For those who have children in Christian schools or are products of them.?

Question

Firstly, I have no idea if this applies to Catholic schools. Never been to one, so I can't tell you. Secondly, I don't need my soul saved. If you're right and I'm going to burn eternally, I'd rather do it for something I believe in. Now on to the question.


From my experience, I'm glad I escaped the indoctrination. We were taught never to question and never ever to rock the boat. We were taught to dress alike, act alike, and not be extremely smart. I've never seen so many affairs in my life, and most of them got off with "The devil made me do it", then we were told never to discuss it.


Is this what the Christian church is becoming?


And for the students: Are you a stronger Christian today because of it? Or did it do you like me and turn you against the church or make you convert to another religion?

And please, if you have no experience as a teacher, student or parent, don't answer. You cannot see these things on the outside looking in.

Answer 1

This is not what the Christian church is becoming; it's what it's always been. Conformity, hypocrisy and fear. What a crock.

Answer 2

I taught at a Christian school. We didn't have the problems of the public schools. For one, the ones where were here desired a Christian education. This was a non-denominational school. There were Baptists, Pentecostals, and even Catholic. It worked well. We were free to teach creation. From the inside looking out and now 4 years later, the ones that were in the school got into less trouble in the world that those that were here just 1 year. Morals were taught, which isn't seen that much in the public schools, as you wouldn't want to offend anyone.
Those that have gone on to college aren't all following the Christian ways, but I believe are living better lives.
It is a shame to see the "church" (universal one) being one of feel good theology. Sin is over looked. It has become more of a social gathering. So your observation is fairly correct. But there are some good Bible believing, And practicing churches and Christians out there.

Answer 3

I went to a Catholic elementary school. Then to a public junior high,and high school.
I have to say that most of my education was learned in Catholic school. I think, at that time Catholic schools were ahead of public schools by maybe two or more years. The Nunns and Brothers who taught at this school were very strict,and taught by intimidation and fear. The same goes for the the religious instruction, and catacism. I would actually have night mares about those towering black cladded women squeezed into those habits. Nowadays I do not practise that religion at all,in fact I consider myself an atheist.
Thanks to the hypocracy, the unfriendly/ unloving vibes I experienced in Catholic school. I think I am a better person now that I have come to terms with my beliefs. I have questioned the bible and never was given answers that made sense, therefore I follow my own path and feel a great burden has been lifted.

Answer 4

I went to a christian school, and it was pretty much like any other school, except that they offered church services at certain holidays. It was not mandatory to go, so only who wanted needed to attend - the rest even had the time off, so definitely no brain washing to go. There were even a few nuns teaching, though only maybe 5 out of 50 teachers, but I can't say they taught us not to be rebellious. For one I'd say the opposite, she most definitely encouraged critical thinking, though others weren't so. If anything it taught me that religious people are just as different than non-religious ones. There were some to admire and some to detest. It was not in the US, so no school uniform. I think on balance we had at least an equally good education than people at other schools.

Answer 5

I'm sorry you had such a bad time in your school, I went to a Christian school, we were taught to dress properly, but not in uniforms,question everything, ask lots questions! learn as much as you can, the only affair I heard of was a deacon of our Church and a Sunday school teacher, they came before the church and confessed and asked forgiveness from God for what they had done, and asked the church to forgive them too. They were forgiven by God and the members of the church also, though only Gods forgiveness matters in the realm of eternity. But also they were both not allowed to hold positions of leadership in the church any longer. I admired them for the courage it took to go before the Church, and I was shown how much compassion and love our Church had for those of us who fall from Grace, that incident has stayed with me all my life. Christians try to do what is right but we are still only human and make mistakes, just like everyone else. Being a Christian does not make us less human or have less temptations but as Christians we should try our best to overcome and do better.
I really enjoyed my school, it was Tabernacle in Greenville, S.C. A great school, with great people. I am much stronger because of going there, and being taught by so many good people, even if they were only human!!! And the Christian Church will be perfect only in Heaven!

Answer 6

It was an experience going to a Christian High School. Yes, I was encouraged to conform in dress, thought and action. But not having a conforming soul I just went along with the minimum of effort to stay out of trouble. Yes, there was disgraceful adultery and fornication going on and yes, the excuse was the devil made me do it. I would say you have nailed the experience pretty well. Only thing is, I am not bitter about it. It was an interesting experience and now, today, I still believe in 'God' but it is MY version of 'God', not theirs. And I hold no ill will against them. They can't help it. It is just what they can mentally process at this time. A simplistic belief system.

Answer 7

I was born and bred a Catholic. My parents were devout Catholics. I went to an all-girls Catholic school managed by the Sisters of Charity from elementary to high school and when in college, went to a university run by SVD fathers (priests). But when I met my husband who is a Jehovah's Witness, I studied the bible. Then I saw the vast difference in their teachings and beliefs from what I had been taught and made to believe since childhood. I was able to understand clearly what the bible says, not only portions of scriptures which the nuns in our school made us read everyday. Now I am at home with my new religion and awfully glad that I had been called.

Answer 8

I went to a Christian elementary school and personally, I loved it. I hated it at the time, but looking back on it, I know it was a terrific experience for me and I'm so glad I did it. I am a very strong Christian now and know I always will be because I really believe in Christianity. Most of the people who went to school with me feel the same (I'd say about 70 percent). I know when I get married, I'll be looking for a husband with the same morals as my own. Now, this may have just been the school I went to because the school you descibed above was NOTHING like my school. We were very strict, but we were allowed to be smart, we didn't have to dress alike (even though it was private), we had to have small grouple to discuss all of our feelings all of the time (to the point I wanted to cry), and we could never get away with "the devil made me do it". But one of the most redeeming things the school taught me was to be sensitive to other people's feelings. As a girl, feelings were always easily bruised in school (such as "Kara invited Cindy over but not me so she must hate me so now I hate her!). Situations like this always happened and were always heard about in my tiny school. But we were always taught to sit down and talk about things rationally and not get in stupid cat fights over everything. And because of that, I am a better friend who doesn't get mad easily who also knows how to avoid conflict. Anyways, all that to say, the school taught me a lot. So, for me, I am a stronger Christian today because of it.

Answer 9

I went to a christian school growing up. For me it just opened my eyes to the many faults the church has. I guess I would still consider myself a christian even though I don't often attend church, I still think the Bible is relevant but I now have my own interpretation of it. My experience has mademe want to change other people's perception of the christian church rather than turn against it.

Answer 10

I have studied different faiths my whole life, but due to my own folly once I lived with my Aunt and Uncle for over a year, and I went to a Christian school. This school gave me discipline, and we were not told those things. Maybe it was just your school or faith that taught that.
We dressed alike, not totally though, we wore colored shirts (solid colors) and navy skirts/pants. Only on Wednesday did we all dress in white shirts. But it was for us to learn discipline (mental) and we were as smart as we wanted to be.

I think it was a positive experience all the way around.
Maybe you should look into another denomination.

Answer 11

Wow, I had the same experience as you did, or so it would seem. I am happily now an atheist after my xian-schooling and nutty xian parents forced their dogma down my throat, stifled my probing questions, and taught me all about hypocracy from many examples. Did you do anything naughty as a teen and had to stand up in front of assembly or church and apologize? I did. :)
Oh and in my experience, one of the xian schools I was in I was mingling with students that were there because they were kicked out of public school, and was corrupted and taken advantage of multiple times by them. I was a young teen (13-15) and my rageing hormones didn't mind all the attention. But as a parent now, I would be livid to see those things happen to my young teen. BEWARE