Everywhere we go it follows. Church vs State in Utard

[silverfox]

I've decided to transfer my youngest daughter to a new elementary school out of our boundaries. Luckily we have an open district so we are allowed to choose where we want our children to attend school as long as we get them there.

Our school's PTA gatherings are like a church social gathering. I have found it difficult knowing all the members on the board - most are from my ward. It's like they got together and decided to spill over into the school. I don't find they are of much help. There is little effort in fundraising, reading programs, etc. I have been very disappointed. Of course we may have the same issue at the new school but at least these people won't live in our 'hood right next door with their noses stuck in their windows watching us and judging my daughter based on her "inactivity".

I am trying to separate my daughter from Mo'ism as much as possible. There is a very thin line between church and state and it is bothersome to me.

I was very irked when the new high school principal (TBM and also in our ward) took it upon himself to MAIL a postcard to ALL female student households "reminding" them of dress code prior to the first school dance of the year. WHAT?????? I was PISSED. Wasting money on postage to REMIND girls of the dress code that is already in the handbook we are forced to purchase????? That money could have paid for a few hours with a tutor. Or supplies. Or books.

The postcard reminded no short skirts....skirts had to be to the knee. No strapless dresses. No low back dresses. The backs of dresses had to be as high as the girl's armpits. No spaghetti straps. No mention of the boys and what they should wear. I tried to talk my daughter's friend into going shirtless. I offered to pay him. What could they say? There was no dress code regarding what THEY could or couldn't wear. But he was too shy. I should have stood outside the dance offering to pay any boy who would enter without a shirt.

My daughter purchased a "tarzan" like dress. Very beautiful and classy. It was sleeveless on one side. She was worried she would be reprimanded for having a "strapless" dress. I told her not to worry, it's NOT strapless. Duh and I would fight them on it. Had she found a dress with a low back I would have sewed very thin skin colored fabric that was hardly noticeable and would have dared them to fight us on it.

I really would love to move out of this state. Unfortunately with grandbabies and grown kids here the roots are deep. But I won't just sit and take it. That's for sure.

[silverfox]

I have to write about an experience a couple years ago when I was on the verge of leaving the church for good. My now teen daughter had a new friend who had moved to Utard from TX. She asked if she could invite her to church. Okay if it was okay with her mom. Her mom thought it was a nice gesture and she mentioned she had been wanting her daugthers to become involved with a church.

Well, it was an election year and it was about a month before the election. The Sunday School teacher decided to skip the lesson and talk politics. He was young, maybe mid 20s. He asked the kids who they would vote for. Of course they all said Republican. Except for my daughter and her friend. Her friend said Democrat. My daughter said she was all for Nader. The kids started laughing and ridiculing them. The teacher proceeded to explain that the Republican party was most in sync with church teachings. blah blah blah. My daughter and her friend were so humiliated that they got up and left the room and walked home. (I had come home early that day)

They told me what happened. I was quite embarrassed. They were both crying. I told the friend that what happened was WRONG and I apologized. I took her home, talked to her mom and told her what happened. Well, her mom was NOT happy about it. She was very upset and wanted to know what kind of church I attended. I went home, called the bishop and told him what happened and that I had a very upset mother on my hands and I was completely humiliated. Meanwhile the mom was roaming the halls of the chapel looking for the "bastard" as she endearinly callled him. Of course church was over by then and he was long gone. But they went into every classroom looking. Heeee.

The mom called me demanding the teacher's address and phone number. I immediately called the bishop and told him I was concerned. This woman needed an apology and FAST. He got in touch with the teacher and had him call her. He agreed his behavior was completly inappropriate. Of course, no one called MY daughter and apologized. Or apologized to me.

Daughter didn't want to attend much after that. And the mom wouldn't allow her daugther to play with us Mormons. sigh

I hope that teacher learned a very valuable lesson that day. Be careful who you miss with and most Texans carry guns. heeeee

I always hated how the church was not very welcoming. I mean, yeah each chapel has a sign that says, "visitors welcome" but they don't post meeting times or anything. Unlike most other churches where you REALLY are welcome. You can just walk in off the street.

[Born Free]

Well, it was an election year and it was about a month before the election. The Sunday School teacher decided to skip the lesson and talk politics. He was young, maybe mid 20s. He asked the kids who they would vote for. Of course they all said Republican. Except for my daughter and her friend. Her friend said Democrat. My daughter said she was all for Nader. The kids started laughing and ridiculing them. The teacher proceeded to explain that the Republican party was most in sync with church teachings. blah blah blah. My daughter and her friend were so humiliated that they got up and left the room and walked home.

Daughter didn't want to attend much after that. And the mom wouldn't allow her daugther to play with us Mormons. sigh


At the risk of sounding like a cracked record - what boundaries? Separation of Church and State? Why do you need to bother with that when you have the Big Guy on your side?

You can imagine how much he really knew about Politics in his mid 20s, and how totally inappropriate to engage kids in such a monologue.

Well, there is a good side to this experience. The young woman got a good dose of real Mormonism up front, which undoubtedly cured her for life, and it accelerated your daughters and possibly your departure. In reality, it all went well. S#itty at the time, but just dandy on the big picture!

Daryl