Religious Freedom

[jawakiller]

You're willing to learn about a religion, but you're not willing to respect its traditions?

Respecting traditions and participating with them is quite different. I've no problem with the tradition itself, but I don't want to participate, and will politely decline the invitation. Isn't that respectful?

Yeah, cuz if you participate you'll doe a horrendous death. BOOHOOHAHA!!

Thats what school is all about, learning to jump through hoops. Thats it. This has nothing to do with your personal "freedoms."

 

[OutforEC]

But as I've said, the kippah is not strictly a religious practice.

So, what would you call it then? It's done in deference to God in a place of worship, and as far as I can tell has no secular or practical application that an ordinary hat wouldn't suffice for. How can it not be viewed as a religious practice?

It is if you wear it outside of a synagogue. But inside, every man -must- wear it, regardless of his faith.

He's not being asked to wear it outside the synagogue, therefore they're wearing it in conformance with their religious traditions. So again, if he goes inside he should wear it, but if he doesn't want to wear it he shouldn't be forced inside.

 

[TacticalAssassin1]

Um...it takes more to become a Jew than wearing a skullcap.

Not least because they're right ahead of Wiccans and right behind Zoroastrians on the "notoriously non-proselytizing" scale.

It takes more than wearing a swastika to become a Nazi. Would you wear a swastika if you were forced to go to a place where it was expected of visitors? Probably not. Obviously it's different, and I'm not saying Jews are Nazis or anything but it's that idea. I'm opposed to joining in.

EDIT: Bad analogy. Apologies to anybody I offended.

 

[Yokai]

My English teacher today told the class that we would be visiting a synagogue, and that every male visitor would have to wear a skullcap.

That seems strange. Jews in general don't usually try to get non-Jews to follow their customs--they don't really have any evangelical tendencies the way Christians frequently do. Must have been an extremely conservative synagogue.

As for the OT, I think it's fair to say that you shouldn't be forced into a religious tradition you don't identify with. However, it sounds like you wanted to go on this trip--why are you averse to the idea of getting involved if you were curious in the first place? And it's not like they're asking you to recite the blessings with them or anything. I'd either deal with it and put on the hat or, if it's really an issue for you, politely back out of the trip.

 

[TheAbominableDan]

Um...it takes more to become a Jew than wearing a skullcap.

Not least because they're right ahead of Wiccans and right behind Zoroastrians on the "notoriously non-proselytizing" scale.

It takes more than wearing a swastika to become a Nazi. Would you wear a swastika if you were forced to go to a place where it was expected of visitors? Probably not. Obviously it's different, and I'm not saying Jews are Nazis or anything but it's that idea. I'm opposed to joining in.

Wow. Way to be extremely offensive. I left Judaism years and years ago and you've managed to offend the crap out of me with that. They're not the same at all and you should apologize for suggesting they are.

 

[Thaluikhain]

It takes more than wearing a swastika to become a Nazi. Would you wear a swastika if you were forced to go to a place where it was expected of visitors? Probably not. Obviously it's different, and I'm not saying Jews are Nazis or anything but it's that idea. I'm opposed to joining in.

The swastika has other meanings to you. I'm assuming the wearing of a skullcap doesn't have any other particular connotations.

Having said that, you should be able to opt out of the whole thing. Can't you claim to be a rabid religious fanatic and don't want to be corrupted by impure faiths or something?

 

[OutforEC]

Do you still get to go to the museum even if you don't get to enter the synagogue? Because not getting to experience one because of your disagreement about entering other would kinda suck.

Also, strange that an English teacher would be the one doing the trip instead of a History/Theology teacher.

 

[Merkavar]

and I think they should respect my beliefs.

they will respect your beliefs. you can stand out side.

But really why should you go? you seem to be so closed minded that you cant handle wearing a relgious cap for a day. why not save you, your parents or the school some money and not go. if its free stop wasting peoples time. you sound like you would not gain anything from going other than hatred over being force to wear a hat.

 

[TacticalAssassin1]

Um...it takes more to become a Jew than wearing a skullcap.

Not least because they're right ahead of Wiccans and right behind Zoroastrians on the "notoriously non-proselytizing" scale.

It takes more than wearing a swastika to become a Nazi. Would you wear a swastika if you were forced to go to a place where it was expected of visitors? Probably not. Obviously it's different, and I'm not saying Jews are Nazis or anything but it's that idea. I'm opposed to joining in.

Wow. Way to be extremely offensive. I left Judaism years and years ago and you've managed to offend the crap out of me with that. They're not the same at all and you should apologize for suggesting they are.

Of course I apologize. And as I've already stated, Jews and Nazis are completely different. I was just showing how that if something offends you, or if you disagree with something, it shouldn't be forced upon you. So, although my comments was probably uncalled for, the fact that it offended you proved my point.
So yeah, sorry.

 

[WolfEdge]

Do you still get to go to the museum even if you don't get to enter the synagogue? Because not getting to experience one because of your disagreement about entering other would kinda suck.

Also, strange that an English teacher would be the one doing the trip instead of a History/Theology teacher.

They're probably studying Anne Frank or some other literary work with it's roots in Judaism.

 

[kickyourass]

Most of the time I'd say go ahead and not participate when it's a religion not your own and you don't want to take part. But in a situation like this where participating amounts to something as simple as just wearing a certain kind of hat while inside a specific building, I'm kinda inclined to say "Just go with it," it's not like they're asking you to shave your heads or something.

 

[OutforEC]

Do you still get to go to the museum even if you don't get to enter the synagogue? Because not getting to experience one because of your disagreement about entering other would kinda suck.

Also, strange that an English teacher would be the one doing the trip instead of a History/Theology teacher.

They're probably studying Anne Frank or some other literary work with it's roots in Judaism.

Ah, good call! Did the same thing in my Jr. High English class, but didn't get a groovy field trip out of it

 

[xdom125x]

l

Some people have opined that it's 'just a hat', but obviously the synagogue doesn't believe so,

The kippah is not a religious item. However it is Jewish tradition to keep your head to keep your head covered in a synagogue.

Isn't the skullcap worn to show respect for a god? If he doesn't believe in a deity, why would he do things out of respect for it.
Aren't the Jewish religion and tradition so mixed together that to say it is only tradition would be splitting hairs?

 

[TacticalAssassin1]

Do you still get to go to the museum even if you don't get to enter the synagogue? Because not getting to experience one because of your disagreement about entering other would kinda suck.

Also, strange that an English teacher would be the one doing the trip instead of a History/Theology teacher.

I think so, yeah. And it's because we are studying "Maus" by Art Spiegelman.

and I think they should respect my beliefs.

they will respect your beliefs. you can stand out side.

But really why should you go? you seem to be so closed minded that you cant handle wearing a relgious cap for a day. why not save you, your parents or the school some money and not go. if its free stop wasting peoples time. you sound like you would not gain anything from going other than hatred over being force to wear a hat.

I'm not allowed to NOT go. I want to attend to learn more about a culture I do not understand. At least i'm going. Many people chose to not go because they did not want to learn about other cultures.

 

[jonyboy13]

Do you still get to go to the museum even if you don't get to enter the synagogue? Because not getting to experience one because of your disagreement about entering other would kinda suck.

Also, strange that an English teacher would be the one doing the trip instead of a History/Theology teacher.

I think so, yeah. And it's because we are studying "Maus" by Art Spiegelman.

and I think they should respect my beliefs.

they will respect your beliefs. you can stand out side.

But really why should you go? you seem to be so closed minded that you cant handle wearing a relgious cap for a day. why not save you, your parents or the school some money and not go. if its free stop wasting peoples time. you sound like you would not gain anything from going other than hatred over being force to wear a hat.

I'm not allowed to NOT go. I want to attend to learn more about a culture I do not understand. At least i'm going. Many people chose to not go because they did not want to learn about other cultures.

How can you learn about them if you don't even remotely respect their religion?
It's just a freakin' yarmulke.

 

[xdom125x]

Some people have opined that it's 'just a hat', but obviously the synagogue doesn't believe so,

The kippah is not a religious item. However it is Jewish tradition to keep your head to keep your head covered in a synagogue.

Isn't the skullcap( edit: kippah, or whatever else you want to call it) worn to show respect for a god? If he doesn't believe in a deity, why would he do things out of respect for it.
Aren't the Jewish religion and tradition so mixed together that to say it is only tradition would be splitting hairs?

 

[Ledan]

I agree with you, but you could see it more as a cultural thing than a religious one. Personally I abstain from all religious ceremonies because I find them offensive to my beliefs.
Politely say that you would rather not join in, and if they try to force you just say that it is against what you believe in, even if you don't believe in anything.

 

[NeutralDrow]

Um...it takes more to become a Jew than wearing a skullcap.

Not least because they're right ahead of Wiccans and right behind Zoroastrians on the "notoriously non-proselytizing" scale.

It takes more than wearing a swastika to become a Nazi. Would you wear a swastika if you were forced to go to a place where it was expected of visitors?

Possibly, depending on the reason. If it's a historical re-enactment thing, then most likely yes. If it's a neo-Nazi convention of some kind, I wouldn't be anywhere near it in the first place.

I'm pretty sure going into a place with just the equivalent of an incredibly lenient dress code leans more towards the former.

And trust me, I'm choking back stuff I want to say about your bizarre choice of analogy.

 

[TacticalAssassin1]

I do not affiliate, nor will I ever affiliate, myself with ANY religious activity or group whatsoever. That being said, your little dillema reminded me of this...

This has foul language, so if you're offended by stuff like that, DON'T CLICK IT!

Quite entertaining. Thanks for the link.