Daughter objects to prayers at school

[TubbyTubby]

So last night my 10yo daughter told me she was uncomfortable with a recent trend of singing praise to some or other god at school (non-denom).

She asked me to request she be excused and is happy to leave the class/hall so just written the following email to the head. Very proud of her, she used to believe in a god a few years back and we left her to make her own mind up but I told her my thoughts on the subject obviously.

Also quite frightening when you realise the influence you have over children and how easily that influence could be put to work with a belief system.

Very proud dad!




Dear Mrs ******,
 
My daughter, *****, informed me last night that she is taking part in various prayer and songs that mention god lately and she expressed feeling uncomfortable about this. We are non-believers and hold a mixture of atheist/agnostic views in our family and I would prefer my children to grow up able to critically think about and question all beliefs without having any particular one held above the others as ‘the truth’. If she decides later in life to follow a religion then I want it to be her fully informed choice when she is old enough to do so. With this in mind, I would like to ask that ***** be immediately excused from any further prayer or praise activities to any type of gods. She has told me she is happy to leave the classroom or hall when this is taking place.

I hope I have not misunderstood the situation as I have only listened to what ***** has told me. I am visiting the school with ***** next Tuesday and am happy to talk with you then if we need to clarify anything.

[Foxaèr]

Very good dad.

[rado84]

Also quite frightening when you realise the influence you have over children and how easily that influence could be put to work with a belief system.

That is why I could never be that kinda monster like those from the Vatican.

Btw, it's "realiZe".   

[Foxaèr]

Btw, it's "realiZe".   

It can also be realise, especially if one is from the U.K.

[robvalue]

I'm very impressed with both your daughter, and you as a dad Did it work OK?

Hum, is your daughter's and her teacher's names swear words?

I initially read it as, "She is happy to leave the class/hell..." I thought, whoah! That's a kid with some spine, prepared to go to hell for her principles already.

Dear Mrs. Fuckface,

[Fidel_Castronaut]

Realise = Equally valid. Most non-US English speaking countries do not use Z In '-ise'.

OP, excellent email. Good job you sanding up to indoctrination through the back door.

[Longhorn]

Awesome! Good job dad! That's a clever little lady you got c:

[robvalue]

Clearly you have raised a kid who can think for herself and not just accept what everyone else says or does. Mad props to both of you!

How to think, not what to think, people. Parenting 101. This is how it's done!

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

Tub, I'm afraid you've made an awful blunder.

If your little girl doesn't sing to and praise a non-denominational being during school hours, it's plain as day that she's going to be sent to some sort of non-denominational afterlife where she may have to sit in the waiting rooms for aeons reading old magazines while the Powers That Be made up their non-denominational minds what to do.

Do you REALLY want that on your conscience?

Boru

[TubbyTubby]

I'm very impressed with both your daughter, and you as a dad Did it work OK?

Hum, is your daughter's and her teacher's names swear words?

I initially read it as, "She is happy to leave the class/hell..." I thought, whoah! That's a kid with some spine, prepared to go to hell for her principles already.

Dear Mrs. Fuckface,

You know the teacher then? Yeh, I always thought naming my daughter 'shithead' would come back to haunt me.

I only sent it this morning. I'll update progress later.