Don't force children to pray to your 'God'

JAMAICA IS hardly the idyllic place advertised to tourists if we consider the religious indoctrination children, especially those from minority cultures and faiths, are often subjected to as they pursue their education in publicly funded institutions.

I want to remind ALL Jamaicans - especially educators and school administrators - that a child has a right to freedom of religion. These rights are set out in Section 17(4) of the Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms which states: "No person attending any place of education, except with his own consent (or, if he is a minor, the consent of his parent or guardian) shall be required to receive religious instruction, or to take part in or attend any religious ceremony or observance, which relates to a religion or religious body or denomination other than his own."

Section 2(e) of the Child Care and Protection Act 2004, which stipulates that people, including teachers, should act in the best interest of the child by considering their religious and spiritual views; and Article 30 of the Convention of the Rights of the Child which places an obligation on Jamaica to respect their right to freedom of religion because a child should "not be denied the right … to enjoy his or her own culture, to profess and practise his or her own religion".

All children, including those from Hindu, Chinese, Jewish, and Muslim-practising families, must grow up in a Jamaica where they feel belonged and free to participate. After all, they are no less Jamaican than the school chaplain. Why should children be forced to participate in devotions - to pray to your God? Some schools will allow you to be 'excused', but most people I know never had that experience. And even so, there are still limitations and many students fear saying they don't believe or believe something else because they KNOW their difference will not be accepted. These children don't need your God or any god for that matter to develop into a 'moral', 'decent' and responsible citizen.

TOO PROBLEMATIC

Besides, devotions are too problematic. It's impossible to cater to all faith beliefs and the myriad Christian perspectives. Furthermore, although "it is more problematic for children from minority faiths, it's no less consequential for children raised in the Christian faith whose beliefs and practices may not be honoured in a general Christian devotion", as Javed Jaghai argues. I know this to be true based on my own experience. As a Christian, I was perturbed by the conflicting messages at school devotions because they weren't taught at my church. And I always wondered, although I didn't agree with their practices, why students who are Jehovah's Witnesses were forced to attend devotion.

As a child, I didn't realise that there were people of other faith. I, like many, ignorantly thought this was a 'Christian country' and all of us subscribed to one faith. I had no need to negotiate how my own Christian beliefs and practices (as I was very theistic those days), facilitated by institutional arrangements, would affect my friends who are Indian and Chinese. I didn't realise some of my Indian classmates might actually be practising Hindus. I never questioned how they might be affected when they have to worship my God five days a week - every morning and afternoon and for lunch (in the case of primary school).

As I grew older, I realised that being Indian was more than the long, soft and intricate hair and the delicious food - they actually had their own culture and their own gods, so they definitely didn't need to be patronised by my prayers. Can you imagine how children from Hindu families feel having to worship your God (even if just passively by standing in reverence during devotions)?

OUT OF MANY, ONE?

On Sunday, May 12, we celebrated Indian Arrival Day, but are we much further in recognising their rights than we were when they first came? Does their religion even matter to us? We certainly haven't taken any official steps to demonstrate that we do. If we're serious about 'Out of Many, One People', let's diversify the religious festivals the State dictates we observe.

Somehow, your non-recognition and worship of Jesus (as a superior being) makes you less human than 'believers'. Regrettably, we have a long history of forcing Indians to practise (and accept) Christianity. According to Dr Rebecca Tortello in Pieces of the Past (published by The Gleaner), "During the 70 years of Indian immigrant labour, little consideration was shown for their religious beliefs and cultural practices. For example, non-Christian unions went unrecognised until 1956 and many were, therefore, forced to accept Christianity."

Decades later, this is still the case. We do the same with students of other faiths. What kind of message are we sending our children when we privilege the majority faith? I can only imagine how awful my classmates must have felt praying to a god they don't believe in but for which they might be punished, if they don't. The psychological impact must have been burdensome, but they never said a word.

For Jamaica to truly be a cohesive and just society, minority faiths, ethnicities and cultures must be equal and our policies and practices must reflect this. We cannot disregard (and discard) their needs and concerns as 'minor issues'. We must respect cultural, ethnic and religious diversity so ALL Jamaicans can truly play their part in advancing the welfare of our country.

Jaevion Nelson is a youth development, HIV and human-rights advocate. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and jaevion@gmail.com.