my ex wife is currently in dispute with her local school and education dept. we have an 8 year old daughter?

Question

and at the school they teach christianity, islam, hinduism, and judaism. my ex is a practising catholic and refuses to allow my daughter to be taught any other faith, and has stated that she will not allow my daughter to attend school if my daughter is subjected to any other teachings. the school have stated that she(my ex) will be breaking the law if she does not send her to school. my ex has basically said she will see them in court. i am not really bothered either way. what do you think of my exes stance

Answer 1

I am proud of her. Not very many people stand up for what they believe anymore, whether I agree with it or not. I think schools bully parents (from my own experience). She can homeschool. Tell her to check into the laws in her state.

Answer 2

Public schools are allowed to teach ABOUT other religions, but not to practice any of them in class.

If your ex-wife doesn't want this for your daughter, then she should explore the option of homeschooling. It is legal in every state, I believe, so the school was not necessarily right that your ex-wife would be breaking the law by not sending your daughter to school. Here are the laws concerning homeschooling, state by state:
http://www.hslda.org/laws/default.asp

Also, your ex-wife could send your daughter to a Catholic School, they aren't THAT expensive and also they have good financial aid for those who just cannot afford it any other way. That might be the best option.

Answer 3

A public school should not be teaching religion before high school as an elective. If the ex is such a raging Catholic why is daughter in public school as opposed to private or home school? She has no right to impose Catholicism any more than the other faiths do.

Answer 4

I wonder why you are talking about this if you are not concerned? Do you care whether your daughter has the opportunity for everlasting here on earth?
Your wife is courageous but mis-informed? If she was truly doing her job she would not be in fear of anything for she would know and be able to teach the truth if she had it.
You see that's what the bible is for to instruct people in the ways of truth. Children that know the truth will not be misled.
For you to start being the father that cares, you should be the one to teach your child the truth of God's word. If you need help in understanding it then just write and I will show you how to learn. The first requirement for gaining everlasting life is stated at John 17:3.
The world is getting too dangerous to live in and our children need all the help they can get. see 2 Timothy 3:1-5
You do remember what happened to all the children in Noah's day? Right? [e-mail]

Answer 5

The problem is that your daughter will eventually learn those anyway. The best thing to do when your child goes to others is to review what they taught and go over your own teachings. That better helps her with understanding of the differences.
The bible warns that that's what is going to happen when God's son returns to the earth. The bible warns that God's son is going to bring the churches together.

Answer 6

Home school, Private school, Boarding school (which I know it probably out of the question, boarding school sucks). But teaching a religion, and being forced to believe/practice it are two totally different things. Let your daughter learn about other religions so she can choose the right one for her self.

Hope that helped.

:D

Answer 7

What type of school does your child attend... My children are in school religion is touched upon in regards to history but nothing else many historical happenings are linked with certain religions for instance the settling of California is linked with the catholic missions.. In ordr to tell the story of the settling the missions must be mentioned as the missions are a key factor..

If your wife is disputing because the religions and their influence in historical events is mentioned she is going to lose.. If actual theology is being taught I applaud her for going to court to fight for her belief that it shouldn't be taught no theology should be taught in our public schools..

Answer 8

I realize times have changed since say the early 70's. I can only say that you might want to explain it to your ex that she instills the faith chosen, but to allow the child to continue the school, as learning that there are other religions may help her in the long run. The other choice is HOMESCHOOL.
I grew up in Japan & Okinawa. My first Nanny was Buddhist in Japan, and my 2nd Nanny was Shinto in Okinawa.
My mother told me to feel free to go to any church services I wanted, including those with my Nanny. I had a rare opportunity as an American USAF dependent. I learned at a early age that there are other races and religions in this world, and though I made the circuit (1st week the Synagogue, 2nd week Catholic, etc...4th week Shinto) I knew my faith was Baptist and my roots were deep in it. But to understand what other religions offer, believe in, etc is a gift.
To confine the child to only learning one thing, is inviting trouble much later.
P.S. I was raised in the far East off and on. It wasn't until we moved here that I observed many like your ex who felt and believed the same-only one religion- I grew up with their kids who had been forced to attend certain schools, they are now-Atheists, Satanists, Wiccans and Agnostics.
Upon moving here, I was forced physically and otherwise to attend a chosen church of my mother's chosen religion (I preferred a small Baptist Church just down the road from us)and was at the age of 16 literally thrown through the wall because I refused to have to attend a group of adulterers, child molestors and the like....my mother picked me up off the ground and threw me into the car and drove as fast as she could (Mario Andretti would have been proud) to her church.
I was forced into unnecessary excorcisms from age 14-17.
I am now since 1996 very Eclectic, meaning I still believe in Jesus, but want nothing to do with church, yet I also believe thee are other Gods out there. Is that what she wants for her child?

Answer 9

honestly I have never heard of a school like that before. In a way to me it would be interesting to be taught of the different religions, but of course that's my thinking. Your wife sounds very determined to do it her way.How does your daughter feels about it? Does she like the idea? Good luck is all I can say..

Answer 10

This is why they just need to keep religion out of schools altogether. It doesn't belong there.
And your wife does need to lighten up. Your daughter is going to hear about other religions during the course of her life. You can't shut it off unless you lock her up in a convent or something.

Answer 11

Your ex is right. I'm a Christian, but even I think this is too much. At the very least, it should be a voluntary class, preferably as an after-school enrichment activity.