I just finished a CNA course at a public technical college.
On our last day of class we had a small graduation ceremony with the students and a few residents of the nursing home where we did clinicals.
Our instructor invited a guest speaker from a religious group she belongs to. The guest speaker preached about her religion and put down everyone who doesn't practice the same religion.
We had to go up one by one to receive a certificate from our teacher and a New Testament book from the guest speaker.
The school is not a private school and has no religious affiliation. This is a state approved program. The program had no religion component, discussions, or learning material. We were never asked if we felt comfortable with this before we were blindsided with it.
THIS ALL TOOK PLACE BEFORE OUR FINAL REVIEW WITH THE TEACHER FOR THE CLASS!
Is this legal?
What would you do?
How would you feel if you felt forced to participate in something like this outside of your own religious beliefs?
I haven't read all the replies, but here's my question: how were the bibles paid for? Did it come from the department's graduation budget? Did the speaker (or her organization) pay for them?
If it was school money, I'd return the bible to the department and ask for a refund. If it was the speaker's money, I'd write a letter to the department expressing my disappointment with their judgment on choosing that speaker.
And then I'd move on- anything more just seems like it would be wasted effort and energy. Vent, be angry and annoyed, and then shake it off.
EDIT: Ok, just read the update. I like the Dean's response.
I just finished a CNA course at a public technical college.
On our last day of class we had a small graduation ceremony with the students and a few residents of the nursing home where we did clinicals.
Our instructor invited a guest speaker from a religious group she belongs to. The guest speaker preached about her religion and put down everyone who doesn't practice the same religion.
We had to go up one by one to receive a certificate from our teacher and a New Testament book from the guest speaker.
The school is not a private school and has no religious affiliation. This is a state approved program. The program had no religion component, discussions, or learning material. We were never asked if we felt comfortable with this before we were blindsided with it.
THIS ALL TOOK PLACE BEFORE OUR FINAL REVIEW WITH THE TEACHER FOR THE CLASS!
Is this legal?
What would you do?
How would you feel if you felt forced to participate in something like this outside of your own religious beliefs?
I'd wait until I got my grade then complain - throwing that in your face is not only rude, but in violation of the school's policy, I would imagine, being a public school. Forcing the students to be involved - what would the ACLU say????
Ask yourself how you'd react if you attended your graduation and had to listen to a speaker claim all non-Muslims are infidels and were handed a copy of the Koran along with your diploma?
Wow! This makes my heart sad. I am praying for each and everyone of you that you will find guidance and understanding. What does it matter if they did not have the same preferance of faith. One of the responsibilites as a Christian is to witness to others and bring them to Christ. Maybe the speaker went about it wrong, and maybe the school should have brought it to the attention of the students that the speaker was a Christian before the ceremony took place. But all in all, what does it really matter. What makes you more mad, having your toes stepped on or hearing about a God that forgives.
By the way, doesn't anyone else remember receiving a Gideon Bible on the school campus? I do! They hand them out every year.
What school did you go to where they handed out a bible?????? The speaker was brought to a public institution for a nursing graduation, so it would have been appropriate to speak and not alienate likely all of the graduating students with a religious rant. Unfair and rude to those that were deserving of a speech to congratulate them on their accomplishment, not make some (or all) of them feel uncomfortable. It was very selfish of the instructor (and the speaker) to embark on this speaking engagement when not considering those graduating students and what were their wishes.
I just finished a CNA course at a public technical college.
On our last day of class we had a small graduation ceremony with the students and a few residents of the nursing home where we did clinicals.
Our instructor invited a guest speaker from a religious group she belongs to. The guest speaker preached about her religion and put down everyone who doesn't practice the same religion.
We had to go up one by one to receive a certificate from our teacher and a New Testament book from the guest speaker.
The school is not a private school and has no religious affiliation. This is a state approved program. The program had no religion component, discussions, or learning material. We were never asked if we felt comfortable with this before we were blindsided with it.
THIS ALL TOOK PLACE BEFORE OUR FINAL REVIEW WITH THE TEACHER FOR THE CLASS!
Is this legal?
What would you do?
How would you feel if you felt forced to participate in something like this outside of your own religious beliefs?
I agree with those who say to wait until you get your grade and then complain. Is there video? If there is send it to the media outlets and put it on YouTube. I think this is a huge deal. No matter what religion you are or what relgion they were preaching, it is wrong.
I would assume it wouldn't change my grade. However attendance the last day of class was mandatory. I assumed while there my participation in the ceremony was also mandatory. I did not want to be rude or disrespectful towards the instructor and didn't want to cause an issue or scene. This was a required class to get into the nursing program. My goal is to become a nurse. I tried to laugh it off, but it bothered me. I got home and it still bothered me. It continues to bother me. I posted on here to see what others thoughts were. I still want to go to school there, but if this is what I will end up going through in future classes I think I will have to look for another school.
I have contacted the Dean of Students and my message was passed on to another person. I have not heard back from that person. I hope they will apologize and have a talk with the instructor so this type of thing no longer happens in the classes at the school.
sounds like it's being passed on and on until it just goes away.... that really stinks. I would be mad.
Honestly, this would not bother me. The Lord is the great physician, but he does not always produce miracle healings. He gives us nurses or future nurses the calling and knowledge to be a healer and save. My church has had several guest speakers that were not pastors or missionaries. I think that there needs to be a little more forgiveness in this world. And as for one of the previous posters, the Lord gives forgiveness to those that give their lives over to Him. He is not a vindictive God. He has always been about love. He wants you to come to Him. He is calling you, you just aren't listening.
make it stop!!! :banghead: That kind of rant makes me feel so uncomfortable... TNMommy, you assume that everyone should think as you think, believe as you believe and all others be damned. That kind of thinking is intolerant. Exactly the opposite of what you "preach." I have been around many many many that were like you... kindof fanatical... creepy.
For the inevitable reply that the U.S. is a Christian nation and all others should just deal with it, let's see what our founders actually thought.
From the Treaty of Tripoli, 1797:
This was passed unanimously by Congress and then signed into law by a certain John Adams. It was published in no less than three major newspapers, and history finds not a single ounce of outcry regarding the above article of the treaty.
then where did it go wrong (or right, depending on how you see it)??
:chuckle:up:
Not saying your links are wrong.
hiddencatRN, BSN, RN
3,408 Posts
I haven't read all the replies, but here's my question: how were the bibles paid for? Did it come from the department's graduation budget? Did the speaker (or her organization) pay for them?
If it was school money, I'd return the bible to the department and ask for a refund. If it was the speaker's money, I'd write a letter to the department expressing my disappointment with their judgment on choosing that speaker.
And then I'd move on- anything more just seems like it would be wasted effort and energy. Vent, be angry and annoyed, and then shake it off.
EDIT: Ok, just read the update. I like the Dean's response.