My kids go to Catholic school, I went to Catholic grade school, and my parents went to Catholic school. My parents talk about the nuns being strict, but I don’t think they were hit. They’ve never said so. I do think Catholic schools had some unacceptable discipline in the past, as did some public schools. I also think people still associate the horrible sex abuse that is more recent than that with Catholic parishes, even though none of my family experienced that and there were instances where that happened in other religious settings, the Boy Scouts, etc. Some people have a negative attitude in general, some people have a negative attitude toward Catholics, oh well.

If it’s just the nuns did XYZ 70 years ago or something else that may have been true in the past at some schools, but isn’t in our school, I usually just say that that was horrible, and we are lucky to have found a great school and community.

If people say that Catholics don’t believe in science or other untrue things, I do correct them and say that Catholic teachings are consistent with evolution, etc, etc.

There’s a difference between letting a joke or a cranky person’s comment go vs needing to stand up for your decision and kids’ school. This goes for pretty much everything in life.

Anonymous wrote:DC goes to a catholic school, as I did and my parents, and I don’t believe those are anti religious comments. There were some appalling disciplinary practices back in the day and they are telling you their personal experience. Sweeping it under the rug or pretending it didn’t happen is condoning the behavior.

+1

From an elderly person who may have had a bad experience decades ago i will treat it as the posters above. From a person my age who wants to start debating me on why MY religion specifically is a crock, I will end the conversation. Just nod my head and turn away and find someone else to talk to. These people would never dream of doing this to people of other faiths, it would be a monumental faux pas.

I think the reality is older people did have some really negative experiences at some religious schools. My Dad and his sisters were transferred from Catholic school to public school back in the 60s due to the nuns aggressively hitting the kids. My FIL in a different state also had a similar experience.

Most places are way better now, fortunately.

I explained to people why our neighborhood school was a bad fit for my kid and how happy they were at the Catholic school, which was actually much less regimented than the public one. Recess twice a day. Class outside frequently in good weather.

Ultimately, most people just hoped to make jokes that were in bad taste.

What about families that attend a religious school and make anti-religion comments like “we believe in science, not God”. Why send your kids to a religious school then?

It’s not an anti religion comment OP. It’s a weak attempt at humor. If this is your example you need to lighten up.

I’m not sure that’s an anti-religion comment. It’s more about what a lot of Catholic schools were like.

My mom went to Catholic school in NYC in the 1950s and 60s. They were told, among other things, that if they bit the communion wafer, Christ’s blood would spurt out in their mouth.

She’s the first one who would say there was a huge amount of guilt.

DC goes to a catholic school, as I did and my parents, and I don’t believe those are anti religious comments. There were some appalling disciplinary practices back in the day and they are telling you their personal experience. Sweeping it under the rug or pretending it didn’t happen is condoning the behavior.

I just say something like “what a blessing we live in an area that offers so many options.” and I ignore the slight. It forces them to have to agree with my point which is a silent win

When we told my in-laws that DS would be attending Catholic school, FIL (who is in his 80s and graduated from Catholic school about 65 years ago) said to us and DS that it was a mistake because the brothers at the Catholic school he attended hit him. I said something along the lines of, “I’m so sorry that happened to you. That’s really awful. I also went to Catholic schools from grade school through college and that never happened at mine. We know a bunch of families at DS’s school and really love it. We have no reason to think that anything like that would happen there and definitely would not stand for it if it did.” Sigh….

I would say, “I’m really sorry you had a bad experience. We love DC’s school.”

“Well we’ve been really happy with it” and then move on.

I would laugh. Mg kids go to Catholic school. Catholic guilt is real!

My kids go to Catholic school. Most of the time, this is not a big deal when we tell someone. But sometimes people say the rudest things (in front of my kids). What is a truly kind way to respond? I’m not looking for something snippy, patronizing, etc. I am truly taken aback every time I encounter these comments.

For example, we have a neighbor who is ill and my oldest son and I took them a meal. We chatted a bit and it came up that my son goes to a Catholic school. The neighbor said, “I went to Catholic school as a girl and the only thing I learned was guilt.” I just kind of ignored this. Is there a gracious response? “I’m sorry you had a bad experience” and leave it at that?