French teacher telling DD that she only doesn't believe in God because her Mother told her.

[ScienceDad]

Hello Mumsnetters, long time reader first time poster!

Am I being unreasonable in thinking that this teacher was way beyond the line in saying this? Here is some background, sorry in advance for the length, but I think it's quite interesting.

A while back, DD's cousin, who is 9, told her that she had to be good, or God, who watches them from the clouds, would punish her and send her to hell where she'd be hurt forever.

As you can imagine, this was very upsetting for a 4 year old girl, and when she asked us if there was a God in the clouds watching her, her mother and I, who are both intelligent athiests, told her not to worry about it, some people believe that there is but we don't, and worrying about it (as even religious folk should understand) is completely absurd for a 4 year old.

So fastforward a few weeks, and DD comes home from School (A very expensive, highly regarded private school, of which she is by far the top student in her class, as we were informed by her teacher at parents evening) Came home very upset after an after school French Lesson. While talking about Christmas DD was told that Christmas was about loving God, which, as you know how tactful a 4 year old can be, resulted in DD saying God wasn't real. Her French teacher in turn told her God was real, and she only doesn't believe in God because her Mother (My DW) said so.

I was fuming, to be honest, not only because it's the complete opposite of reality (not to make this a religeon debate, but surely the French teacher only took that stance because SHE had been told it as a child) but surely any mature adult would not correct a child on such a matter with no tact at all, especially when she is supposedly teaching in an expensive, non faith based school.

Sorry again for length, but AIBU?

Who are you to state as fact that the birth of Christ never happened in reality?

You don't sound like an intelligent anything to me by coming out with your suppOsed 'facts'

I blame spelling on the bloody iPhone...!

this was my Wifes biggest concern, what if instead of us, she'd disagreed with one of the few Muslim Children in the classes views and felt the need to tell them that theirs was the wrong god

Her biggest concern? I doubt it!

I don't think believing in God necessarily makes someone unintelligent - just a bit gullible and fantasy prone.

Science Dad, in which case you must be a Pagan as the worship of the SUN was replaced with the worship of the SON on the shortest day of the year (began Dec 25th this year was Dec 22nd). So if you don't think the birth of Christ happened (which it clearly did due to documentation and that glorious census) I presume you worship the SUN?

Interesting, I'd have though someone with your intelligence wouldn't celebrate a festival you didn't believe in.

Anyone starting to feel sorry for Mademoiselle?

I'm Team French Teacher!

Hang on a minute Merrylegs, I don't think this is drastic enough post for us, the British, to support them, the French. Let's just take it slow.

Sorry, I was merely basing my assertions on empirical evidence, rather than a book written 1700 years ago about a time 2000 years ago about a man who couldn't read, write, or predict basic tings that would be useful to mankind, but could turn water into wine and other trivial miracles.

Science Dad, it's interesting also, because some atheists (those that are serious) don't celebrate Christmas, instead, they celebrate and love those close to them, all year round...and they do it without being hypocritical.

Well done for being an atheist, I'd just hate to see you as a hypocrite. Especially someone of your intelligence.

OpenToLawSuits, I don't worship the sun, I appreciate the elements and inner workings of it, as they allow me to live. God on the other hand would prefer I hate Gays. It's not a touch choice.

Raccoon

How rude and ignorant to call people who believe in God gullible etc

Who do you think you are to judge us and call us fantasists? Who made you right? I don't go around insulting people who don't believe in God as everyone is entitled to believe in what they like - but to class people who do believe in the way you have shows a very small-minded ignorant person

*Tough, and yes, I'm afraid I've gone terribly off topic, this kind of thing really brings out the worst in me :(

Sadly Science, your erm, "evidence" is in fact theory as it hasn't been proven. So your "theory" has lead you to your belief...which is fine, but when referring to Christmas you may want to explain to your dd where it came from and what replaced it and let her decide for herself. Unless you don't want to buy her gifts next year because your beliefs prevent you from doing so. This I would understand.

MsKlo - Evidence made Racoon right, sorry :p

OK, so at Christmas you worship the sun? That's fine, because it means you're not being a hypocrite in extending watered down Christian beliefs while denying them.

So I guess you celebrate spring/life come Easter?

No, it isn't evidence, it hasn't been proven.

Theory + Theory = theory, not evidence or fact.

As a super intelligent Science Dad, I thought you might've known the basic formula.

Why does celebrating Christmas, while accepting that the whole Jesus thing is a fairy story, make you a hypocrite?

Fictional it may be, but it's a nice story with a worthwhile message.

I know there's no Tooth Fairy either. So do most people. Does that make them a hypocrite for leaving 50p under a child's pillow?

Well you've answered your own question. Frankly I wouldn't deny something so strongly as to build my life upon it, and then delve into it once a year. That makes you a hypocrite.

But, as he celebrates the Pagan festival of the Sun, then it isn't a problem :)

I don't promote lying in my household, so there is no tooth fairy for my ds.

To not promote lying and then to lie, would make one a hypocrite.

Theory + Scientific Theory != Theory*2 Therefore it's safe to assume that a Scientific Theory is not the same as a 'Regla ol' Theory. :)

And I don't worship anything, I love my family and friends, and that's quite enough for me.
I do appreciate a nice suntan though, thanks, Mr. Sun.

If I could turn water in to wine, I wouldn't consider it trivial.

I would however quit my job and charge a fair amount to host parties.

So, to sum up.... everyone is entitled to believe what they like BUT I'm not allowed to believe that believers are gullible. Riiight...

Oh fOr goodness sake sciencedad - are you saying everyone who believes in god hates gays now? The God I believe in is not a judgemental fire and brimstone God ( I suppose I would class myself as spiritual rather than religious ) but I also know many many religious people who do not believe in a judgemental gay hating God

Oh and I just love the 'apology' on dismissing the birth of Christ - so dismissive in tone... How intelligent

Spot the sarcasm

P.S. Whats so terrible at celebrating life? It's a wonderful thing that we're slowly discovering the meaning of, and each wonderful discovery brings us a further sense of enlightenment. God is like a shortcut through a dingy alleyway, when you could be driving through fields of roses.

So Science Dad, why celebrate anything on December 25th? If you deny both the reasons to, then why do it? Why not on the 23rd? Wouldn't your dc get confused if you and your super intelligent dw tell her there is no such thing as God, but celebrate the basis of his birth?

I'm just wondering if she gets confused.

Will she ever appear in a nativity play at her exclusive school?

I haven't read all the replies but surely Science Dad you realise that the highly expensive private schools tend to have a religious undercurrent? My DD's both attend a very good private school and there is a definite leaning towards believing in God, ok, not just a God but several Gods (to make sure they remain inclusive of all Faiths).

Sure, I can understand you being annoyed at the French Teacher's comments but it can't really be a surprise to you that the school encourage a belief in God?