By: Vishal Thakur
If I were to cross roads with Father George today, my response to his unilateral, impossibly myopic and often plain ridiculous religious views would go something like, “George, get a life.” But you see, thirteen-year-olds usually respond to their teachers with a very emphatic “Yes, sir”, hoping that would get them through another boring lecture onto the more exciting delights of the half-hour recess.
I went to a catholic school. For my intentions are not to incite hatred towards my alma mater, I wouldn’t disclose the name. On the other hand, if you were to find out and in a fit of rage, graffiti a not-so-flattering word near the entrance, you won’t be hurting my feelings. Hell (don’t get me wrong, I’m the guy who usually prefers ‘Heck’, but I’m trying to make a point here), a small part of me would envy you for finding the courage or motivation or both, to do something I always wanted to do but couldn’t gather enough courage or motivation or both, ever. Again, what I want to emphasise here is the fact that religious teachings, though very important in all cultures, should be kept out of schools. Unless you’re trying to become a monk or a priest or happen to be one of those people who are smart enough to realise, at a young age, that religion is not a bad career option that is usually followed by lucrative TV deals and live gigs if you make it big, being bombarded by godmen (whoever came up with that term!) is not going to help you in life. Virtues, values and faith are better taken care of by parents, elders in the community and friends smarter than you, in my personal opinion.
Going back to the school days, I remember, after a long and furious lecture on how ‘no other religion has this…’ by Father George, one of my classmates turned to me and whispered, “You don’t think he’s trying to convert us, do you? He’s already wasted so much of our time.” That was the funniest thing I’d ever heard back then. But seriously, when I think about that today, I can’t help but appreciate the fact that a kid that age could have had more sense than a fully grown up (at least physically) man. Unbelievable stuff. Through out school, we were forced to learn Christianity, were forced to act in the whole Christmas-play thing, and were forced to believe that Christianity was cool. Years later, most of us discovered rock ‘n roll and well, related things and went, in solitary unison, “What were you priests and nuns thinking! I feel like Budhism tonight. Dude.”
At this point, I would like to make sure that the reader understands that I’m not trying to make fun of religions here. I respect religions and am constantly enchanted by the stories attached to all religions. The cultural side of religion, I totally adore. The rath-yatra of Kullu Dussehra, the festival of Shivaratri (for obvious reasons J), Diwali (bring on the good food!), the delights of present-opening at Christmas, Hanukah candles! All of them are great and so enjoyable. All I’m trying to say is that we can enjoy these festivals far more if we’re spared the entire ‘anti-other-religions’ BS. Especially in school. The only benefit of going through Father George’s moral science (yes, that’s what he called the subject that he himself came up with and implemented in school) was that I could, years later, tell that Mel Gibson’s ‘Passion of Christ’ was a crap production. I knew the story as a feel-good, motivating, good-over-evil study in what’s better for us as humans. But then again, that’s my own understanding of what Father George was probably trying to teach us but was failing so spectacularly on a daily basis (yes, the moral science classes were held daily and thanks for feeling sorry for us kids already). Was it worth it?
I grew up. Understanding the very meaning of religion. Any religion. Try not to hurt people, live a clean life and get a job so you’re not a burden on anyone or any system. Ok, I might’ve added that last bit myself. But, getting back to the subject, some people might’ve grown up hating a particular religion. Was that the point? Was that what Father George could’ve secretly been planning or not planning all along? If that was the case, again, “George, get a life.”
Any institution/person influencing people by proposing superiority of a religion over another is an obvious threat to the delicately held secular mantle of the Indian democracy and should be dealt with firmly. Impressing upon the school going children, creating differences on basis of religion among the young minds envisages a flawed society.There are various schools with inclinations towards particular religions teaching students values of life and moral based on their respective beliefs. But forcing to embrace a particular religion is not for them to decide or preach.
I am lucky to be schooled at both convent and a vedic school. I took the burden of studying the extra subject of "Moral Science" till middle school, later on "Dharm Shiksa". Never found anything conflicting in both the texts, the two dealt with the same things however the approaches varied. Only major difference I observed was that earlier I had to visit and pray in Church and now there were "Havans", learning "Shaloks" instead of "Jingles". I feel lucky to learn from the best of the both worlds. I never felt any particular inclination towards one religion, nor ever felt any of my teachers forcing or pressuring me to embrace a particular religion. However, the school has the right only to teach not to bend the mind of the pupils towards a given belief.
well said rndm – thanks so much for sharing your insights. personally, i missed out on the "havan' part as i didn't end up in a DAV-type school (and man, did i envy you guys back then!) i remember envying my DAV friends for they could recite the maha-mantra by heart without skipping a beat….
ha ha the mantra thing intimidated me too at the beginning.
Any institution/person influencing people by proposing superiority of a religion over another is an obvious threat to the delicately held secular mantle of the Indian democracy and should be dealt with firmly. Impressing upon the school going children, creating differences on basis of religion among the young minds envisages a flawed society.There are various schools with inclinations towards particular religions teaching students values of life and moral based on their respective beliefs. But forcing to embrace a particular religion is not for them to decide or preach.
I am lucky to be schooled at both convent and a vedic school. I took the burden of studying the extra subject of "Moral Science" till middle school, later on "Dharm Shiksa". Never found anything conflicting in both the texts, the two dealt with the same things however the approaches varied. Only major difference I observed was that earlier I had to visit and pray in Church and now there were "Havans", learning "Shaloks" instead of "Jingles". I feel lucky to learn from the best of the both worlds. I never felt any particular inclination towards one religion, nor ever felt any of my teachers forcing or pressuring me to embrace a particular religion. However, the school has the right only to teach not to bend the mind of the pupils towards a given belief.
well said rndm – thanks so much for sharing your insights. personally, i missed out on the "havan' part as i didn't end up in a DAV-type school (and man, did i envy you guys back then!) i remember envying my DAV friends for they could recite the maha-mantra by heart without skipping a beat….
ha ha the mantra thing intimidated me too at the beginning.
You can't expect a Padre to teach you SHALOK. He would teach you what he knows. Moreover they all (religion) teach the same. Look you still what you wanted to be… a cynical human being. Your father had more influence on you than Father George. Take it easy man… life is short and too much to learn and know. Thank Father George for trying to install some morals into you. You think math and geography made you a man… Get A Life.
I really agree with FAT BOY. Father or Sr. in a school can't convert you. They only teach. Teach the subjects and the morality of life. Such schools teach you life. They are providing you with the best and then people who have attended these schools come out and bicker about them. Also, how are the fundamentalists of other religions different. They are only propagating religion without even proving such quality institutions and medical establishments for the upliftment of society.
Thanks JSS. I am glad at least we have someone sensible around who understands what part the educational institute have played in the evolution and education of thousands and hundreds. It's a shams that people are so paranoid and week that they feel that their vaulues would be eroded.
You can't expect a Padre to teach you SHALOK. He would teach you what he knows. Moreover they all (religion) teach the same. Look you still what you wanted to be… a cynical human being. Your father had more influence on you than Father George. Take it easy man… life is short and too much to learn and know. Thank Father George for trying to install some morals into you. You think math and geography made you a man… Get A Life.
I really agree with FAT BOY. Father or Sr. in a school can't convert you. They only teach. Teach the subjects and the morality of life. Such schools teach you life. They are providing you with the best and then people who have attended these schools come out and bicker about them. Also, how are the fundamentalists of other religions different. They are only propagating religion without even proving such quality institutions and medical establishments for the upliftment of society.
Thanks JSS. I am glad at least we have someone sensible around who understands what part the educational institute have played in the evolution and education of thousands and hundreds. It's a shams that people are so paranoid and week that they feel that their vaulues would be eroded.
While I really enjoyed the quality of education at the christian school I attended, I really hated the fact they were using all these subtle techniques to convert me. I have no issue whatsoever if they are totally convinced that their religion is best for them, but let me live happily with my religion, please don't try to convert me. I hope we have more genuinely secular schools in India providing quality education.
While I really enjoyed the quality of education at the christian school I attended, I really hated the fact they were using all these subtle techniques to convert me. I have no issue whatsoever if they are totally convinced that their religion is best for them, but let me live happily with my religion, please don't try to convert me. I hope we have more genuinely secular schools in India providing quality education.
i'll have to agree with you on the education levels sahil. without a doubt, the quality of education at my catholic school was the best you could get in that region. but the school came with father george 🙂
i'll have to agree with you on the education levels sahil. without a doubt, the quality of education at my catholic school was the best you could get in that region. but the school came with father george 🙂
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