"Adult Talk" and Christian examples?

[Smber2c]

I’ve just finished a wonderful week of teaching at Vacation Bible School. I have also volunteered to teach the 7th and 8th grade CCD classes and help with our confirmation retreat. I’ve started to really get excited for it all, soulds like lots of important lessons

The one concern I had during the week was some of the language. Occational cries of “stupid”, “shut-up”, “butt ho–”, etc… (from campers, teenaged aids, and even adults).

I approached the head of Religious Education yesterday just to make sure that they would have my back when I told my students and their parents that for the duration of my class, there would be no negative language. She started to assure me that they fully agree, negative languate interferes with teaching and learning Christ’s message…then her 9 year old grandson came in and interupted her. She snapped “Shut Up.” Then he responded, “You said a bad word.” Her response was, “No we’re having adult conversation.”

I’ve heard some of the adults toss a few choice words between themselves and worse with the teens (as if they’ve “come of age”).

What is the best way to deal with an environment where individuals are supposed to exemplify Christian Morals, yet somehow fail to realize their ugliness?
Specifically what positive contribution can a 23 (24 in 6 days) male make to a group of primarily 40 to 65 year old women?

I certainly don’t expect to directly confront the problem b/c many of these women taught me religion 15 years ago. Though I’m not sure I’ll stand well with more “teacher talk” like what I heard on day #1: “If those priests will just keep their pants zipped we wouldn’t have to do these proper touching lessons.”

 

[teachccd]

I’ve just finished a wonderful week of teaching at Vacation Bible School. I have also volunteered to teach the 7th and 8th grade CCD classes and help with our confirmation retreat. I’ve started to really get excited for it all, soulds like lots of important lessons

The one concern I had during the week was some of the language. Occational cries of “stupid”, “shut-up”, “butt ho–”, etc… (from campers, teenaged aids, and even adults).

I approached the head of Religious Education yesterday just to make sure that they would have my back when I told my students and their parents that for the duration of my class, there would be no negative language. She started to assure me that they fully agree, negative languate interferes with teaching and learning Christ’s message…then her 9 year old grandson came in and interupted her. She snapped “Shut Up.” Then he responded, “You said a bad word.” Her response was, “No we’re having adult conversation.”

I’ve heard some of the adults toss a few choice words between themselves and worse with the teens (as if they’ve “come of age”).

What is the best way to deal with an environment where individuals are supposed to exemplify Christian Morals, yet somehow fail to realize their ugliness?
Specifically what positive contribution can a 23 (24 in 6 days) male make to a group of primarily 40 to 65 year old women?

I certainly don’t expect to directly confront the problem b/c many of these women taught me religion 15 years ago. Though I’m not sure I’ll stand well with more “teacher talk” like what I heard on day #1: “If those priests will just keep their pants zipped we wouldn’t have to do these proper touching lessons.”

Well, I am a 48 year old male junior high RE teacher. ( 7th and 8th grades) I see the same thing all around me. There are parents standing in the Religious education office snapping at my wife (she works front desk) in front of their kids. I hear teachers swearing and gossiping alike.What is it that we are supposed to do??

First of all, be an example yourself. This pertains to life in gerneral. Let no one see you use such language or belittle others. It doesn’t seem that you do or else this wouldn’t bother you. Seek out other teachers who feel the same way yet know the individuals that cause this concern. Maybe they can help with how they deal with this. It is very disheartening. In seventh grade we teach about the life of Jesus Christ and then see all of this around us. The kids are not blind to this.

Now in my classroom if there is any language that is not appropriate or is disrespectful I will put an immediate stop to it. With all of the other role models in their lives it may not help but at least they can recognize a contrast. By ourselves we will not change the world but we can change ourselves which,in turn, will change others. Fight the good fight and don’t give up. We all need more of your type. Trust me when I say that a veil was lifted from my naive eyes when I got into ministry. But I will refuse to give up. That is precisely why you and I are there. Good luck and God bless. I wish that I had the magic answer. If you get one, let me know…teachccd

 

[McKevin]

I have one suggestion for you…ask the kids to memorize 1st Timothy 4:12, and as they work on this they should share it with their parents and so you’ll be reaching a bigger audience

1st Timothy 4:12

Let no one have contempt for your youth, but set an example for those who believe in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity.

…and pray for them!

 

[Smber2c]

First of all, be an example yourself. This pertains to life in gerneral. Let no one see you use such language or belittle others. It doesn’t seem that you do or else this wouldn’t bother you.

By ourselves we will not change the world but we can change ourselves which,in turn, will change others. Fight the good fight and don’t give up.

First off thank you, your words are generous, and I do think I’m getting closer to being the Christian I should be. I’d say I have correct intent about 99% of the time…I’ve just got to stregnthen my will. When God gives me a real trial, I buckle or give in at times…less than I used to, but more than I should.

What you wrote made me remember a line that I read from “Treasure in Clay” Bishop Fulton Sheen’s autobiography that I read yesterday.

He was explaining the philosophy of the 60’s, and one of the negatives he listed was a tendancy to think that evil only existed in society, but not in individuals. Then he quoted “The Gulag Archipelago” which states, “[he learned] the lines separating good and evil passed not through state nor between classes, nor between political parties either, but right through the heart of every human heart”…“it is impossible to expel evil from the world in its entirety but it is possible to constrict it within each person.”

I will try and do my part. And I will try to be that example. Maybe after a few months, I’ll have established relationships deep enough that I can tell some of them when their demenor lacks charity and not come across as judgemental or angry.

 

[puzzleannie]

I’ve just finished a wonderful week of teaching at Vacation Bible School. I have also volunteered to teach the 7th and 8th grade CCD classes and help with our confirmation retreat. I’ve started to really get excited for it all, soulds like lots of important lessons

The one concern I had during the week was some of the language. Occational cries of “stupid”, “shut-up”, “butt ho–”, etc… (from campers, teenaged aids, and even adults).

I approached the head of Religious Education yesterday just to make sure that they would have my back when I told my students and their parents that for the duration of my class, there would be no negative language. She started to assure me that they fully agree, negative languate interferes with teaching and learning Christ’s message…then her 9 year old grandson came in and interupted her. She snapped “Shut Up.” Then he responded, “You said a bad word.” Her response was, “No we’re having adult conversation.”
."

I would respectfully bring it up to the DRE and tell her frankly your reaction, and your concern about similar language among the other volunteers, and ask her plans to address it. It is a written part of our policy in the handbook that such language is not tolerated.

thank you for responding to the call of the Holy Spirit to catechize the youth of your parish. your blessings will be beyond measure and you will learn more than you ever imagined about your faith.

we just had the identical discussion in our VBS evaluation session, and I was one of the offenders, probably through carelessness, and we discussed ways to rid ourselves of this bad habit (in this case, the “Omigod” comment used so casually). One of my senior catechists simply and gently says, “Pray for us” or “oh my goodness” every time someone uses the Lord’s name in vain. She gives a better witness than anyone.

 

[teachccd]

What you wrote made me remember a line that I read from “Treasure in Clay” Bishop Fulton Sheen’s autobiography that I read yesterday.

He was explaining the philosophy of the 60’s, and one of the negatives he listed was a tendancy to think that evil only existed in society, but not in individuals. Then he quoted “The Gulag Archipelago” which states, “[he learned] the lines separating good and evil passed not through state nor between classes, nor between political parties either, but right through the heart of every human heart”…“it is impossible to expel evil from the world in its entirety but it is possible to constrict it within each person.”

Yes, Bishop Fulton Sheen. What an incredible man. That is what I teach my junior high kids. We work so hard to try and change those around us that we forget to soften up our own hearts with the love and compassion that centers the message of Christ. The evil that exists in society is merely an accumulation of the evil which exists in every human heart.

Your parish is very lucky to have you. I am the Junior High coordinator at my parish and I would love to have you on board. Your students will receive a great message when you pass on your spirituality to them. And this is especially true because of your young age. (Bear in mind that at my age anyone in their twenties is quite young as I have a son your age) So as I repeat myself; never give up and let those around you “notice” who you are. And trust me on this, they will…God Bless you…teachccd

 

[antimon]

is “shut up” a bad word? (I am not a native English speaker)

 

[Nevarlander]

is “shut up” a bad word? (I am not a native English speaker)

Not really, but it’s extremely disrespectful if you intend it seriously if you’re saying it to make the other person stop talking. You’ll commonly hear “Shut up” among people 30 and under as an expression meaning “I don’t believe you”; that’s generally acceptable.

 

[Smber2c]

is “shut up” a bad word? (I am not a native English speaker)

Yeah, I’d have to agree with the above poster that “Shut-up” can vary with the way it’s said.

Two 13 year old girls may be chatting and one says, “I think Zack is sooo cute!!” Then the other would respond, “Shut up(!!), that’s so crazy, I think Zack is soooo cute!!!”

In that instance, no it isn’t really a bad word. But many times, esp. with adults talking to children, it is more a way of saying things like:
“I don’t care what you have to say”
“Your opinion doesn’t matter”
“Just stop annoying me you little jerk.”
etc…

I find it to be highly offensive when I’m told to shut up or when I see another being told to shut up in this fashion.

At best, it is a very lazy and negative way of getting someone to be quiet.
At worst, it is telling someone that they don’t matter and that you (and everyone present) don’t care about them and their thoughts.

 

[TraderTif]

Yes, it really does matter how “shut up” is used!

I only use that phrase with family, or really good friends, and it’s used as a humorous way to tell someone to be quiet. Like, last night, my dad kept going on and on, asking “what’s for supper?”, “how about some spinach?”, “you know I love spinach!”, etc., etc., etc. And so finally I holler, “Oh shut up!”

And since we’re all family, and we recognize the way “Oh shut up” is said, we know that the person saying it is joking. Lately, it’s become an even bigger joke, because after pestering my mother for several minutes, my dad suddenly sneezed and my mom hollered “Oh shut up!” So, for the last few weeks everyone has been saying “Oh shut up!” whenever anyone sneezes. I can’t wait till one of us says it in public, where people might not know that we’re joking/kidding.
Tif