Saturday, September 26, 2009
Just Cultural Information
It drives me a little crazy that my mom thinks there's no problem with reading Bible stories to my kids---though fortunately she goes along with my Crazy Wish that she shouldn't. She says it's "just cultural information---anyone would need to know these stories!" But she wouldn't feel the same way toward a children's book of astrology, or a children's book about the teachings of Buddha.
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That would be maddening. As a lit teacher, I agree that it is cultural literacy. BUT... Not coming from someone who's not okay covering other works of cultural literacy. In her defense, do you think she realizes that she'd only be okay with it being the Christian tradition or do you think she's trying to be sneaky?
ReplyDeleteMy parents were very conservative Christians in terms of religion, but they made sure to introduce us to other cultures that often embraced other religions. I really appreciate that--and I still turned out to be a Christina. I say, just find an illustrated Beowulf or Gilgamesh and ask her to read that in her Cultural Literary Series! ;)
-Constance the Super
I'm a Christian, not a Christina. Although, I do like that name... I'm a terrible typist.
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I have some very close friends who are not religious at all. She's sort of "meh" and he's actively agnostic. They think it IS important though to teach those kids some of the more popular bible stories, just because so much of our culture (esp here in Tiny Town) IS christian. They just don't want their kids to feel (or look!) "stupid" for not knowing who the three wise men are.
ReplyDeleteIt IS satisfying to have cultural literacy, but is should DEF. be the *parents* who decide. I'm very glad for you that she respects your wild and crazy wishes! =)
The use of the word "stupid" is their wording. Their fear, if you will, about how their kids will feel and be perceived.
ReplyDeleteOh, YES, I TOTALLY agree that children should be taught biblical stories as part of cultural literacy. My objection is the way my mom uses that as her excuse to roll her eyes at me, but would be violently opposed to "culture literacy" if it wasn't Christian culture.
ReplyDeleteI think that would be a more valid argument (your mother's) coming from a college lit prof who was also using other "holy" texts. At least she's respecting your wishes???
ReplyDeleteI'm curious about where MIL falls on these issues?
Kelsey- YES, right! If she wanted to teach a little World Religions preschool, that would be totally fine with me. I'm curious about MIL, too: Mike has NEVER TOLD HER he's not a Christian, but she MUST have figured it out (we don't go to church, we don't participate in any Christian events, we don't pray at mealtime, we don't reference God or blessings or fellowship or prayer) and be deliberately not bringing it up because she doesn't want to know for sure.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you 100%; kids should be exposed to lots of culture. But I have to agree with your Mom a little. My husband is an atheist, son of atheist, and he doesn't get half my jokes. I grew up in the church and am a Christian, and when I make comments or use phrases like "the patience of Job," I have to spend time explaining.
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