My 6 year old was fed Ham in school today. advice?

[KristyHall]

Quote:
It seems to be only the Christian stuff that causes uproar..

They're pretty tolerant of most other religions.. imo.

Not entirely true, but not at all false either. I think that non-religious people tend to be less tolerant of Christianity because it's everywhere, and they're a bit tired of hearing about it. They complain about other religions, but they don't do it as much because the other religions haven't become such a huge part of the USA yet.
I could be wrong, though.

well put

 

[schellie69]

I was raised in a multi-religious family where some of the family was Jewish, Native American and Southern baptist, Us kids learned them all then we could choose when we were older which faith to follow. I think learning about all religions is a great thing. It brings greater understanding. To the Op your handling of this has been really great. Hopefully this will prevent something like this from happening again.

 

[ZooMummzy]

I have to go with the others who said write a note, be polite, explain the situation and then drop it. I'm sure it was just an honest mistake on the teacher's part. In our schools here, it is not the responsibility of the teacher or the administrators to observe the different religious views and traditions of their students - it is the student's/parent's responsibility no matter what the age of the child. The children are allowed to participate or not as their religious and/or other affiliations dictate. And as I was taught, "honey always gets more flies" and trust me, manners and kind words go a long way in any situation. I try to remember this whenever I want to go off on someone so I can set an example for kids. Sounds like you have it covered!

 

[HarlansHollowFarms]

Quote:
Not entirely true, but not at all false either. I think that non-religious people tend to be less tolerant of Christianity because it's everywhere, and they're a bit tired of hearing about it. They complain about other religions, but they don't do it as much because the other religions haven't become such a huge part of the USA yet.
I could be wrong, though.

well put

I am not a religious person, and I have no problem with a world religions class being taught in public schools.

The problem we have here in the US is the only religion they they want is Christianity. People seem to think if you are not toting a bible and praying to Jesus, you have no rights.

I am very tolerant of others beliefs, I just do not want it crammed down mine or my children's throat. Unfortunately, most Christians believe it is their responsibility to convert everyone on the planet....that is what I have a problem with.

 

[texasgal]

Quote:
well put

I am not a religious person, and I have no problem with a world religions class being taught in public schools.

The problem we have here in the US is the only religion they they want is Christianity. People seem to think if you are not toting a bible and praying to Jesus, you have no rights.

I am very tolerant of others beliefs, I just do not want it crammed down mine or my children's throat. Unfortunately, most Christians believe it is their responsibility to convert everyone on the planet....that is what I have a problem with.

It's actually a VERY small percentage of professing Christians that actively evangelize .. they just irritate the mess out of non-Christians .. LOL

It's also expected that it wouldn't sit well with the bana-bhuidseach crowd ..

Love ya anyway ..

 

[HarlansHollowFarms]

Quote:
I am not a religious person, and I have no problem with a world religions class being taught in public schools.

The problem we have here in the US is the only religion they they want is Christianity. People seem to think if you are not toting a bible and praying to Jesus, you have no rights.

I am very tolerant of others beliefs, I just do not want it crammed down mine or my children's throat. Unfortunately, most Christians believe it is their responsibility to convert everyone on the planet....that is what I have a problem with.

It's actually a VERY small percentage of professing Christians that actively evangelize .. they just irritate the mess out of non-Christians .. LOL

It's also expected that it wouldn't sit well with the bana-bhuidseach crowd ..

Love ya anyway ..

I guess my point is....if children were taught about all religions, there may be more tolerance in schools for those that are not mainstream ( I know, very broad term, but in the US Christianity is considered this).

If children learn from an early age about different traditions, it would not be so hard for those, such as the OPs DD. to practace their beliefs without feeling left out. And their peers would understand why they obstain from a particular activity.

 

[chickened]

When a toddler tugs and tugs at your shirt to tell you something we usually lend an ear and are not offended. When an overly zealous christian does it we are offended unless we are believers. It may be the message that is offensive eh?

 

[Hollywood Chickens]

I have read most of this, and here is my opinion.

I doubt the teacher even thought about the ham not being okay (the meat manger in the local grocery store keeps ordering kosher ham for the Jews and can't figure out why they never send any, so there are plenty of people who do not know), But what I would be worried about, is why didn't she tell you what they would be eating? many kids have allergies, and if she was allergic to nuts (which is a very common allergy) and the teacher fed her nuts she would have to go to the hospital and it would have been a disaster! it is irresponsible for the teacher not to inform the parents before feeding the kids, I would be upset over the ham, the colorant (green ham!) and who knows what else was in it!

A 6 year old is hardly old enough to know what she can and cannot eat, especially if she feels socially pressured.

If it were my daughter I would tell her not to eat anything without our permission, it makes it easier for her than trying to figure out what everything is.

Also you should talk to the teacher and explain to her that she needs to tell you when and what they are eating in class.

 

[RThomas]

Quote:
Ok,we're getting really off topic now, but...

It's not that religious things, including prayer, aren't allowed in school. The problem is when the school itself begins to promote religion. Kids can pray, read from their religious books, even hand out religious themed flyers at school (as long as it isn't disruptive) - but the school itself can't do those things. Public schools are government institutions, and as such, must remain neutral when it comes to religion. I think there is a LOT of confusion about what is and isn't allowed at school when it comes to religion.

If religion really is the most important thing in one's life, then do you really want to government (public schools in this case) involved in it?

 

[KristyHall]

Quote:
Ok,we're getting really off topic now, but...

It's not that religious things, including prayer, aren't allowed in school. The problem is when the school itself begins to promote religion. Kids can pray, read from their religious books, even hand out religious themed flyers at school (as long as it isn't disruptive) - but the school itself can't do those things. Public schools are government institutions, and as such, must remain neutral when it comes to religion. I think there is a LOT of confusion about what is and isn't allowed at school when it comes to religion.

If religion really is the most important thing in one's life, then do you really want to government (public schools in this case) involved in it?

agreed