Treated unfairly at school?

xLisaBx

I'm a leaving cert student at a catholic school with many different religions in our year. Last week my school decided to run confession for those who wanted it. Year group by year group we were called to the church (10 second walk away). Everybody had to go for the walk, and confession was clearly optional. Around 30 of us were seated in a far corner who chose not to participate.
Religion teacher and co ordinator comes over and does a head count. She had complete respect for Chinese, Muslims and individuals of other faiths. She saw maybe 10 Irish and expressed utter disappointment and got angry at us. "Good Catholics refudsing to attend a ritual" were her words. She shouted, made me feel like a horrible person and I resulted in doing confession.
My question is: were we treated unfairly? I'm an atheist and so are those with whom I sat. I personally feel like it's a horrible assumption to make. NOT all irish are Catholic.
She even referred to the fact we were "good students". Can atheists not be intelligent now?
Rant over I'm sorry, just incredibly angry!!

desbrook

xLisaBx wrote: »

I'm a leaving cert student at a catholic school with many different religions in our year. Last week my school decided to run confession for those who wanted it. Year group by year group we were called to the church (10 second walk away). Everybody had to go for the walk, and confession was clearly optional. Around 30 of us were seated in a far corner who chose not to participate.,
Religion teacher and co ordinator comes over and does a head count. She had complete respect for Chinese, Muslims and individuals of other faiths. She saw maybe 10 Irish and expressed utter disappointment and got angry at us. "Good Catholics refudsing to attend a ritual" were her words. She shouted, made me feel like a horrible person and I resulted in doing confession.
My question is: were we treated unfairly? I'm an atheist and so are those with whom I sat. I personally feel like it's a horrible assumption to make. NOT all irish are Catholic.
She even referred to the fact we were "good students". Can atheists not be intelligent now?
Rant over I'm sorry, just incredibly angry!!

Are you over 18 op?

xLisaBx

desbrook wrote: »

Are you over 18 op?

No I'm almost 18, some people there were though

Delirium

Out of curiosity, does the teacher know you are an atheist?

xLisaBx

desbrook wrote: »

Are you over 18 op?

No I'm almost 18, some people there were though

xLisaBx

SW wrote: »

Out of curiosity, does the teacher know you are an atheist?

I really don't know, It's more the principal of the whole set up

Greenmachine

Ask your parents to raise it with your school. Unfortunately some teachers can't see the wood for the trees, particularly in religious matters.

MagicMarker

Brilliant, Leaving Cert students being sent off to confession, what could be more important? Sure the Leaving Cert curriculum will teach itself, won't it?

xLisaBx

MagicMarker wrote: »

Brilliant, Leaving Cert students being sent off to confession, what could be more important? Sure the Leaving Cert curriculum will teach itself, won't it?

The week before the orals and whatnot

desbrook

I think you'll find that the other faith kids would be in bigger trouble if they didn't participate in their ceremonies . However that isn't the point. The point is you aren't I presume officially an athiest or at least non-Catholic . Maybe ask your parents to write to the school requesting your details to be changed?

xLisaBx

Greenmachine wrote: »

Ask your parents to raise it with your school. Unfortunately some teachers can't see the wood for the trees, particularly in religious matters.

I think it's an example of being blinded by faith. I'm a friendly person and get on well with all the teachers

Bloe Joggs

xLisaBx wrote: »

I'm a leaving cert student at a catholic school with many different religions in our year. Last week my school decided to run confession for those who wanted it. Year group by year group we were called to the church (10 second walk away). Everybody had to go for the walk, and confession was clearly optional. Around 30 of us were seated in a far corner who chose not to participate.
Religion teacher and co ordinator comes over and does a head count. She had complete respect for Chinese, Muslims and individuals of other faiths. She saw maybe 10 Irish and expressed utter disappointment and got angry at us. "Good Catholics refudsing to attend a ritual" were her words. She shouted, made me feel like a horrible person and I resulted in doing confession.
My question is: were we treated unfairly? I'm an atheist and so are those with whom I sat. I personally feel like it's a horrible assumption to make. NOT all irish are Catholic.
She even referred to the fact we were "good students". Can atheists not be intelligent now?
Rant over I'm sorry, just incredibly angry!!

Nothing new here, just the same old tactics that have been employed for generations. The Catholic church in this country employs many tactics to keep its market share, some are unashamedly overt like this one, others are way more subtle and harder to get a grip on.

Tasden

If it meant that much to you all you had to do was say "actually I'm not Catholic", end of discussion. I'm not sure I see where the problem is tbh.

xLisaBx

desbrook wrote: »

I think you'll find that the other faith kids would be in bigger trouble if they didn't participate in their ceremonies . However that isn't the point. The point is you aren't I presume officially an athiest or at least non-Catholic . Maybe ask your parents to write to the school requesting your details to be changed?

The other faith students were treated well and always have the option to study rather than go to masses. Nothing is ever compulsory, and although it wasn't forced upon me, I felt embarrased and obliged to confess. I might ask my parents, although there's not even 3 months left

Delirium

xLisaBx wrote: »

I really don't know, It's more the principal of the whole set up

The teacher assumed you were Catholic. First thing to do would be let them know they are wrong. That would let them know the lecture/earbending was inappropriate as you aren't a member of that church.

Bloe Joggs

And while I'm at it. Confession ......what a totally bizarre concept......to think I used to do that.....

Czarcasm

xLisaBx wrote: »

I think it's an example of being blinded by faith. I'm a friendly person and get on well with all the teachers

I'm just wondering OP, did you have a chance at all before the trip to the church to inform the teachers that you didn't need to attend as you aren't Catholic?

xLisaBx

SW wrote: »

The teacher assumed you were Catholic. First thing to do would be let them know they are wrong. That would let them know the lecture/earbending was inappropriate as you aren't a member of that church.

I might speak to them about it, thanks. I was so hesitant to admit my lack of faith to myself (religious family and upbringing) I really didn't need the shame

jackboy

Take it as a life lesson. The teacher bullied you into doing something you were not comfortable with. Maybe you won't let the next bully walk all over you.

xLisaBx

Czarcasm wrote: »

I'm just wondering OP, did you have a chance at all before the trip to the church to inform the teachers that you didn't need to attend as you aren't Catholic?

No I didn't, I didn't there was a need. It was explained clearly that we were to sit in a corner and that it was no problem

hfallada

Teachers love this higher authority BS. This teachers sounds like someone who would be pissed at you if you did go to confession. I can understand bringing everyone to the church for confession if there wasn't someone to supervise you.

xLisaBx

hfallada wrote: »

Teachers love this higher authority BS. This teachers sounds like someone who would be pissed at you if you did go to confession. I can understand bringing everyone to the church for confession if there wasn't someone to supervise you.

I have no problem with going to the church, it's more the embarrassment of the teachers manner. I thought catholics were supposed to preach truth, love, compassion, peace and justice? Clearly not

xLisaBx

jackboy wrote: »

Take it as a life lesson. The teacher bullied you into doing something you were not comfortable with. Maybe you won't let the next bully walk all over you.

I guess.. thought I'd have learned already to be honest. I was indirectly told by a fellow classmate that I would burn in hell for my beliefs.

Boskowski

Thats actually not being treated unfairly that's bullying by its very definition.

Arbiter of Good Taste

So you are presumably in a Catholic school, the teacher is of the belief that you are a Catholic because someone - I don't know, maybe your legal guardians - have not informed the school that you are not. If the teacher made you go to confession then it suggests to me she is carrying out your parents wishes. The problem is not the teacher. The problem is that you haven't had the discussion with your parents.

Czarcasm

xLisaBx wrote: »

I have no problem with going to the church, it's more the embarrassment of the teachers manner. I thought catholics were supposed to preach truth, love, compassion, peace and justice? Clearly not

Not all Catholics are arse holes OP, in the same way as not all good students are Catholic.

xLisaBx wrote: »

I guess.. thought I'd have learned already to be honest. I was indirectly told by a fellow classmate that I would burn in hell for my beliefs.

Next time they come out with such nonsense you can politely inform them that due to your lack of belief in Hell, about six foot under is as far as you'll be going.

Sulla Felix

Arbiter of Good Taste wrote: »

So you are presumably in a Catholic school, the teacher is of the belief that you are a Catholic because someone - I don't know, maybe your legal guardians - have not informed the school that you are not. If the teacher made you go to confession then it suggests to me she is carrying out your parents wishes. The problem is not the teacher. The problem is that you haven't had the discussion with your parents.

No, the confession was supposed to be strictly voluntary. The teacher took it upon herself to berate some of those who opted out. Doesn't matter what reason the OP had for opting out, if somethings voluntary, it's voluntary. For all the teacher knew she could have been Anglican (not going to take a Catholic sacrament) Jewish ( can you tell a caucasian is Jewish just by looking at them?) or even if Catholic, maybe went to confession the night before (:pac: yeah right).

lynski

even if catholic confession is an totally voluntary act and you should not be compelled to doing it.

The teacher embarrassed you into doing something you did not want to, you should not have had to mention your beliefs as she clearly did not pressure the other non-irish or non-white children to do it and how many of them might be catholic?
I would speak to your class/year head or head teacher and say you felt uncomfortable and you think that it was unfair, ask their advice, should you go to the teacher and speak to them directly?

Fentdog84

Tasden wrote: »

If it meant that much to you all you had to do was say "actually I'm not Catholic", end of discussion. I'm not sure I see where the problem is tbh.

The op clearly felt coerced/threatened into going to confession against her will. Not everyone, especially a teenager would find it easy to stand up for themselves in a situation like this when there is an authority figure like a teacher shouting at them to do something. The behaviour of that teacher was appalling and if i were the op i would definitely be reporting her to the school authorities over this.

Kiwi in IE

Arbiter of Good Taste wrote: »

So you are presumably in a Catholic school, the teacher is of the belief that you are a Catholic because someone - I don't know, maybe your legal guardians - have not informed the school that you are not. If the teacher made you go to confession then it suggests to me she is carrying out your parents wishes. The problem is not the teacher. The problem is that you haven't had the discussion with your parents.

Presumably the OP is in a Catholic School. An easy presumption to make seeing nearly every school in the country is a Catholic School. And if the OP's parents were the types to refuse to acknowledge that the OPis not a Catholic (hypothetical, I am sure your parents are not like this OP) then what? A seventeen year old should be forced to preform religious rituals that they don't believe in because their parents are religious? I think not!

Czarcasm

Fentdog84 wrote: »

The op clearly felt coerced/threatened into going to confession against her will. Not everyone, especially a teenager would find it easy to stand up for themselves in a situation like this when there is an authority figure like a teacher shouting at them to do something. The behaviour of that teacher was appalling and if i were the op i would definitely be reporting her to the school authorities over this.

You're being a tad dramatic there tbh. The OP wasn't forced or coerced to do anything against her will. She could've just said "I fully respect your right to your beliefs, but I'm atheist, not catholic", and the teacher could berate all she wants, but still couldn't force the OP into the confession booth.

Sulla Felix

Czarcasm wrote: »

You're being a tad dramatic there tbh. The OP wasn't forced or coerced to do anything against her will. She could've just said "I fully respect your right to your beliefs, but I'm atheist, not catholic", and the teacher could berate all she wants, but still couldn't force the OP into the confession booth.

You're being a bit disingenuous Czarcasm. The teacher/student relationship is definitionally an authoritarian one, add into that mix the public nature of the confrontation and it's not an easy thing to brazen out.
If it were that easy, sure nothing innappropriate would ever occur between a teacher and a student.
Coercion doesn't have to involve the OP being dragged by the hair into the confessional. The scenario in the OP definitely has elements of coercion.

Fentdog84

Czarcasm wrote: »

You're being a tad dramatic there tbh. The OP wasn't forced or coerced to do anything against her will. She could've just said "I fully respect your right to your beliefs, but I'm atheist, not catholic", and the teacher could berate all she wants, but still couldn't force the OP into the confession booth.

sure but when your 16-17 and you are worried about being embarrassed and peer pressure etc its easier to go with flow than to risk being singled out or embarrased in front of your classmates..especially for girls. The teacher was out of order not just ot the op but to the other students aswell.

Czarcasm

Fentdog84 wrote: »

sure but when your 16-17 and you are worried about being embarrassed and peer pressure etc its easier to go with flow than to risk being singled out or embarrased in front of your classmates..especially for girls. The teacher was out of order not just ot the op but to the other students aswell.

Oh no question the teacher was out of order, and as Sulia says there were definitely elements of coercion. The teacher didn't take the students seriously, but it was the first 'test' for them so to speak - do they stand by their principles, or do they, as you suggest Fentdog, go with the flow.

Sure, it's not easy sticking out like a sore thumb, and I know people twice the OP's age who will still go with the flow and go through the motions for an easier life, but then it becomes a question of 'at what point are you ever comfortable knowing you're going against the grain and standing up for your principles'.

In fairness to her, the OP is already having to put up with a lot of shìte from her classmates, and THAT'S the bullying I'd be more worried about than a teacher pulling the old guilt trip effort. Fortunately for the OP though she does only have to put up with it for another three months, and then in college she has much more freedom to be her own person.

I'd chalk this one down tbh and let it go rather than make a big deal of it and distract from her upcoming exams.

Gordon

desbrook wrote: »

The point is you aren't I presume officially an athiest or at least non-Catholic .

Officially? Everyone is officially an atheist until they decide that they believe in some religious nonsense, in my opinion.

Tasden

Fentdog84 wrote: »

The op clearly felt coerced/threatened into going to confession against her will. Not everyone, especially a teenager would find it easy to stand up for themselves in a situation like this when there is an authority figure like a teacher shouting at them to do something. The behaviour of that teacher was appalling and if i were the op i would definitely be reporting her to the school authorities over this.

But the point is all it took was a quick "actually I'm not Catholic" and that would be the end of the "coercion" and therefore no need to rant or feel unfairly treated or whatever else because it would've been the end of it and the teacher may have even offered an apology.

I dunno, when I was that age I was late for school one day and a teacher that I didn't even have for any classes started laying into me for being constantly late, I was about to explain to him why and he started with "you're in the top class, you won't be there for long..", eventually I told him "I'm actually suffering from chronic morning sickness and can't come in on time, year head is aware of the issue", the teacher was suitably apologetic and realised they were out of order. No need to rant on a forum, reporting to school authorities or anything else of the sort. They made a mistake/misjudged the situation, they were corrected and the situation (if you can even call it that) was resolved.

One sentence and its sorted like.

Fentdog84

Czarcasm wrote: »

Oh no question the teacher was out of order, and as Sulia says there were definitely elements of coercion. The teacher didn't take the students seriously, but it was the first 'test' for them so to speak - do they stand by their principles, or do they, as you suggest Fentdog, go with the flow.

Sure, it's not easy sticking out like a sore thumb, and I know people twice the OP's age who will still go with the flow and go through the motions for an easier life, but then it becomes a question of 'at what point are you ever comfortable knowing you're going against the grain and standing up for your principles'.

In fairness to her, the OP is already having to put up with a lot of shìte from her classmates, and THAT'S the bullying I'd be more worried about than a teacher pulling the old guilt trip effort. Fortunately for the OP though she does only have to put up with it for another three months, and then in college she has much more freedom to be her own person.

I'd chalk this one down tbh and let it go rather than make a big deal of it and distract from her upcoming exams.

perhaps 'reporting' the teacher is a bit extreme but it would do no harm for the op to alert her year head/principal of the incident and why she felt it was unfair towards her. It may help such an incident happening in the future. Ya going with the flow is something that hard to break out of for many people throughout their lives and its a great sign for someone that age being able to think independently. Wish i had when i was 17 things could have been alot different!

Vito Corleone

Buy bazooka. Fire at teacher's car.

Vito Corleone

Seriously though, soon as all this religious nonsense is done away with in school the better.

Fentdog84

Tasden wrote: »

But the point is all it took was a quick "actually I'm not Catholic" and that would be the end of the "coercion" and therefore no need to rant or feel unfairly treated or whatever else because it would've been the end of it and the teacher may have even offered an apology.

I dunno, when I was that age I was late for school one day and a teacher that I didn't even have for any classes started laying into me for being constantly late, I was about to explain to him why and he started with "you're in the top class, you won't be there for long..", eventually I told him "I'm actually suffering from chronic morning sickness and can't come in on time, year head is aware of the issue", the teacher was suitably apologetic and realised they were out of order. No need to rant on a forum, reporting to school authorities or anything else of the sort. They made a mistake/misjudged the situation, they were corrected and the situation (if you can even call it that) was resolved.



One sentence and its sorted like.

Well, it depends on the teacher(and the student). If the teacher is a religious zealot and bully who may have continued on her rant regardless with the aim of belittling the girl, she may not have felt strong enough to take that on in the present moment. Bottom line she cant force(or attempt to force) such an issue on the students..

Tasden

Fentdog84 wrote: »

Well, it depends on the teacher(and the student). If the teacher is a religious zealot and bully who may have continued on her rant regardless with the aim of belittling the girl, she may not have felt strong enough to take that on in the present moment. Bottom line she cant force(or attempt to force) such an issue on the students..

Bottom line is she assumed the students were catholic and therefore should do confession, student didn't correct her, teacher feels she did right from a religious standpoint, (which is part of their education as they are in a catholic school) as the student then went and did confession. The issue of RE/sacraments in school is beside the point, its not something I agree with but in this case it is a catholic school.

That's my opinion anyway, no point going round in circles. I just think op is almost 18, an adult, the most appropriate thing to do was say at the time that she wasn't catholic, she didn't do that for whatever reason but I personally think advising op to take it to a year head or whatever is pointless, I think op should just chalk it up to experience and learn to stand up for herself in future if she feels someone is trying to coerce her into something she doesn't want to do.

If she complains to someone the first thing they will ask is was the teacher aware that you're not catholic and therefore didn't want/need to partake. If they're attending a catholic school and haven't specifically stated that they aren't catholic it is assumed that they are going to take part in religious sacraments and education.

Fentdog84

Tasden wrote: »

Bottom line is she assumed the students were catholic and therefore should do confession, student didn't correct her, teacher feels she did right from a religious standpoint, (which is part of their education as they are in a catholic school) as the student then went and did confession. The issue of RE/sacraments in school is beside the point, its not something I agree with but in this case it is a catholic school.

That's my opinion anyway, no point going round in circles. I just think op is almost 18, an adult, the most appropriate thing to do was say at the time that she wasn't catholic, she didn't do that for whatever reason but I personally think advising op to take it to a year head or whatever is pointless, I think op should just chalk it up to experience and learn to stand up for herself in future if she feels someone is trying to coerce her into something she doesn't want to do.

If she complains to someone the first thing they will ask is was the teacher aware that you're not catholic and therefore didn't want/need to partake. If they're attending a catholic school and haven't specifically stated that they aren't catholic it is assumed that they are going to take part in religious sacraments and education.

Your right, in normal circumstances it would be the pupil's responsibility to let the teacher/school know that they are not a practicing catholic, and dont wish to be included in religious activities..but the fact that there was a group of 8-10 students sitting in a corner with their arms folded suggests that the school also have a responsibility to check in advance whether the student wishes to be included..not just to assume it. Dont forget its 16-17 year olds we are talking about many of whom may not be 'out of the closet' as far as their religious views may be concerned..better judgment and tact was needed from the teacher in this situation.

Hotblack Desiato

Disgraceful carry-on from that teacher. Either participation was voluntary or it was not. The teacher has no right to publicly berate any pupil for not taking part.

Even worse is that some pupils were assumed to be not catholic on the basis of their appearance, what message is this sending to them about who is 'really Irish' or 'one of us' and who isn't?

Tasden

Fentdog84 wrote: »

Your right, in normal circumstances it would be the pupil's responsibility to let the teacher/school know that they are not a practicing catholic, and dont wish to be included in religious activities..but the fact that there was a group of 8-10 students sitting in a corner with their arms folded suggests that the school also have a responsibility to check in advance whether the student wishes to be included..not just to assume it. Dont forget its 16-17 year olds we are talking about many of whom may not be 'out of the closet' as far as their religious views may be concerned..better judgment and tact was needed from the teacher in this situation.

True enough, but op said the teacher had respect for the students of other beliefs, it was the Irish ones she assumed were catholic, had these students been partaking in RE etc? And basically "being Catholic " until this situation arose?

I agree that adults should be more tactful or what have you but its a Catholic school and I'm assuming the teacher was also responsible for their catholic education and so she felt that as Catholics ( if they have been partaking in other RE etc) they should be told that its their duty to partake in confession.

Its a ridiculous scenario- I freely admit this, I'm atheist myself, I resent that schools are so entwined with the church BUT its a catholic school and the teacher (at least in my eyes) was doing her duty with regards to the child's religious education because as far as she was concerned (if like i said they were talking part in other aspects of RE) they were catholic. And all op had to do was say I'm not catholic, no thanks.

Maybe that's easier for me to say from the outside I don't know.

pinkbear

I am an atheist secondary school teacher teaching in a Catholic school. I have no contractual obligation to be Catholic or anything like that. Some students once noticed that I didn't attend communion at a school mass (which I attend twice yearly with all the staff). When they asked me about it in class I told them I wasn't Catholic. They asked me what I was and I said I am atheist. Conversation pretty much ended there.
Next day, the principal called me into his office. He said he'd had a complaint from a parent saying I was "disrespecting God" in class. I was speechless. He was nice enough to me, while clearly getting his message across that I am to be Catholic in the eyes of the students, and be seen to partake in the same parts of school life as everyone else.
I was angry at the time (though smiled sweetly of course and said of course). The main thing that struck me was similar to what the OP said: I feel if I said I was Muslim, Protestant or Jew, there would have been no discussion whatsoever. But because I said atheist, it's seen as being disrespectful and not a real religion. Annoying. But with that said, I'm not one to cause a fuss, and OP I would advise just forget about it as it's better for your mental health. Also, the times they are a changing..... it's a lot easier to be atheist now than it was one generation back. I rarely mention it to anyone, only if people ask outright why my kids aren't making their communion or something. If people are silly enough to think that I'm being disrespectful of God or anyone, that's their problem. (The dumbest question I've ever been asked about it is: "So, do you teach your children the difference between right and wrong?". I answered what I consider the obvious: "Oh yes, I teach them to do the right thing to do. Because it's the right thing to do. Not with the aim of going to heaven for it, or for fear of going to hell otherwise."

Bloe Joggs

Tasden wrote: »

True enough, but op said the teacher had respect for the students of other beliefs, it was the Irish ones she assumed were catholic, had these students been partaking in RE etc? And basically "being Catholic " until this situation arose?

I agree that adults should be more tactful or what have you but its a Catholic school and I'm assuming the teacher was also responsible for their catholic education and so she felt that as Catholics ( if they have been partaking in other RE etc) they should be told that its their duty to partake in confession.

Its a ridiculous scenario- I freely admit this, I'm atheist myself, I resent that schools are so entwined with the church BUT its a catholic school and the teacher (at least in my eyes) was doing her duty with regards to the child's religious education because as far as she was concerned (if like i said they were talking part in other aspects of RE) they were catholic. And all op had to do was say I'm not catholic, no thanks.

Maybe that's easier for me to say from the outside I don't know.

You're being too lenient to the zealous teacher. The pupils had already made their arrangement and declined to attend the ritual. It's 2014, not 1976, any teacher who has any clue about what's going on in the world around them will expect a fair percentage of white, Irish pupils to opt out of confession since they're given the choice these days.

obplayer

Tasden wrote: »

If it meant that much to you all you had to do was say "actually I'm not Catholic", end of discussion. I'm not sure I see where the problem is tbh.

Read the post
"Good Catholics refudsing to attend a ritual" were her words. She shouted, made me feel like a horrible person

No teacher is entitled to treat a pupil in that way, let alone in defence of the teacher's own superstitions. When are religious people going to accept that they are not entitled to impose their irrational nonsense on every one else?

obplayer

Czarcasm wrote: »

You're being a tad dramatic there tbh. The OP wasn't forced or coerced to do anything against her will. She could've just said "I fully respect your right to your beliefs, but I'm atheist, not catholic", and the teacher could berate all she wants, but still couldn't force the OP into the confession booth.

Why should she have to accept the teacher 'berating' her? Are we still in the Middle Ages?

obplayer

Tasden wrote: »

But the point is all it took was a quick "actually I'm not Catholic" and that would be the end of the "coercion" and therefore no need to rant or feel unfairly treated or whatever else because it would've been the end of it and the teacher may have even offered an apology.

Read the post, one sentence and it was clearly not sorted.

Tasden

obplayer wrote: »

Read the post
"Good Catholics refudsing to attend a ritual" were her words. She shouted, made me feel like a horrible person

No teacher is entitled to treat a pupil in that way, let alone in defence of the teacher's own superstitions. When are religious people going to accept that they are not entitled to impose their irrational nonsense on every one else?

Its a catholic school that does the religious sacraments. That's not "a religious person imposing their irrational nonsense on everyone else" that's them doing their job. They are taking the children to do their sacraments as part of their religious education. Part of that education is being taught the importance of the sacraments.

I'm not denying the teacher lacked tact and was too personal. And by all means if op said "no I'm atheist" and the teacher continued to press her on the issue I'd fully agree with you, but its hardly some whackjob of a teacher ranting and raving about god in a non denominational school.

I don't think the teacher was "right" in what she did, I just think the op should have just explicitly said no I'm not catholic, and that it doesn't warrant an official complaint.

moc moc a moc

xLisaBx wrote: »

although it wasn't forced upon me, I felt embarrased and obliged to confess

You're almost an adult, now is the time to learn to stand up for yourself.