(Me Pages) - Religion
Realization – Study woes
A lesson in
my 7-year old’s text book deals with the topic of various religious faiths
existing in our country. For some reason, she is unable to easily
compartmentalize and remember their names, holy books, festivals, places of
worship etc. While she is quite good at the other lessons like Food, Safety Rules, etc.
We have been
going through the same routine since past two years, learning and re-learning.
No matter how much I try and whichever way I try to tell her, it just won’t get
into her head because these are just imaginary terms and people for her. They
don’t really exist in her world. They are unimportant! (Not that I mean they are)
The kids can
only categorize who are friends and who are not. Some are good friends and then
some are partners and some are on and off friends.
That’s her world.
Now my
dilemma is how to explain, she is just a kid. Given my opinion, she needn’t
even know! When I try to explain the differences, I sound like a pathetic
bigot! Even though we don’t go into details, I still feel it’s unfair to
discriminate. She has only recently realized which faith we follow but she
doesn’t care to remember it at any given time of the day. And I am happy about
it.
My question
is, if the school is teaching it, is it correct? Why at this tender age? Why
not a little later when the kids are a bit more aware about their environment? Maybe it's only to teach religious tolerance or to appreciate each other as human beings.
I can’t
imagine how the other parents do it, but since I wasn’t brought up with the
heavy imposition of religious ideas, I am at a loss how to deal with the
situation.
We start
with – There are people of different religions in India, namely, Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs,
Christians…………….. mumma! And aliens! Aliens are also there, you forgot! And I
am like, here goes…..
Back to square one!
