Dinner with Dr. Bergeson--

[Margaret Davis <margd@FLASH.NET>]

Dear Juanita,  (my stinking spell check is not working so my true ignorance
is gonna show....ahhh  i'm nakid <BG>

> 518 Words
>

This seems like a great idea.  But what if you live in an area such as mine?
Parents who think putting prayer back into the school is the answer to all
our social ills.  that by teaching abstinence only curricula as the only way
to prevent their child from get/getting pregnant or preventing sexually
transmitted diseases?  I asked a friend here if our district was following
an abstinence only curricula and she replied "...when a young man came in
and told me he had a virginal problem I knew we were in trouble..."   or
parents that want the ten commandments posted in every school, or who want
textbooks banned because a woman is pictured carrying a briefcase
representing a *working woman*.  What about parents who think all children
should be in a uniform aka standardized dress, do we follow their
directions?  What happened to FREEDOM?  Protection from the tyranny of the
majority?  Something happened a long time ago to the concept of mutual
respect.  How are we gonna ever find it again when everyone seems to have
the quick easy answers and want them implemented immediately?  the quick
fixes that look good from the outside and ignore what's happening on the
inside?

I'm very tired right now and I'm feeling very disgusted with every single
thing that's going on in this country.  I appreciate you having so much
confidence in our nation's parents.  That's not something I see very often
but that's because I'm not your typical parent and I'm not included in the
decision making process of this district...actually if you want something to
not happen just send me in there promoting it and they'll do just the
opposite.

Do you really want other children's parents telling you what you ought to do
with *your* child? Oh let's get the Little League parents in there want to?
They'll *team* up on you.  Or the Soccer Parents...they're more dedicated!
Do you really want the parents who only want creationism and the philosophy
of the bible the only philosophy taught running our schools?  the ones who
want evolution banned from the classroom?  Who's bible? Who's God?  Who's
prayers?  Who's philosophy.  Who's Character Education?  We are all experts
in what works for OUR children right.....wrong.... kids are like that...
like alantis says... just when you think you've got everything figured out
the season's already changing...or something like that!!!

Our schools are in a pickle.

I'm unusual...don't laugh...i know it as well.  I want to find a school
where I can send my children that would be free FROM religion.
I love leading people to believe I'm Atheist.  I love Atheist people.  In
fact I wear a button that says:  "Atheist...are people too"  They are so
special.  But actually I'm not ~ special yes... But I'd rather be viewed as
agnostic. I see too much involved in religion that is nothing more than a
sickness ... a disease more deadly than any test.  many replace and
substitute one addiction for another and too many are addicted to God and I
don't want that shame and guilt anywhere near my children and I'll fight
with all my might to keep that WALL OF SEPARATION STRONG.

            after-all that's what this country is all about <BG>

Let's keep the parents informed thru PTA and strengthen PTA in all
communities so that not only the voice of parents will be giant but that
also parents can first become informed participants in the decision making
process before you give them control.  Unless of course they were all like
*me* then....by all means.......<smiling>

                            just my two cents......

"I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all
persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an
ideal which I hope to live for and achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal
for which I am prepared to die."
Nelson Mandela

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