I'm thinking of enrolling Suzanne in a co-op at the local megachurch, of which I am not a member.
I'm an unschooler at heart and its working well so far, but Suzanne really likes the structure of "class" and enjoys Sunday school. I think she'd enjoy being in the co-op and since she would be starting kindergarten this Fall if she were attending school, it would be something for her to be excited about starting.
The co-op meets once a week for a couple of hours and consists of gym time, story-time, craft time, and a (non-Bible) lesson. From what I've heard, it does not involve Bible verse memorization or anything overtly Christian. The co-op is for Christians and I don't think is open to non-Christians (though I am not sure that they even ask -- I have not been asked though I have a friend in the co-op, so maybe they've asked her about me). This bothers me, but I'm really interested in this program. While I don't agree with excluding non-Christians, should I decline to join the group because of this policy? Wouldn't I then be excluding them? How can one be 'inclusive', which I am, and then exclude someone?
Is it better to avoid people who think like this -- fearing and disliking them? Or is it better to get to know them -- to like them and appreciate them as people and try to understand why they think the way they do?
2 comments:
I'm hearing some fear in your comment, Mike. I get your gist, but what is a 'freak'? They are fundamentalist. What is actively excluding? All churches exclude -- ever been to a Catholic church? Oh, I guess YOU can take communion/mass there, I can't. I am excluded by them.
The hubbub probably is more about use of the (rather large) facility; perhaps the co-op group is contrained by the rules of the church.
Indoctrination is everywhere --even among the non-doctrinal. Say it again with me, indoctrination is everywhere. Thats right...even here.
;-)
Hey, Mike, I was just teasing you and trying on my 'mindfulness' hat, it doesn't fit all that well and tends to be a bit askew.
Anne, I think you're right that it would be a good fit. The exclusion aspect bothers me but I'm also bothered by turning tail and running scared. I tend to be extreme ("tend"?), so I'm trying to even out a bit and appreciate the differences and build bridges -- if only in myself.
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