Aw, crud.

[Booko]

Again, it's not a question of exposure; I'm not trying to sheild him from religion. If it's just a question of religious make up, then, again, why not ask the parents? Or why not ask "What's your religion," rather than "Do you believe in God?" I don't know...

Better yet, "Does your family practice any particular religion, and if so, which one?"

 

[Booko]

I think you give most Americans too much credit. I don't think most kindergarten teachers would even think to ask "What's your religion" rather than "Do you believe in God". I'm not saying we shouldn't try to raise awareness, but...

Well, I wouldn't dream of speaking about most Kindergarten teachers, but the one my kids had they sang Christmas carols in class. And I don't mean Jingle Bells...I mean stuff with "Jesus my Lord and Saviour" in it.

As a Baha'i I didn't have a problem with that, but the next year when my neighbor's son had that teacher we went to the principal, because they're Jewish and that would be a *huge* issue for them. We didn't have any difficulty talking to the principal about it. And we didn't want to get on the teacher's case either...she was an older lady who, um, didn't get around in circumstances that would cause her to think that was a problem for anyone. Someone just needed to explain to her that it was an issue, and it was better if the principal just quietly addressed it, which he did.

 

[YmirGF]

My son told me that his teacher was asking the children in his class if they believe in god. I don't want to be nagging atheist mom, but this is out of line. It's not even that I want to shelter him from all notions of god, I don't, but this is a public school! It's MY job to discuss religion with him, not theirs. How would you deal with this? I don't want to cause any bad feelings, and I certainly don't want them to start treating my son any differently.

I agree that this is way out of line especially given the age of the kids involved. I don't believe such questions have a place in school. Kids can be mean little critters and it could centre out kids who do not believe (or have even thought about it much) to those who do believe in "god".

Frankly, I would ask the child how the question came up. The context is important. If the teacher is religious or heaven forbid, evangelical, this could be the start of something that is definitely unwanted by you, the child's guardian and should not be undertaken without your express approval.

SO, the first question is, "How did it come up in class?"

Better yet, "Does your family practice any particular religion, and if so, which one?"

To me, Sharon, even that is an invasion of privacy. What is the point of addressing subjects like this with very young children?
I don't believe that the school, represented by the teacher, should be able to ask a question that an employer cannot ask the parent. (In Canada, at least. It's on the forbidden questions list here.)

 

[Booko]

To me, Sharon, even that is an invasion of privacy. What is the point of addressing subjects like this with very young children?
I don't believe that the school, represented by the teacher, should be able to ask a question that an employer cannot ask the parent. (In Canada, at least. It's on the forbidden questions list here.)

Yes, it wasn't until later it clicked we were talking about kindergarten. That's way way too early to even ask that question. I don't see the point.

 

[Somkid]

As a philosophy teacher I have to tell my students at one time or another most people consider the possibility of a god because.... but it has nothing to do with "god" per se. My students being mostly Thai Buddhists laugh it off. Now on another note my 6 year old came home from school and told us she was going to hell because she wasn't a Christian according to her music teacher (yes, that's right I said music teacher) and I promptly removed her from the school at the end of the semester, let them know in no uncertain terms that I doth protest and would make sure anyone that asked me about that school would get an ear full. Now I send my child to a Buddhist school I figure at least they tell you to figure it out for yourself.

 

[Aupmanyav]

My family (wife and grown up children) are theist hindus and I am an atheist. If they did not find it by themselves, what is the use of telling them anything. Let them be. I am not an evagelical atheist.

 

[oldcajun]

My son told me that his teacher was asking the children in his class if they believe in god. I don't want to be nagging atheist mom, but this is out of line. It's not even that I want to shelter him from all notions of god, I don't, but this is a public school! It's MY job to discuss religion with him, not theirs. How would you deal with this? I don't want to cause any bad feelings, and I certainly don't want them to start treating my son any differently.

As a Christian, I would be worried too. Is this teacher an atheist trying to convert my child to atheism. Is she a muslim or some other religious affiliation wanting to influence my child? In today's society, we need to know what our children are being taught in school.

Go to the school board and ask questions and complain.

 

[blackout]

I don't know. The question seems inappropriate, though. They're kindergarteners. Why not ask the parents? Or why does it matter at all?

Hah! they're kindergarteners for pete's sake.
What does a 5 year old know about "belief" or "God/god" (concepts)

They should ask the kids if their PARENTS "believe" in god.

I can only IMAGINE what my kids might say!?!! LOLOL!