You Can’t Put Something Back That Wasn’t There in the First Place . . .
You can put it IN, but you can’t put it BACK.
As in God.
God was never IN the schools in the first place. In Michigan, that is. Prior to 1954, that is. I believe Michigan public schools were typical of most.
He was in the communities surrounding the schools, of course. In the homes, in the churches, in the synagogues. And Mom was in the kitchen – well, in the other rooms too.
Saturdays and Sunday mornings found many (the majority?) families attending the church or synagogue of their choice. For Christians such as my family, that often meant we returned home for the scrumptious Sunday dinner of pot roast or fried chicken that Mom had prepared before the rest of us were up.
During my school years from the mid-Forties to mid-Fifties God’s PRESENCE or influence was evident throughout the community. Evidence of His influence certainly carried over into the schools. School officials insisted on and got respect for their authority; consequences followed inappropriate behavior.
You reap what you sow. That’s not just a farm axiom or religious platitude. It’s physics.
Being a strong independent woman who supports woman’s issues and causes, I feel entitled to say this:
Maybe instead of trying to put God into public schools, we should focus our efforts on trying to find ways to help Mom get back in the home.
Okay. I know. I've just offended both the RIGHT and LEFT, Conservatives AND Librals.
But I’m just sayin’ . . .
Sarah
Sarah,
ReplyDeleteI like your posts because they always make me think! I agree totally--I grew up in the 50's and 60's as a Catholic The public school let us out at 2PM on Wednesday to walk across the street to the Catholic Church for catechism lessons (small town-Upstate NY). Outside of the pledge of allegiance, I don't remember any other RELIGION in the Schools. As I got older we met in private homes on Monday evening to talk about our faith...never on school grounds. We all knew who was Catholic, Episcopalian, Methodist and even LDS, but we respected each other and what happened in churches on Sunday or private homes was okay with us.
I love to cook so I'm not at all offended by your comment to get Mom back in the kitchen. We don't have the same "home" ties of the 50's and 60's...home is basically where people sleep. I have always had to work full-time even when I was married (twice) as I have always been the principal breadwinner. But I have an incredible amount of admiration for the ladies who stay at home and raise families. I'd love to be back in the kitchen, and I do love the time I spend at home, especially practicing hospitality by inviting others to break bread together.
Thanks again---a good sentiment for a Spring Sunday afternoon.
Agatha
www.agathanolen.com