Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by erik112358 on December 5, 2011 at 11:59am

Of course it's illegal, but that doesn't mean one shouldn't take reasonable measures to avoid it.  Murder is also illegal, so should I stop taking detours around violent parts of town?  What's so wrong with not wanting to be a victim?  

Additionally, the OP didn't "teach" lying to avoid controversy.  While I agree that lying was not the optimal approach, I still say that the question is not appropriate for a public school, and should have been addressed as such.

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Permalink Reply by erik112358 on November 30, 2011 at 11:08pm

whoops.  apologies to cookiesdaddy.

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Permalink Reply by Michael Appleman on November 30, 2011 at 6:59pm

I remember as a freshman in highschool my social studies teacher was saying something tangentially related to a modern religion. One of the other students asked her a question about said religion (I remember she sounded genuinely curious), but the teacher wasn't comfortable going off on an even slight religious tangent with the lesson, even though it was a straightforward question. She said she could get into alot of trouble if the conversation went further and one of their parents took it the wrong way.

 

Anyways, its impossible to objectively state that that anyone should or should not do anything. Make sure you are aware of potential consequences, and then if you feel comfortable doing it, do it. If not, don't. Of course there is a middle ground between lying to them and telling them that santa isn't real. You could also just tell them that the question is inappropriate, irrelevant, and/or etc.

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Permalink Reply by Ron Humphrey on December 16, 2011 at 6:42am

As a former teacher in a very conservative (read Republican) school district in the American South, I can tell you without any doubt that any teacher who publicly declared that he or she was atheist would have been in deep trouble.

I doubt if I would have had my contract renewed.  A reason, other than religious, would have been found to terminate my employment.  I would have been better off if I had committed adultery.

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Permalink Reply by Akshay Bist on November 30, 2011 at 9:48pm

Erm, ask a question from the syllabus back, a really hard one.

Can't answer the question huh? Pay more attention in class instead of asking questions not related to the subject >./p>

And then the kid cries.

Oh just kidding. Say that last part in a funny voice & the kid probably won't cry

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Permalink Reply by Ceci on December 1, 2011 at 5:34am

in these situations, i think it would be good, as nelson said before, just telling them that you are not going to discuss you personal beliefs about religion. then, only if the kids insist, you should tell them what you really think about god's question.
it is not only a matter of lying or not when you have to manage a situation like this one: if those children have very religious parents, i think that they could even find a way to sue you, for example claiming that, as a teacher, you mean to influence negatively their kids in their religious beliefs, or something like that.

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Permalink Reply by Jennifer on December 1, 2011 at 11:22am

I've taught high school English for 14 years and this is a sensitive area. When I student taught, I asked my cooperating teacher how I should handle this. She advised not to make broad statements in class, but if a student approached me privately, I should be honest because the kids who struggle with faith need role models too. Many of my students figure out my lack of belief based on how I approach different topics. When I've been asked point blank in class, I fall on the "you know I can't answer that question, just like I can't tell you who I vote for". This usually ends it. Although I think all religions are absurd, I do maintain a respectful attitude towards the topic in class as I try to do with most subjects. This way all students, believers and non-believers, feel comfortable. Surprising, this has led to a number of conversations over the years among students about their own beliefs and non-beliefs. We all learn and benefit from open dialogue. I just don't initiate it in class and make sure I monitor the respect level and keep it connected with the curriculum of course!

 

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Permalink Reply by Barry Eckert on January 29, 2012 at 8:30pm

She advised not to make broad statements in class, but if a student approached me privately, I should be honest because the kids who struggle with faith need role models too ... When I've been asked point blank in class, I fall on the "you know I can't answer that question, just like I can't tell you who I vote for"

That seems pretty reasonable. I would have to agree with other posters, though, that there has to be a degree of realpolitik about this whole thing. My views are affected by being a lifelong resident of the South, however, and perhaps there are a few places in the US where one can be honest privately and not have some mysterious reason for termination come up sometime later.

The safest thing is probably to deflect the question. If I were in that situation, I don't think I could lie to the kid (kids hear enough bullshit from adults already) but in a country that is litigation-crazy and also asks the near-impossible from teachers while devaluing them at the same time, divulging such a potential time bomb just doesn't seem wise.

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Permalink Reply by Dennis Smith on December 1, 2011 at 11:40am

Well, the question is whether YOU believe in god not whether god exists. You could say no to the one question and defer the other.

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Permalink Reply by Artor on December 1, 2011 at 11:40am

I believe in god as a historical & cultural artifact that has influenced society in profound ways throughout history. Is he/it real? Fuck no!

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Permalink Reply by Dennis Smith on December 1, 2011 at 11:41am

The other response it to refer her to her parents. It's need your responsibility or even prerogative as a public school teacher to tell her whether god exists or not; separation of religion and state and all that.

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Permalink Reply by webperez on December 1, 2011 at 12:34pm

Interesting how it's ok to talk to kids about religion when they are young but we somehow think that it is bad to tell them how 10% to 20% feel and think about the subject. Why is one better than the other?

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