So a Mum in Whangaparaoa whipped her seven-year-old out of class rather than have him endure the apparently offensive teaching around the Christian origins of Christmas. The class was due to act out a nativity scene, and those who didn’t want to participate were given the option of going to another classroom.

But this mother said her son was “upset” by that alternative, so she kept him out of school.

Here’s my problem with this; one, was it worth making such a big deal of that the kid ends up so aggrieved he can’t even deal with the alternate option of going to another class, and two, why such fury over Bible stories? Myths and legends are taught in school, history is taught in school, school is surely about opening the mind not closing it. About educating kids on all the many and varied beliefs customs and historical stories. Diwali, Chinese New year, Jewish traditions, Muslim faith, where's the harm?

How is shutting your child out from being educated going to help anyone? Kids will see a nativity scene in shop windows, in movies, see it in plays, read about it in books.

How are you policing all of that? Surely we want our kids' minds broadened not shut off?

What I’d like to know is whether parents in these situations weigh up the checks and balances.

Is it worth taking the school to task over one thing in one class on one day, that you’re not happy with, versus appreciating all the good the school may do over a five year period?

Is it worth alienating your child by making a scene? Are there other ways you could make your point?

Could you not have a discussion at home in your own time after school and explain that faith-based learning is not how your family rolls but that it’s fine for others if they’re into it?

Could you maybe use the example of a nativity play as a time to exercise tolerance and acceptance of others views or beliefs?

What I fear is happening is that we are becoming so intolerant, so tribal in our views, that we're throwing up sky high fences between us.

Whatever happened to a discussion? Or healthy debate? Or conversation? Why is everything now an infringement of your rights?

Why can we not co-exist with others who may disagree with our worldview?
If I cut off every member of my family or friendship group or colleague circle who held a different worldview to me, I’d be extremely isolated.

When I hear a seven-year-old is too “upset” to go to another classroom because he’s made to feel that teaching the nativity scene is too offensive, I just wonder who wins here.