Separation of Church and State
I run the risk of being labled by admitting to the following thoughts. I am clearly aware of the undertones that are becoming more overt by the year. These overt undertones could be a reaction to Christianity's often holier than thou mentality, but never-the-less, I find the rejection of all things related in anyway to Christianity a bit pig-headed and just as judgemental as the holier than thous. As I am navigating through my first year as an English teacher, recognizing the lack of texts to choose from, I began looking into new British novels to teach to the seniors. One such book, a somewhat steamy and mysterious novel concerning an Anglican priest came to mind. But I was immediately choked by that question of appropriateness, not so much because of the sex, but because the religious theme is quite prevalent.I then thought of C.S. Lewis, by far one of the most renowned British authors of the modern era. He was clearly a Christian apologetic, interspersing some less relgious writings throughout his career. But his best work is by far christian. So, I am hesitating at introducing my students to a wonderful author simply because he is christian. Ironic isn't it? That those who discredit Christianity as exclusive and narrow-minded, do just that whenever it comes to Christian thought. It reminds me of that whole elementary school birthday invitation thing. You forgot to invite me, so I'll forget to invite you--and make sure you and everyone else knows I forgot to invite you.
posted by Mr. McNamar at 1:50 PM
4 Comments:
If you still have your Jan 2005 copy of NEA today (I usually throw it out with all the other junk mail, so I don't know why I even opened that one...)
There is an article about sep. of church and state on pg21. Mostly celebrating that we've sterilized/purged schools from the blood stains of Christianity. BUT, in the last paragraph (of course), there is a short piece about how a teacher in South Dakota recently won the right, via the 8th circuit courts, to participate in a student religious club after school.
I can really relate to your sense that Christianity has been specifically ostracized. A few weeks ago, I entered our school library to find a meeting of several of our history classes with students from a Islamic school in MA. During one part of this "multi-cultural" experience, a Muslim student read from the Koran, and later, another student demonstrated a full prayer toward Mecca.
It's hard to picture the Christain equivalents being condoned at any type of school event, eh?
I don't forsee any problems with the use of books with a Christian theme, as long as you are willing to provide alternatives to those students that protest. For example, in my world history class, we just did an exploration of Dante's vision of hell and how it critiqued then-modern society and Church corruption. As long as the material is relevant, you should be okay.
As far as the Muslim students reading from the Koran, consider that the intent was exposure, not conversion. How many students may have had experience with Islam? I imagine that many, on the other hand, have had some exposure to Christian beliefs and the Bible. Now, if the students were then told that Christianity was evil and doomed them to hell, well, that is inappropriate.
Dreamer says it right when he indicates that it is exposure that is often intended. It is funny, though, that as teachers we must walk a line that is so thin. Even when issues of Christianity have come up in readings like "The Canterbury Tales," I find myself always qualifying my remarks, so as to not appear in any shape or form to support Christianity. I wonder if I would have the same approach if the novel or poem dealt with mainly Buddhist belifs, or Muslim.
But then, I imagine that your students recognize your Christian beliefs, and you would not need to walk that fine line with the writings of another faith simply because they know that you are not trying to 'sing its praises' as it were.
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