Religious schools for the non-religious

[BadKarma]

I went to an all boy catholic high school. Did very well, religion class is an easy boost to your GPA, was the captain of the hockey team, etc. The only downside is that there was no pussy.

[hey]

Follow up question, what is a polite way for me to ask about how much religious involvement there is in the curriculum without sounding rude. In my head just flat out asking feels like it would be rude. I don't want to put down their religion but at the same time I would like to know more about how my son will be taught there. (Obviously this won't come up until he is older and in actual preschool)

Just ask. if they can't handle being questioned like that, then avoid the place.

[Indeed]

Yeah, there's nothing rude about asking exactly what goes on in the curriculum. Simply asking how much of the instruction directly addresses the teaching of religious ideals is something I think even religious parents would ask. I'm sure they are no strangers to nonbelievers attending.

[Kaylia]

Encourage them to think critically and don't stifle them in one direction or the other.

^
Pretty much

This neutrality is very important because if he feel pressured in one direction, he is most likely going to react with typical defensive mechanism rather than develop his critical thinking.

If the school/daycare's theology and scope aren't aligned with your beliefs, don't send your kid there. It's really very simple. Kids are incredibly absorbent sponges.

They are "absorbent sponges", but it's not until they are older they start using that information, and by then, they should be able to differentiate the good from the bad.


I wouldn't go with something completely different from your beliefs (school controlled by religious extremist), but i'm not too worried about that in america.

[Sera]

tbh depending on what the price difference is, for an early childhood i'd go montessori or waldorf. they teach kids to think critically and explore. they also include the arts and foreign language, which is stupidly important at that age and so many people forget

[archibaldcrane]

Also remember, for many pre-schools and such (especially here in LA) the school is interviewing the parents as much as vice-versa. Some schools may turn you away if you don't have a christian household, for example.

[Siatdiat]

^
Pretty much

This neutrality is very important because if he feel pressured in one direction, he is most likely going to react with typical defensive mechanism rather than develop his critical thinking.




They are "absorbent sponges", but it's not until they are older they start using that information, and by then, they should be able to differentiate the good from the bad.


Of course, I wouldn't go with something completely different (any kind of extremist), but i'm not too worried about that in america.

Why aren't you worried about that in america? I'm not sure what that is from your sentence though.

[Kaylia]

Why aren't you worried about that in america? I'm not sure what that is from your sentence though.

Religious extremists (people who incites to violence, hatred, or could cause any damages) aren't common place. There might be a few nutcase somewhere, but that risk exist in any schools.

I mean, what do you have to worry about your average religious person? That he will ask your kid to a sing a song about Jesus?

[Ragnus]

I grew up in a Catholic house and went to a Catholic school from preschool to eighth grade and a Jesuit school for high school. Same thing as my sister. Right now I'm agnostic, and she is still somewhat Catholic.

Best thing I can say is that your child will either but into it or not. My bullshit detectors starting going off around age 16 and I only got confirmed because my mom was making a giant deal offer it. Hell, I don't service think it counted because I didn't say once word of the confirmation with one ounce of sincerity.

The Jesuits were cool with not participating in religious things, but you still had to attend everything and take religion classes every year.

[Greatguardian]

Religious extremists (people who incites to violence, hatred, or could cause any damages) aren't common place. There might be a few nutcase somewhere, but that risk exist in any schools.

I mean, what do you have to worry about your average religious person? That he will ask your kid to a sing a song about Jesus?

The biggest risk doesn't really come from adults. Children like to take things in terms of absolutes. Any child under the age of 15 can be just as much of a nutcase as any adult with far less effort, and far more dangerous on a personal level.

As long as the school teaches fundamental critical thinking skills and tolerance of others at all ages, it should be fine. If it forgoes either of these things, it's just as dangerous as a whackjob-factory even if they don't have indoctrination sessions. The lack of reasoning and tolerance is just as poignant as the inclusion of ignorance and intolerance.

[Jaybar]

I had a good laugh recently with a friend's brother. He currently teaches fundamental logic courses to 7th and 8th graders at a Christian private school. I was dying from the irony and he knew exactly what I meant. I'm pretty sure it was a Catholic school. At least they're trying!

[Kaylia]

I grew up in a Catholic house and went to a Catholic school from preschool to eighth grade and a Jesuit school for high school. Same thing as my sister. Right now I'm agnostic, and she is still somewhat Catholic.

This is the biggest source of influences for kids. If parents encourage them, and they are supported by the community , then yeah...most will only see one possible choice, or will emotionally be attached to it.

I had a good laugh recently with a friend's brother. He currently teaches fundamental logic courses to 7th and 8th graders at a Christian private school. I was dying from the irony and he knew exactly what I meant. I'm pretty sure it was a Catholic school. At least they're trying!

Common mistake, but logic and religion aren't mutually exclusive. There is no irony here other than you seeing irony when there is none.

[Kerberoz]

Common mistake, but logic and religion aren't mutually exclusive.

lol

[BaneTheBrawler]

ibt religion debate/bash/circlejerk 30 page threadnaught

[Kaylia]

lol

I wouldn't expect people who haven't done mathematics and/or sciences to understand anyway.

[Nevex]

Keeping in mind that there is absolutely nothing wrong about being religious, if a child is easily "brainwashed" then it's his/her own fault for being weak-willed.

No amount of religious talk will ever change one's beliefes and opinions if they're strong-willed people.

[Kaylia]

Keeping in mind that there is absolutely nothing wrong about being religious, if a child is easily "brainwashed" then it's his/her own fault for being weak-willed.

No amount of religious talk will ever change one's beliefes and opinions if they're strong-willed people.

Nature versus nurture.


Education, environment, and social context will have a big impact on the kid's development and how "strong willed" he is. Not everyone is equally smart, but it's not like you can't influence the environment in which your kid is going to grow up.

[hey]

Keeping in mind that there is absolutely nothing wrong about being religious, if a child is easily "brainwashed" then it's his/her own fault for being weak-willed.

No amount of religious talk will ever change one's beliefes and opinions if they're strong-willed people.

It's incredibly trivial to brainwash ANY child. Young children will basically believe anything you tell them.

[ronin sparthos]

Keeping in mind that there is absolutely nothing wrong about being religious, if a child is easily "brainwashed" then it's his/her own fault for being weak-willed.

No amount of religious talk will ever change one's beliefes and opinions if they're strong-willed people.

Uh?

Children tend to believe what authority figures tell them and if that happens to be religious beliefs, odds are most of the kids will believe all of it. Don't forget to factor in the peer pressure elements either. This is the same reason kids buy into monsters under the bed, Santa, alien spacecraft and cooties among other things - everyone says it's true and then somewhere along the line you either grow out of it or become further attached to it.

Sure, you'll have some naturally skeptical children but it has nothing to do with being strong or weak willed moreso the environment the child lives in and who you family unit happens to be. You can be strong-willed and take in religion completely the same way you can be weak-willed and completely reject the notion.

[Indeed]

Yeah, I'm not sure it's fair to say that acceptance or rejection of ideas is indicative of strength of will. There's definitely a factor of plain old naivete to be acknowledged. The less you're exposed to, the less perspective and context you have for your beliefs. I think even a "strong-willed" person (I'm assuming you mean that to be someone who has firm beliefs), would have their mind changed if they were exposed to new/different information or points of view that they found compelling. It's still important to be open to considering points of view and facts that may contradict your own, rather than necessarily just assuming you're correct and becoming entrenched in your beliefs when they are challenged. Kids should inherit that as well.