I suspect that the teacher either poorly explained about the Pilgrams or more likely is an idiot when it comes to history. I'd have to double check a list of all the people in Plymouth Colony, but I don't think ALL the names came from the Bible. Somehow Miles, (as in Miles Standish), doesn't ring any bells as a Biblical name.
As for the UUA, as others have pointed out, it can vary from congregation to congregation. Having attended 4 congregations in different places, it all does seem to be vague Liberal monotheism. No explictily pagan polytheism in the classes. Nature is good, but no mentions of nature gods / godess. This was about 8 or 9 years ago, so much might have changed.
The pilgrims are routinely slandered in pretty much every telling in the school system.
The greater majority did have 'biblical' names, OR names that reflected biblical virtues according to their culture/ belief system (Puritan). Mercy, Prudence, Patience, Constance, Resolved, Love, Chastity, ad nauseum. My own genealogy comes complete with a 'Mercy Smalls' although the 'pilgrims' were not just puritans.
The Puritans were not alone on the Mayflower. They were divided in company to those that they called the 'Saints' and the 'Strangers' The strangers being those traveling for business and adventure and other reasons, the Saints being religiously motivated. There were also many waves of settlers. After the first landing (1620) there were more ships arriving yearly; (1621/1623 etc etc)
I would probably take issue with my son being asked to take on a 'Christian Name' to better study history.
Then again, my son is quite aware of how I feel regarding it and is kind of a 'mascot/avatar' of sorts in his school as to how the other half lives. He would tell them that he was Massasoit and he'd be waiting when they got their acts together.
We recently had a run in with a teacher trying to pass off religious instruction in the name of bogus history. When asked to write about his favorite part of "Christmas in France" which "Historically has always been Christian," thus the story of the nativity was told in class; he refused to do the assignment. Funny, we seem to be ignoring a few chapters in history here.
Unfortunately the apple doesn't fall far from the tree and he has become somewhat 'not nice' about it; and enjoys sparking controversial conversation when he's bored. He recently got some time out miles logged for telling a little girl that her deity of choice is not historically provable and that she doesn't know anything about her favorite holiday. (Feast of the Nativity/ Christmas) Which made waves, but fortunately never became hostile. (knock on head) He came home and admitted to doing it without a teacher ever mentioning it; because I am very adamant that he not go locking horns with people over this.
Explaining point blank that there are people out there who would hurt him, be it slander or social outcasting because we believe differently than they do was a very necessary discussion. He at 7 and a half already has a hearty disgust for misinformation and people selling their religion, and is used to having his opinion heard.
Especially with our school principal being a militant Christian. I can't take on that battle without martyring the both of us. Which defeats the purpose of infiltrate the system and corrupt from within.
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