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Open Poetry #26
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Through the Classroom Door
| Open Poetry #26 |
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Through the Classroom Door |
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Patricia Member Elite
since 2003-04-06
Posts 2160Missouri 
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Through the Classroom Door "Class, What’s on your minds today,” I had overheard their teacher say. I stopped for a moment to peek inside, But as I watched I sobbed and cried. I heard a voice from the back of the class. This sweet little boy proceeded to ask, “Teacher, I need to know if God exists, Or was this a lesson that I had missed?” “Dear Teacher, I must know today, For if He does, will you please pray? My mommy told me she is quite ill, And the doctors say there is no pill.” “Last night she told me she will die. Where will she go when she says goodbye?” I saw Teacher wipe a tear from her eye, But dismal silence was her only reply. You see, this teacher was bound by a rule, There’ll be no discussion of God at school. After class was dismissed, I decided to stay, I watched Teacher fall to her knees and pray. This is what I heard her say: Dear Lord, Can you tell me in this land of the free, Why we can’t speak Your name openly? And tell me why in our great society, So many are blind to the grace of Thee? Will You please provide a remedy? Lord, Your will be done, and let it be. [This message has been edited by Patricia (05-11-2003 04:40 PM).] |
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| © Copyright 2003 Patricia A. Plotz - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Seymour Tabin Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720Tamarac Fla |
Patricia Enjoyed the read. |
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Frank Tymon Junior Member
since 2003-05-11
Posts 27California, USA |
Sad, and a message warranting careful thought. Though rules and regulations galore be published, yet shall God be in the classroom. Sadly, some do not recognize his presence. |
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Startime55 Member Elite
since 2003-04-05
Posts 2148Alberta, Canada |
How does one respond, through tears, to such a poem as this....All one can do is add my voice to her prayer....Thank you...Thank you... |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
We fought our way from a tyranny that would not allow us to gather publicly and pray to whomever we chose; I can't say that we've gone too far from the roots that once bound us to that same tyranny. I don't dare reveal, do I, the number of times I prayed to God over a test. He didn't always answer - because of course, he leaves the learning up to us. Very good, Patricia. This is a very moving poem, and I do believe you are writing this one from experience, aren't you?...  Thank you so much for sharing such an insightful, and perhaps prophetic, poem. |
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regards2you Member Elite
since 2002-10-01
Posts 3940California |
Hey Pat, I understand exactly your feelings, however. We live in a multi-cultured society now, compared to how it was when this country was formed.... A lot different and what is fair for Christians also has to be fair for other's....all religions, and all religions do not have the same god.... I also must tell you I would like teachers to teach educational material and not my child about God. The teacher may not believe in Christ as I do, and would want my children ministered in that way. Just the other side of the coin. If that child is not being taught at home eventually he/she will be old enough and curious enough to educate him/herself and make decisions... As a poetess you did create the feelings very well here and I commend you for your writing skills. Hugs and love, you....Happy Mother's Day.... Pat  |
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Margherita Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236Eternity |
Patricia, what an absolutely touching poem! Thank you for this. It's true, in the intent of not influencing anybody, God has been banned from school ... Food for thought. Beautiful! Love, Margherita |
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Ericc Member Elite
since 2003-01-31
Posts 4178 |
Very nicely said and full of profound thoughts. Eric |
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Bill Charles Member Patricius
since 2000-07-11
Posts 10619highways, & byways, for now |
Patricia - I agree with this writing, never could understand why they have taken it away... BC |
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icebox Member Elite
since 2003-05-03
Posts 4383in the shadows |
This forum presents itself as a world wide forum. While belief in some form of the christian god is wide spread in the West, it remains a belief set held by a minority of the planet's citizens. The U.S. Constitution, and its Bill of Rights covers only a small part of the world's population. Regarding religion, what it says in the 1st Amendment is simple: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion,..." The statement was written to retain for citizens freedom FROM state sponsored religion. The belief that the U.S. Constitution was written to protect prayer in public schools is incorrect. The assumption that all the visitors to this forum hold consociate religious beliefs is equally incorrect. |
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
an awesome write! |
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Ratleader
since 2003-01-23
Posts 7026Visiting Earth on a Guest Pass |
I'm not a teacher, but Ratette is.... and she's up against the very thing you describe in this excellent piece. Poetry sometimes says what we feel, sometimes what we need to say strongly because it comes from the center of us. For what it's worth, she ignores it -- doesn't preach a religion, but makes no bones about having one and letting her students see it. Includes the real Christmas story at Christmas, the real Easter story at Easter, the whole nine yards. Kids appreciate it, knowing they're not being faked-out. She's never run into the inevitable parent who will some day attack her for it for the purpose of attacking religion, under the guise of protecting their kid from some imaginary damage. ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº> ~~(¸¸ ¸¸ºº> ~~~(¸¸ER¸¸ºº> |
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Patricia Member Elite
since 2003-04-06
Posts 2160Missouri |
I appreciate the replies I have received to this poem. The truth is there so much controversy and confusion surrounding this issue. Teachers are unsure about boundaries...so the topic is avoided altogether. While my son was at high school, he told me there were a list of topics in Speech and Debate that were forbidden, one being the discussion of religion. So, if free and open discussion is forbidden, is that not an infringement of the Constitutional right of freedom of speech. While I do not advocate the teachings of a singular religion in the classroom, I wonder if there should be a class in world religions...an unbias course allowing free flow of ideas. Isn't the study of other religions and cultures critical in the diverse nation in which we live? It allows a deeper understanding of our fellow Americans. I am not saying such a course should be provided at the elementary level; however, some introduction may be useful. Our country was established upon the free flow of ideas. Had the framers of the Constitution been restrained in thought, we would not be this great nation. As humans, we are thinkers...thoughts are intangible unless they are given tangibility with pen or voice. Had the teacher in this poem said, yes, there is a God...one God, the only God, then I would believe the boundaries would have been overstepped. My daughter, in sixth grade, has a particular teacher who tells of her Christian belief. She does not tell the children to believe in her God. She simply says that she believes. Now if there were some course that allowed the study of other religions, would that not alleviate some of the controversy? Students can began to form an opinion of the own by critically thinking, which is key to learning. I think there needs to be some clarification regarding this issue. So often in life, we simply avoid rather than looking for the truth. We need to know in what manner this topic should be addressed, rather than avoiding it completely. I hope this makes sense. -Patricia |
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MikeFessel Member
since 2003-04-19
Posts 321Brooklyn, NYC, USA |
Patricia, First of all this is a great, great poem. The lines are well written, the flow wonderful, and the emotions, well they tore at me to say the least. Incredible! Teaching religion in the classroom. Sheesh, that is a tough one. I have been through religious teaching, secular teaching and finally college where the debating and expression you speak of in your response were finally showed to me from multiple and contrasting points of view, opening my mind for good and shattering my ideas about the world which were fed to me, and which I had been so confident were true. I think that restricting the open expression of any types of feelings or thoughts is a travesty and should be prevented at all costs. I feel very strongly about being able to release emotions as you know The same is true for any thought processes. It is up to this country to decide if we are going to continue to stay hidden in boxes refusing to leave our pretty cardboard places, or whether we are going to break out and explore the world as it truly is. True understanding and contentment are found not in imposing what we believe to be the truth upon another, but by showing them ALL sides and letting them decipher the truth by themselves. Many think we have taken important steps in that direction, but all I see is a society afraid to think, act, feel, or explore anything not considered the norm, and its killing me inside. [continued] sorry for being long winded! Mike |
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MikeFessel Member
since 2003-04-19
Posts 321Brooklyn, NYC, USA |
[continuation] more hot air  Placing barriers on the mind and soul can have terrible results. You understand this I know. So as to teaching religion in schools. Hmmm as a primary part of the curriculum, I don't think so, there are churches and such for that, and I question whether their methods are the best as well truthfully. But as a part of a larger role where children are taught to expand their minds, learn different ways to see the world, and incorporate the best of what humankind has to offer, as determined by them, not by their teachers and professors, yes I think it holds a standing at least equal with that of philosophy. Sorry for getting all long winded on you. hope I didn't lose myself in this. I have a habit of doing that from time to time. You have all of my respect for posting such a controversial poem. Continue to shake up the world Patricia! I am loving it  You are in my prayers as always  MikeP.S.- Oh and what do you think about what I've said? [This message has been edited by MikeFessel (05-14-2003 03:54 AM).] |
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GG Member Elite
since 2002-12-03
Posts 3532Lost in thought |
Great poem.. I know your feelings well. Just this year I was in English class and had to present a poem of my choice. I chose Joyce Kilmer's poem that says in the last two lines "poems are made by fools like me, but only God can make a tree" There were atheists in the room and I knew I was setting myself up for a debate... But I think it was handled well. After I presented it one of the girls raised her hand and asked the teacher "isn't this illegal" and he said (roughly) "no, I can't infringe my ideas onto you, but there is in no way a law restricting us from talking about spiritual issues or ideas of eternity. Those are what define a person." So the class was allowed to debate the issue, and the teacher got us to explain our beliefs, but he never taught his own. Thats how I think it should be handled. Sorry guess I got longwinded too... really liked this poem! Always, Alyssa - And so it was that time stood still - |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
Indeed... Then, of course there's the "never hug your students" mandate... I could go on and on... This is a wonderful message, Patricia... |
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