Friday 10 April 2009

Religion and money.... what?

Well, I’m grounded.

.... On a much lighter note, it's school holidays.
oh, wait, that makes grounding even worse... yippee, a whole week worth of studying aboriginal art in the Grampians, followed by a whole week of homework, no people included in that last one. Oh joyous times. -_-

well, there you go... almost finished duke of Ed... well, kinda.... just gotta do more community service. Lots more.

Anyways... to a more ...traditional... Livvy-post...

Religion.
The last day of school and, once again, something stupid done by a person with superiority issues has caused a hubbub of potentially ridiculous proportions.
I will name no names, though I happen to know the student in question reads this. I also happen to suspect that one or more teachers have flicked over this. Doesn’t matter.
This incident over a refusal to go and take communion or a blessing brings me to a rather abrupt stop, and a thought of 'what? Hang on, that’s not right!'
I am asked, as are others that have some relationship with this student 'if you’re not of that religion, then why go to the school?'
My answer: because it is, or was, a great school. There have been staff changes that are questionable in their benefit to the students and school alike, but let’s face it: the world runs on money.
I give you exhibit A: coaching staff. Ex students are cheaper to hire than trained coaches. So that’s what happens, and we have seen firsthand the detriment it causes, giving a team of untrained kids to a person that clearly shouldn't be coaching. It takes a certain personality, someone with a vague inkling of leadership, to take charge, and coach a team. I don't think the admin person realises this.
there are so many flaws amongst the inner workings of this system and I admit that I do not have the whole story, but if we can come up with enough money to build a gym that is only going to be expanded later on, and the temporary wall was the most expensive thing in the gym, then, surely, we can find the money to properly train kids?
I know that's a little off topic from religion, but allow me to bring this back to the main point....
there is a law. This law is called the Anti-Discrimination Act. It includes race, religion, sexual preference, etc. it’s designed to make Australian society that little bit farer. And for the most part, it works; lets people know what they can and cannot do.
But it would seem that this doesn't come into play here. Even though it should.
I believe that it should not matter whether we follow a religion or not, so long as it is respectful disagreement. Meaning, can understand why people may follow such-and-such a religion, but don't believe that it is right for oneself. He was not bad-mouthing Christianity, and indeed, to get a blessing or such thing would be disrespectful if it was not believed.

So, you make your own judgement. Who was at fault? The student, for not following what should be done by convention, or the teacher, for trying to enforce this by intimidation?
60 minutes

2 comments:

  1. !!! religion is not something that should ever be forced upon someone, and you're right, it is even worse if someone just does it without believing in it. just coz you go to a christian school etc doesn't mean you should have to partake in anything. worship services i can understand because that's practically a replacement of assemblies in christian schools a lot, but actual things like communion, it's even in the bible that someone who doesn't believe in it should not take it...
    just thought i'd put it out there.

    I'd definitely say the teacher was wrong in doing that.

    Plus, the thing with the P.E. teachers kinda sucks. Isn't that a bit dodgy and probs against some rule..?

    love

    ReplyDelete
  2. hmmm i'm kinda biased but i'd say the teacher...

    i guess the person in question would say that the actions of one teacher were wrong, but i doubt that they would see any reflection on the school. pulteney is a strong learning environment, and while this was a loss of faith (pardon my pun) for all of us, we can take comfort in the fact that it was dealt with effectively. apparently some form of education program will run through the school telling students what rights they have in regards to religion and communion. sure, high up figures in our school are misled as to what constitutes a good attendance reason, but we have to believe in inherent good intentions, at least for our last year.

    it's a flawed machine, but ultimately anything that runs on money is accountable to the people who put the money in. if there's a major flaw, it will be rectified, otherwise money flow drops and the machine goes completely bust.

    and even if the student questions this, (and why wouldn't he,) he can take comfort in the fact that he has fantasmo friends that are creative and intelligent and entertaining. without them, i guess the anonymous protagonist of this story would be completely stranded.
    =]

    why the grounding?

    ReplyDelete