Education of Religion in Our Schools: Are We Teaching Tolerance or Force Feeding Religion???

A news outlet has recently reported a story of parents in a certain Georgia school district being up in arms over  the subject of their child's current school curriculum. Parents are screaming bloody murder, conspiracy, and coming together to make a run on the school district, over what they see as offensive. What's the heinous offense one school has been accused of doing? What subject matter has these concerned parents (all whom are non African American) so upset and ready to take it as far as they can? Religion. Not just any religion, but the teaching of Islam. 

Really? Islamic religious beliefs have these parents calling foul play on the school district? Is the school requiring the students to convert, dress accordingly, and pray at the appointed hours? Wait, before you cast this aside as mere rhetoric, let's look at both side of the coin, or in this case the Koran. 

 

The question is what's the harm in our children learning about other religions? I suppose it's all in how you view it. You can choose to view it as the school teaching tolerance of others by learning of their religious beliefs and foundations or you may choose to see it, as it seems these parents have, as their children being forced fed a religion that goes against their very religious foundation. It's all in your perception, and as the saying goes, "Ones perception is their reality."

So what is the reality or truth behind learning to understand the religion of others? Isn't it a good thing to expand the minds of our little sponges? Wouldn't it be a great for them to understand other's religious beliefs in an effort to better understand the people as a whole and to dispel any sub conscience discrimination we may have? Why is it being viewed as being forced fed a foreign religion?

Ummmm...Hold On...Wait...Being forced fed a foreign religion sounds quite familiar, especially to our African American ancestors who was bounded in slavery. These slaves was forced to deny their foundation, identity, and religion to dawn the foreign one that was forced upon them!!

I digress! As for me, I ABSOLUTELY support our children learning about other religions for two very important reasons. First, I'm very secure in the religious teachings that my children has and currently receive which has built a strong foundation. So strong that learning about other religions are no threat to it. Secondly, this education, if taught correctly, can help repair and build tolerance of other religions that they are exposed to on a daily basis. From PreK to 12, why not? It's taught in college where they have a choice to study it. If they chose to do so, what will your recourse be then? The idea of separating church from state went out the window long ago. Which that in itself was ludicrous because where do you think they held school in the early years???? In a CHURCH!!!! 

I get it! Some of the "offended" parents argue that Christianity isn't being taught, that the children are not learning the 10 commandments. Who's to blame for that? When you start to take prayer out of schools the rest was sure to follow. They don't even want you to pray at football games!!! Really??? If we would focus as much energy to fight for God to be put back in school as much as we fight for schools to not teach other religions, we wouldn't have so much hell to go through in the education system. 

We have to stop teaching our children separation based on differences! Teach tolerance of them instead and yes learn of other religions to help you understand the person. It's not about being converted from one religion to another. Take for example of the recent Papal visit. I can safely say all those that was waiting to see and shake his hand was not Catholic. He wasn't here to convert the Americans. So I promise you, concerned parents, that the teachings of the school district in Georgia is not trying to convert your children, they have taken the brave step to teach tolerance in an intolerable world. 

I suppose tolerance must first be taught at home. As Christians, isn't tolerance of other's beliefs part of the Christian foundation. You can't reach anyone for Christ going in full throttle about how wrong their beliefs are. Alas, it's all in one's perception. I can only pray that we, as parents, be it Muslims, Christians, Buddhist, Catholic, or otherwise, allow our little sponges to soak up as much education as possible regarding all religions without fear that the foundation that we, as parents, have built can't and won't be disturbed because it was built on firm ground and not sand!

Blessings!

L

Beginning Again

How many times will I be doing this? Why can't I seem to get it together? What's wrong with me? Am I going to be known as the queen/king of do overs? This along with many other questions have come up more than once in my life as well as many others. Starting again can seem daunting or refreshing depending on how you look at it. Every morning we are all starting again. We are all giving new mercies and grace daily. How you choose to use it is something all together different. 

Why, at some point in our lives, must we start again? I feel it's a necessity to start again because we all go through changes. Sometimes you have to step back to move forward. Take for instance starting a lawn mower, the push kind. You pull the string over and over again until it starts, right? It won't start unless you give it some slack by allowing the cord to recoil. Or think about a sprinter, they place their feet on the mark that's set behind them using it to catapult them forward. It's all in how you use your start. Life is not a walk in the park on a sweet sunny day. It has its twists and turns along with its ups and downs and yes it's occasional do overs. 

Beginning again is often necessary to get you to the next chapter in your life. We all have goals in life, and in working those goals, at times, you have to reevaluate your position. As you are learning on your journey you have to be flexible enough for a do over to gain the knowledge, momentum, or passion you initially began with. Fighting it would only lead to self destruction.

I'm personally in the process of my beginning again. I'm beginning again first, with my thought process. Letting go of any and every thing that does not line up with God's word and will for my life. In doing this it has caused me to begin again with how I relate to others from family to friends to business. As I continue to embrace the knowledge of self, I am starting again with a fiery passion for my destiny, one that I have never felt before. It's allowed me to live in the moment as I continue on my journey.

Don't get it twisted, it's not easy by any stretch of the imagination.  Starting this blog back in April was something totally out of character, allowing others into my life and sharing how I feel about different situations is something I never thought I would do; however, look at me now. I do it with no regrets nor fear. It is, at times, liberating to share with you life through my eyes. Now that's what you call following your destiny. 

So don't be afraid to begin again. It's an essential part of living your life to the fullest!! Don't let anyone tell you that you are okay where you are if you feel the fire burning within telling you it's time for a do over to do better! The scariest step is the first step; however, you've taken it before. Now it's with a renewed spirit and tenacity! 

Beginning Again can be you finally Beginning Anew to a Better You!

Blessings!

L