Your question raises a series of points, each of which contributes to a realistic answer.

First of all, since you are at a religious school, you must, to some extent, expect it to promote its own agenda; you cannot expect it to educate you entirely according to your own opinions. My personal view is that no school should be based on any particular religion, whether or not it is private- or state-financed, but we have to consider the situation as it is, not as we’d like it to be.

From what I can gather, you are at a Jewish school. The idea of 'Jewishness’ causes me particular problems in that 'Jewish’ confuses two distinct and independent concepts: 'race’ and 'religion’. My personal opinion is that (religious) Judaism is very distinct from the notion of racial Jewishness although the two are often used interchangeably. For example, critics of Judaism are invariably described by Judaism’s apologists as 'racist’. Again, though, I think we have to deal with the situation as it is, not as we would like it to be. Personally, I point out the confusion whenever I can. Technically speaking, the term 'Semitic’ includes both Jews and Arabs and we should use the term to cover both groups, not one alone. That was certainly the case fifty years ago.

I think that confusing race and religion is evident from the way in which you compare your Principal’s expressed prejudices with comments on 'blacks’ (unchangeable), 'women’ (unchangeable), and Jews (anti-Semitic â€“ not true if we’re talking in religious terms).

Many Jews think of themselves as secular, an indication that some, at least, recognize the distinction between race and religion: they reject the religion â€“ only a matter of belief, and therefore open to change â€“ but accept their racial inheritance, something impossible to change.

Prejudiced though he may be, any insult your Principal levels at you is only a criticism of your secular beliefs; it is not like criticizing you for having a black skin, is it? Do you see the difference?

So what can be done? Persuading your parents that you would like to attend a secular school is one option. Another might be to get them to take issue with your Principal on the grounds that he is peddling falsehoods, that he is ignorant, and using his position to air his prejudices. However, in this latter case, you would have some difficulty in making your case. It isn’t as though you are being physically abused.

I always think that one’s belief system should be analogous to support for a football team: they should each be equally open to question (and abuse). Factual inaccuracy is common in football criticism, but there’s little one can do about it; the same is true of belief criticism, too. However, to get the Principal to admit to his errors and prejudices publicly may be very difficult.

The most constructive thing you could do is use the incident to try to get the school to take a more objective view of religious differences and belief systems and make sure that all its teaching is factually based. (You should also bear in mind that atheism is not a religion: 'Atheism’ is a religion in the same way that 'bald’ is a hair colour.) I doubt if you would be able to make much progress but, if faced with dissent from some of his students, your Principal may be more circumspect in future. Against such an action, there is the near certainty that you would be regarded as a trouble-maker. After all, it’s very likely that the vast majority of students at your school are not concerned at the Principal’s 'atheist-bashing, sceptic-hating’.

Finally, rather than going to a rabbi, you should consult a secular Jewish organization. The Confederation of Secular Jewish Organizations may be able to point you in the right direction. It is possible that a bit more googling could find you someone to advise you more suitably or, perhaps, even intercede for you; yours cannot be a unique problem. You should be aware, though, that most secular Jews still cling to cultural activities with religious origins, and few of them seem willing to do battle with religious orthodoxy.

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