Defending My Daughter from the School System

This will be my first Discussion as a new member of your community and it is a very personal subject for me. About two monthes ago I had to step up to the plate so to speak on defending my beliefs for the sake of my daughter. First off I guess I should say a little about her. Her name is Rebekka and she is 14 years old. She doesn't play follow the leader and generally has her own style. She is the middle child of 3 teenage girls and the only one to fully embrace the path of Wicca. (I don't push my religion on my childern but allow them the freedom to choose for themselves) Her style is somewhere between goth and punk in her own interpretation, which most of the time can be quit entertaining. She is an openly loving and giving person who general doesn't care who likes her and who doesn't. She is very much my mini me. She recently expressed her views to someone that she thought was a friend, who in turn went to her mother, who in turn went to the school counciler. I was rushed in for an emergency meeting to discuss "help" for my child. The main subject of concern, that she stated that she believed in witch craft. Not that she is a witch mind you but, that she believes in it. The school wanted a psycholocigal evalution done because they thought that she was incapable of distinguishing fact from fiction. Now understand that when I walked into the school I did not know what their concern was, only that there was a problem. I proudly wear a pentacle and I had made no attempt at hiding it (honestly I never take it off so I didn't give it any thought). There was no point in denying that I believed as well (not that I would have). This little girl that started the trouble told her mother that she was afraid that if she made my daughter mad then she'd be cursed by my child...hmmm don't you have to believe it exists to believe you can be cursed? But she wasn't being suggested for an evaluation. I told them how misinformed that information was because no witch would put anything out there that they didn't want back times three and that our motto clearly states harm ye none. To this the councelor simply snorted and looked down his nose. To shorten a very long story it took me reminding the school that there is a such thing as freedom of religion in this country and that religion was banished from schools so they didn't have the authority to order an evaluation based on religious beliefs. My point to this bulletin? Looking for opinions, similar experiences, or maybe better ways to handle it next time it becomes an issue.

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Permalink Reply by Sara on February 18, 2009 at 3:11pm: I believe there are legal precedents for what you're going through.

as to what do do... well there's the Pagan/Wiccan FAQ, because these folks don't know anything about Paganism or Wicca except what they have seen in films. You're probably the first out-heathen they've ever met, so you're representing us to them. I'd say, try to be undestanding, people fear what they don't know, and well as they're in education hopefully they'll be openmided to being educated.

But if they're being arseholes, here's some possible help:

Contact the Liberty League
http://www.circlesanctuary.org/liberty/

an article:
http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/yourlegalrights/a/Rights_Parents.htm

and here's a myspace group:
www.myspace.com/forpaganrights

I hope that helps!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Waterdragon315 on February 18, 2009 at 3:14pm: Psychology is the Liberal Religion
Political correctness is Censorship
Creating Sheeple is the goal of the Liberal Elite

Get a lawyer; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Waterdragon315 on February 18, 2009 at 3:18pm: Don't forget that among the Democrats Religious Freedom is by THEIR definition

Remember
Waco
or the Polygamist ranch

Neither group were harming anyone but that did not stop governmental bullying, destruction and murder; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kestrel Pellor on February 18, 2009 at 6:11pm: Stand your ground!!!! Know your legal rights. And don't be afraid to push back, to the point of going over their head to the school board.

And you may wish to contact the Americans United for Separation of Church and State.

And I'm sorry for your daughter this has happened.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Chirotus Infinitum on February 18, 2009 at 6:41pm: Sounds like you handled it good for now, but I'm a paranoid sort, and I'd recommend that you record the time/nature/issuer of any such and similar "requests" for help, intervention, or evaluation for your child. Log everything. Sometimes schools will try to do things like this behind your back (just try telling them your child doesn't have ADD!). I'm not trying to worry you here or anything, but tread cautiously, and retain a lawyer if you need to.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Star_Glitter on February 18, 2009 at 6:43pm: I went thru this same thing when i was in school. I was always picked on for my beliefs & because of the way i was dressed (ive always had my own style) so anytime anything went wrong at my school i was always the one to get in trouble based on their ignorant beliefs. I had this one girl that i thought was a friend go & tell the teacher that i worshiped the devil (which of course i didnt), anyway to make a long story short i became an outcast & teachers started treating me worse. I came to school one day wearing black nail polish & i got kicked out because they said that was a sign of ''devil worship'' & i couldnt come back until i had removed the polish. I went thru a really hard time..i couldnt wear any jewelry expressing my beliefs or i would get sent home & kids and teachers would further pick on me. It got to the point that i just stopped going to school and quickly enrolled in home-schooling which i found was much better than going to a small school in a small town that had nothing but narrow-minded beliefs. Im sorry your daughter is going thru all of that,she sounds awesome by the way :)
You would think that in this day & time people would be more accepting of different religions but it still seems alot of people are stuck in their way of beliving. Hopefully one day that will change.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by PamWiccan on February 18, 2009 at 7:01pm: Bravo for standing for the rights of your daughter. You did the correct thing. You didn't state what the outcome was.
I wear my pentacle everywhere I go. She is old enough to chose what path she wants to follow.

When I went to school I had my pentacle worn proudly. I was 15. Since my grandmother was a witch she didn't think it would be a problem and actually it wasn't. Back in the late 60's things were accepted as they were.

Blessings :); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Sarenth on February 18, 2009 at 8:25pm: If you are looking for a good network and group that has worked in these kinds of things before, I recommend the Tempest Smith Foundation. You can find them here: http://tempestsmithfoundation.org/; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Siiri on February 18, 2009 at 10:54pm: I have to say that I think you handled it quite well, and were even tame. I would have made a much bigger stink over it.;D; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Aebh Thistle on February 18, 2009 at 11:24pm: I think you handled it well. I am dealing with a similar situation with my only daughter. Her ex-best friend decided that the moment Shelby decided she wanted to follow the path she has chosen for herself, that made her the focal point of this young girls animosity. Her constant poking and prodding though has only made my daughter stronger and more sure of herself. Shelby fortunately, has a excellent group of other friends and a great support system at home. I feel terrible for your daughter losing that friendship. I also feel sorry for the other child who may never know what a wonderful friendship she could have had with your daughter. Stay strong you did the right thing!!!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Heather on February 18, 2009 at 11:29pm: I think that you did a great job standing for your daughter. Good for you. I am worried about this issue also. At the first parent teacher conference I brought it up to see how the teacher would react and she was fine and reassured me that the school is ok about the different religions the students follow. I was glad to hear that, but this is just Kindergarten. I hope every year is this smooth. Actually, I more worry about how the other kids will treat my daughter. At 5 she certainly does not have her path yet, but has already been approached by a classmate about attending the girls church. So I guess that I will just take things as they come. We just do the best that we can.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by April on February 18, 2009 at 11:43pm: When my children start public school I plan on meeting with the Principal and Teacher and giving them a copy of this letter....

http://www.stuorg.iastate.edu/pagan/paganinyourclassroom.htm

As well as a copy of this ....

http://www.ecauldron.net/humor19.php

LOL...b/c honestly I can see my girls doing some of those things...LOL

I plan on letting them know right up front what our belliefs are..and what are beliefs are not.; ▶ Reply to This