Putting Beliefs Ahead of Your Children
Howard M. Friedman at Religion Clause reports on a Kentucky court case in which a divorced atheist attempted to prevent his son from attending a Catholic high school. Oldham County family court judge Tim Feeley avoiding ordering the parents to either send or not send the boy to the school by amending the joint custody agreement to give the mother complete control over the child’s education. Both child and mother prefer the Catholic school, and Oldham found the boy’s best interests were served by allowing him to attend that school. Follow this link for the story.
The fact the father is an atheist is somewhat beside the point. Whatever the specific belief systems involved, it’s amazing that a parent would enter family court to prevent a child old enough to make up his own mind from doing so. Nothing good ever comes from forcing your beliefs down the throats of other people, especially your own teenage children.
Can’t you see that’s exactly what the court has allowed the mother to do: Preventing a child old enough to make up his own mind from doing so, by sending him to a school where religion is forced down his throat! Open both your eyes and see the whole picture!
Nice try. (Not really.) Carefully read the last paragraph of this excerpt from the Louisville Courier-Journal article:
“Feeley cited several reasons for his ruling, including St X’s “excellent academic environment.”
He noted that Michael has already been baptized in the family’s church, is scheduled to receive the Catholic sacrament of confirmation this spring, and even if he were to attend a secular school, he would be free to continue his religious training an upbringing.
Feeley also said Michael’s therapist and court-appointed counselor said it was his “clear desire” to attend St. X., after “shadowing” at five schools, including Kentucky Country Day, South Oldham High School, Manual High School and Trinity High School.”