[Guest_GertrudeB_*]

The choice is be true to yourself (although I don't like the way you used the word 'enforcing') or compromise your beliefs for the sake of social conformity.

For me that is a no brainer.

By the way, does the child get any say in the matter or is it all about you?

No answer required to these questions except in your own head. When you have come up with answers that are valid for you, then you will know what you must do.

[mibi]

I agree with BBlessed.

I too am a Christian, but I would not want to restrict who my children can open up to, if they need someone to talk too. A chaplain's role is often to complement a counsellor - they are there for the children, to kind of act in a pastoral role.

If all the kids are going to the 3 classes that the chaplain is offering than I would not take my child out. I wouldn't want them to feel excluded. Also, if you are so strong in what you believe, then are 3 lessons really going to make much difference in your child's beliefs? It may also help your child understand what others believe and why. Also, as others have said, it may not be religious teaching, as such, maybe more ethics and virtues etc.

[Bodacious Prime]

Why don't you make an appointment with the chaplain and discuss your concerns?

[GWTW]

I'm not sure what the content is at this stage. I do know that in other SA schools they ARE religious sessions.

I do let my children know other people believe in different things as Easter and Xmas bring up these issues. I do tell my children that many people believe many different things. However, I do not tell him there is a heaven as that is not true IMO.

There are teachers and one counsellor at the school. I don't think he needs another person who is assigned to the school because of their religious views. Her has plenty of people who he can talk to about issues. I just believe that it is not right for education to be mixed with religion in public schools. It really is an attempt by religious organisations to have access to the minds of children IMO.

[silentmoose]

...I signed that same form to exclude them from one-on-one care too. However, DS5's teacher asked me last week if I would allow DS to sit in on the chaplain's sessions.

You stated your wishes about religious instruction clearly, and the teacher took it upon herself to approach you and try to change your mind?!?

How unprofessional. I'd be reporting a teacher who tried that.

The choice is be true to yourself (although I don't like the way you used the word 'enforcing') or compromise your beliefs for the sake of social conformity.

For me that is a no brainer.

Agreed.

[PaddyIrishGirl]

You stated your wishes about religious instruction clearly, and the teacher took it upon herself to approach you and try to change your mind?!?

How unprofessional. I'd be reporting a teacher who tried that.

Agreed.

Many people probably won't see it as a big deal (religious types usually) and will tell you that if your beliefs are strong enough a few hours of religious talk shouldn't worry you but if religious instruction goes against everything you believe in then you sare under no obligation whatsoever to let your child participate.

If you think he will be negatively affected by your decision to keep him out then or he's showing an interest in it then I'd possibly reconsider but make a point of explaining why you didn't want him to take part and why you don't believe in religion so he knows to take any scripture stuff with a grain of salt.

[joy07]

It can be a difficult choice. Our little ones were sent home an A4 sheet saying religious education classes start in week 4 for everyone. This didn't come with a permission note to sign. We rang the school and asked what the content will be and they said it has nothing to do with teachers or the school so to contact the religious teacher assigned to the childs year.

Now no where on our form did it give a contact number, just names of all the denominations and teacher names. I asked how to contact them and they said they don't know, it is not run by them.

Our children are in a NSW public school.

Our oldest child experienced bullying at school and we feel the "Self Esteem" classes run by religious organisers promoted bullying. He was told by many of the kids (most of the school attended these classes) that students in class had to call out what is a sin and wrong. if they got it correct it was listed on the board and they got a treat. Here is a few of the listed items:- stealing, murder, adultery, homosexuality. You get the picture.

Our son walked past one of these classes and knows the other children were telling the truth because he saw the list on one of the blackboards.

We also rang up and asked about the "Building Better Relationships and Self Esteem classes" before they started and asked one of the main teachers what they were about. They sounded great, so then I asked if there was any religious based element in the classes and she said "of course there is, the classes are based on a lot of the principles in the bible" I stated to her "you don't say that on the flyer, nowhere is religion mentioned" I also asked how teachers might respond in answer to any students asking about homosexuality and she said "well they would say that in the bible those relationships are not normal or healthy to promote, but you have to be tolerant of people who choose them".

After consultation with our son he decided he didn't want to go.

This post has been edited by joy07: 21/02/2011, 12:29 PM

[beljane]

As some of the PP's mentioned these "sessions" are more than likely info type sessions on dealing with bullying, Self-esteem, etc etc. I do admin work for one of the organisations (QLD) that go into the schools and do this (organised by the chaplins ) and there is NO bible bashing content to these and we have had nothing but positive feedback about these. We work mainly with Regional QLD but also in some metro schools and have been going back year after year to the same schools.

On the one on one thing..... None of the Chaplins I liaise with talk about religion with the kids UNLESS they are asked by a child what they beleive. They are they just as a listening ear etc.

[GDC13]

So I guess I want to know what others would do in our situation. I'm just really unsure of if enforcing our beliefs (which we shouldn't be made to do in an educational setting) is worth the possible social fallout for our family.

I wholeheartedly agree with you, although I think that chaplains present pretty balanced advice, and no Religious instruction per se.

As an aside, I'd be more concerned about your highly judgemental social circle.

[joy07]

I really do believe that in all Public Schools they should have a permission note to opt in, not opt out. Then all the children who take part leave the classroom and go to sessions or classes run by religious teachers/chaplains etc.