Is It Just Me? (Part 2)

After some thought, I decided that it MUST be a mistake.  Perhaps a page was taken from a Sunday School book, with out really paying attention to the content....you know?  So I emailed my concern to the Religious Education office  This was the response I got:

Hello Mrs. Easilypersuaded,

I can definitely understand your concern regarding the homework because,
at first glance, it does seem that the sheet is placing the Bible and the
theory of evolution as contradicting each other. However, it also puts the
history of man and philosophy in the same group as the theory of
evolution, and obviously the history of man and philosophy are fields of
study recognized by the Church, just as the theory of evolution is. I
think the point that the homework is trying to make is not that these
fields of study are contradiction with the Bible, but often times are used
to replace Bible. Just like we often put ourselves before others, there
are many people who consider the study of history, philosophy, or
evolution to be more important than the Bible. And they replace the Bible
with these fields of study, when, in fact, they should be used together to
study the world.

So, I would take this as an opportunity to discuss this with your child
and help them to gain a proper understanding of how the Bible and science
should work together and not one without the other.

If you have any more questions or concerns, please let me know.

Thank you,

Mr. Convincing
Religious Education Office

Now I am MORE convinced that it was a mistake...because who would think teaching Replacement Theology to kindergarten students was age appropriate?  Did he miss the part where it said "Match the Opposites?" but that's right...a 5 year-old can make that leap:  it doesn't really MEAN opposite...it's a replacement...duh!

It's okay to admit to mistakes.  And since we are being honest...those are not actual last names.  But seriously, Convincing would be a pretty sweet last name....

It is just me?

Another Sunday, and another day that I'm not sure I belong.  Not the homily this time, or anything that happened during church at all, rather the homework that came home in my kindergartner's  CCD backpack:

I suppose that if you don't know me well, you might not find what has upset me.   Placing History, Philosophy, and Evolution as OPPOSITE to the Holy Bible....because this is news to me.  I went to a Catholic college, where we were taught about evolution, history, and philosophy by Roman Catholic Priests....  Beyond that, this is not what I was taught as a child....what is happening?  Is this a new fundamentalist-type Catholicism?  Am I the only one that sees this change?

Truth is, I am more confused than upset.  Confused because I don't know if this is just my "building" or is this everywhere?  I was raised as a child to understand that the Bible was written by MAN, not GOD, this was reinforced in my own CCD and college education, that the Bible was written as way to explain things that were unexplainable at the time.  Furthermore the Bible has been translated by MAN, edited and vetted by MAN. Have all my teachers been wrong?

Follow-Up.

I am pleased to report that my meeting at the elementary school went really well.  The meeting was to talk about my son's IEP (Individualized Education Plan) when I was young they called this Special Ed, and unfortunately there is still sometimes a stigma attached.

L's IEP is for speech.  He is much improved now, but when he first started school he was very hard to understand, he has issues with  SH, ZH, CH, J, etc..but the most troublesome one was "L"...This was terrible for him because not only does his first name start with L, so does our last name.  It was heartbreaking that, try as he might, no one could get his name right unless he spelled it.  When he was evaluated, at 7 years of age, his conversational intelligibility was around 80%, which is more what you would expect from a 4 year-old (this refers to his understandability...not language or vocabulary skills...)

This along with the other speech issues began to effect his self-esteem, socialization, and his spelling and reading.  I will never forget the day he was able to say his name properly...he was so excited and proud...

So at the meeting it was decided that L would continue with his speech IEP and we also were able to talk about some of the other issues that he is struggling with, like his disorganization and distractedness.  L's teacher moved him to a new desk that faces some bookcases and would require him to turn all the way around before he was able to see anyone else...and on top of that he wears ear muffs.  I went to a sporting-goods store and bought some ear protection that you would wear while shooting.  He LOVES them...he even wears them to the cafeteria.   He has been able to complete his independent work on time so something is working.   Even L just THINKING they are helping is doing wonders.

So to my brilliant friend, Heather (aka Prairie Mother):  thank you, thank you, thank you!