Losing their religion

John Holt said something to the effect of we force our children to do things all day, every day that none of us could do ourselves. How many of us could pay attention to hours of lectures about subjects that we couldn't care less about—many of which we will never even use in our lives? If schools were optional and provided choices for students so they could attend only the things that fuel their passions, I might support them more.

It’s especially difficult, however, when you hear stories like these.

A school in Mississippi recently forced students to listen to a religious lecture. Those who attempted to leave were—get this—blocked by teachers and forced to stay. This is unbelievable. How many of us would sit through a lecture about a religion we do not believe in? How would you feel if, say, you were blocked from leaving a presentation about Islam? (Not that I’m against any particular religion—I’m using it here because it’s the one Americans seem to have the most negative feelings about.)

My husband, an atheist, would have been so irate he probably would have went out the emergency exit (and got expelled or something) had this happened to us. My mother, an atheist back then, would have probably called the school, the media and anyone else she could raise hell with, too. The preachy anti-drug and alcohol skits the school hired to ineffectively warn us away from substance abuse were bad enough.

The American Humanist Association is pursuing legal action with the school and I hope they get somewhere with it. Every person deserves to learn about religion if he or she wishes—but no one deserves to be forced to listen to religious propaganda at school, work or elsewhere.

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia