By Jennifer Larson

Tonight on KID NATION, the town grapples with a very relevant issue … religion. And it doesn’t seem to be going any better for them than it is with the adult world. Having several kids who take their religion seriously posses a bit of a problem. They want to include some type of religious service into the town, but which one to choose? Well, they don’t have enough time to erect a house of worship for every faith, so the town council decides the best solution is to have one ceremony to accommodate all faiths. Sounds like a good compromise, but come on, you know it isn’t going to be that easy. This is a reality show after all, and the best part of these shows is the conflict that inevitably arises. That being said, I hate to see these children get so upset. While many of them have displayed unusual maturity and negotiating skills, they are still kids.

I am constantly vacillating between pride for what these kids are accomplishing and horror at the circumstances they are put in. I still have a problem with these kids being put in the situations they are, but they actually handle them as well – if not better – than a lot of adults do. Of course there’s still the issue of having a much older bully running around town trying to convince everybody he deserves that gold star. Here’s a tip Greg, you don’t get a reward for being a helpful and contributing part of a society, when you harangue and intimidate the other townsfolk. Nor do you deserve recognition for defacing the town’s property, at least not good recognition. And as far as Michael goes, I say he should run for president. This kid has the communication skills, negotiating abilities, charm and kindness to give Bill Clinton a run for his money. Can you give the gold star to the same kid every week, because Michael certainly deserves it.


As for the little beauty queen and town council member Taylor, after last week’s near mutiny over her bad attitude and lazy work ethic things better shape up, or she may just see herself being the first kid voted out of this ghost town; wait … that’s another show. But given her deal with it mentality, the kids may decide to take upon themselves to create new rules as they go along. Hey, it is their town to create and build up … right? Although, you have to hand it to her, because she has led the yellow team, which is the youngest group there, to a first place finish in last week’s group competition and second place during the previous two weeks, so I guess she’s doing something right. But it had to kill 15-year-old Greg to lose to a team full of 8 and 9-year-olds. But, Taylor and the rest of the council may be getting a little power hungry.

After the issue of religion comes up amongst the kids, it’s no surprise that the pioneer journal addresses it. The question for the council is, should they try and hold separate religious services to suite the differing needs of the children, have one group service that is nondenominational or no service at all? When they decide – amongst strong protest from several of the townsfolk – to hold one big service, they further anger and frustrate their community. The kids are beginning to feel as if they have no say in how Bonanza City is run at all, and they may have a point. Some children believed bringing religion into the mix would only serve to alienate some of the children, but the town council thought otherwise. I think the kids sent a clear message, however, when none of them decided to show up to the service. Apparently, it isn’t the service itself they have a problem with, it’s the fact that none of their voices were being heard.


But leave it to the smallest ones to save the day. Morgan decides to invite everybody to a bonfire for a bit of bonding and prayer, and everyone shows up for that. The question of religion was further answered, when the group got to decide between a miniature golf course and a stack of holy books, for their group prize. Three guesses on what they chose; yep, the holy books. They’re probably gonna need them, because the yellow team is headed back to the kitchen, much to the dismay of … well, everybody. And sadly, we lost another townie, when 9-year-old Cody decided he missed his family and girlfriend too much to stay in Bonanza City any longer. Sad, but you had to figure there would be more kids leaving, at some point. As for the gold star, Greg will have to keep waiting, because Morgan won it this week, for her warmth, compassion and ability to draw a city that was falling apart back together again. And with the continuing nastiness Taylor is displaying, I’m sure many of the kids are hoping she will be the next one to depart.