Kiwi teacher who saw the light; then turned away from it...

[SyVincent]

Hi all, I'm motivated to join because at the ripe old age of 33 I'm only recently finding out that many other professionals feel the same way I do and I'm not alone in finding religion a sickening cancer on the soul of humanity. I'm confronted with the indoctrination of children regularly in my teaching work, and I've been flatting with old friends who let their different religions cause them grief and conflict.
I feel like I've escaped 'The Matrix', and as the character Morpheus said, 'freed my mind'. It's wonderful to find a forum here and I'm looking forward to reading and contributing.
God B.Less, :cool:
Sy

[Fiery]

Love the sign off!!! God B. Less. What a great sentiment! WOOHOO!!! Nice one.

Welcome to Forum! :D

[boxsey]

welcome! I'm forever fighting with my public school, and feel like the teachers - even if not religious themselves - at least support it because its "nice messages". Nice to hear some of them probably don't!

[Duffy]

Welcome. What did you teach? Science?

[Serenity]

Hi :)

[Kieran]

Welcome!

[davo]

Heya! Welcome from across the waves, kinda a stones throw hehe :) Beautiful place New Zealand, aiming to get there shortly, have had so many friends enjoy it and the people, as well as work remotely with some South Islanders .. great to meet you! :)

[SyVincent]

Wow, so good of you all to say hello, thanks! Really makes me feel welcome!
I'm a primary school teacher, so I handle all curriculum areas, I love science as it relates directly to our ability to understand our planet and influence aspects of our environment. A powerful skill for children to be sure.
I'm originally from Hawke's Bay, North Island....wine country!
I can't take credit for my God.B.Less signoff, I've borrowed it from a very funny and entertaining comedian who posts on youtube as coughlan666.
PLEASE check him out if you want to see a funny, passionate argument for the rights of atheists. Pat Condell is my other favourite, he is truly remarkable at putting people's feelings into articulate, cutting language.

I can assure you all that in my experience in schools, there are many teachers, at least half of us I'd say, who feel the imposition of religous education once a week for half an hour by a non-trained christain 'teacher' a total pain in the arse. Nice to meet you all and see that despite recent cricketing drama, there are no hard feelings on my Kiwi heritage. I promise not to bring up underarm bowling or the Rugby League World Cup. ;-)

I got last months edition of the AFA magazine and am thinking of subscribing. Anyone else done this?

May God.B.Less,

Sy

[Kerri-Lee]

Welcome. Red pill?Blue pill? Do yourself a favour subscribe to the AFA mag.

[atomac]

Hey Sy,

I'm a primary school teacher too. I have worked in state schools where "Christians" come and teach religious education for half an hour. I am also vigilant for any attempts by churches or religions to infiltrate schools or use schools to attract children.

Where I currently work we seem to have frequent requests to distribute flyers to free concerts and "fun days" hosted by local fundamentalist churches. They go in the bin. We even had people come through the school with a "fun", environmental, happy, keep fit, be nice, love God show. They quietly slipped the latter in when nobody was looking.

They won't be coming back.

[SyVincent]

It just does my head in aye mate. I simply can't stand having to intervene when the kids start eating these tossers alive. It serves them right, but I only jump in because after they've gone I have to settle my bunch down again.

As for the cunning 'fun days', leaflets and free 'shows' they put on for kids aligned to a faith, last December I had to look after about 30 kids who were not included in the show that the bible bashers put on (music and a play). I fielded all sorts of "Why can't we go" questions and as much as I wanted to have a rant about how lucky they were NOT to be going, I knew it would be un-pro.....so I just let them loose on my collection of handheld videogames and made paper planes with them....they had more fun than they would have otherwise! When the others got back THEY were asking: "Awwww, why couldn't we have STAYED!?" Haha!
Sy

[SyVincent]

Ooops, double posted!

[Lee]

Hi SyVincent,

I got last months edition of the AFA magazine and am thinking of subscribing. Anyone else done this?

We have a member in Hawkes Bay!
If you would like to subscribe send me an email at info@atheistfoundation.org.au

Cheers
Lee

[Duffy]

Where I currently work we seem to have frequent requests to distribute flyers to free concerts and "fun days" hosted by local fundamentalist churches. They go in the bin. We even had people come through the school with a "fun", environmental, happy, keep fit, be nice, love God show.

Hi Atomac, jeebus, I had forgotten all about the 'love God shows' at school (proof of no long term affect I guess:D). I remember the puppet shows that were meant to teach us christian moral values (think 1970 but I'm sure it hasn't changed) I can't believe they still let that crap still happen. Good on you for taking a stand on behalf of the kids:)

[M0381U5]

Howdy Sy

I just joined the forum today.
see you around the chats.

M