Wtf op? You’re weird. The point is to learn about other cultures and religions and the mosque has a rule that the women have to wear head scarves. That’s part of the learning experience.

Send your kid uncovered and put deal in the position that you’re dealing with. They can either exclude an uncovered girl (and not uncovered boys) and face a gender discrimination complaint or they can let her go uncovered and deal with the mosque

I would let my kid go, but use this as a jumping off point to discuss patriarchical institutions and the harm that things like this does. In a wide view - in some Christian churches, shoulders must be covered. And in some Christian churches, women can’t serve in church leadership. And these things aren’t some crazy coincidence, they’re related and pervasive across cultures including ours.

Anonymous wrote:If they went to the White House, would you balk at the request for them to "dress up?" If they were hiking, would you balk at the request for them to wear hiking shoes and clothes? Perhaps you might analogize it in this way--you're not submitting to a religious code you find anathema as much as you are showing respect for the location you are visiting and wearing something appropriate to that environment/activity.

+1 well said

If they went to the White House, would you balk at the request for them to "dress up?" If they were hiking, would you balk at the request for them to wear hiking shoes and clothes? Perhaps you might analogize it in this way--you're not submitting to a religious code you find anathema as much as you are showing respect for the location you are visiting and wearing something appropriate to that environment/activity.

Visiting other religious institutions teaches tolerance. Including atheists being tolerant of other people having religious beliefs.

The Unitarian Church I went to growing up in North Carolina was regularly vandalized. Even in college I met a woman with a master's degree in Chemistry from my hometown who asked what church I went to growing up. When I told her, her mouth hung open and she asked if I really went to the "devil church." That's what people who never learn about other religions sometimes act like. On a related note, I didn't know a single person growing up in NC who didn't go to church...my family was nonreligious/agnostic so rather than not going to church we went to the nonreligious church.

Anonymous wrote: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.

+1
It’s also important to teach her to respect other cultures and traditions. Just because you follow a tradition in someone’s home doesn’t mean you are going to adapt it in yours. You are also sending a message that your beliefs regarding religion are correct (vs having an open mind and learning about other viewpoints, the point of these visits). The visits will tied into history and modern things and one aspect is the number of disagreements and wars caused by lack of open mindedness. I’d really hope you rethink what you’re modeling to your dd. I say this as an atheist.

I don’t see what’s so offensive about covering your hair? Does it offend you that the rule is gendered? Or would you also not let your daughter go to concerts at the Kennedy center where she has to dress nicely? I guess I don’t understand why you don’t baulk at entering a place of worship but do get in a snit at a place of worship that has a dress code.

They also ask you to cover your shoulders when you enter many famous cathedrals in Europe. I remember needing to wear a cardigan to go into st marks even though it was in the 80s. If your daughter wants to go, let her go and wear a scarf over her hair. It’s not going to convert her if that’s what you’re worried about.

I would say visiting a mosque would be a good educational opportunity that many Americans have not had. It is better to go through with valuable experiences and education.


I first visited a. Mosque abroad in a big city with lots of tourists. Some would enter the mosque and ignore the rules and not wear a scarf
Nothing terrible happened to those visitors but it was disrespectful and unnecessary.

Freedom of religion doesn’t mean freedom from all religion. Why wouldn’t you want your child to have this experience? I am not religious at all but can respect being a good guest is following along with the customs and rules of the host.

According to your thinking your daughter can never. Is it the Sistene Chapel to see amazing works of art because it is a sacred place and low-cut or sleeveless dresses, sleeveless shirts, miniskirts, shorts and hats are not allowed.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

OP here. Of course I have explained to them my rationale; and, honestly, I'm still making up my mind around this issue. And I know I'm excluding her because of an idea the school had. My rant was because I feel icky about the school's idea of this field trip.

Idk OP this is some weirdly tinged intolerance feigned as "atheism". I'm an atheist teacher whose students participate in the Embassy Adoption program. We've gone to a Buddhist temple and worn the appropriate clothing. We've had Islamic States and worn their clothes, we've had Israel and worn their clothes. Exploring cultures is not something to feel icky about. It's a learning experience not religious immersion

Anonymous wrote:

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

+1

-1

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

OP here. Honest question. Why does it teach my kids to hate?

Anonymous wrote: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.

OP here. Of course I have explained to them my rationale; and, honestly, I'm still making up my mind around this issue. And I know I'm excluding her because of an idea the school had. My rant was because I feel icky about the school's idea of this field trip.