"Design your own god" homework

[AChickenCalledKorma]

DD2 is in year 8 and has been asked to design a god/goddess for RS homework. We are an active Christian family and she doesn't want to do it because the Bible says she shouldn't.

I'm interested whether other Christian, Jewish or Muslim parents (or any other faith that has a problem with idols) have had a similar issue arise and how you handled it. Part of me thinks she should just treat the homework as an interesting art project. It's not as if the teacher is asking them to worship what they invent (hopefully!!!). But the other part of me thinks that she has a point and it's good that she's made the connection between what she reads in the Bible and what she's being asked to do.

Allegedly, her older friend refused to do a similar homework and got a detention for it.

[DanicaJones]

Best to let the teacher know by email that she doesn't feel able to do it because of her beliefs and say that she will design something else linked to the topic as an alternative and you hope that will be acceptable.

[Yaley]

She should do the homework. It's a piece of creative writing/art. That's all. It has no bearing on her faith.

[Yaley]

The Bible surely doesn't say she can't draw a picture of an imaginary character, does it?

[pastabest]

Could she not do the homework and base it on her god. She can pick the parts of what she believes in that she feels are particularly important to her. I'm sure the teacher will understand.

The homework will have been designed to get children who aren't religious to think about how a religion or a religious idol might be meaningful to them. Your DD is well ahead of them on that.

[FruitCider]

I know the bible states not to worship false gods, however her homework is not asking her to do this, it is asking her to do a piece of artwork based around a philosophical concept. She should just do the homework.

[ValiaH]

I would be supporting her in not doing it, maybe she could instead write about her faith/ put together a 'mood board' about her faith using images she feels represent Christianity/ Jesus/ God the Father/ Holy Spirit. I'd also be writing a covering letter to her teacher explaining that as a Christian she didn't feel able to participate in creating a 'god' when she believes God is true and that it would be blasphemy to do so. I am a Christian and this homework project wouldn't sit comfortably with me at all.

[FlaviaAlbia]

I quite like that idea.

She could base it around things that are important to her about her God. Forgiveness, compassion etc. So, turning it into an act of worship in a way?

[3out]

I wouldn’t have been happy doing that as a teenager either, and I wouldn’t be too impressed if my kids were asked to.

It shows quite a lack of awareness from the teacher? I doubt they’re deliberately trying to offend, but it is offensive.

Not sure how I’d handle it. I’d probably ask our Minister for guidance on an appropriate response.

[eyebrowsonfleek]

Could she just draw one of the Roman/Norse/Greek mythological Gods instead? She won’t have created a new god but will have some homework to show the teacher.

[FlaviaAlbia]

I'm reading it as a short essay or similar, not drawing a picture? Year 8 is 1st form where I am.

[MrsPworkingmummy]

Can't she base it on God? She could include quotes or passages from the Bible to make clear your beliefs.

[ParadiseCity]

Couldn't she do something about her God? No need to invent just put what she believes. Title: this is my God. Or similar.

[MaisyPops]

I don't think there's valid reasons to refuse.

The bible discusses not worshiping false gods.
A creative task exploring attributes of God is reasonablr.

She could design a God based on what thr bible teaches her.

[TaylorTinker]

I wouldn't be happy about it and I'm not practising. It just seems glib and disrespectful to me.

[headinhands]

Serious question though. Why would an all powerful god feel bothered if she just did it? Is it’s ego that fragile?

[Mattresstestermax]

I had similar issues with homework in RE at school. I always did something to hand in, but discussed with the teacher a suitable modification. Here I would suggest a piece of work about aspects of God, if a drawing task pretty straight forward, if writing stick in some quotes from Isiah and discuss what they mean to her. Is it a “proper” re teacher or someone making up their hours? I found some differences in how flexible they would be. This will come up several times before she is done maybe agree with head of RE a set of guidelines?

[noblegiraffe]

Maybe a giant golden calf....

I think a mail to the teacher might be a good idea as it sounds like a homework that could cause problems for other students too and needs to be rethought.

In the meantime, perhaps she could think of it as designing a superhero?

[scrappydappydoo]

Hmm tricky one. We are also an active Christian family. I would get her to write a short statement explaining why she feels uncomfortable with essentially creating a false idol but then also go on to describe God as He is. She is therefore completing the task but remaining true to her faith.

[Julie8008]

Surely RS is for learning about other religions/gods/beliefs etc. If she isn't willing to do that homework what is the point in her being in that class? Perhaps a religious school would be more appropriate if she is refusing work on religious grounds.

[MaisyPops]

I'm with you julie.

I'm religious and understand objections on religious grounds from some things.

I don't think this homework is unreasonable. They are deisgning a God that someone might worship.
Essentially it's an attributes of a God task and not really worth objevting to in my opinion.

[3out]

Learning about other religions is totally fine, no problem with that, actually quite enjoy it.

Being asked to design your own god - that is what I have the problem with.

[Vitalogy]

The Pope doesn't seem to mind this image of God.

[eurochick]

She's not being asked to worship it, so I can't see the problem.

[ProfessorCat]

All the images of the Christian "God" have been designed by someone. Is it not weird that most of them are of a white male?

Just do the homework.

[MaisyPops]

Being asked to design your own god - that is what I have the problem with.
So alter the title fractionally and complete an identical piece of homework.
'Design a God' vs 'Design your own God'.
Same task in terms of educational outcome.

I'm religious and can't honestly see the fuss. It seems a bit looking to be offended.