The Right Choice

I teach 8th grade catechism. I like to end every class by letting the students ask whatever questions happen to be on their minds. The early teen years are very awkward, but mostly, it is awkward because they have so many questions and never get any answers. I try to aide in that department by being as honest as my boundaries allow me to be. Here are a few excerpts:

Girl: If global warming is real, why is it snowing outside?

Me: What do you know about global warming? Does Houtzdale, Pa = the globe?

Girl: Its just that, well, I mean, if its snowing then its cold out. And thats not global warming.

Me: I understand your rationalization of the process, but why is this topic on your mind?

Girl: I don’t know, ummm, it’s just my dad is always swearing and talking about it. He’s racist by the way.

Me: Haha. Sorry, well I don’t know your dad. I’m sure he’s a nice guy. So you’re just repeating what he says at home?

Girl: Yeah I guess so.

Me: Do you want me to explain global warming, just a little bit?

Girl and class: Yeah.

Me: Yadda Yadda Yadda (“the globe is warming, but are we causing it is the real question. global warming could cause an ice age” yadda yadda). Just out of curiosity, does your dad watch a lot of news?

Girl: Yeah, why?

Me: Does he watch Fox News?

Girl: Oh my god, all day long. As soon as he gets home until he goes to sleep.

Me: I see.

Next,

Boy: Obama is a stupid Muslim.

Me: Where did that come from and why would you say something like that?

Boy: Well he is.

Me: You shouldn’t say that. He isn’t a Muslim, but even if he was, you shouldn’t say being a muslim is a bad thing. You don’t know anything about Islam. Tell me, what is Islam?

Boy: I dunno, he just is. I don’t even know what it means. I don’t know why I said it.

Me: Then don’t say it if you don’t know what it means. It is a poor, but accurate reflection of your parents and upbringing. When, well if you ever get out of this town, you will see that there are people of all colors, religion, and views.

Boy: Okay.

Next,

Boy: If a police officer kills someone, can they just go to confession and then go to heaven?

Me: So you’re trying to show the contradiction.

Boy: What’s a contradiction?

Me: Basically, you are saying that even though the the officer commits a sin, and a mortal sin at that, they can still go to heaven just by going to confession, as in, why doesn’t everyone just go kill whoever they want and then go to confession and it all be hippity hoppity?

Boy: Yeah, that’s what I mean. It just doesn’t make sense to me.

Me: I know. I understand. When you doing something bad, you try not to do it again. But the church provides a way to repent for your wrong doings. Maybe it is a bit twisted, I don’t know. But it is what it is. It’s like you see in the Mafia shows. They kill someone, then go to confession, and truly believe that they are going to heaven. Then they wash and repeat. And, I guess technically, if they truly repent, even though they’ve killed 100 people, they will still be saved. That is what the church says.

Just one thing for you to think about though, what were the intentions of that police officer? Was the officer defending his/herself? Just try to think about intentions and actions. Not just actions. And not just intentions. They go to together. But you’re thinking. You’re rationalizing. Keep doing that and you will end up in a good place someday.

Boy: (shaking his head) It doesn’t make sense to me.

Next,

Boy: Black people are bad.

Me: What an absurd thing to say. Do you know any black people?

Boy: No, I mean, I seen em’ before.

Me: I can’t have a conversation with someone like you. And again, it shows the household in which you live. You might think its funny now, but it won’t be in five years. And you can tell them I said that.

Boy: But someone should have to do something for the whole world before being elected President.

Me: I see. This isn’t about black people. It is back to Obama. I have a question for all of you. Why are all of you so concerned, at 13 years old, with Obama and the color of his skin?

Random students: “He’s not even born from here. He’s a muslim. He didn’t even do anything to deserve it. My dad told me he’s bad.”

Me: Okay okay. But none of you can vote, yet it is still on your minds. I want questions about our religion, and life, and spirituality. Yet, you give me questions about political topics. Why?

Students: I don’t know.

Me: Alright then, lets try to stay within the boundaries of this class.

And this all happens in ten minutes. Week after week after week. Do parents not understand the influence they have on their children?