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My daughter's teacher tells the class to pray.

My 6 year old daughter's teacher tells the class to pray during the morning announcements. My daughter says they are told to put their heads down on their desk and pray for their families and friends. Considering she goes to public school, I am quite angry.

I decided my immediate approach will be to talk to the teacher about it but I don't know how to do it tactfully. Every time I think I do, I get pissed all over again. (I will NOT mention my personal beliefs because I feel they are irrelevant to the situation.) My boyfriend thinks I should use the approach of saying "I believe that prayer is a personal thing, and I don't believe that it's an appropriate activity for a public classroom of learning" or something like that. What do you guys think?

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Permalink Reply by SecularCortex13.x on September 22, 2009 at 4:52pm

School board of x county owes you an apology.
Sorry to have to break it to you my friend but life seldom goes as we've planned;
especially in the case of people keeping their religion/belief in myths etc.. private.
Seems nowdays they're told by their 'leaders' to spread their lies to improve their money scheme.
You know, prayer sells...
hugh wah, yeah reprimand that teacher.

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Permalink Reply by Keia on September 22, 2009 at 5:17pm

I am nervous because I live in a tiny religious town in Texas and I am literally one of the only black people around.

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Permalink Reply by Chrys Stevenson on September 22, 2009 at 5:21pm

Do talk to the FFRF. They may be able to contact the school and give them a warning without disclosing who informed them - then you wouldn't be implicated at all. Give them a ring, or send them an email and tell them your position. I hope they'll help.

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Permalink Reply by Keia on September 22, 2009 at 5:45pm

Thank you!

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Permalink Reply by Cara on September 22, 2009 at 10:49pm

Do they actually do this? I have had so many problems with my daughters old school but I figured even bringing the issue up with the teacher or school board would cause a huge backlash I'm not sure I want my child to go through. Fortunately there are no issues with our current school.

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Permalink Reply by Chrys Stevenson on September 22, 2009 at 11:16pm

There is a list of the FFRF's recent court cases here. Litigation is what they do - but I am sure their legal interns would try to negotiate with offenders first.

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Permalink Reply by Cara on September 23, 2009 at 11:54am

Thanks Kristy!

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Permalink Reply by Rusty Gunn. on September 22, 2009 at 5:26pm

Keep a low profile or they may not even pray for your soul before the string you up! Those good Christians have been known to do such things.

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Permalink Reply by Chrys Stevenson on September 22, 2009 at 5:36pm

That's really helpful advice to a woman who's already isolated and frightened, Walter.

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Permalink Reply by Keia on September 22, 2009 at 5:47pm

No biggie.

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Permalink Reply by Rusty Gunn. on September 22, 2009 at 5:59pm

Well, the important part was the "keep a low profile".

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Permalink Reply by Audiodef on June 14, 2010 at 11:53am

If the underdog of the moment had been in the practice of keeping a low profile, today's fascism would be Disneyland in comparison to what would have evolved.

If someone is fundamentally violating your rights, they win by default if you "keep a low profile". That's exactly what they want. Speaking up might get you hurt or worse - but what kind of world do you want to live in?

I am not just preaching. I'm in a similar position and I take the speak-up approach. I get all kinds of BS in the process, but I like who I have to face in the mirror.