- Jul 26, 2010
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It is not about the pig's habits, it is a religious rule from thousands of years ago.
The rule just shows a person has chosen this way to remember his devotion. The rule doesn't change because pigs are free of mud and poo or not. It's the idea of putting ones devotion into practice that makes a religious observance significant to the person who does it. A person feels, remembers and acts consciously to show his reverence for his faith.
And in doing so a person gets something back - something of value, something that builds his faith and his devotion. He gets over that little bump in the road and maintains his observance, and he feels good as a person who sticks with things and makes good choices.
I would just send a very polite nice note to the teacher and the school -
'Jimmy told me he was served ham at school Tuesday. I'd like to let teachers and admin at the school know that we in our family do not eat any pork or ham products, as part of our religious observances. My apologies to those who were not informed ahead of time, of our family's observances. Thank you for your future cooperation, Best Regards, Mrs. Jimmy's Mom'.
I think one of the key things about people is - they forget. You can tell them something that is very important to you, even several times, they just have a lot of things they're trying to do at once, and they forget.
A religious observance is really a very personal, private thing, and in fact, the gentle reminders, the very kind little nudges we give to our children, that's all just a part of that remembering and finding comfort and support in keeping those observances. People develop a 'style' as they go through life and deal with more different situations, of how to just very gently steer their way through the little bumps in the road that come up with these observances.
And that is really a part of the observance, that little gentle negotiation with the rest of the world that 'doesn't'.
Dietary needs put children in an awkward position occasionally. I think in some situations, they'll just eat a food that for religious or medical reasons they shouldn't - just because the other kids are doing it. There are different ways teacher can react - just matter of fact and simple is probably best. 'No, don't give Jim that ham - he doesn't eat ham, thanks for reminding me Jim - good job'.
The rule just shows a person has chosen this way to remember his devotion. The rule doesn't change because pigs are free of mud and poo or not. It's the idea of putting ones devotion into practice that makes a religious observance significant to the person who does it. A person feels, remembers and acts consciously to show his reverence for his faith.
And in doing so a person gets something back - something of value, something that builds his faith and his devotion. He gets over that little bump in the road and maintains his observance, and he feels good as a person who sticks with things and makes good choices.
I would just send a very polite nice note to the teacher and the school -
'Jimmy told me he was served ham at school Tuesday. I'd like to let teachers and admin at the school know that we in our family do not eat any pork or ham products, as part of our religious observances. My apologies to those who were not informed ahead of time, of our family's observances. Thank you for your future cooperation, Best Regards, Mrs. Jimmy's Mom'.
I think one of the key things about people is - they forget. You can tell them something that is very important to you, even several times, they just have a lot of things they're trying to do at once, and they forget.
A religious observance is really a very personal, private thing, and in fact, the gentle reminders, the very kind little nudges we give to our children, that's all just a part of that remembering and finding comfort and support in keeping those observances. People develop a 'style' as they go through life and deal with more different situations, of how to just very gently steer their way through the little bumps in the road that come up with these observances.
And that is really a part of the observance, that little gentle negotiation with the rest of the world that 'doesn't'.
Dietary needs put children in an awkward position occasionally. I think in some situations, they'll just eat a food that for religious or medical reasons they shouldn't - just because the other kids are doing it. There are different ways teacher can react - just matter of fact and simple is probably best. 'No, don't give Jim that ham - he doesn't eat ham, thanks for reminding me Jim - good job'.
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