Would it be weird to be a gay religion teacher

monread2 · 01-05-2022 7:01pm #1

My college course has Religion built into it. I could do another course to avoid the religion but then that involves the PME and it’s very expensive

I’m not religious myself but I find it interesting

dobman88 · 01-05-2022 7:09pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058244064/would-it-be-weird-to-be-a-gay-religion-teacher

No. Nobody, staff or students, would know you're gay unless you told them. You'd be just another religion teacher. Nothing wrong with it anyway

Best of luck with your studies.

dotsman · 01-05-2022 7:18pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119002967#Comment_119002967

So the gays should have to pretend to be straight?

OP, I totally think you should absolutely become a gay religion teacher. And use your time teaching to teach the next generation of kids about the stupidity, ignorance, brutality and contradictions of religion.

Sleeper12 · 01-05-2022 7:22pm

My religion teacher in 1981 was gay. I didn't realise it back then but looking back he was definitely gay. He was a nice guy and a good teacher. Gay or straight shouldn't matter

dobman88 · 01-05-2022 7:58pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119003010#Comment_119003010

How do you come to that conclusion from my post? It's so far away from what I said I'm not even sure how to reply.

It is entirely up to the OP if they wish to convey their sexuality or not. Either way, there is absolutely nothing wrong with being a gay religion teacher.

My point was nobody would know any different unless they did disclose is which is entirely up to them.

dotsman · 01-05-2022 10:30pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119003194#Comment_119003194

Nobody, staff or students, would know you're gay unless you told them

dobman88 · 01-05-2022 11:32pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119003843#Comment_119003843

Disclosing ones sexuality is not mandatory. Its up to the individual

PCeeeee · 01-05-2022 11:37pm

airy fairy · 01-05-2022 11:39pm

Would it be weird? Nope.

As a parent, I wouldn't care what my kids teachers' sexuality was. Being a good teacher is the most important thing. What you do outside school is nobody's business.

dotsman · 02-05-2022 1:50am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119004046#Comment_119004046

It's pretty hard to work side-by-side other people for years and it not come up. Going out socialising with your fellow teachers, going out with your classmates when in college (who subsequently become teachers), talking about your holidays/weekend-away in the staff room, talking about your wedding in the staff room etc. It's 2022 - why should a gay person have to constantly avoid the topic and hide it?

CrookedJack · 02-05-2022 2:00am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058244064/would-it-be-weird-to-be-a-gay-religion-teacher

I would find it more weird that you're not religious and would teach religion. Although I personally would find it impossible to teach children about religions that for the most part think I'm somewhere between a sinner and an abomination.

That said i'm sure plenty of religion teacher have premarital sex, use contraception and loads of other things that are most forbidden, so being gay shouldn't stop you.

Strumms · 02-05-2022 2:38am

Weird, I doubt it as plenty of gay people are religious despite the weird ‘teachings’ or references to homosexuality in the bible.

my religion teacher in 1st, 2nd and 3rd year was gay im pretty sure, if not he was the campest most flamboyant straight guy that ever lived.

his initials were D O’G… which on the first day of said religion class he wrote backwards on the board and said something like… “thats………. G O D, to you all….well it is if you are dyslexic” all delivered with a wry smile. Brilliant guy…

Sleeper12 · 02-05-2022 8:41am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119004352#Comment_119004352

I've met non religious religion teachers. Many primary teachers don't believe in god but still have to teach it each day. I don't see being religious as necessary to teach religion

dory · 02-05-2022 8:54am

Religion in secondary school incorporates all religions, not just Catholicism. So one wouldn't have to fit into their ideals to teach religion. From what I've seen of the course it's almost like history. I would strongly recommend against getting qualified in a subject unless you're passionate about it. Could end up teaching it for years and being miserable.

Akrasia · 02-05-2022 8:55am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119004352#Comment_119004352

I thought religion was supposed to be an academic subject now, teaching about religion, rather than promoting religion. In this case being secular minded would make for a better educator as they would not be biased in favour of one religion

spurious · 02-05-2022 8:58am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119004553#Comment_119004553

Only in some schools. Many still only offer the non-exam faith based course. In fairness, many of them are explicitly Catholic schools and people knew what they signed up for.

Some schools have both side by side.

Donald Trump · 02-05-2022 8:59am

What are the gay religions that you'd be teaching? Would you teach regular religion as well?

maestroamado · 02-05-2022 9:03am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058244064/would-it-be-weird-to-be-a-gay-religion-teacher

Its knowledge and of course its interesting...

Pissy Missy · 02-05-2022 9:07am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058244064/would-it-be-weird-to-be-a-gay-religion-teacher

You're only learning about a module, nothing to do with your own sexual identity

cuttingtimber22 · 02-05-2022 9:13am

Many priests are gay and they have no problem with religion.

HazeDoll · 02-05-2022 9:24am

I taught religion in two schools, one a convent! Saw the job advertised, turned up and did the interview, got the job. At no point did anybody ask if I even believe in any god. I was brought up an atheist but I needed a job so I got on with it. I eventually got more hours in my actual subject but for about six years I had religion classes. I managed to do it without saying one word I don't believe. Instead of 'Moses saw a burning bush' I simply said 'People with a Judeo-Christian faith believe Moses saw a burning bush.' If the kids asked me what I believed I was honest, finishing with 'But it doesn't matter to you what I believe, your faith is your faith.'

For the first few years they were doing religion as an exam subject and to be honest that was easier because you had a syllabus to cover. When we dropped it as an exam subject I did philosophy with them, critical thinking and theories of happiness. Nobody noticed that these are the opposite to religion.

These days all the kids know I'm a godless sinner. Other teachers have been more open too. Teachers who used, through force of habit, to begin their classes with a rattled-off speed-prayer have stopped doing so in recent years.

OP, I promise you that you don't want to get landed with the role of religion teacher in your school. A religion class or two to fill up your timetable is ok though. There's no need to keep your sexuality or beliefs a secret. There will definitely be kids in your classes who will benefit from having you as a role model.

Wanderer78 · 02-05-2022 9:58am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058244064/would-it-be-weird-to-be-a-gay-religion-teacher

if you find it interesting, go for it, religion and especially the church urgently needs people like you, if it wants to survive. best of luck

steddyeddy · 02-05-2022 10:07am

These are the things described as forbidden in Leviticus. It would be hypocritical for anyone practicing or teaching religion to criticize you for being gay and teaching religion if they do anything on the list.

1. Burning any yeast or honey in offerings to God (2:11) [Normal penalty.]

2. Failing to include salt in offerings to God (2:13) [Normal penalty.]

3. Eating fat (3:17) [That one’s “a lasting ordinance for the generations to come, wherever you live.” All fat is to be saved for offerings to God. Normal penalty.]

4. Eating blood (3:17) [Normal penalty]

5. Failing to testify against any wrongdoing you’ve witnessed (5:1) [“They will be held responsible.”]

6. Failing to testify against any wrongdoing you’ve been told about (5:1) [Which sounds like hearsay. At any rate, “they shall be held responsible.”]

7. Touching an unclean animal (5:2) [NIV translates this as touching “the carcass” of an unclean animal. So if Rover dies, or you’re a worker in a pork plant, you’re in trouble here. Normal penalty.]

8. Carelessly making an oath (5:4) [Even if you don’t realize you have. Normal penalty.]

9. Deceiving a neighbour about something trusted to them (6:2) [Return the item and a 20% penalty, plus normal penalty.]

10. Finding lost property and lying about it (6:3) [Return the item and a 20% penalty, plus normal penalty.]

11. Bringing unauthorised fire before God (10:1) [God will smite you.]

12. Letting your hair become unkempt (10:6) [“You will die” and God will be angry at everyone. May only apply to the priesthood.]

13. Tearing your clothes (10:6) [“You will die” and God will be angry at everyone. May only apply to the priesthood.]

14. Drinking alcohol in holy places (bit of a problem for Catholics, this ‘un) (10:9) [“You will die.” May only apply to the priesthood.]

15. Eating an animal which doesn’t both chew cud and has a divided hoof (cf: camel, rabbit, pig) (11:4-7) [“You will be unclean.]

16. Touching the carcass of any of the above (problems here for rugby) (11:8) [“You will be unclean.”]

17. Eating – or touching the carcass of – any seafood without fins or scales (11:10-12) [“You will be unclean.”]

18. Eating – or touching the carcass of – eagle, the vulture, the black vulture, the red kite, any kind of black kite, any kind of raven, the horned owl, the screech owl, the gull, any kind of hawk, the little owl, the cormorant, the great owl, the white owl, the desert owl, the osprey, the stork, any kind of heron, the hoopoe and the bat. (11:13-19) [“You will be unclean.”]

19. Eating – or touching the carcass of – flying insects with four legs, unless those legs are jointed (11:20-22) [“You will be unclean.”]

20. Eating any animal which walks on all four and has paws (good news for cats) (11:27) [“You will be unclean.” Also applies to touching their carcasses.]

21. Eating – or touching the carcass of – the weasel, the rat, any kind of great lizard,the gecko, the monitor lizard, the wall lizard, the skink and the chameleon (11:29) [“You will be unclean.”]

22. Eating – or touching the carcass of – any creature which crawls on many legs, or its belly (11:41-42) [“You will be unclean.”]

23. Going to church within 33 days after giving birth to a boy (12:4) [Actually, she’s unclean a week, and then another 33 days. Then she has to offer up a sacrifice.]

24. Going to church within 66 days after giving birth to a girl (12:5) [Actually, she’s unclean a week, and then another 66 days. Then she has to offer up a sacrifice.]

25. Having sex with your mother (18:7) [The penalty for all the sexual sins in ch. 18 is that the participants are to be “cut off” from their people. Some have additional penalties mentioned below.]

26. Having sex with your father’s wife (18:8) [In 20:11, both are to be put to death.]

27. Having sex with your sister (18:9) [In 20:17, if you marry her, both are to be “publicly removed from their people”]

28. Having sex with your granddaughter (18:10)

29. Having sex with your half-sister (18:11)

30. Having sex with your biological aunt (18:12-13) [In 20:19, he will be held responsible for the dishonor.]

31. Having sex with your uncle’s wife (18:14) [In 20:20, they are held responsible for the dishonor, “they will die childless”]

32. Having sex with your daughter-in-law (18:15) [In 20:12, both are to be put to death.]

33. Having sex with your sister-in-law (18:16) [In 20:21, if you marry her, “they will be childless.”]

34. Having sex with a woman and also having sex with her daughter or granddaughter (bad news for Alan Clark) (18:17) [No specific penalty given, but per 20:14 if you marry both of them, all three of you are to be “burned in fire.”]

35. Marrying your wife’s sister while your wife still lives (18:18)

36. Having sex with a woman during her period (18:19) [15:24 simply says the man will be considered unclean for 7 days. In 20:18, “Both of them are to be cut off from their people”]

37. Having sex with your neighbour’s wife (18:20) [In 20:10, both are to be put to death.]

38. Giving your children to be sacrificed to Molek (18:21) [In 20:2, the person is to be stoned to death.]

39. Having sex with a man “as one does with a woman” (18:22) [In 20:13, both are to be put to death.]

40. Having sex with an animal (18:23) [In 20:15, both are to be killed.]

41. Making idols or “metal gods” (19:4) [No penalty given.]

42. Reaping to the very edges of a field (19:9) [To be left for the poor. No penalty given.]

43. Picking up grapes that have fallen in your vineyard (19:10) [To be left for the poor. No penalty given.]

44. Stealing (19:11) [No penalty given.]

45. Lying (19:11) [No penalty given.]

46. Swearing falsely on God’s name (19:12) [No penalty given.]

47. Defrauding your neighbour (19:13) [No penalty given.]

48. Holding back the wages of an employee overnight (not well observed these days) (19:13) [No penalty given.]

49. Cursing the deaf or abusing the blind (19:14) [No penalty given.]

50. Perverting justice, showing partiality to either the poor or the rich (19:15) [No penalty given.]

51. Spreading slander (19:16) [No penalty given.]

52. Doing anything to endanger a neighbour’s life (19:16) [No penalty given.]

53. Seeking revenge or bearing a grudge (19:18) [No penalty given.]

54. Mixing fabrics in clothing (19:19) [No penalty given.]

55. Cross-breeding animals (19:19) [No penalty given.]

56. Planting different seeds in the same field (19:19) [No penalty given.]

57. Sleeping with another man’s slave (19:20) [“Due punishment,” but not death, just a ram for sacrifice.]

58. Eating fruit from a tree within four years of planting it (19:23) [No penalty given. May only apply to fruit trees planted in Israel.]

59. Practising divination or seeking omens (tut, tut astrology) (19:26) [No penalty, but in 20:6 they will be “cut off from their people” by God. In 20:27, they are to be stoned to death.]

60. Trimming your beard (19:27) [No penalty given.]

61. Cutting your hair at the sides (19:27) [No penalty given.]

62. Getting tattoos (19:28) [No penalty given.]

63. Making your daughter prostitute herself (19:29) [“The land will turn to prostitution.” No other penalty given.]

64. Turning to mediums or spiritualists (19:31) [No penalty given.]

65. Not standing in the presence of the elderly (19:32) [No penalty given.]

66. Mistreating foreigners – “the foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born” (19:33-34) [No penalty given.]

67. Using dishonest weights and scales (19:35-36) [No penalty given.]

68. Cursing your father or mother (punishable by death) (20:9) [Death, as noted.]

69. Marrying a prostitute, divorcee or widow if you are a priest (21:7,13) [No penalty given.]

70. Entering a place where there’s a dead body as a priest (21:11) [I.e., if you’re a priest. No penalty given.]

71. Slaughtering a cow/sheep and its young on the same day (22:28) [May apply only to sacrificial animals. No penalty given.]

72. Working on the Sabbath (23:3) [No penalty given.]

73. Blasphemy (punishable by stoning to death) (24:14) [Death.]

74. Inflicting an injury; killing someone else’s animal; killing a person must be punished in kind (24:17-22) [Killing someone means death. Injuring someone mean punishment in kind. Killing or injuring another’s animal means punishment in kind.]

75. Selling land permanently (25:23) [No penalty given.]

76. Selling an Israelite as a slave (foreigners are fine) (25:42) [No penalty given.]

dobman88 · 02-05-2022 11:15am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119004347#Comment_119004347

They dont have to avoid the topic and hide anything. I feel you're looking for a reaction here for some reason and intentionally reading something in my posts that's just not there.

There is absolutley nothing wrong with the OP wanting to be a gay religion teacher.

I'm not sure why you think I think there is so I'll leave it there because you're clearly interpreting my posts incorrectly

rainbowtrout · 02-05-2022 8:26pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119004347#Comment_119004347

Plenty of teachers choose to (rather than have to) because so many schools are under the patronage of the Catholic Church. Some choose to because, despite a referendum on gay marriage having two thirds of the population vote in favour, one third did not. It is likely that there are teachers in staff rooms around the country who voted no, and there are students who come from families who vote no. I have known several gay teachers over the years who are not out in their school community. Also it's perfectly possible for it not to come up. Lots of people are single for long periods of time without having to justify their sexuality to anyone.

HazeDoll · 02-05-2022 10:34pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119007084#Comment_119007084

It's one of the reasons the section 37 legislation needs to be challenged.

Theoretically a teacher could lose their job if their way of life is not compatible with the school's ethos. I would bloody LOVE to see them try to actually fire somebody though.

rainbowtrout · 04-05-2022 12:45am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119007752#Comment_119007752

Yes I agree. But I suppose the same idea that a teacher has to re-interview for their second year, and if it was known then, they might not have their contract renewed with a vague 'We don't have any hours for you this year'. Or someone gets loads of SPHE etc dumped on their timetable, gets all the toughest classes. If a school is hell bent on getting rid of someone they will do it without specifically firing a person.

I can understand why a gay teacher would want to protect themselves from the unknown variables of staff, principals, BOM etc to secure a contract.

rainbowtrout · 04-05-2022 12:53am

This case is only 7 years ago....

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/teacher-wins-discrimination-case-after-nun-asked-what-about-the-homos-30919226.html

martingriff · 04-05-2022 1:06am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119007752#Comment_119007752

Wouldn't the Equality acts not trump section 37

Treppen · 04-05-2022 9:13am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119012820#Comment_119012820

It comes down to basics. If a school doesn't like you (for whatever reason) then that's that. Very rare that teachers are given a permanent contract straight away.

rainbowtrout · 04-05-2022 10:10am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119012820#Comment_119012820

Schools are exempt from Equality legislation with regard to religion, on the grounds of protecting school ethos. Like is said above, they'll find a way to get rid of a person if they don't want them there.

Would it be weird to be a gay religion teacher

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