Judge: Parents can't teach pagan beliefs

[martygreene]

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050526/NEWS01/505260481

Father appeals order in divorce decree that prevents couple from exposing son to Wicca.




Now, while I do not advocate forcing children into a religion solely because you (the parent) happen to be of that faith, I do advocate exposing children to religion. I also have a severe dislike for the state acting in loco parentis, particularly when the parents are not neglecting/abusing the child.

Comments

[unholypassion.livejournal.com]

That is messed up, who are they to say what beliefs a parent can or can not teach their own children. A girl in Holly's school got in trouble for wearing a pentagram (not inverted), her mother was contacted, and she faced detention/expulsion if she were to continue wearing it. Yet, crucifixes are A-Ok. The mother removed her from the school. I would have made a big ordeal about it if I were her!

And a boy (same school), was faced the same for wearing a (ready for this), a leather motorcycle jacket?! They had an assembly, for the entire school, and drug him on stage as an example of what NOT to wear. My daughter was picked out for her red streaks in her hair. Thank goodness this is her last year there!

[martygreene.livejournal.com]

I just added to the origional post:

Now, while I do not advocate forcing children into a religion solely because you (the parent) happen to be of that faith, I do advocate exposing children to religion. I also have a severe dislike for the state acting in loco parentis, particularly when the parents are not neglecting/abusing the child.

[neko-san.livejournal.com]

That is so sick and wrong.

[martygreene.livejournal.com]

I just added to the origional post:

Now, while I do not advocate forcing children into a religion solely because you (the parent) happen to be of that faith, I do advocate exposing children to religion. I also have a severe dislike for the state acting in loco parentis, particularly when the parents are not neglecting/abusing the child.

[cyfis.livejournal.com]

What I find rather puzzling about the entire debacle is that the article state that the judge prohibited the couple from exposing their child to "non-mainstream religious beliefs".

Would it have been acceptable if the couple had been Christian? Jewish? Muslim? Hindu? What exactly constitutes a "mainstream religious belief"? Do you have to register with an authority who keeps track of these things? Have a certain number of priests and religious establishments?

I went to a predominantly Jewish elementary school where it was the norm for most of the kids to go to Temple after school on certain days. I wasn't overly confused by the fact that they went and I didn't, or what the symbols on the dreyle meant. In fact, I found it to be an interesting learning experience even though I didn't share their religion.

I really don't see it's a problem in this case.

[ex-cloaked902.livejournal.com]

Utter religious discrimination.