In an ideal world, I think you are right. However, 1) sometimes, a dumb or bad faith formation class or situation can actually be a detriment. Examples I have experienced: the material is presented in a childish way, transmitting the message that “church and faith things are for kids only.”; peer pressure from classmates who mostly don’t…
In an ideal world, I think you are right. However, 1) sometimes, a dumb or bad faith formation class or situation can actually be a detriment. Examples I have experienced: the material is presented in a childish way, transmitting the message that “church and faith things are for kids only.”; peer pressure from classmates who mostly don’t care and think this is lame, and the few children who are excited about learning are made fun of or meet the energy of the classmates by also not caring. Why send my kids out for something that may actually neutralize what we are trying to do? (and note that my kids are very young- I was totally the enthused kid in high school youth group/RE among many others who did not care, and by that point it was fine.)
2) time is a limited resource. Allotting time for something that is just nice in principle is not always the best choice!
Anyway, I do think that the comments or at least my participation therein have strayed a bit from the main takeaway of this action by the diocese, which is- why target homeschool groups with a blanket ban? Even if everyone needed to participate in religious ed, which I am obviously not a fan of, why should that preclude homeschool moms from also having a meeting on parish grounds? Anyway. It just stinks of cutting off the faithful at the knees out of vindictiveness.
BTW, in case it isn't obvious, I really love that we can talk about things like this, and learn from new viewpoints. Thanks for taking so much time with me, it is much appreciated.
In an ideal world, I think you are right. However, 1) sometimes, a dumb or bad faith formation class or situation can actually be a detriment. Examples I have experienced: the material is presented in a childish way, transmitting the message that “church and faith things are for kids only.”; peer pressure from classmates who mostly don’t care and think this is lame, and the few children who are excited about learning are made fun of or meet the energy of the classmates by also not caring. Why send my kids out for something that may actually neutralize what we are trying to do? (and note that my kids are very young- I was totally the enthused kid in high school youth group/RE among many others who did not care, and by that point it was fine.)
2) time is a limited resource. Allotting time for something that is just nice in principle is not always the best choice!
Anyway, I do think that the comments or at least my participation therein have strayed a bit from the main takeaway of this action by the diocese, which is- why target homeschool groups with a blanket ban? Even if everyone needed to participate in religious ed, which I am obviously not a fan of, why should that preclude homeschool moms from also having a meeting on parish grounds? Anyway. It just stinks of cutting off the faithful at the knees out of vindictiveness.
BTW, in case it isn't obvious, I really love that we can talk about things like this, and learn from new viewpoints. Thanks for taking so much time with me, it is much appreciated.
I am jumping in the comment thread a bit here, but this kind of exchange is one of the reasons that I love The Pillar.