News & Politics - Judge: Parents can't teach pagan beliefs

TokyoNiGHTS · 05-27-2005, 12:32 AM

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An Indianapolis father is appealing a Marion County judge's unusual order that prohibits him and his ex-wife from exposing their child to "non-mainstream religious beliefs and rituals."

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The parents' Wiccan beliefs came to Bradford's attention in a confidential report prepared by the Domestic Relations Counseling Bureau, which provides recommendations to the court on child custody and visitation rights. Jones' son attends a local Catholic school.

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"This was done without either of us requesting it and at the judge's whim," said Jones, who has organized Pagan Pride Day events in Indianapolis. "It is upsetting to our son that he cannot celebrate holidays with us, including Yule, which is winter solstice, and Ostara, which is the spring equinox."

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"Religion comes up most frequently when there are disputes between the parents. There are lots of cases where a mom and dad are of different faiths, and they're having a tug of war over the kids," Falk said. "This is different: Their dispute is with the judge. When the government is attempting to tell people they're not allowed to engage in non-mainstream activities, that raises concerns."

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dl...WS01/505260481

I'd like to see the media outrage over this. You just know if this was a judge telling parents they aren't allowed to teach their kids Christian beliefs everyone would be running around screaming over this.

Lexis · 05-27-2005, 04:49 AM

This is just plain stupid. I've studied Wiccan beliefs and practices and from what I've seen, there is nothing harmful to a child in there.

The media should pick up on this story and make sure that this is the real kind of "activist" judge.

**TheAngel** · 05-28-2005, 08:42 AM

The judge did this because the child is enrolled in a Catholic school and believed that the different beliefs could be harmful to such a young child and be very confusing. Personally, I don't agree with the decision. I can sort of understand what the judge was saying, however, this is a good experience for him to understand that beliefs don't have to agree and they don't have to be wrong. I think it should be up to the child's parents to teach their child however they wish. The court should have no control unless things are shown to be harmful to a child's physical or mental state and in this case, they haven't.

In Fair Verona · 05-28-2005, 10:13 AM

Wait, what I want to know is who enrolled the kid in Catholic school? The judge or the parents, because this whole ordeal would seem very ridiculous if it were the parents. If it were the judge, it would be quite insanely wrong.

I hate people who target Wiccans, just because in doing so it shows that you have no understanding whatsoever of what exactly it is you are going against. If you did, you would no that it isn't in any way "harmful".

Different beliefs can't harm a child, it may confuse him but in the long run I think it only educates him to know that there are different beliefs out there and to be more tolerant and knowing that not one is more superior than another. If it harms anybody, it harms anything it harms the judge's agenda.

sick little jag · 05-28-2005, 01:13 PM

The kid is probably enrolled in the Catholic school because of the academic education he is recieving there. I know in my old town that kids of all different religions attended the private catholic school because it had really small class sizes and outstanding teachers. Just because you aren't catholic doesn't mean you can't attend a catholic school.

I do think the judge is overstepping his bounds...but of course because all the people who get all righteous about "activist judges" are the christian right, I doubt anyone will make a fuss over this.

**TheAngel** · 05-29-2005, 06:15 AM

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Originally Posted by sick little jag

The kid is probably enrolled in the Catholic school because of the academic education he is recieving there. I know in my old town that kids of all different religions attended the private catholic school because it had really small class sizes and outstanding teachers. Just because you aren't catholic doesn't mean you can't attend a catholic school.

I do think the judge is overstepping his bounds...but of course because all the people who get all righteous about "activist judges" are the christian right, I doubt anyone will make a fuss over this.

I agree with you, on all points. They probably sent him because of the academic benifits he would receive. Indianapolis is a big city, it has a lot of big city and inner city academic problems. Therefore, a Catholic school might have been the best place to put him.

Moonlight~Pixie · 05-29-2005, 10:05 AM

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Originally Posted by Lexis

This is just plain stupid. I've studied Wiccan beliefs and practices and from what I've seen, there is nothing harmful to a child in there.

The media should pick up on this story and make sure that this is the real kind of "activist" judge.

I agree. It's stupid. Just because this Judge doesn't believe in other religions doesn't mean he should step on other people's.

bexter · 05-29-2005, 11:37 AM

Oh good, so glad a judge has the power to do something like this in a country that is supposed to allow people freedom of religion...

mysteryqueen · 05-29-2005, 08:59 PM

where does this judge get off telling what they can teach their kids. the wiccan religion is a gentle earth loving,herb loving system of beliefs the parents have every right to teach their children their pagan faith.

Miss_Priss · 06-03-2005, 10:53 PM

That is rediculous! They should most defintely contest this. The Judge has no right to step on ANYONE'S beliefs. Not in this country. What an idiot!

Elizajoey · 06-04-2005, 06:40 PM

I didn't realise the freedom of religion came with a clause - only certain religions.

I don't agree with the excuse that he might be 'confused' - how about he might be more tolerant and understanding that people find comfort in a variety of different belief systems.

I went to Catholic school my whole life. We had many different people from different faiths and denominations and it make religion class all the more exciting - rather that just read about things in textbooks, we heard first hand from our fellow peers of their experiences as well as going to different places of worship of the various religions of the world.

CurleeQ · 06-07-2005, 06:36 PM

I agree with all those who have said that this is absurd. It's not as if this guy is teaching his child to harm people. Parents should feel free to teach their children any religion they see fit.

Then again it seems as if the Bill of Rights is begining to be forgotten now a days, so this certianly follows suit.