Mumsnet Talk

DD is 10. Tonight she has got out of bed to ask if she has been christened. I explained that no, she hasn't (DH and I are atheists) and that if she wanted to enter a religion when she is older, she can make her own mind up.
I asked her why she wanted to know, and she said a group called CRIBS had come to her (non-religious) school, and had talked about heaven.
She said they were told that if you were not christened, then when you die you are 'in limbo' and cannot go to heaven. She is now really worried about this.
I told her that it's just their interpretation, and how do we know what the truth is, as no-one has ever come back to prove it! Also reminded her that there are many religions, they can't all be right!
Is it worth mentioning to the school?

I think it is - YANBU

yanbu

Yadnbu! Brainwashing children is definitely worth reporting to the school.

It's obviously bothering her, as she got out of bed to talk to me about it

Well if you are an atheist, then you wouldnt believe in heaven anyway.

YANBU and I had my dd christened.

yanbu

YANBU - agree with twirly

YADNBU.

Apart from anything else, the Pope eliminated the concept of limbo in either 2006 or 2007. There's an article here.

I believe in God etc but this has shocked me - how could the school allow this? Yanbu at all - giving that kind of message is disgusting

And btw - the God I believe in does not give out that kind of message

Yanbu - were parents not made aware of the visit and the nature of the subject matter?
Poor girl. Of course it's bothering her.It's all so literal at that age.
Yes it's worth mentioning.

more about CRIBS just in case it's helpful.

Maybe you should look for some kind of book to explain how different people believe in different things? Don't know if something like that exist but worth looking around if she is asking questions? Or could tell her that at the heart of every religion is jus being the best you can be and being a kind person etc and thats what matters

I was aware they come into the school, I have no problem with that, DD's class also visited a Sikh temple last year, and a mosque before that.
Yes, children do take things literally. I did say that if there is a god, he/she would be benevolent enough to welcome all 'good' people into heaven, should such a thing exist.

I just don't want her to worry about it, or think she has to get christened to 'hedge her bets'

is it this lot?

It is outrageous that an organizationlike this should be involved with children withiut the parents getting notice in advance.

YANBU - I am a humanist and take the view that my girls need to have info and exposure to many different faiths and if, as adults, they make a choice that it their right

I chose a secular school but all they ever get os Christian teachings - and a regular invite to a Praise Party [rolls eyes]

That gets on my tits so somebody telling them they where going to limbo would make me furious - definately talk to the school x

Yes seeker

I think it is one thing to say "this is what I as a (insert whatever religion) believe" but quite another to state something as a "fact" when as you say it is impossible for all religions to be right. Also I think more appropriate for senior school, children who can rationalise opinion more easily than primary school children, who are more prone to take opinion as "fact".

YADNBU!
As a Christian I find this offensive as well and would not be happy with my children being taught this either as this idea is not even in the Bible. So as an atheist you must be even more fuming. I'm sorry that it obviously worried your DD but glad she talked to you about it so you could put her mind at rest.

Yes, I'm glad she spoke to me and didn't just keep her worries to herself.

YADNBU - I would not be happy. It's one thing to have lots of options explained to them by different people/groups - but only if it is presented as 'this is what we believe' - sadly, most religious groups seem unable to do this.

If any of this is making a 10 year old child worry it is not being presented properly and needs to be addressed.

YANBU. I'm not a Christian, but even I know that the Catholic Church has abandoned the concept of limbo, and I don't think most C of E denominations believe in it. It was abandoned because it was cruel for people whose DCs died just after birth, before they had the chance to christen them. So the official line is they go to heaven anyway. They shouldn't be peddling this stuff.

yanbu. I would be furious if my dd was taught this in a non-faith school. It clearly bothered your daughter, so I'd have a word with the teacher.

Complain to the school. Might stop them coming in to the next year group. Mostly, visiting speakers now are aware of how to present their views and would put them forward as beliefs rather than facts. (Eg "we believe suchandsuch"). I bet at the visit to the temple no-one tried to convert them! Best case scenario is that teacher arranging it didn't know what they would be saying. But of course you can complain.