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<p>If that’s an accurate characterization of their school performance program, then it has no place in a public school. And of course, if they did the performance GFG witnessed, and didn’t break it off before the “saving” part, that wouldn’t belong, either.</p>
<p>Gee, I guess there are other places besides where I live that have no separation of church and state. A religious group with thinly veiled recruitment methods does not belong in a public school in the US. Period.</p>
<p>Interesting perspectives from other parts of the country on the winter singing programs. Ours are full of hymns and songs of our “local” religion and it makes me ill. When it happens, the ONLY reason I do not get up and walk out is to not embarrass my kids.</p>
<p>The Power Group performed at my school today. </p>
<p>To make this clear: as far as I could tell, there were no direct references to Christianity or any other religion. After the feats of strength, the speaker talked about the importance of good decision-making, the benefits of being substance free, and a short segment on abstinence, but nothing related to religion. He just stated that he was proud of the fact that he was saving himself for his future wife and that he doesn’t have to worry about STDs, etc. </p>
<p>The most Christianity I could find in the presentation was one extremely subtle symbol - one of the presenters said that he would bend a metal bar into the shape of a fish, which indicates that he is a follower of Christ. But, like I said, it’s subtle. I’d bet some money that few other people made that connection. Also, at the end of the assembly, he said that there would be a more exstensive program at a local church.</p>
<p>I just read this thread more carefully and I would have a problem with it whether the school paid or not, but I have a huge problem with them using this so called toned down version to raise money in the public schools to support their religious agenda.</p>
<p>I agree completely, Cartera. It’s not so much what they say as much as why they’re there.</p>
<p>On the whole, I think schools would be better off sticking to reading, writing and arithmetic and doing less of this dumb motivational stuff.</p>
<p>But I agree that if you have menorahs in all the classrooms, a creche would be equivalent.</p>
<p>Following post #12 we shouldn’t teach abstinence because it is not everybody considers it a value. Where does this stop? Which values are schools supposed to instill in our children other than not killing each other or breaking the law? Or should they not teach any values at all? </p>
<p>I fully agree with mathmom schools would be better off sticking to reading, writing and arithmetic. However, they don’t. For every attempt like the one described by the OP, there are many, many built in mechanisms designed to instill specific values in our children. Many of those values contrary to what we believe in. But that is to be expected in a society that promotes and thrives in individual thinking. At the end of the day our children, and us, became better because they were exposed to other points of view.</p>
<p>artiesdad - whether one is abstinence or not does not infringe on other people’s rights, just like one’s sexual orientation. Those values can be derived from different sources - religion, philosophy, personal. We have laws in place to protect people’s rights - right to live, right to a peaceful existence, right to pay taxes, right to vote… They are not personal values. I feel it is my place to teach my kids personal values, it is for school to teach them how to be good citizens (you don’t have to be a virgin to be a good citizen).</p>
<p>As a child of an atheist family, my poor kid was constantly challenged and ostracized in the playground because her family did not attend any church, mosque, or synagogue. I remember in second grade, a mom ran an end-of-the-year party where the prizes for the games were pins with crosses on them and the message “Christ died for your sins” printed on the pins. My daughter returned her pins to the mother and was thoroughtly scolded for doing that. (in the presence of the teacher at a public school!!!)</p>
<p>So, no…as far as I am concerned, this performance is not appropriate in the public schools during academic time and, furthermore, is a complete waste of time. But, if this is a performance that does not take place during the school day and attendance is voluntary, then fine… go ahead. It sounds like it might be fun.</p>
<p>yorkyfan, We have lived similar lives in that respect. I’ve lost count of the number of Christian parents or teachers that have said to me, “Well, no one else was offended/complained/thought it inappropriate.” </p>
<p>If the people who are fine with this would be fine with another group coming in to their child’s public school, doing these tricks, then speaking very briefly about how birth control can cut the rate of unplanned pregnancies in half in their community and, oh by the way, we’ll be at the local Planned Parenthood later, then I’ll sign off on this in public schools. Any takers?</p>
<p>My objection is that there are too many interruptions to the school day as it is. Every time there is a pep rally my son gets annoyed b/c he is there to learn, not yell for whatever team is being honored that week. There is an assembly to tell everyone about class rings. There are assemblies at the elementary level every time there is a fundraiser. </p>
<p>Sometimes these are educational events–Schoolhouse Symphony or a show from the Science Museum. And every assembly is “only” once a year, but they add up. Put in snow days, sick days, and fire drills, and you begin to feel sorry for the teachers having to plan lessons under these conditions.</p>
<p>At my kid’s school they have scheduled assembly few times a week, so it’s a period that’s blocked.</p>