why do parents put in religious Ed if they don't care? (child care, divorce)
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But learning begins with the parents not teachers. They won't learn if the parents don't believe church is important. Then when parents complain about what is being taught, they don't have a right to complain, they are welcome to leave.
Yes for many parents it's just babysitting. I get they're busy but so am I.
Then don't volunteer. I am one of those awful parents. I do it because that's what Catholics do. I am not a church goer because I have terrible memories. I do however offer supplies when needed.
Maybe you are burned out on volentering in this area and need to back off and let someone else take over for a while you help somewhere else.
Many people are culturally Catholic...they have their kids go through the sacrements because that is what they did and what family expects so that plays into it as well.
I know that many Catholic parents enroll their kids just because "it's what they do". It's seen as what they're supposed to do, so they do it. That, however, doesn't mean the kids attend church on Sundays.
Very true. I'm surprised the OP didn't know this going in.
OP if you're furious with the parents....find another way to volunteer. Some parents don't want to help, some cannot help for financial reasons. For all you know the parents who don't volunteer are taking care of a special needs child or an ill parent. If what parents do or don't do makes you so upset you're furious and complaining about them..volunteer someplace you won't be dealing with parents.
Last edited by DewDropInn; 04-18-2015 at 09:39 PM..
Very true. I'm surprised the OP didn't know this going in.
I have a lot of friends who are Catholic.....heck I'm culturally Catholic though an atheist.....and its sorta funny how some of the more churchy types really have no concept how other people view religion and the role of the RCC in many people's lives. It's sort of as though they are insulated from it.
I won't lie, part of the appeal of religious education is a few hours of childcare on Sunday morning. But I do respond to all requests for class supplies and snacks, and agree to volunteer on an intermittent basis. I think it's wrong to stick your child in religious school and then pretend it doesn't involve any commitment on your part. We always attend services if they are related to the school program even though we admittedly mostly do not the rest of the time. And yes, they are generally not very well attended even in those cases.
OP - I'm going to echo the "find another way to volunteer" sentiment. If I remember, you've other threads here on CD regarding your disdain for what you consider "cafeteria Catholics"; you were also fairly recently incensed about another volunteer who you felt was trying to take over "your" program. Volunteering is a wonderful thing but there are many ways to accomplish it and when you start harboring anger and resentment toward those whom you are working with or trying to reach, then perhaps it's time to (at least temporarily) look for another way to accomplish that.
I work in a Catholic school system. Count me in with those who recommend another path at this time. It isn't our position (volunteer or paid) to evaluate a person's level of dedication to their religion. Yes, we expect students to complete mandatory assignments in religious education, just like math or English, but not to hold resentment or judge their religious beliefs, let alone their parents. This attitude is one of the reasons churches can drive people away from religion.
I'm going to ignore the nasty comments. No, I'm not going to quit teaching but it starts at home. They should be teaching them prayers and taking them to church. They should also be on time. For example we start at 10am yet some didn't come until 10:20 or later. Yes I criticize cafeteria Catholics because it's obvious they don't care. I mean we have parents who have been divorced several times.
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