Rant about Deal and their religious field trip

[Anonymous]

My kids are in 6th grade at Deal. They are studying religion in their geography class and, as part of the class, the school is organizing a field trip to a mosque, a church, and a synagogue. We are atheist but we understand that learning about religions is part of understanding the world. However, they are asking girls to cover their head/hair when entering the mosque; which I don't like. I mean, I 100% understand that the mosque requires that of women and I respect their requirement. It's their right. As is my right to never enter a mosque (and why I also try to avoid synagogues and churches as much as possible). But now the school is forcing me to tell my kid that I am not signing the consent form for them to go on the field trip. And I have to deal with my kids telling me that they will feel excluded. I guess it is a small price to pay for living in a religious society. I was naive in thinking that a public school wouldn't do this to families...I'm pissed off...End of rant.

[Anonymous]

Ok. It’s your choice, if you aren’t comfortable letting your kid decide this for herself.

I’m an atheist too, but would welcome this opportunity for my kids. It’s a great time to talk about any number of issues surrounding religion and its impacts on the world. I wouldn’t force my kid to do it, and would let her make the decision.

[Anonymous]

What did your kid say when you explained to them that some houses of worship have dress code rules? If you were a tourist somewhere, you would also cover to enter some places and take your shoes off if you went to a Japanese persons house. I dont get what the big deal is. As a public school family you can opt out of the field trip but you dont get to change the rules for someones belief.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ok. It’s your choice, if you aren’t comfortable letting your kid decide this for herself.

I’m an atheist too, but would welcome this opportunity for my kids. It’s a great time to talk about any number of issues surrounding religion and its impacts on the world. I wouldn’t force my kid to do it, and would let her make the decision.

OP here. My gut reaction was one of annoyance. But I agree with you, yours is a good take. Thanks for the perspective.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What did your kid say when you explained to them that some houses of worship have dress code rules? If you were a tourist somewhere, you would also cover to enter some places and take your shoes off if you went to a Japanese persons house. I dont get what the big deal is. As a public school family you can opt out of the field trip but you dont get to change the rules for someones belief.

No, of course I don't want them to change their rules for my (lack of) beliefs.
And yes, if I was a tourist interested in going to a church or whatever I'd have to respect their rules. That's why I prefer other destinations.
My rant was more about the school putting parents of girls in a position where I have to let my kid go or make them feel like they are being excluded.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What did your kid say when you explained to them that some houses of worship have dress code rules? If you were a tourist somewhere, you would also cover to enter some places and take your shoes off if you went to a Japanese persons house. I dont get what the big deal is. As a public school family you can opt out of the field trip but you dont get to change the rules for someones belief.

No, of course I don't want them to change their rules for my (lack of) beliefs.
And yes, if I was a tourist interested in going to a church or whatever I'd have to respect their rules. That's why I prefer other destinations.
My rant was more about the school putting parents of girls in a position where I have to let my kid go or make them feel like they are being excluded.

What's the alternative? No girls go? Everyone misses an opportunity to immerse even for an hour into something other than what they know?

[Anonymous]

You atheists don’t get to make the rules for places of worship.

[Anonymous]

I’m also an atheist. You should let your 6th grader decide. She is not being excluded, you are the one excluding her. So you should have the wherewithal to explain why you have decided she is not allowed to do this, and what is the super important principle that is at stake.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What did your kid say when you explained to them that some houses of worship have dress code rules? If you were a tourist somewhere, you would also cover to enter some places and take your shoes off if you went to a Japanese persons house. I dont get what the big deal is. As a public school family you can opt out of the field trip but you dont get to change the rules for someones belief.

No, of course I don't want them to change their rules for my (lack of) beliefs.
And yes, if I was a tourist interested in going to a church or whatever I'd have to respect their rules. That's why I prefer other destinations.
My rant was more about the school putting parents of girls in a position where I have to let my kid go or make them feel like they are being excluded.

What's the alternative? No girls go? Everyone misses an opportunity to immerse even for an hour into something other than what they know?

Kids still study the ocean and they rarely go on a scuba diving trip

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You atheists don’t get to make the rules for places of worship.

Your reading comprehension is laughable.

[Anonymous]

I would let your kid decide.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You atheists don’t get to make the rules for places of worship.

+1

[Anonymous]

I’ll tell you this much, OP: all this does is teach your kid to hate. Not good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You atheists don’t get to make the rules for places of worship.

Your reading comprehension is laughable.

+1

[Anonymous]

Keep your kid home. You have rules about dress and so do they. I'm an atheist and see nothing wrong with this.