Ain't Dat Curious?

 Okay, so I should probably note up here that I went through 16 years of Catholic Education.  That is, aside from Kindergarten, I attended a Roman Catholic Elementary School, St. Francis Xavier, in Sartell, I attended a Roman Catholic High School, Cathedral High School in St. Cloud, and a Roman Catholic (mostly) College, St. John's University, Collegeville.

And so with that out there, I should also probably note that Dr. Joe Gothard, Superintendent of St. Paul Public Schools, was previously the Burnsville Superintendent when my kids were in school there, and I've met the man.  Granted, we did sit aside one another during my son's Senior Year Robotics banquet, which celebrated their trip to the world championships that year.

So with all of that out there, I see this article which should take you to the local TV news station with a story about a Native American religious practice which the school district is apparently preparing to approve to occur within district buildings.  

In these times of tight costs, I am really grateful that the local Native American population, who are requesting this practice be permitted, has ponied up the funds which will be required for fire prevention system upgrades, and the air purifiers and other equipment which will be needed to clear the air for those who are allergic to such practices to be able to participate in their school day.  

And I also am slightly surprised that the School District is now permitting school prayer and other routines.

Because clearly, they have very little to worry about on their plates.  Please don't assume I'm anti-Native American.  I am both honored by their care for this land before we showed up to wreck it, and I do respect their right to practice their beliefs.  I am, however, a bit curious to see how soon someone taps the district leadership on the shoulder and says "thanks for the school prayer stuff, the cult of Satan is working on getting you a thank you card that doesn't conflict too totally with their fundamental beliefs".  

That's right.  I am one of those absolutists, because that's how the system works.  Either it's OK for everyone to do it, or it's not.  If you're going to permit a group to practice their religious beliefs in a publicly-paid-for building, then, well, that rule goes for all groups.  If they're Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Episcopalian, Jewish, Baptist, Pastafarian, Satanist, or Cthuluites, it is what it is.  If you permit the practice, you've permitted the practice.  For one, for all.  

And as this particular practice also involves flames and organic material, I'm sure the additional costs for the enhanced sprinkler systems and air purifiers for those who are allergic are already paid for.  Because the last time I checked, aside from potentially near-toxic bad breath from some of the participants who participate in school prayer, there's no out-gassing involved in most of the other religious practices that would be allowed.  I do suppose if you have an animal sacrifice planned for the Homecoming Pep Fest, well, best to make sure the place is all cleaned up, including ALL of the entrails, before the game starts.  I mean, if you're going to slaughter a goat on the 50-yard line, let's just remember it could be your son whose face gets pushed into that bloody turf in a tackle, so let's try not to get any messier than we have to.

Clearly, the district's got one heck of a rainy day fund in the legal department.  Don't know that I'd be looking for this sort of disaster.  I do understand that the district is looking to engage with various student groups, and hoping they will feel welcome.  But when you extend this sort of olive branch to one group, be prepared for others to demand equal treatment.