StaroftheSea Posted September 29, 2012 Share Posted September 29, 2012 So I am taking a high school World Religions class and part of the class involves leading and participating in spiritual practices and/or rituals from other religions. My question is what exactly is meant by "taking an active part" in non-Catholic worship? And, if I should definitely not do this, can I have some advice on how to approach the teacher? She is Catholic, but I'm not quite sure what kind of an answer I would get. Argh, I don't want to commit a possible mortal sin every three weeks! Sorry for the load of questions, but this has been bothering me ever since we did the puja for the Hinduism unit this week. I had thought that it was more of an academic exercise, but during it there was something I couldn't quite justify about it, and then tonight I researched more into the Catechism and found some warning signs. Any advice would certainly be helpful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basilisa Marie Posted September 29, 2012 Share Posted September 29, 2012 You're right that there's a problem here. It's one thing to learn about a religion's spiritual exercise, or even witness that exercise. It's entirely different if you're required to take an active part in it. When you say doing the puja - do you mean actually doing it? With water, thread, incense, food, the whole shebang? If it were me, I'd talk to my teacher and explain that although I'd eager to learn about different religions, I feel very uncomfortable actually performing the different rituals. I wouldn't have a problem giving a presentation about the puja, or even showing a video that demonstrates what it looks like, but actually leading a ritual of another faith is a line I could not cross without violating my own beliefs. And personally, I would find it insulting if a group of non-Catholics said the rosary together just to "see what it's like" or something, especially if it were lead by a non-Catholic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4588686 Posted September 29, 2012 Share Posted September 29, 2012 [quote name='StaroftheSea' timestamp='1348897569' post='2487918'] So I am taking a high school World Religions class and part of the class involves leading and participating in spiritual practices and/or rituals from other religions. My question is what exactly is meant by "taking an active part" in non-Catholic worship? And, if I should definitely not do this, can I have some advice on how to approach the teacher? She is Catholic, but I'm not quite sure what kind of an answer I would get. Argh, I don't want to commit a possible mortal sin every three weeks! [/quote] I don't know what they mean. You may be required to participate in the sense of, for example, attend a Jewish Temple during Friday prayers. They cannot make you participate in the sense of praying or actually engaging in religious devotion. If they try to make you pray then tell them you're calling the ACLU. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nihil Obstat Posted September 29, 2012 Share Posted September 29, 2012 As Catholics we cannot actually participate in the rites and ceremonies of another religion. Observing is one thing, but participating is something very different. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vincent Vega Posted September 29, 2012 Share Posted September 29, 2012 [quote name='Hasan' timestamp='1348898550' post='2487924'] I don't know what they mean. You may be required to participate in the sense of, for example, attend a Jewish Temple during Friday prayers. They cannot make you participate in the sense of praying or actually engaging in religious devotion. If they try to make you pray then tell them you're calling the ACLU. [/quote] This. I sincerely doubt that the definition of participation used in the Catechism and the definition of participation used in the syllabus of your class are the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StaroftheSea Posted September 29, 2012 Author Share Posted September 29, 2012 [quote name='Basilisa Marie' timestamp='1348898326' post='2487923'] You're right that there's a problem here. It's one thing to learn about a religion's spiritual exercise, or even witness that exercise. It's entirely different if you're required to take an active part in it. When you say doing the puja - do you mean actually doing it? With water, thread, incense, food, the whole shebang? And personally, I would find it insulting if a group of non-Catholics said the rosary together just to "see what it's like" or something, especially if it were lead by a non-Catholic. [/quote] yes, the whole thing. As for the latter, I actually never considered it in that way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lil Red Posted September 29, 2012 Share Posted September 29, 2012 well, i hope you can get some answers from your teacher. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BG45 Posted September 29, 2012 Share Posted September 29, 2012 Looking forward to hearing what your teacher says, because if this is the United States, then the ACLU would happily jump all over this. A government funded institution, such as a public school, can NOT require you to engage in any sort of religious activity at all, whether it is in line with your faith or not. Students can choose to engage in religious activities themselves, but the teacher, acting on behalf of the state, is not legally allowed to lead students into any form of religious activity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StaroftheSea Posted September 29, 2012 Author Share Posted September 29, 2012 erm, sorry, I forgot to mention something. This is a Catholic school, not a public school. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basilisa Marie Posted September 29, 2012 Share Posted September 29, 2012 [quote name='StaroftheSea' timestamp='1348932290' post='2488015'] erm, sorry, I forgot to mention something. This is a Catholic school, not a public school. [/quote] Ugh oh. That's even more problematic. I'd still have the same kind of conversation with your teacher. Again, emphasizing that you want to learn about other religions (you're not trying to get out of doing work), but that you really don't feel comfortable actually participating in rituals. At best your teacher might not be Catholic and not realize that this is an issue, and he or she will accommodate you. Really, your teacher could just have you could even just sit quietly and watch while everyone else participates. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BG45 Posted September 29, 2012 Share Posted September 29, 2012 What BM said, that's just more...sticky as an issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anastasia13 Posted September 29, 2012 Share Posted September 29, 2012 We will pray this works out for you, and brings wisdom to others. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnlySunshine Posted September 29, 2012 Share Posted September 29, 2012 [quote name='StaroftheSea' timestamp='1348897569' post='2487918'] So I am taking a high school World Religions class and part of the class involves leading and participating in spiritual practices and/or rituals from other religions. My question is what exactly is meant by "taking an active part" in non-Catholic worship? And, if I should definitely not do this, can I have some advice on how to approach the teacher? She is Catholic, but I'm not quite sure what kind of an answer I would get. Argh, I don't want to commit a possible mortal sin every three weeks! Sorry for the load of questions, but this has been bothering me ever since we did the puja for the Hinduism unit this week. I had thought that it was more of an academic exercise, but during it there was something I couldn't quite justify about it, and then tonight I researched more into the Catechism and found some warning signs. Any advice would certainly be helpful. [/quote] Having been in the EXACT same position myself by having to attend a Buddhist temple for a final project, I can't tell you how uncomfortable it is. I had to sit and listen while they had a "prayer" service and then write about it later on. They were using prayer beads (a modified rosary, I guess you could say) and chanting prayers over and over. It got really irritating after a while because of the tone in which they were chanting. I really wanted to leave but I was worried that the temple leader (who knew my teacher) would contact my teacher and tell her that I left. It's not something I would ever subject myself to again. I would approach the teacher and just explain to her that it is against your beliefs to lead a non-Catholic worship service. Even if it were a Catholic service, you wouldn't be able to lead it, per se. If she doesn't accept your explanation, go to the dean of her department and explain that you cannot do this. Teachers are not allowed to force things on you that don't mesh with your beliefs. It's the same as dissection in a science class -- they have to provide alternatives. BTW, did you know that this might be a requirement when you signed up for the class? I sure didn't! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnlySunshine Posted September 29, 2012 Share Posted September 29, 2012 [quote name='StaroftheSea' timestamp='1348932290' post='2488015'] erm, sorry, I forgot to mention something. This is a Catholic school, not a public school. [/quote] If that's the case, I'd bring your concerns to the principal. I wonder if he/she knows what is occurring in the classroom. What do your parents think about this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groo the Wanderer Posted September 30, 2012 Share Posted September 30, 2012 dont do it. denounce the teacher as a heretic. burn them at the stake in gym class. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now