. <<I cannot think of a single
instance that religion even came up, much less being aware of
how anyone else believed. >>
I wonder if you identified with a majority religion. It is hard to imagine if you were an atheist, or, in some places, a Jew, for example, that you wouldn't have been made very aware indeed of the unacceptability of your affiliation. Or lack of it. I'm not worried about my nephew, because my son handled the situation very well, indeed, and also my nephew will be going to a private school. My son was advantaged by having sensitive teachers, and he had all through school at least two good friends who were self-identified atheists, and they were three of the four smartest kids in the class (the fourth being Jewish,); and in truth, I suspect part of the reason he wasn't given much trouble may be that his pacifistic father saw to it that he could beat the c*** out of anyone who made it necessary. He got in very few fights, and not a one that he started, but it doesn't take many to make clear to the assemblage of bullies that there are easier targets. |
