Schools and Religion

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Published/Last Modified on Saturday, March 14, 2009 7:58 PM CDT

How is it that religion cannot be taught in public schools but yet the schools are serving only seafood

on fridays during lent?  Last time I checked only eating meat on Fridays was a Catholic religion!! There are more religions than just Catholic..  And not everyone is catholic. What is that teaching?  The menu in schools should be the same on Friday as any other day and if not there should be TWO choices on Fridays, meals for ones that eat meat and ones that don't.......

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Comments

    Im not even Catholic... wrote on Mar 25, 2009 6:35 PM:

    " Whether you like it or not, Catholicism and Catholic traditions are deeply woven into the culture of south Louisiana. Do you celebrate Mardi Gras? Grow up, get over it, or move to some other state where the protestants rule with blue laws and literalist bible thumping. We won't miss you. "

    To CheseRice wrote on Mar 23, 2009 4:49 PM:

    " What? "

    Second Choice wrote on Mar 23, 2009 4:43 PM:

    " I say if you are against fish on Friday, maybe Bread and Water would be a good second choice. "

    CheseRice wrote on Mar 23, 2009 6:34 AM:

    " Looks like the lunch lady messed up and forgot to cook something other then fish. Religion is taught at home. This issue is tired. Foolish and selfish comments will not help our children learn. In fact, we should study and learn more about the subject before opening those big mouths. "

    Nothing to complain about. wrote on Mar 20, 2009 11:12 AM:

    " Your kids go to school...there's food at school. Your kids come home...there's food at home...fish, cereal, meat, water, soda, milk, vegetables, bread....I guess it's not enough that your kids have everything they need...you feel the need to take something that's wholesome and good and turn it into a soap box? Get a life. "

    DAVID wrote on Mar 19, 2009 5:14 PM:

    " Pray for our country , Pray for our schools . Pray that good things happen .
    Pray for our government that they may do what is good for our country . Pray that we step up to the plate and hold our government accountable . " FOR THE PEOPLE BY THE PEOPLE ' remember ???? "

    To David wrote on Mar 19, 2009 4:26 PM:

    " If you can cater to the catholic religion then why not... "

    David P wrote on Mar 19, 2009 4:10 PM:

    " You people need to grow up and realize there are for mor pressing things wrong in this country. How about the fact that 74% of students are on low income lunches. Do you think that there are that many poor people in this parish or is it the fact that most of theses students are born and raised out of wedlock so the parents are able to recieve help. They dont want to be married because then they could not cheat the government anymore. There is no family structure at all in this Country, Wake Up People !!!!! "

    DAVID wrote on Mar 18, 2009 5:40 PM:

    " Vegetarians and vegans also attend school , Is the food system required to cater to their diets ? What about low sodium , low fat , low sugar student diets ? "

    DAVID wrote on Mar 18, 2009 5:22 PM:

    " How many of these that complain about a religious slant appears in the school lunch program had no trouble celebrating Saint Patrick's Day . How many children were pinched because they failed to wear green ? Look hard enough and any action by the school system may violate the supposed separation of church and state rule . We live in seafood country , seafood is part of the heritage . Seafood is beneficial to ones health . We are a religious country , Get Real ! "

    tom wrote on Mar 18, 2009 4:05 PM:

    " To the person who wrote this article.

    You have no need to worry about this. The ACLU will eventually tell us what we can eat on Fridays "

    neworleanscajun wrote on Mar 18, 2009 3:17 PM:

    " To the person who wrote to me:
    There is no disagreement. I also went to school, both public and later Catholic, on Ash Wednesdays in the old days.

    I am not promoting having a holiday on Ash Wednesday or not having a holiday on Ash Wednesday. I merely pointed out that, right or wrong, many students (and teachers?) would not attend on that day because it follows Mardi Gras. I suppose the school board decided to make this one of their allotted holidays because of the probable absentee rate. "

    No opinion wrote on Mar 18, 2009 12:56 PM:

    " To: fish all year long
    Just a comment to let you know that we did have school on Ash Wednesday this year, but that was only because we were off on Election Day. Ash Wednesday is usually a holiday. "

    Mom of 2 kids wrote on Mar 18, 2009 11:26 AM:

    " It's only fish. "

    cajun wrote on Mar 18, 2009 10:19 AM:

    " If the schools would cook like they cooked when we went to school they would complain about that too. We had white beans rice, we had stews, we had meatloafs etc. Not french fries, chicken nuggets, etc. But when we had pizza that was a good treat. SO I am saying kids today eat different than when we went to school . We had good lunches. And yes we had fish sticks on fridays, shrimp stew with potato salad etc. I say we need prayer back in schools. So someone would always gripe no matter . "

    To neworleanscajun wrote on Mar 18, 2009 9:15 AM:

    " I'm Catholic and we always went to school on Ash Wednesday when I was growing up. Many students and teachers had ashes on their foreheads after going to church before school. My kids still go to school on Ash Wednesday when they have school on that day. I think they should always have school then, just as any other day. As for recuperating after Mardi Gras, just don't party too hard or too late instead. I do think the Mardi Gras day parade participants here may be a little tired the following day. "

    RG_New Iberia wrote on Mar 18, 2009 7:42 AM:

    " To the poster who wrote to me about me missing the point-I have no issues with Catholic religion. I was once Catholic and my entire family is still Catholic. Again, I could care less when they eat fish, chicken or pork-I was only simply asking the question as to why we can not speak of GOD in school but follow other religious practices in school. I am not the one who started this forum and everyone is attacking me for my OPINION-if you don't like it then don't read it-MOVE ON. "

    To RG_New Iberia wrote on Mar 17, 2009 10:17 PM:

    " No , you're missing the point, it's not religion, it's only food. If you lived in an area where most of the people ate kosher food and were served kosher food at school, would you be complaining there also? Your kids are not being served another religion, they are only being served food, seafood is still just food. You seem to have more of a problem with Catholicism than a few Friday's when fish is being served at school. No one is pushing their religion on anyone at school. Again, it's food. "

    neworleanscajun wrote on Mar 17, 2009 9:14 PM:

    " RG, Ash Wednesday is nothing more than the first day of Lent. It is not a feast day or a holy day of obligation that must be acknowledged ritualistically. It marks the beginning of a season of introspection and repentence, something that is common to ALL traditional religions. Some Catholics choose to go to church to receive ashes on their foreheads as a reminder of mortality.

    One poster correctly said the holiday is probably for recuperation from Mardi Gras. Very few would be at school if it were not a holiday. "

    Koolaid wrote on Mar 17, 2009 12:56 PM:

    " It's only five Fridays per year during lent the schools are open (schools are closed on Good Friday). So what if seafood is served on these days. Quit looking for something to complain about and MOVE ON! "

    RG_New Iberia wrote on Mar 17, 2009 12:09 PM:

    " To all:
    I think everyone is missing the picture of what this forum was written about. It wasn't a matter of what the kids are eating whether it be fish or chicken. I think it was more or less a question as to why can't we speak of GOD in school and teach our children christian values but we can follow practices by certain religions and enforce our children who may not be that religion to follow them. I am only on here expressing my OPINION becase that is what it is-this is what the forum is for. "

    For Crying Outloud wrote on Mar 17, 2009 9:59 AM:

    " Was there nothing else to complain about? If your kid does not want to eat fish, then send him or her with lunch on Fridays. You may not think that it is right to "force" your kids to each fish on Fridays if they are not Catholic, but I do not think it would be right to refuse to have fish and have students who are Catholic forced to eat meat when it is against their religious practices. Spend a little more time in schools and you will see that there are bigger problems than the lunch menu! "

    confused wrote on Mar 17, 2009 8:01 AM:

    " As a CHILD in school I was taught the Food Pyramid or Basic Food Group. I recall
    SEAFOOD was part of this food group. At least the children are getting a well balanced diet with school lunches. Tell me how many of you are cooking your children a well balanced meal or is McDonalds, Burger King or any other fast food chain preparing your childs meals. Not to be ugly, I realize times have changed and most meals are not prepared at home because of the work world. Thank schools for hot balanced meals. "

    Concerned Grandmother wrote on Mar 17, 2009 7:59 AM:

    " Geez people its lunch for children and they will do like they would normaly do. Eat what they like and leave what they dont like I'm at school quite a bit and see this everyday of the week all year.I always thought being a Christian meant showing love and compasion,I see little of that theses days. On another note I'm sure the grammar police will have a field day with my writing. "

    neworleanscajun wrote on Mar 16, 2009 9:20 PM:

    " While I'm thinking about it.... The first post written by "anon" correctly identified the Friday seafood meal as one of our traditions.
    When I was going to public school in New Orleans, they served red beans every Monday, a carryover from when Monday was wash day. The beans were left to simmer while Mama did the clothes.
    Louisiana is our place, and we don't need to be told how to live. No one has ever accused us of being politically correct. Perhaps some of you would be happier in Berkeley or in New England. "

    neworleanscajun wrote on Mar 16, 2009 8:44 PM:

    " Good grief! The world is going to h*** in a handbasket. Radical Muslims want to kill us and destroy our country. The economy is in shambles. Drug abuse is rampant. Violent crime is impacting more and more innocent victims. South Louisiana has been devastated by several monster hurricanes. I won't even bring up the genocide, starvation, slavery, and assorted savagery rife in the world.
    Some of you want to fabricate an issue about FISH???? Why don't you just be grateful that your children have good, nutritious food. at school? "

    RG_New Iberia wrote on Mar 16, 2009 8:05 PM:

    " Why are we even off for Mardi Gras? Personally I'm not blaming anyone for kids being off for Ash Wednesday or any other holiday - I just want to understand why our children can't speak of GOD in school but they can give our children off for Ash Wednesday which is a Catholic practice or I guess I should say a practice not expressed by all religions. Personally our kids need to be in school as much as possible, some holidays I don't understand including Martin Luther King.
    To Need to say-kids arent going to complain when they have.NO.school! "

    To the seafood haters wrote on Mar 16, 2009 6:22 PM:

    " To those who dislike seafood on the school lunch menu: In northern Louisiana, they probably serve less seafood on the school lunch menu. Their culture is not so dependent on the seafood industry, and they probably don't eat seafood as much at home either. Their food is generally less tasty in northern Louisiana, but you may find their school lunch menu a little more to your liking. And if you also have something against Catholics, they are very much in the minority there. "

    Kimbro aka Kim wrote on Mar 16, 2009 6:10 PM:

    " This seems silly to me. Who cares what is served on Fridays during lent, or for that matter any other month?(that is so long as it is edible...??)Now, if you wanted to complain about something because of religion/government perhaps you should campaign to rename parishes to counties.I personally like the fact that Louisiana is the only state that has parishes.However, if you are looking for something to complain about that stems from the Catholic religion and our local government this seems to be more of an appropriate venue. "

    Ann wrote on Mar 16, 2009 5:23 PM:

    " One thing I have always noticed as a Catholic, is that we are very tolerant of other religions. It sounds like a couple of people on here have more of a problem with Catholics, than they do with seafood being served on the school lunch menu. That sounds UnChristian. Seafood is eaten by people of many religions and I don't see any reason why it shouldn't be on a school lunch menu. It should not offend anyone to have seafood on a Friday, even if it's in Lent. "

    Fish all year long wrote on Mar 16, 2009 5:05 PM:

    " Guess what, 2-25-09 was Ash Wednesday, it was a school day and Report Card day! I just grabbed a handful of saved school lunch menus and guess what was served twice in Aug., twice in Sept., once in Oct., once in Nov., once in Jan., and twice in Feb., FISH!!! Usually on Friday's. On Fri. 2-27-09 they served shrimp etoufee. In March the menu shows 4 Fridays with fish in various forms (no fish sticks). Apr. will have 1 Friday of school in Lent before Easter. (I couldn't find the Dec. menu.) "

    Need To say wrote on Mar 16, 2009 4:35 PM:

    " Are the kids complaining? Or do the parents just like to hear themselves talk?
    It does not fail, somebody has to make a mountain out of a mole hill. "

    RG_New Iberia wrote on Mar 16, 2009 12:45 PM:

    " Every now and then-those are the key words you used when the school may serve seafood other than fish. I keep all the menus I receive from the school and when lent is over they rarely eat seafood. I'm not complaining of the.seafood.the.school.serves.only.to.the.fact.that.they.instrict.it.during.lent-I.agree.with.another.poster.have.2.options.on.Friday.for.the.kids.who.follow.lent.and.one.for.the.kids.who.don't.
    To Kim B:
    No I do not have an issue with Christmas or Easter-do I wish my child was in school getting an education.during.the.break rather than having to spend it with a babysitter YES! What parent wouldn't? Christmas and Easter are part of the majority of religions. Ash Wednesday is only practiced by people mosty.of the Catholic.religion.so.why.enforce.it.on.other.kids.that.are.not.of.the.Catholic.religion. "

    to RG wrote on Mar 16, 2009 12:02 PM:

    " We are not always off for Ash Wednesday. And to really be honest, it's more for the recuperating from Mardi Gras than for Ash Wednesday itself. Besides, we are not all black, but we're off for Martin Luther King's birthday. How do you explain that one? Are you going to blame that on Catholics too? "

    My 2 Cents wrote on Mar 16, 2009 11:19 AM:

    " Teacher is right, anything eaten out of the waters must have both fins and scales. Because of traditions and lack of reading the bible people willfully dismiss God's laws. "

    MaisJamais wrote on Mar 16, 2009 10:51 AM:

    " If you are of Cajun heritage, the likelihood of you being Catholic is very high. Most schools in this part of the country are off for then entire week of Mardi Gras (Ash Wednesday) and serve fish or other seafood just about EVERY Friday throughout the year among other days throughout the week. It's practically tradition (give me seafood over "mystery meat" any day). Call the ACLU...I'm sure someone's beaten you to it and they've been laughed out of court for wasting taxpayer time and money over something hardly anyone else has a problem with. BAH! "

    RG_New Iberia wrote on Mar 16, 2009 10:42 AM:

    " I mean learn Christian values in school - not church! Sorry for the typo. "

    To RG wrote on Mar 16, 2009 10:41 AM:

    " Amen sister,people want to act like its nothing but it is..And to sunstitute teacher
    I also am a sub and we have only had fish once or twice when it was not lent, thats not often. To crazy well its seems to me thats exactly what you are there is a little preaching that goes with it and theres nothing wrong with a regular nutritous meal on fridays not consisting of seafood..Save your school menus and go back and look at them to see how much seafood is served when its not lent "

    Kim B wrote on Mar 16, 2009 10:22 AM:

    " To RG_New Iberia:
    I guess you also have a problem with your child being off for Mardi Grass, Christmas and Easter (which they now pass off as spring break) "

    Tom wrote on Mar 16, 2009 10:03 AM:

    " I am not Catholic. And I agree that serving fish on Friday may be tolerating religious beliefs. However, not serving fish on Friday to a Catholic is simply another form of religious persecution. How do you tell a Catholic child who may be on a free lunch program that he has to eat a hotdog or go without lunch? "

    proud catholic wrote on Mar 16, 2009 9:44 AM:

    " Pay attention to your grammar and presentation! Only eating meat on Fridays is not a Catholic Religion, but it is a custom of the Catholic Religion. It is a belief, but it does not sum up the entire religion. I hope next time you have something to complain about, you'll think carefully about what you're saying before you submit it! "

    To RG_New Iberia wrote on Mar 16, 2009 9:41 AM:

    " Every now and then they will also serve shrimp or crawfish dishes at school. Do you have something against those seafoods also? Eating seafood is not forcing religion or Christian values on anyone. It's just seafood.

    But since you brought up Christian values, Christian values are usually thought of my most people around here as being a good thing. "

    Fruit eater wrote on Mar 16, 2009 9:00 AM:

    " Teacher, according to that scripture, sounds like if it's not from the water you can't eat it at anytime. Does that go for fruits and veggies? Not sure what was on the menu of the last supper, but what about Communion wafers? "

    RG_New Iberia wrote on Mar 16, 2009 8:35 AM:

    " To anon:
    Sorry but my child does not eat frozen fish sticks or frozen fish patties that they serve on Fridays & I eat lunch w/ my son and see plenty of these kids NOT eating it. Since my son does not eat this he brings his lunch, but I agree, why are they off for Ash Wednesday (when this is a Catholic practice) and why not serve meat during lent (which is a Catholic practice) - we are not Catholic so why is my child subject to follow this religion procedure when they don't learn Christian values in.Church?? "

    to God Bless America wrote on Mar 15, 2009 8:53 PM:

    " Well said. Couldn't agree with you more! "

    Annie wrote on Mar 15, 2009 3:41 PM:

    " You are certainly free to express your individuality by sending your child to school with a bag lunch if you find the menu offensive.

    You would be hard pressed to make a convincing (to a jury) case that religion was dictating the school menu here. "

    crazy wrote on Mar 15, 2009 6:42 AM:

    " Serving fish on Fridays during Lent doesn't teach anything. PARENTS teach their kids about religion. To the children that are not Catholic it's just another meal that they eat or don't eat. There is no preaching in conjunction with the lunch about why fish is being served. Quit trying to start something! "

    Substitute teacher wrote on Mar 15, 2009 4:13 AM:

    " As a rule our public schools serve seafood (mostly fish sticks) every Friday, in or out of Lent. "

    Teacher wrote on Mar 15, 2009 1:36 AM:

    " We had a teacher at the school where I work complaining about this. She is Pentecostal and was eatting Crawfish Ettoufee. She said "Show me in the Bible where it says 'Don't eat meat on Friday' and I won't". So me, being the smarty pants I am... I went get a bible and showed her Leviticus 11:10-12 which states: "And all that have not fins and scales in the seas, and in the rivers, of all that move in the waters, and of any living thing which is in the waters, they shall be an abomination unto you" "

    God Bless America wrote on Mar 14, 2009 10:44 PM:

    " I am not Catholic but I don't mind the schools serving seafood to my children on Fridays. This area is and will most likely always be predominately Catholic. If a child doesn't like seafood they can bring their lunch. Anyway it is teaching them to honor and serve God and to fast and pray. I much rather that than Mardi Gras- which teaches getting drunk and being a glutton! I bet you don't have a problem with that tradition! Our children need to be taught about God- maybe our country, society, and schools wouldn't be in such a sorry state. "

    Seafood Lovers wrote on Mar 14, 2009 10:35 PM:

    " The schools try to serve foods most kids will eat. I don't have a problem with the school serving my children seafood one day a week, even if it's not in Lent. My kids like fish. Does it bother you because they are serving your child seafood at all, or is it more because Catholic's don't eat meat on Friday's in Lent, and the shcools are serving seafood at the same time? If they serve seafood at any other time of year, do you think they should offer a choice of two meals then also? "

    Sam wrote on Mar 14, 2009 10:15 PM:

    " Public schools will serve seafood on a day other than Friday and that will have nothing to do with religion. So, in an area where many kids can't eat meat on Friday what is wrong with that same school serving seafood on Friday? Go find something else to whine about. "

    anon wrote on Mar 14, 2009 8:10 PM:

    " Tradition, and practicality. Last I checked Seafood was was still "food". Preparing a meal that 60% of the kids won't eat would be wasteful, and irresponsible, if not child abuse. "

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