|
Minority Religion is a Challenge for Kids and Teachers
My kids are growing up in a Pagan household. When you enter our front door, you are met
with a beautiful picture of the Goddess and our family altar. We attend Pagan events where we celebrate
holidays like  Ostara and Lughnasadh (which many people have never heard of) - and, on our path, every single
thing has life - stones, mountains, rivers, everything. Nature is our holy book.
At eight, our youngest sees no reason to keep our rituals
quiet and openly shares with his friends that we have a Maypole in our
backyard, as well as a statue of Pan. Last year his class read a story about the Green Man and he shared all about
the Pagan belief in the Lord of the Woods.
These conversations can be difficult for teachers who have
been raised in a more traditional religion. Because these stories and activities are not common and are often
misunderstood, conversation about them causes some teachers discomfort and
concern.
In the past, some of our children's teachers have expressed
fear of allowing our son to share his experiences because they are worried that
his classmates will tell their parents what he has shared and, in their own
fear, the parents may ask their children not to play with our son. While it has not happened with our
youngest, we have had this experience with our older children and it was very
hard for them - and for us too.
A classmate asked my son if he believed in Jesus. He said, "Yes - and a bunch of other
Gods." His answer caused a big argument
that his teacher swiftly ended by saying that, in her classroom, all beliefs
were to be honored. I am very grateful for her skillful mediation.
I will not tell my son that he must hide what he
believes. Children of majority faiths
do not have to hide what they believe. At the same time, I will not let him wear a pentagram to school, despite
the fact that any of his classmates could wear a cross with no worry at
all. Symbols can also be a problem.
Our older son is 27 now. When he was young he was wildly creative and drew pictures of all kinds
of things, some of them included symbols from his Pagan upbringing. I once had a counselor call me to tell me
about the "satanic attitude in his artwork." I had to go to the school and explain what the symbols meant.
The symbols he used were not satanic (Satanism is a
derivative of Christianity and has nothing to do with Paganism). The symbols in his art demonstrated a
commitment to balance and awareness of the earth. Her response to his work embarrassed him and
made him feel his religion was somehow wrong. He told me he would never use those symbols again. Those symbols were very meaningful for him
and he no longer felt free to draw them. I remain very saddened by that.
Our twelve year old is not sure what he believes. We support his right to make a religious
choice of his own and also educate him about ours. He does not talk much about religion at school because he doesn't know what his path is yet. On more than one occasion
he has come home asking for details about biblical stories....Noah and the Ark,
Adam and Eve... because those around him, both classmates and teachers, make
references to these stories at school. The majority of the people around him understand - but he does not. Why would he? We do not follow a religion that uses biblical stories as sacred
text. It happens innocently - and it is
hard when it happens. It makes him feel
uncomfortable.
 For the most part, teachers do their best to avoid these
difficult situations. Overall, we have
been very happy with the way our children's teachers have tried to educate
themselves about our religion and to assist our family when issues arise. And we do our part. We tell them about our beliefs when we meet
them early in the year and we have chosen to live on the Westside, an area
populated by more of the eclectic portion of our community. Most teachers here seem fairly accepting of
people who belong to minority religions and live alternative lifestyles.
It is education (to dispel the fear), clarity about
separation of church and state, and a willingness in our society to develop the
skills necessary for living with diversity, that are the answers to all of the
discomfort our children experience. Tremendous progress is being made and we are grateful for it. Citizens Project is very instrumental in
these areas - and the work being done is
making a difference for families like mine.
Rev. Ahriana Platten
Colorado EcoSpiritual Center
|
|
Everybody Welcome Festival
Sunday, August 15, was the Colorado Springs Diversity Forum's
'Everybody Welcome' Festival, where Citizens Project joined many
different organizations at America the Beautiful Park to celebrate our
city's diversity. You can read the Gazette article about it here, and KKTV has a video that you can view here.  
You can view more pictures of the Festival at our website.
|
|
Get Involved
Citizens Project is seeking volunteers to serve on its new committee on religious freedom and church-state separation. 
If you're interested in helping protect religious diversity in our local community, please join this committee and help shape its focus. The first meeting is scheduled for:
Thursday August 26, 5:00pm
Craddock Columbine Properties:
337 East Pikes Peak Avenue
Colorado Springs, CO 80903-1950
If you can't make it, but are still interested, please let us know so we can include you in scheduling future meetings. Questions? Call Kristy Milligan, Executive Director, at 719-520-9899. We hope you can join us!
Urban Renewal Authority seeks volunteer panel member
The Colorado Springs Urban Renewal Authority is looking for interested citizens to fill one vacancy on a volunteer panel beginning in October 2010 and serving through April 2012. Due to the extensive project development potential, the Urban Renewal Authority is looking for applicants with backgrounds in finance, urban planning and real estate. Experience in redevelopment, master planning and familiarity with the City's Development Review Process is desirable.
Send letters of interest and resumes no later than Friday, August 20, 2010 to mdevine@springsgov.com or mail to City Council; Attention Marti Devine Sletta; P.O. Box 1575; Colorado Springs, CO 80901.
Or, fill out the Application for Appointment to a City Board, Committee or Commission, which can be found at www.SpringsGov.comby clicking on "Commissions and Committees" on the homepage. (The application cannot be submitted online at this time. Please send to the e-mail or physical address above.) For questions or more information, please call (719) 385-5453.
|
|
|
Recent CP Blog Posts
Join the Conversation
|
|
Articles of Interest
The Undivided Church and State
July 28, 2010
(Don't) Focus on the FamilyJuly 29, 2010 Texas Freedom Networkread it here
'Anti-Islamic' bus ads appear in major cities
July 28, 2010
The Christian Science Monitor
read it here
Only 'Real' Christians need apply?
Aug 11, 2010
Texas Freedom Network
read it here |
|
Upcoming Events
Restorative Justice Symposium September 23 and 24 at Beth-El Mennonite Church. The Pikes Peak Restorative Justice Council (PPRJC) is hosting a one-day conference to educate and inform communities about restorative justice, including practical steps to implement restorative justice in any organization. The conference audience will include educators, lawyers and justice system personnel, representatives from businesses, faith based communities neighborhood groups and city and town councils as well as mediators, facilitators and dispute resolution professionals. Anyone interested in restorative justice will benefit from participating in the conference.
NAACP Freedom Fund
Community Awards Gala
6pm, October 9, 2010,
Crowne Plaza Hotel
Reception, Elegant Dinner,
and Awards Presentation. Entertainment by Ron
Ivory & The Members Only Show
Band
$65 per person, $650 table
of ten
For sponsorships,
advertisements, and seating call 719-475-7255
email president@coloradospringsnaacp.org
Please check out our events calendar for more upcoming events! |
|
Did you know?
National Hispanic Heritage Month is from September
15 to October 15! This year's theme is "Heritage, Diversity, Integrity and Honor: The Renewed Hope of America."
Women's Equality Day is August 26! You can find out more about the day and its history here. |
|
Join our Mailing List
Subscribe to Freedom Watch Online, our Action Network, or both!
|
The Gazette is a valued partner of Citizens Project and they are extending a special offer to our supporters. Click on the link above to subscribe to The Gazette and they will donate $25 to Citizens Project. You can stay up-to-date on all your local news, and support us at the same time! |
|
