“Saint” Valentines Day

My kids go to private Catholic school, as I did for at least for 7 years. Which is somewhat ironic seeing that I’m pretty far from religious and take issue with most aspects of almost all organized religions. That said, I see the value in his education having both an aspect of spirituality and higher academic expectations.

Once a week though, I have to either clarify, find fault with or denounce a Catholic/Christian teaching from school. This week, it’s Valentines Day. To be specific as my 6 year old son felt the need to make sure I do, “It’s “Saint” Valentines Day.”

His teacher drove home the point, that Valentine was a saint, and that we should refer to him as such. That not doing so, was “wrong.” That’s cool, but in my house nobody is wrong or right when it comes to religion. I won’t let my son subscribe to the thinking that “what my Christian teacher says is right” is always “right.” Instead, that it’s her opinion, and maybe the opinion of many devout Christians. In the end though, anyone can say it anyway they want. You, nor they have to subscribe to the view of the world through a Church’s eye.

So I just told him “Look, it’s not “Saint” Valentines. It’s Valentines. If you want to say “Saint” then do, but if someone doesn’t want to, that’s ok too.”