11 YO DD1 told not to bring Twilight book into school again because it's 'unchristian'

[AgentZigzag]

DD1s teacher from last year asked her what she was reading at playtime on Friday, DD1 told her it was 'New Moon' which we'd bought her for her birthday in December.

The teacher hurried off and had quiet words with the teacher taking her class this year, they both came back and said she wasn't in trouble, but they didn't want her to bring the book in again to school because it's at odds with the christian values of the school (it's C of E).

The teacher said she'd read the first Twilight book and it's fine if her mum and dad think it's OK for her to read it, but she didn't think it was for little girls and they'd 'get into trouble if anyone saw her reading it' (DD thought the trouble would be from the vicar, although I find this hard to believe).

There are a few things I feel a bit uncomfortable about -

-this teacher had asked DD what she was reading a few times when DD took in the first Twilight book in, and just smiled and said nothing.

-they're actively encouraged to read Harry Potter books, and if you're banning Twilight because it's 'unchristian' then shouldn't that go for HP as well, and anything else with fantasy characters in? So no more fairies or Father Christmas then.

-DD was reading it at playtime, so nothing to do with lessons. Are they expecting her to spread dissent on what the Evil books are about or something?

-I feel they're somehow insinuating we're being unchristian letting her read them, although I couldn't care less about them judging me on my religious views, it annoys me because it seems a bit of a random rule when she's gone all the way through the school and no other judgments on our christian values have been mentioned.

I'm pretty much hands off when it comes to school, letting them get on with their job and do what they ask of me re homework etc. So I'm not planning on storming down there to confront them or anything, but this has really got on my wick and I'm posting to try and sort out what I think about it really.

Am I being unreasonable?

Hitler's National Socialist party certainly appealed to the Christian right in Germany at the time.

I was just saying hitler took religion out of society, and if you take it out, what are you left with?

Just rules some bloke made up because he didn't like Jewish people.

And at an even more base level, Stalin just made them up to penalise anyone who didn't like him and his murderous policies.

Take away the 'higher power' and you're left with human laws, and humans can be fucking horrible bastards to each other. It's just that religion stops some from being fucking horrible bastards, and that has to be a good thing doesn't it?

No. Because on the scale of things religion has caused more murder and terror than anything else over the last couple of thousand years. The crusades, the inquisitions, Ireland, Israel/Palestine, not to mention all the Islamic 'Holy Wars', all people killing each other because they believe in a different version of a Sky Daddy.

And why do you think Hitler hated Jews? He just thought they smelled? You're naive if you think it was not connected with religion. Jews have been persecuted throughout the ages, it was just Hitler's turn.

You will not find one example of an atrocity carried out in the name of atheism, not one.

Add some 'higher power' and humans can be bastards to each other. Take Saudi Arabia's complete subjugation of women, take the Catholic church's denial of contraception to poor filipino women, or the laundry houses for I married mothers in Ireland or the cover up of child abuse or criminalisation of homosexuality in Nigeria and parts of the US etc etc

God doesn't stop any of this but he's pretty damn useful if you want some sort of excuse.

Take away religion? If we all suddenly realised God doesn't exist? Women would get a better deal certainly but yes human beings would continue to be bastards to each other sometimes.

Ooh, ooh, Godwins law!!

FFS, this whole argument stemmed from school asking that a child not bring in a book. Whatever the reasons, that is the schools right. If she had worn crocs, or a penguin in her lunch box, everyone would be saying suck it up!

Not as much though, not so easy without the divine excuse. If you're doing what evil you're doing because you're doing it for god you're conscience is surely easier. Sanctioned by god. And you won't get them killing each other because one side says their god is better than the other sides.

'If she had worn crocs'

Just what are you suggesting about the kind of people we are saggy??

'but then I'd be inclined to call the school and tell them I don't think much of the Bible, either.'

Even if you'd chosen to send your DC to a faith school Purty?

Crocs are indeed the work of the devil

Ok. I was brought up with a Jehovas Witness father and had religion pressed on me for many years. I am not religious and don't follow any religion. My Dcs, who have never been specifically exposed to religion by me or anyone else, as I have insisted that they could learn about faith if they want to, when they are old enough to decide for themselves, now are members of the church youth group and go often to church.
Just because schools teach religion, it doesn't follow your kids will be indoctrinated!

'Crocs are indeed the work of the devil'

It's from these points of reference that an overall consensus can begin to grow saggy

"You will not find one example of an atrocity carried out in the name of atheism, not one."

Plenty of atheists carry out atrocities though. They just don't use religion as an excuse to hide behind.

"religion has caused more murder and terror than anything else over the last couple of thousand years"

I think underneath the "religious" front, most wars, terrorism etc. are actually to do with territory and "I was here first". Many people have traditionally thought of religion as good, honourable, worthy etc. which is precisely what makes it the ideal cover for negative acts. People using religion in this false way does not mean the religion itself is wrong.

"religion has caused more murder and terror than anything else over the last couple of thousand years"
Yes. That and oil.....

Not the answer I was expecting Purty

And have you/would you ring your DCs school and give them your thoughts on the Bible?

Totally agree with your posts Popcorn.

Reducing all wars and acts of state violence down to a single factor, and I would say they're all about power.

It's something that could be applied to every one of them.

And for SGB I'd go further and say they could be reduced down to male power especially by men having to make up for being less well endowed than their counterparts

Actually, thinking on that, has there ever been research into the correlation between men who become dictators and the size of their nobs?

I should have put a on the end there, else it looks like I think there might be a possiblity such research exists

Send her to school with something by Alistair Crowley.

Actually, I have some Crowley kicking about somewhere

"Reducing all wars and acts of state violence down to a single factor, and I would say they're all about power."

But if that power is given to you divinely you then believe, as will all your minions, that it's a cause rather than an aggressive act. You're god is THE ONE TRUE GOD, and the gods of the bible and the qu'ran (for example) show little tolerance of worshipers of other gods, both ask for them to be killed. What do you think Bin Laden's anger against the west was based on? What do you think large parts of the middle east's anger against the west is based on? George W Bush himself used the word 'crusade' about the 'War on Terror'. And if your god has told you that land is yours it's open season. Ask the Palestinians.

It's naive and disingenuous to attempt to deny the death caused in the name of religion. It's not a personal slight, I'm pretty sure you've never killed anyone because of your faith, but many have.

Bleuh, one of my pet hates in my very own post - It's your god, not you're.

You are not god, despite my attempt to make it so.