If you ever wondered whether it's true that fundamental christianity wishes to force it's taboos on the rest of the world or not, read this article.
Ohio Christian school tells student to skip prom
After I read that article, I wondered what kind of lame function the "Christian" school will hold for its students in liew of a prom. I bet you it wouldn't be near as fun as a real public school prom. Cookies and Kool-Aid?
It's just my opinion, but I feel that what this kid does outside of school is his own business. Heck, all he wants to do is to go to a dance with his girlfriend. I didn't go to my proms, sad to say. My dad didn't believe in dancing either and I didn't get a chance to take a girl to the prom.
I just find it hard to believe that the principal of the "Christian" school would be so legalistic and unsympathetic that he'd suspend the kid. Then again, yes I can believe it. That principal has just initiated a future atheist. And, I welcome him.
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12 comments:
Same here! I've not been to a single prom in my life.
Doesn't shock nor surprise me one bit!
I graduated from Ouachita Baptist University (OBU) in Arkadelphia, AR. OBU has a swimming pool. Male & female students were not allowed to swim in the pool at the same time; don't want to cause anyone to become aroused, ya know!
Dancing was forbidden on campus. Heck, even the word "dance" couldn't be featured on posters!
However, the Greek Houses (no one else, mind you) were allowed to hold "functions" which was a known code word for "dancing". When it came to the Greeks, the administration looked the other way.
During my years at OBU, I discovered that most of the Baptist students were just as sex crazed as the rest of us. The big difference was that we pagans went on dates and the Baptists snuck into the school's chapel late at night to get their jollies. ;-)
Good grief... Why are they so far up these kids *sses?
OTOH why go to this type of school if you don't want to adhere to their rules?
I am totally against people being forced to conform to any religious rules, although I don't recall any "thou shalt not attend dances" commandments. :p
Pro. Obs.
I don't think most kids get to choose where they go to school.
And, this reminds me of a certain movie.
"OTOH why go to this type of school if you don't want to adhere to their rules?"
My biggest criticism is that this school's rules apply to the student when he is not on campus and under the authority of his parents. If his parents want to let him have a memorable night with his girlfriend at the prom, then what gives this principal the balls to supercede them and say no?
My sister-in-law (brother's wife) is a teacher at a christian hihgh school. She had to sign a contract stating that she'd never drink alchohol at any time while she's employed by the school. Since, she doesn't drink, that wasn't a problem for her, but I have the same beef with it that I do about the situation above. She (being an adult) should have the option of living her own life outside of school. As a matter of fact, the school she taught at before this not only prohibited her from drinking, they banned her from even going to the movie theatre. Now, she goes to the movie theatre with my brother every weekend! Hah!
I grew up in a Catholic dominated town. It was well understood by all of us if you wanted sex... go with a Catholic school girl. They were so inhibited they were eager to find out what real life was like. They were great.
Religions being fabricated have no other option but to dictate, defying nature does not work. Look at their miserable record.
ibex
Robert:
Are such rules even enforcable? For your sister-in-law I mean.
As far as the kid, I assume his parents want to let him go to the prom, which may not be the case, but just take him out of this fascist school.
"Are such rules even enforcable? For your sister-in-law I mean."
I doubt it. I guess if she's seen drinking or at the movies by someone who'd tell on her. I doubt that they have the taboo police that'll search her fridge to see if she's got any bud light.
I was raised that way too. I was 18 before I went to my first movie theatre. I wasn't allowed to date until I was 18 and by that time, I was so anti-social, no self-respecting girl would date me. All because of this need to separate yourself from the "world".
Welcome to the wacky, world of Baptist Fundamentalism.
On one hand the student and parents agreed to the "rules." Best I can understand the rules are clearly delineated. SO, I am not sure there is any deceit going on on the school's part.
On the other hand SHOULD a school be able to control what students do away from school? I say No.
We must understand that in Baptist Fundamentalism every aspect of life is regulated and controlled. From cradle to grave and beyond everything is covered.
I attended Findlay High School in the mid 1970's. I also attended a Fundamentalist Baptist Church in Findlay. The prom was preached against every year. The Church would sponsor an alternative prom.
Everything the "world" offered the Church tried to have a replacement (and often a grossly inferior replacement)Conformity was demanded. Those who didn't conform were ostracized.
While this world seems very bizarre to the non-initiated, to those in it it all seems quite normal. After all the Bible says "love not the world, neither the things in the world"
I also am acquainted with the principal in this story, Tim England. He is acting according to his sincerely held beliefs. He is dead wrong, and I find his action abhorrent BUT he is not acting in an abnormal way. I know of many kids expelled from Christian schools for things that occurred outside of school hours.
I hope the boy escapes from the tentacles of Baptist Fundamentalism.
Bruce
Thank you Bruce,
I too grew up in a fundamental (but not technically baptist) family. I grew up resenting the needless restrictions placed on me by my family and church. It is too easy to look back on those things and be angry, but instead I'm glad. Those silly taboos that I had to endure set me on a path to reason and critical thinking. I was able to shed the ball and chain of superstition and religion by realizing how absurd christian fundamentalism is.
I am actually overjoyed to see this story out. Maybe, just Maybe, people like this principal can embarass themselves to the point that they will have no choice but to give in and stop being such legalistic and unsympathetic asses. And I'm always happy to point out the ridiculous with ridicule, just as it's meant to be.
Thank you Bruce, for the enlightening comment and I hope people like England can forget their superstitions long enough to listen to your voice of reason. (Though, I doubt they will. They rarely ever do.)
Robert said:
"I was raised that way too. I was 18 before I went to my first movie theatre. I wasn't allowed to date until I was 18 and by that time, I was so anti-social, no self-respecting girl would date me. All because of this need to separate yourself from the "world"."
Funny you should mention strict upbringing. I was reading the wiki on the Amish, quite interesting stuff. Lots of strange rules and such but also some appealing. The simple life while this world gets more and more screwed up. I think Toffler was right about "Culture Shock". These Amish don't really have that, they live by a code.
I think it's terrible that the school has, or thinks it has, total reign over the students even when they aren't at school. I mean what if they went to the mall and walked by a store playing rock, would they get suspended? I don't think he should be suspended just because Tyler went to prom with his girlfriend. You'd think if the school was so strict about thier outside life, the students wouldn't be allowed to have a girlfirend or a boyfriend, especially if they were from a public school. I do have to wonder though about just what Tyler's parents were thinking when they enrolled him there and he had to sign away some of his rights. I think if my parents made me do that, I'd rebel and try to get expelled just to escape the school and it's dictating laws about what I can and can't do on my own time.
I also heard that England thinks if a girl wears a short skirt, she's asking to get raped. He seems to believe that men and boys can't control themselves when it comes to sexuality! I mean come on! Men are perfectly capable of restraining themselves from doing that and they shouldn't force the girls to be their scapegoat blame. Really isn't it the girl's choice if she wants to wear a tank-top and skirt. Most of us don't think as we wake up: Hey, I'm scared of being attacked and raped today, I think I'll wear big, pants, a turtle-neck sweater and snow boots just so I can be safe around guys. I think its just stupid that his his eyes, the students should be protected from the outside world. What do his graduates do after high school? Do they cower in the corner because the world is dressing and acting in ways that are scandalous to them? I think England wants the world to be this supposidly perfect place that everyone follows his every word and takes it all to heart. It's people like him that should be removed from high positions and sent to counselling.
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