My family attends a local private Christian school. Very small. Very awesome.
We love LOVE it.
This past week my kids brought home an assignment that required them to identify a piece of classical “Americana” to memorize. This could include famous speeches, classical poetry or even religious texts.
For my son, we chose:
Oh, Great Spirit, whose voice I hear in the wind, whose breath gives life to all the world.
Hear me; I need your strength and wisdom.
Let me walk in beauty, and make my eyes ever behold the red and purple sunset.
Make my hands respect the things you have made and my ears sharp to hear your voice make me wise so that I may understand the things you have taught my people.
Help me to remain calm and strong in the face of all that comes
towards me.Let me learn the lessons you have hidden in every leaf and rock.
Help me seek pure thoughts and act with the intention of helping others.
Help me find compassion without empathy overwhelming me.
I seek strength, not to be greater than my brother, but to fight my greatest enemy – Myself.
Make me always ready to come to you with clean hands and straight eyes.
So when life fades, as the fading sunset, my spirit may come to you without shame.
This piece was rejected by the teacher and by the principle.
Sometimes schools suck.
did they explain why they were rejecting it?
did they explain why they were rejecting it?
It wasn’t “classical” enough; it didn’t speak to the historical significance of our country. However, failing that, pieces are still allowed if they convey the true message of Christ; this didn’t.
This is where I come into conflict with Christian establishment. I happen to think that Christ/Jesus was an embodiment of of a concept; love and grace and mercy and stuff. It’s a lot to try and type. In the end, for me, it boils down to this:
When a Imam, a Rabbi, a Priest and a Native American Indian Chief sit down to dinner and issue a prayer to their Deity; each of them has someone listening – and that someone is the same someone in each instance.
I don’s see the differences in creatures communing with their creator in the same way other people do.
Interesting, I wonder if a public school would have allowed it. Probably depends on the school/community/state.
Interesting, I wonder if a public school would have allowed it. Probably depends on the school/community/state.
I think it depends on the community. Back home on the farm the kids still sing Christmas songs in school choir. However, it would be interesting to see if a school that tried to keep religious references separate would allow an Indian prayer.