (He claims he was joking around...)

There are 2 Christian clubs in our school, 1 was added this year.

There is a Christian poster on the FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) board outside a teacher's class that says, "Questions? Turn To GOD"

I have heard teachers say stuff like "As God as my witness" or "Thank GOD", stuff like that.

In my Geometry class, there is a "10 Commandments of Math" (Which I think should be taken down)

I don't know why for this, but almost, and I am not lieing, almost EVERY song we do in Singers is a religious, Christian song..

Those are just some examples of stuff in my school, and others throughout other schools. I highly believe this should all be taken down. Now, in my APUSH class, I am glad my teacher didn't start talking religion when we started to talk about the "Moment of silence", even though I do wish I got into it so the girl knew why they didn't do one..
Religion really SHOULD be kept secular from school. During a concert a small group inside our choral program has, we were doing a thing at a church before school started in that county, and when they brought up someone who believes Christianity and religion should be in school, they clapped for them... WOW.
I am amazed at this. Me, being of the religious faith I am (Agnostic, and anti-religion), I feel uncomftorable in these situations when stuff like this comes up. It is HARD or me not to talk back or argue with what people say, the only reason I don't is because I know teachers and students will think differently of me, but I am starting to, sometimes. But school's should be kept 100% secular. Like I have posted, if I do end up making an Agnostic/Atheist club in school, that will be a step towards something.

I really don't like our society when it comes to religion. If only I had more chances to argue, and wouldn't get in trouble in school... (It's against the rules to talk religion, even students, during class, I think) I would. It would be awesome. Especially because the way I talk, people think I am Atheist because I completely tear up their religion, but like I tell them: I am not denying your god, just simply your religion.

[Sophus]

I would not recommend "tearing up" someones religion. You'll never win a debate with a religious person that way. If you don't speak kindly and as though you are in a conversation rather a nasty debate it will only strengthen their faith since you're perceived to be such an evil antagonist. They are bewildered and baffled when they see an atheist or agnostic who lives a life full of love more so than their own and their spiritual peers combined. What they don't realize is God hinders love with pride and prejudice. Demonstrate this, as acts speak louder than words, and only then might they see the light. I think a good number of them really want to love and know that is the aim of their religion.

Religion... you should learn to deal with it, especially Christianity. It's everywhere. It has survived for so long you'll never be able to destroy it. Try not to be offended by it or dwell on it since it is truly not worth it. But it is a shame equal rights do not seem to be given to atheists.

[curiosityandthecat]

This is just my area. Here's what you do:

• Record everything (by that I mean keep records, not video or something).
• Take pictures of posters, get copies of song lists from your choir (with lyrics).
• Write down when teachers say things like that (along with the context, time and date, and who else was in the classroom).
• Keep records of every slander, insult or "joke" (as you mentioned) that is directed at you because of your non-belief.
• Do this for a couple months, and then take it to the principal.
• Inform her that if she doesn't take measures, you will take it to the school board.
• Let the principal know that she is the only one you have mentioned this too, and you wish to stay anonymous. That way, if it gets out to anyone else, you know the principal didn't respect your wishes, and can use that against them if it comes to that (discrimination).
• Bring up the ACLU. Litigation is not something public schools want to deal with ever, much less right now during the economic crunch.

If you need help, like court cases and scholarly articles that support you, let me know. I've got tons.

[Sophus]

This is just my area. Here's what you do:

• Record everything (by that I mean keep records, not video or something).
• Take pictures of posters, get copies of song lists from your choir (with lyrics).
• Write down when teachers say things like that (along with the context, time and date, and who else was in the classroom).
• Keep records of every slander, insult or "joke" (as you mentioned) that is directed at you because of your non-belief.
• Do this for a couple months, and then take it to the principal.
• Inform her that if she doesn't take measures, you will take it to the school board.
• Let the principal know that she is the only one you have mentioned this too, and you wish to stay anonymous. That way, if it gets out to anyone else, you know the principal didn't respect your wishes, and can use that against them if it comes to that (discrimination).
• Bring up the ACLU. Litigation is not something public schools want to deal with ever, much less right now during the economic crunch.

If you need help, like court cases and scholarly articles that support you, let me know. I've got tons.

A lot of work for a lot of nothing. Winning is not letting them get to you.

[curiosityandthecat]

A lot of work for a lot of nothing. Winning is not letting them get to you.

Actually, winning is letting them know that it's not their right to get to you.

Replace the Christian privilege with race or gender, and nobody seems second guess it. The fact that it's religion doesn't make it any less discriminatory or intolerant.

[Sophus]

A lot of work for a lot of nothing. Winning is not letting them get to you.

Actually, winning is letting them know that it's not their right to get to you.

Replace the Christian privilege with race or gender, and nobody seems second guess it. The fact that it's religion doesn't make it any less discriminatory or intolerant.

No because in the process of doing so you let them get to you. Which even judging from what you said is the misfortune we are trying to prevent. So why not just skip that step and be strong enough to not let them get to you in the first place? If you become annoyed by them thus focusing negative energy toward them in your life then you're giving them exactly what they wanted meaning they win. And if they win you lose.    But if you care more about hating them than loving yourself then your way makes sense.

[Tom62]

It has nothing to do with winning or losing, it is all about not letting them get under your skin. For that reason I fully agree with Sophus.

[curiosityandthecat]

No because in the process of doing so you let them get to you. Which even judging from what you said is what we are trying to prevent. So why not just skip that step and be strong enough to not let them get to you in the first place? If you become annoyed by them then you're giving them exactly what they wanted meaning they win. And if they win you lose.    But if you care more about hating them than loving yourself then your way makes sense.

I see your point, but I have to disagree. I don't think taking action against discrimination is letting them "get to you." It's more about standing up for what you believe (not to mention your constitutional rights). I'm not annoyed by Christian privilege; I'm disappointed by the fact that it goes unnoticed. It's not about hating them, it's about condemning their actions. Like I said earlier, if it was a school in which they sported racist posters or sang racist songs or the White kids openly made racist jokes, wouldn't it be appropriate for a Black student to do something? Would that be letting the racist, White kids win?

[Kevin]

I would not recommend "tearing up" someones religion. You'll never win a debate with a religious person that way. If you don't speak kindly and as though you are in a conversation rather a nasty debate it will only strengthen their faith since you're perceived to be such an evil antagonist. They are bewildered and baffled when they see an atheist or agnostic who lives a life full of love more so than their own and their spiritual peers combined. What they don't realize is God hinders love with pride and prejudice. Demonstrate this, as acts speak louder than words, and only then might they see the light. I think a good number of them really want to love and know that is the aim of their religion.

Religion... you should learn to deal with it, especially Christianity. It's everywhere. It has survived for so long you'll never be able to destroy it. Try not to be offended by it or dwell on it since it is truly not worth it. But it is a shame equal rights do not seem to be given to atheists.

I do not necessarily mean "tear up".
What happened is this:
He was asking questions about what I believed in. I explained to him why I think religion is just a tool and how it is.
He had a blank look on his face, had a nervous laugh, and completely changed from what I was just talking about to something about sins.
"Tear up" is just something I use sometimes.

[Sophus]

I see your point, but I have to disagree. I don't think taking action against discrimination is letting them "get to you." It's more about standing up for what you believe (not to mention your constitutional rights). I'm not annoyed by Christian privilege; I'm disappointed by the fact that it goes unnoticed. It's not about hating them, it's about condemning their actions. Like I said earlier, if it was a school in which they sported racist posters or sang racist songs or the White kids openly made racist jokes, wouldn't it be appropriate for a Black student to do something? Would that be letting the racist, White kids win?

Ah yes, touché! Then I suppose it is a matter of where to cross the line. To me when something seems within reach, like banning racism then absolutely I would protest. Although I have found that it is easier to persuade that such things like racism are wrong, where as religion is often taken to extremes by the religious and rarely are compromises made that conflict with that religion. Like I said, religion is something that will never go away so I see no sense in exhausting myself fighting it. But, yes, it is a matter of the offense. However this situation seems much less like a vile discrimination toward atheism as it does the slightly obtrusive promotion of Christianity on the part of a select few individuals. They feel the need to defend their beliefs just as we do ours. Only my opinion though...

[Kevin]

Ah yes, touché! Then I suppose it is a matter of where to cross the line. To me when something seems within reach, like banning racism then absolutely I would protest. Although I have found that it is easier to persuade that such things like racism are wrong, where as religion is often taken to extremes by the religious and rarely are compromises made that conflict with that religion. Like I said, religion is something that will never go away so I see no sense in exhausting myself fighting it. But, yes, it is a matter of the offense. However this situation seems much less like a vile discrimination toward atheism as it does the slightly obtrusive promotion of Christianity on the part of a select few individuals. They feel the need to defend their beliefs just as we do ours. Only my opinion though...

Yes, religion will never go away. But I guess, to add to the off-subject analogy, neither will racism. It is more about, like he said, standing up for your beliefs. But since the minority of people are racist, those things will not happen in a school, especially with laws against it. But the overwhelming majority of people being of Christianity, in America, the laws against them will not go through easy. It's about getting people to realize that not every American believes in what they do, and just because they think that their religion is correct, they do not need to have it in our schools, where students, like me, go to learn, not to be "preached" to (lack of a word since I'm in a rush). I am not saying take it out completely and teach against a deity, I am saying take it out and let people think on their own instead of having a 1 religion influence on their still-growing brains and minds.