Modern Day Selling of Indulgences

My 8th grader has a B- in Algebra. His teacher told the class that they could increase their grade by bringing in pencils. How much do you think it would cost to go from a B- to a B? Would you believe $20? I can’t be the only one who finds that offensive.

It reminds me of the medieval practice of selling indulgences. If you pay the priest you can avoid punishment for sins.

That practice was terrible for many reasons. It disenfranchised the poor. What kind of god can be bribed? Are religions tenants really important if they can be circumvented with a fist full of dollars? What’s the message to the rich? If you have money you are free to indulge. The whole practice is wrong on so many levels.

The same is true in selling grades. It sends a terrible message to our children.