High School Problem, please help

[Kithia]

Hello, I'm a senior in High school, who's teacher has recently assigned us the project of reading Genesis, and taking what she calls a 'nit picky' quiz on it. I'm pagan. Do I legally have to do the assignment?

Thank you. Any links to sites with useful legal jargon to support my claim would be most helpful..

[*Rain*]

Sorry but I don't really see a problem, it won't do you any harm to learn a little about other religions. You won't get hit by lightening if you touch a bible.

I had to learn about all of the major religions in school and it didn't do me any harm. In fact I think it was a good thing. Would you have such a big problem if you had been asked to read about the creation myths of any other religion? It's no different.

[PoisonIvy]

I thought that there was supposed to be a seperation of church and state. If ya can't pray or say The Pledge in school because it has to do with God,then why should you have to participate in an assignment that has to do with the bible?

I'd fight that one if it offends you. It really wouldn't bother me but you have a right not to participate!

[IvyWitch]

Hey, when I was catholic and in middle school I had to do an assignment on Greek Gods.

I'm sorry, but there is no legal basis for saying "I can't read the Bible, it's against my religion."

Poison Ivy, if the class was teaching the Bible as a theology and saying that it's the only way and forces you to make a statement of faith agreeing with the Bible, then yeah, that's an issue. But, reading the Bible has a homework assignment? No, I'm sorry. That most definately does NOT fall into the same category as prayer in schools.

Rain is right. What's the big freaking deal? I'm Pagan, and I happen to enjoy studying the Bible. What's so terrible about learning about other religions? Making a big deal about not wanting to do it frankly makes you and Pagans look bad.

[SoulHealer]

Actually especially since its the Old Testament many occult/pagan people find the book very interesting and it is worth researching from a pagan viewpoint

I've studied if for years - there is some really fascinating and useful things in there

Don't judge a book by its religion lol

[luna rising]

As long as it is being taught as "literature," or in a religious studies class, it's cool to make students read the bible.

I'd push for Revelations, myself. It's a much more interesting read ;)

[PoisonIvy]

It's like I said,it wouldn't bother me,but if it offends someone to study the Bible,then I just don't think they should do it. I Just don't see what Genesis has to do with school. The science class I had was all about the big bang theory and if God was even mentioned it was "Hello Principal".

It's just my opinion. I wouldn't do anything that offended me! Maybe that's why I failed gym class. :lol:

[IvyWitch]

Yeah, but in High School, you can't just go up to the teacher and say "this offends me" and get out of the assignment.

[PoisonIvy]

That's true! Ya gotta be willing to eat the "F". I'm sorry,I used to be a rebel and I was more than happy to "eat the F" to prove a point. I still graduated with more credits than what I needed though.

[Djiril]

I think it depends what class it is, the context of the assignment, and if it is a public school.

Personally, I think the Bible is a fascinating book, even, or maybe especially if you don't agree with it. The Old Testament reflects years of the collected oral tradition of the Jewish people, and a good class discussion of it would probably be an interesting thing.

On the other hand, you might have a case if the teacher is obviously trying to convert you.

[Akhkharu Asgard]

I do not understand what the big deal it is. It's not worth getting an F to not do the assignment. The Bible is just another epic like The Illiad, The Odyssey, Paradise Lost, etc, they teach those in school and no one complains. Just read it like you would read one of those epics. In mythology you learn about all kinds of different creation stories, the book of Genesis is just another one!

The old testement prophets and the new testement Revelation are the best though. So very interesting.

[LadyTrinity]

If your class requires you to do it.. then just do it so you dont get a bad grade. You dont have to follow a religion to study it _twohorns_

[IvyWitch]

That's true! Ya gotta be willing to eat the "F". I'm sorry,I used to be a rebel and I was more than happy to "eat the F" to prove a point. I still graduated with more credits than what I needed though.
But that's the thing, you were willing to take an F. This person obviously isn't and is looking for a way to just not have to do the assignment and not get penalized for it. *shrug*

[Bethra]

Personaly I think everyone should read every religious book they can get their hands on it is a vital part of life. All religions are pritty much linked and it is very interesting to see and compare them. I don't see how anyone can object to the gathering of information. At the end of the day most Pagans don't have a problem with Christianity or any other religion it is Churchianity that is the issue maker.

The Bible is a very interesting book and how do you know you are going to object to it if you don't read it first? We as Pagans are ment to be open minded and confident enough in our faith not to feel challanged by the simple action of reading a religious book. Read it and write a good crit how can you object too that. If it bothers you that much just read it as a story that way it wont upset your faith in anyway shape or form. It wasn't the bible that commited crimes against humanity it was people.

[lednevir]

The bible is just a book.It's better than the Kurt Vonegut or Sylvia Playtth books that schools make us read.

[LacyRoze]

If you don't believe in the bible and christianity then the bible is nothing more than a book, just like any other. Just because you read it doesn't mean you have to believe what it says. Why not try to look at it objectively and do the assignment? :whatmewor

[Bigboper123]

First of all I do not believe there are enough facts to base a decision. What kind of school? public, Private, Catholic, other. What is the class name? Religion, Literature, Scoial Studies, World History.

There is no legality issue if they just want you to read this section, if however they are trying to enforce the belifes in here and it is not a private or catholic school then yes what they are doing is wrong,. This also depends on the location are you in the US UK Spain SA Canada. If you are just trying to get out of reading it that is a wrong doing on your part, I am a Registered Christian Minister yet I am studying Wiccan so I consider myself lucky to be in two great circles that all the teachings interconnect. You have got to be flexible open your mind don't just say "Hmph well I am Pagan and this isn't a pagan book I don't want to read it." Konwledge is your most powerful weapon I take Baptist preachers to there knees because of my Christian/ CounterChristian knowledge.............................

They can not debate fact and one simpple fact is the Christian Religion is based off of Paganism, Christmas and the tree, Easter with the eggs and rabbit, Lent giving up something for 40 days. These all were Pagan rituals that Christians looked at and said hmmmm... So be flexible do the assignment even if it is just to prove that you are smart, but don't go pulling that I am pagan I can't do it crap it is a lame excuse for avoiding work. Think of it this way use it as a reinforcement of your belifes. The more you learn the better your chances in the real world which can be a dark cold place and I know you think you know, all teens do, but you have know idea how this cruel or beautiful this world can be, but you must MUST use your knowledge to bend and shape it to something beautiful.................................
Even after all I have been through I still don't know it all about this world. Differance between you and I though I am willing to learn without a closed perception of "this is not my religion" sorry if this comes off grumpy I just remeber my high school days when people would say oh I can't study that it is not part of my belifes or religionof course my teachers were wishy washy ass pirates and would let them do a project on what they wanted to. DO you know how many times I had to hear about Poe?? from these dark "pagan" wannabes Paganism is not dark at all but there are those few who feel oooh magic and rituals I am sucha dark person don't mess with me, HORSESH*T Pagans are friendly and pleasant they do not believe in harming others for there gain it is beacause of these black clothes wearing dark make up painting wannabes that most of those who are Pagan are afraid to come out and say so because people will say eww your evil or your going to hell.................................

I have made it a goal in life to educate as many people as I can that it is not a bad thing to date I have changed the minds of over 154 people, but keep this in mind number one was me and in this case about religion number one HAS TO BE YOU!!!

[Ziana]

I say do the assignment. I'm Pagan and I read the Bible. We want those who are trying to convert us to at least know something about our religious beliefs, why not know theirs? It makes for a more impressive debate for when they start spouting off scripture when you can respond with their own. :holycow:

[Lewen]

I see nothing wrong with reading the assignment. Should there be a question and answer time, it would be great to offer your pagan point of view and how what you read in Genesis stacks up from your particular viewpoint. It's a great way to read other religious works and then base your own framework from what you already believe. No need to worry about it as it couldn't change your viewpoint as it is. I love to read things that differ from my own beliefs so I can compare it to what I do know and believe and then make a comparison or just learn something new. Then when I discuss what I read, I offer it from my own viewpoint. Can be very interesting stuff.

[shimaura]

In my program (I'm homeschooled, so there was no problem) we studied all the major religions of the world in my English. I read parts of the bible, studied the Koran, the Ramayana, Buddhism, and a LOT about Greek and Roman god/esses.... it was all very interesting and certainly GREATLY influenced the path I am on now. HOwever, if your teacher isn't planning on giving you any other text, maybe you should, uh, "nudge" her/him to have you go through more texts than just the Bible. There are plenty of other, MUCH more interesting creation myths than Genesis (which I find really silly). SOme of the Native American legends... gah, they're awesome. S/he should NOT limit the class to one holy book when there are so many to choose from.

[Kithia]

I don't need to get out of doing the assignment, I'd already read it, thoroughly. I was ready for the test, and actually did o.k. on it. It was the principle that I argued, IvyWitch.

If they aren't going to study books and theology from my religion, most of which FAR predates the King James version of the Bible, I do not believe I should be forced to read, and study theirs.

Another large problem is my teacher's attitude. She grabs at any and all references to the bible in any book, to the point that it's become a class joke. She knows I'm pagan, and this offends me, and makes a point of saying that everyone should know how 'God' created the world.


I resent the implication that I'm a little girl trying to get out of doing work. I've worked hard to further the cause of my religion in a school of ignorant country hicks, endured ridicule from teacher and student alike, just to be who I am in public. Teachers have even advised me to hide my pentagram and not tell people I'm pagan so that they won't 'have a reason to make fun of me' instead of confronting the huge problem in our school. A combination of expected roles and the administration feigning ignorance to a problem that's been brought to them by me and others.


Don't assume anything, Ivywitch.

[memnoch]

Its no different than reading about greek or roman myths, so sorry, deal with it. Although she really could have chosen a better book. I love revelations, its much more violent than even Ragnarok

[Amethyst Rose]

I don't need to get out of doing the assignment, I'd already read it, thoroughly. I was ready for the test, and actually did o.k. on it. It was the principle that I argued, IvyWitch.



In all fairness, your original post was lacking a lot of information and did seem very petty and immature, so all IvyWitch (and the rest of us) had to go on was our assumptions.

Do you have a problem learning and studying about other religions? I agree, that your teacher's attitude could use a little fixing, but ya know.... I don't think it does any harm. If anything, it's a lesson in tolerance that you may just have to learn. And for the record, I've been where you are, and the indignation just isn't worth it.

[Akhkharu Asgard]

I don't need to get out of doing the assignment, I'd already read it, thoroughly. I was ready for the test, and actually did o.k. on it. It was the principle that I argued, IvyWitch.

If they aren't going to study books and theology from my religion, most of which FAR predates the King James version of the Bible, I do not believe I should be forced to read, and study theirs.

Another large problem is my teacher's attitude. She grabs at any and all references to the bible in any book, to the point that it's become a class joke. She knows I'm pagan, and this offends me, and makes a point of saying that everyone should know how 'God' created the world.


I resent the implication that I'm a little girl trying to get out of doing work. I've worked hard to further the cause of my religion in a school of ignorant country hicks, endured ridicule from teacher and student alike, just to be who I am in public. Teachers have even advised me to hide my pentagram and not tell people I'm pagan so that they won't 'have a reason to make fun of me' instead of confronting the huge problem in our school. A combination of expected roles and the administration feigning ignorance to a problem that's been brought to them by me and others.


Don't assume anything, Ivywitch.

Yikes, this sounds a little selfish to me. Um, what famous well known books are there in your religion. I'm sure the Bible is more well known by people of every religion. I also agree with what Amethyst Rose just posted. I have had teachers like the one you have. You say she refenses Biblical stuff to the point of it being a class joke. I think it should remain a joke and should never be taken to personal. You won't be this teacher's student forever. You'll leave and eventually forget this person with the possible exception of laughing at her idiocies every once an awhile. My point is, don't take it personal!

[Sequoia]

"My religion" "that isn't my religion, that's her religion so I shouldn't have to deal with it." "I told them I was pagan and now they make a point to _____"

Alright, first off. Your religion? What exactly is your religion? You are aware that "paganism" is a broad umbrella term used to cover any religion not of "the main three" (Judaism, Christianity, Islam), I should hope. Yes? At least, now? Very well. So, in theory, ANYTHING other than J,C, and I are considered "pagan." That would include very specific groups, such as Shinto, Buddhism, all Native American religious beliefs, etc. However, today, "paganism" has come to mean a generalized group of earth-based or magic-based kind of beliefs. Still, an extremely diverse group.

So, first thing first, you need to figure out what "your religion" is. Are you Wiccan? If not, what are you specifically? Do you have a particular easily recognized and very definate religious text? Would your (appearantly biased) teacher have known anything about it? No? If you're so importantly a pagan, and so proud of it as to wear your pentacle in front of folks you know it will antagonize, you really should prepare a better reponse than "It's not mine, I shouldn't have to deal, and they all hate me so it's against JUST ME even though the whole class had to do it!"

Secondly, hate to break it to you, but the ideas of "magic" and religion both predate Christianity... and are also an integral part of it. Christians, throughout history, have invoked a massive number of prayers, blessings, curses, rituals and other workings of energy or magic. If you've ever attended a Catholic ceremony of any type, for example, you will find it rich in ceremony and magic. Even Baptists, with their calling upon god to strike down whatever may irritate them at that time, well heck, isn't that invoking a god (their God) to do their will? In other words, honey, your religion is not that different from theirs in the most core, integral parts. The faith part is definately different. But the whole ritualistic directing of energy thing has been around for AGES, and "your religion" by no means has dibs on it.

Thirdly... if you know that these folks aren't open minded, and are going to give you some serious hasseling if you walk around talking about how you're Pagan and you wear a Pentacle and all the "X-ians" are mean and stupid and stole your religion... Then why are you doing so? The fact that you *know* it's a hostile environment, and still choose to be as aggrivatingly obvious as you can about whatever subject, leads me to the idea that perhaps you want the attention.

There's a difference between striving for equality and making a scene in the name of it. Do you really think you're educating your peers and teachers about whatever your faith may be, by purposefully aggrivating them and getting upset at any oppourtunity?

If you're Wiccan, tell them all about it. Don't mutter and complain behind their backs. If you aren't Wiccan, if you're simply falling under that broad idea of "paganism", please figure out exactly what you are, tell them about it, and make the point to note that everyone else under that term isn't necessarily just like you.

If you aren't sure exactly what you are, and are still exploring it, then there is NO reason for you to balk at any other religion, since you could potentially learn even the tiniest bit from it.

And you still haven't told us what kind of class this was. Religion? History? Literature? If it's become a class joke, this woman's obcession with her vision of what God is, then I highly doubt it's completely directed at you. Laugh at her with the other kids. She's making an ass of herself, and they seem to know it. Why get upset when you can simply laugh?

You aren't being tortured, oppressed, maimed or otherwise harmed. You don't need to be going looking for a legal basis to resist authority. Hell, if I'd have been as opposed to it as you are, I'd have made my essay, test, or whatever just about as smart-a$$ as possible, with every answer painstakingly correct, and possibly making corrections between her KJV and another translation! I might even, if I were wiccan or believed in things like Ostara or what have you, have pointed out the correlations between names, dates, and ideas of certain religious ceremonies and celebrations.

[IvyWitch]

I don't need to get out of doing the assignment, I'd already read it, thoroughly. I was ready for the test, and actually did o.k. on it. It was the principle that I argued, IvyWitch.
I'm sorry, it's NOT a matter of principle. There's absolutely no basis for saying that because you're Pagan you shouldn't have to read the Bible.


If they aren't going to study books and theology from my religion, most of which FAR predates the King James version of the Bible, I do not believe I should be forced to read, and study theirs.
You're forgetting one thing. The Bible, while it may be a theological text is a historical text and has been one of the most influential books in history. Wicca however cannot even hold a candle to that. And, most schools have classes with nominal chapters on classical mythology.


Another large problem is my teacher's attitude. She grabs at any and all references to the bible in any book, to the point that it's become a class joke. She knows I'm pagan, and this offends me, and makes a point of saying that everyone should know how 'God' created the world.
So, then you just mention that you have a problem with this to someone who's in a superior position to her. Your teacher being insensitive doesn't give you reason to not do the assignment.


Teachers have even advised me to hide my pentagram and not tell people I'm pagan so that they won't 'have a reason to make fun of me' instead of confronting the huge problem in our school. A combination of expected roles and the administration feigning ignorance to a problem that's been brought to them by me and others.
Trying to get out of test on a "matter of principle" isn't going to help that. It will most likely just allow you to make a spectacle of yourself and give Paganism a bad name.


Don't assume anything, Ivywitch.
Hey, well if you don't want people to assume things, then you might want to make things a little clearer. You didn't give anyone any background, and from a question like this, all I can do is assume you're a newbie wiccan looking for an easy way out of a homework assignment. If you don't want people to assume anything about you, then voulenteer some information.

[Sequoia]

I think the silliest part about this was the request of "useful legal jargon" to support her not wanting to read something.

What's next? Suing a school because they teach something you don't think is very nice? I don't think WWII was very nice, why should I have to read about it? The Dark Ages offend me; why should I have to know about it?

And numbers! Those cursed numbers! I need some sites with links to information that would give me a legal basis for not doing my math homework...

[Ben Trismegistus]

Too bad.

I didn't want to read Huck Finn, but I did anyway.

[MoonDragn]

First of all is it a public or private school. If it is a public school funded by state taxes, you can get out of not learning about a particular religion because of the constitution. However if its a private school you're out of luck.

[QUEEN OF THE DAMNED]

If you read it then you will be armed with the knowledge of it. How can it hurt? I'm not religious at all yet I have read (bits of- not all) the holy bible and have read many books about other religions, I find the more I read the more I learn about myself aswell as other things.

Try not to look at it as though you are being forced to, make the choice to read it, and make yourself better because of it.

I absolutely hate Jane Austin and for a major senior year project I had to read Sense and Sensibilty........ahh the sacrifices we make to learn.......
........Genesis probably makes more sense.
(apologies to those who are Jane Austin fans....she's just not my piece of cake)

[Amethyst Rose]

I think the silliest part about this was the request of "useful legal jargon" to support her not wanting to read something.

What's next? Suing a school because they teach something you don't think is very nice? I don't think WWII was very nice, why should I have to read about it? The Dark Ages offend me; why should I have to know about it?

And numbers! Those cursed numbers! I need some sites with links to information that would give me a legal basis for not doing my math homework...

I went to school with a guy (actually, an exboyfriend) who convinced his parents to let him drop out in grade 10 because what he was learning wasn't "useful". They agreed with him!! Said there was no point in learning history and whatnot, that it's not useful in the real world so they said he could drop out. Now how stupid is that???

[Sequoia]

I went to school with a guy (actually, an exboyfriend) who convinced his parents to let him drop out in grade 10 because what he was learning wasn't "useful". They agreed with him!! Said there was no point in learning history and whatnot, that it's not useful in the real world so they said he could drop out. Now how stupid is that???

Only reason I left high school early was to try to go on to college... what is that saying? "Those who do not learn history are doomed to repete it"?

[IvyWitch]

First of all is it a public or private school. If it is a public school funded by state taxes, you can get out of not learning about a particular religion because of the constitution. However if its a private school you're out of luck.
Since when? I went to public school and I learned about many different religions in my history class. How is that unconstitutional? They existed. As long as the teacher isn't trying to make you believe in any particular religon, there's no constitutional or legal basis for not learning about a religion.

[Bigboper123]

you all have told her nothing that hasn't been said that tells me we are all on the smae level here this is good. I do find it funny that instead of answering our questions she decied to go off on Ivy Witch. Just goes to show. ;D :D

[Sequoia]

you all have told her nothing that hasn't been said that tells me we are all on the smae level here this is good. I do find it funny that instead of answering our questions she decied to go off on Ivy Witch. Just goes to show. ;D :D

:lol: Makes me think she just wanted to throw a legal tantrum, instead of coping with reality.

[IvyWitch]

you all have told her nothing that hasn't been said that tells me we are all on the smae level here this is good. I do find it funny that instead of answering our questions she decied to go off on Ivy Witch. Just goes to show. ;D :D
Well, in her defense I'm not the nicest or the most tactful person on MW. ^_^

[ravynbynorthwynd]

freedon of religion is not freedom from religion; you're going to have to read it.

that said, i would bring up to her the fact that since they are reading the bible, prehaps they should also read some other sacred texts to get a whole picture. if she refuses, then i would go to the administration, becasue thats placing one religion over another in a public school.

[halfwaynowhere]

you can talk to the teacher, explain your stance, and ask for an alternate assignment. if she is assigning this as literature, thats one thing... if she is assigning this as a religious studies thing, its something else, not that its wrong or anything like that, but if thats the case, then you might want to try to talk to her about teaching something that includes others as well... try to be as agreeable as you can, its not so much of a fight, more of a compromise. show interest in learning, though... by the way, if it is against your principles, you can have a parent write a note explaining this, and you might be able to get away with it, but always ask for an alternate assignment, don't expect to get away with not doing anything...

[Bigboper123]

freedon of religion is not freedom from religion; you're going to have to read it.

that said, i would bring up to her the fact that since they are reading the bible, prehaps they should also read some other sacred texts to get a whole picture. if she refuses, then i would go to the administration, becasue thats placing one religion over another in a public school.
She won't answer wether it is private or public I am guessing private til other wise stated. Like I said she is a teen she knows all or believes she does. :fpoke: :holycow:

[Akhkharu Asgard]

Heh, I was waiting for IvyWitch to come back with guns a blazin' Good job!

[Bigboper123]

_violin_
Hello, I'm a senior in High school, who's teacher has recently assigned us the project of reading Genesis, and taking what she calls a 'nit picky' quiz on it. I'm pagan. Do I legally have to do the assignment?

Thank you. Any links to sites with useful legal jargon to support my claim would be most helpful..
_violin_ wait til yo uhit college and you are paying them $800 a semester to make you do this, it only gets worse if you try to fight it, Like Quicksand :strike:

[~Macha~]

Get out of the assignment with an alternative assignment? That option exists? We never had one, it was do the given assignment and get over it. What? You don't agree with it? Oh well, fail then.
And I really don't see the big deal, read it, take the quiz and then dump the info, if that's what u want to do. That's what I did with the Scarlet Letter. I aced the test, but I couldn't tell you, now, what I read. As for legallity, there are so many better things the lawyers could fight for other than the fact that you're pissed about reading Genesis. Life is only gonna get harder from here babe, so suck it up and put on a helmet.

[Zibblsnrt]

Hello, I'm a senior in High school, who's teacher has recently assigned us the project of reading Genesis, and taking what she calls a 'nit picky' quiz on it. I'm pagan. Do I legally have to do the assignment?

Unless there's exceptional circumstances - the teacher openly expects you to convert, you're being told the religious content is Objective Truth, it's a math class - then yes, you do. Sorry.


Thank you. Any links to sites with useful legal jargon to support my claim would be most helpful..

"Legal jargon" is useless without an understanding of the laws it involves. A quick Googling could probably provide you with a decent amount of legal information on this sort of thing. Otherwise, it's just a secular version of people selectively misquoting the Bible to prove whatever they want, while not having a clue about the context the verses are said in.

One of the things about education is that you can't run and hide from it just because knowing about something offends you. It's the same thing for young-Earth creationists being "forced" to encounter evolution in their biology classes - whether you believe it or not, there comes a time to suck it down and learn the material. It's not like it's harming you.

[Protagonist]

Yeah, this does strike me a bit like trying to get out of reading the Odyssey for AP English on the grounds that it promotes Hellenism. I can't really say anything that hasn't been said. No lawyer's going to take your case.

And yeah, your teachers might have some good advice about not telling folks you're pagan to avoid teasing. Most folks don't discuss their religion unless they're asked, or it comes up in conversation, which, if your high school is anything like mine, it won't.

[Akhkharu Asgard]

Here's some advice: Just do it and move on.

[Djiril]

If you are really concerned about this teacher, you could write a letter to the principle of the school about it, or you could talk or write a letter to her.

There is a chance, though, that both of those things could cause more trouble for you than they are worth. Stick around the Pagan net long enough, and you will hear a lot of horror stories about teachers or fellow students making someone's life hell when it is found out that they are Pagan, it does vary from place to place so it depends on the attitudes where you are.

I wouldn't use the arguement that you shouldn't have to learn about her religion though. I think it would be a better idea to push the idea of giving equal time to other religions.

[Bigboper123]

here is you legal jargon Quid pro quo, Habeus Corpus, lameus excuseious

[Bryony]

The Old Testament is just the mythology of the Jewish people. I asked my friend about this, and he explained to me that it is mythology, just like the stories of the ancient gods of any other civilization.

[Infinite Grey]

-cough- fluffybunny -cough-

[teishabee]

Wow dangers at dawn. All I can say is religious tolerance, you must give it to recieve it.

[SphinYote]

I remember being in high school and being....resistant to some of the things that were taught...it was a public school and they never really risked teaching anything religios-flavored in class. The closest thing we had was to choose a world religiion to write a paper on for a history class, but that was it...

My resistance was more in relation to the very conservative political bent to the history classes...although with hindsight I don't think it really was as conservative as I thought it was, I don't know.

Anyway, I learned things just enough to pass with a decent grade on tests and then promptly forgot it all.

As an art-history and anthropology major I very much regret that now. However much of a conservative tint there was to things, I still could have learned some useful things, at the very least gained an understanding of the very ideas I was do disillusioned with. So many times I regret not having a knowledge of what seems to be basic common sense to some people (from their perspective). In getting in a debate with them I only prove my ignorance. I'm gradually rereading and gaining the knowledge that I SHOULD have gotten in highschool...

As far as I can tell from your posts there is religious descrimination against you. BUT, as far as I can tell (and yes, I could be wrong), you are simply returning the favor. I hope you don't make the same mistakes I did...:(

SphinYote

[~Macha~]

-cough- fluffybunny -cough-

I want to say that's mean... but I was thinking that too...

[ravenmyst]

there is a difference between your issue and one like in my daughters school where they hired a substitute health teacher who refused to teach sex ed because it offended her, who preached that the school had no business teaching evolution because it went against the word of god (what does that have to do with health I ask??) and who ranted that the school system was setting kids up to go to hell, That I had to complain about and that teacher is banned in this state to teach. And I teach my kids to not be obnoxious with their religion, that it is a personal choice and just as the extreme bible thumpers are annoying so are the "pagans" who do it for attention, that it is really nobodies business what your religion is, my 2 cents as parent and former pagan student

[malice]

yes, you have to do it. well, technically, you could take a 0% on it and just not do it, but you have to do it if you want the grade. there is no law or rule against being taught about any religion, but law IS broken if your teacher favors one over others, makes you pray or anything like that, or teaches that a certain religion is right. and honestly it wouldnt hurt you to read Genisis. im pagan, but i've read the bible. i dont agree with a lot of things in it, but it was still interesting. also you will be armed with knowlege of their religion the next time a christian insults your religion or tries to convert you.

[teaganuriel13]

No hun, you don't have to if you don't want to. Is it for a bible as lit class or something like that? or is it just english class? No teacher is able to make you do something that is against your beliefs. Maybe I agree with Djiril, the bible is amazing. Why don't you want to read it? well whatever, it's your choice, don't let anyone pressure you into doing what you don't want to.

[IvyWitch]

No hun, you don't have to if you don't want to. Is it for a bible as lit class or something like that? or is it just english class? No teacher is able to make you do something that is against your beliefs. Maybe I agree with Djiril, the bible is amazing. Why don't you want to read it? well whatever, it's your choice, don't let anyone pressure you into doing what you don't want to.
Yeah, you don't have to do it, but you have to be willing to not take a grade for it. How can you say that it's perfectly ok to get out of a homework assignment or a test because it goes against your beliefs?

I'm sorry, but you're wrong. There is absoluetly NO basis for this at all. There is no legal basis and no common sense basis for this. "I don't want to take a test about the Bible because I'm Pagan and shouldn't have to learn about other religions". This is ok to you? Personally I think it's stupid and inane, and gives Paganism a bad name. I thought we were openminded and tolerant to other religions. Why should it go against our beliefs to learn about other religions?

Asking a Sikh student to cut his hair or wear it unwrapped is wrong - that goes against the core beliefs of thier faith. Tell me where within any documents of Paganism it says that we don't learn about other religions.

[Bigboper123]

-cough- fluffybunny -cough-
aahhh aaah imwithyou sniff sniff oh that was a narsty sneeze

[Illuminatus]

Well here's what *I* think about Genesis:

http://www.mysticwicks.com/showpost.php?p=1640574&postcount=45

Ask the teacher if you can substitute the first couple of chapters of the silmarillion. It's a much better creation myth. More readable too.

[Protagonist]

Ask the teacher if you can substitute the first couple of chapters of the silmarillion. It's a much better creation myth. More readable too.
Yeah, and I'm sure if Homer ends up being too much for ya, you can read Lord of the Rings instead of the Illiad. Hey, it's much more readable, right? And at least that way, you won't be having Hellenism forced down your throat! Heck, I'll bet you could argue from Lyotard that physics is masochistic and goes against your "pagan" sensibilities, thus getting out of a science requirement or two.

Seriously, though. I believe folks shouldn't be unreasonably forced by public schools to read things they don't want to read, but the key word there is unreasonably. Do you honestly believe you'll be somehow traumatized by reading the Bible as literature?

[Illuminatus]

Yeah, and I'm sure if Homer ends up being too much for ya, you can read Lord of the Rings instead of the Illiad. Hey, it's much more readable, right? And at least that way, you won't be having Hellenism forced down your throat! Heck, I'll bet you could argue from Lyotard that physics is masochistic and goes against your "pagan" sensibilities, thus getting out of a science requirement or two.

Seriously, though. I believe folks shouldn't be unreasonably forced by public schools to read things they don't want to read, but the key word there is unreasonably. Do you honestly believe you'll be somehow traumatized by reading the Bible as literature?

It's no more traumatizing than Tolkien. It's just a whole lot more boring and tedious. But one's as good a substitute as the other. The Iliad is just some made up story from centuries ago, and Lord of the Rings is just some made up story from last century. And the Bible is just a really old fairy tale, so what is lost by substituting a more current one in its place?

[Akhkharu Asgard]

It's no more traumatizing than Tolkien. It's just a whole lot more boring and tedious. But one's as good a substitute as the other. The Iliad is just some made up story from centuries ago, and Lord of the Rings is just some made up story from last century. And the Bible is just a really old fairy tale, so what is lost by substituting a more current one in its place?

Did you just call the Illiad boring and tedious?!?!?!?! If this message board was real life I would deliver you some pretty harsh empty threats, dagnabit!

[WokeUpDead]

Assigning a Bible assignment is horrible. I don't know how a teacher can get away with it.

[Akhkharu Asgard]

So...is this person ever going to come back? Or did we scare he or she away with the hard truth?

[Bigboper123]

she is gone instead we get Illuminatus' two wooden cents

[Protagonist]

It's no more traumatizing than Tolkien. It's just a whole lot more boring and tedious. But one's as good a substitute as the other. The Iliad is just some made up story from centuries ago, and Lord of the Rings is just some made up story from last century. And the Bible is just a really old fairy tale, so what is lost by substituting a more current one in its place?
Might I remind you that Tolkien hasn't had the profound effect on civilization that the Illiad and the Bible have? Part of the reason you'd read these things, either in literature, history, or humanities classes, is to get a sense of their context, and the effects they've had on the world. Who knows? Maybe in 500 years, there'll have been wars fought over Tolkien.

Essentially though, right now, a student has more to gain from reading the historical texts, which, as I've said, have affected civilization so profoundly. Alexander the Great kept the Illiad by his bedside, and I don't even think I need to say anything about the Bible's influence. If you're going to understand yourself, you've got to understand where you've come from. To understand that, you've got to at least try to understand human history.

That, and there's the whole "this is how folks thought back then" angle of teaching both.

[IvyWitch]

It's no more traumatizing than Tolkien. It's just a whole lot more boring and tedious. But one's as good a substitute as the other. The Iliad is just some made up story from centuries ago, and Lord of the Rings is just some made up story from last century. And the Bible is just a really old fairy tale, so what is lost by substituting a more current one in its place?
A whole hell of a lot. And, it's kind of sad that you don't realize that.