Awkward Moment #4

There’s a time of year that I really hate and it is the time of year that I have to teach religion in class.  Now, I’m not the most religious person and I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t know too much about all religions…I know just enough to get me by in a friendly conversation. But five times a year, I have to teach impressionable children the history and origins the world’s major religions.

Once in a while…in fact every time the class has spoken about religions…there is one or two children in the class that practice that religion.  Let’s take Hinduism for example…I’m up in front of the class teaching the origins of Hinduism and I have a few practicing Hindus staring right back at me. I know they’re looking at me and judging me.  I’m a nervous wreck in these situations.  I can’t even look them in the eye because I’m scared I’m not teaching the history right. There is something in me that just wants to stop the class and ask them…“How’m I doin up here?”

Sometimes I see them turn around and whisper to another student…I can only imagine what they’re saying. “Actually…(insert some obscure fact that I wouldn’t dare challenge).”

Someone always told me not to talk about sex, politics, religion, or money at the dinner table. I think we should extend that to the classroom as well.

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