Mumsnet Talk

"Catholic schools are reknown for it, so why would it be odd to choose a school based on that. It is one of the core values that matter to me: love, friendly, discipline, manners, good academically etc etc etc."

But surely it takes a special type of disingenuity to then have a problem with the religious teachings of the religious school you specifically chose for your children's education...

I just dont see that good discipline =rc, even if rc= is taken to mean good discipline

I too, love the discipline at ds's school. Catholic schools are reknown for it, so why would it be odd to choose a school based on that. It is one of the core values that matter to me: love, friendly, discipline, manners, good academically etc etc etc.

That was my point. If you don't want the rc faith to have priority, why choose a school that makes it priority?

I am also still waiting to hear what job OP does and why she hasn't approached the RE teacher direct to get the teachers version of events.
It doesn't matter what the topic, be it purgatory, drugs, abortions or anything else, you don't want your child scared witless.

Obviously it's Catholicism first, it's a Roman Catholic school!

I think there is z big difference between learning about faiths and beliefs other than those from home. But in my contact with two catholic schools, that is most certainly not what happens there.

It is rc faith first. Which as a non catholic does not suit me at all. I'm sure it's fine for people who want a Catholic education for their child. I find it bewildering that people choose rc schools for discipline etc

The Old Testament isn't really a 'thing' in Catholicism. We were taught that the New Testament kind of superseded it.

Yep evolution is taught in Catholic schools. The Old Testament isn't really a 'thing' in Catholicism.

440 shock horror you can learn things in school that go against what you are exposed to at home.
It's very easy to make sense of some RC rules and then be told differently. I went to catholic schools, was raised catholic, still am catholic but still at a very young age manage to grasp that my family didn't agree with some views of the catholic church.
It requires actually talking to DCs out of school. But it isn't hard.
There are lots of Catholics who have no problem with contraception (i imagine not what they were taught) what all those 2 children catholic families only had sex twice (?) it's something like 60% of usa married Catholics

(also what evolution? it happened that's the party line. there is something about god creating souls and him starting it all off. But there is no conflict between genesis and science. RCC are a lot of things but we aren't literalists)

We aren't robots. you can be exposed to catholic teaching and then a alternative view and make your own mind up.

I grew up in a Catholic household and attended convent schools and I actually really enjoyed religion class as a time for debate. It wasn't a matter of 'sit there and absorb this doctrine', or if it was I didn't notice as I was too busy disagreeing with many issues.

For what its worth, the catholic teaching on homosexuality is that being homosexual isn't wrong - practising it (i.e. committing the sin of sodom) is what is wrong. Whilst this is the official line there are some significant pieces of discursive work undertaken by catholic theologians that posit the view that the interpretation of the bible on this point is incorrect as seen through a prejudiced eye. The central point being (and I paraphrase massively) that the sin of sodom is rape - not homosexual sex. Whilst this has not changed the party line on the issue, it is a matter of debate and as such I have faith that the catholic church will change its position on it (although that will probably not happen in my lifetime - the catholic church taking 100 years longer to accept things than the rest of society!)

Are people seriously suggesting withdrawing children attending a Catholic school, from RE lessons...?

It would be downright weird and the DCs would wonder why they couldn't be in class with everyone else. I don't see how it would work practically even if it is legal. Where would the children go? Would they just play with lego in the corner?

The OP hasn't been back....

But this is the point; me too, 44So - which is why I'd never choose a Catholic education for my kids to start with.

To choose one, and then withdraw your child from the integral part of that education - RE - just seems a bit mind-boggly to me. You really have to withdraw them from the school entirely.

Surely this is something to take very seriously.
Even at primary, they are going to be influenced by teachings about roles of men and women, premarital sex, evolution, contraception, even terminations of pregnancy I guess. How are they going to make sense of catholic views on homosexuality if you believe differently? Roman Catholics still don't like that right?

I think I would be very uncomfortable with a clash of beliefs like this and think it will become increasingly difficult.

Are people seriously suggesting withdrawing children attending a Catholic school, from RE lessons...?

NickECave

My experience too.

Although I believe the NC means they hve to learn about one other faith.

The school may not like you withdrawing your child from RE but it is your legal right

School Standards and Framework Act 1988

1)If the parent of a pupil at a community, foundation or voluntary school requests that he may be wholly or partly excused—
(a)from receiving religious education given in the school in accordance with the school’s basic curriculum,
(b)from attendance at religious worship in the school, or
(c)both from receiving such education and from such attendance,
the pupil shall be so excused until the request is withdrawn.

In a Roman Catholic school the religion isn't only taught in RE lessons. It is in every aspect of their schooling. Registrations, assemblies, normal classes. But the condition of going to a Roman Catholic school is you follow their faith, so I would be surprised if they allowed pulling out of religious teaching, not to mention how much time in a day it would be.

NickECave, that is certainly not my experience of Catholic schools.

My children have been taught what Catholics believe, but are also taught what other people believe. They are taught very strongly that they should respect other peoples beliefs.

You can indeed withdraw your child from RE lessons in a Catholic school. I have received a letter home informing me of this, but also telling me it would make the head teacher sad. (Which made me - he was a not very good, IMO, acting head)

And I don't think the OP is really bothered what the priest thinks.

Honestly why would you send your child to a Catholic school without understanding what Catholics believe and what they will teach your child as god-given fact! I had a Catholic upbringing and Catholic education and there is no way I would let my child near a Catholic school given that both me and my husband are atheists. Catholics, like any other religious group believe that their view of the world is the only possible true view, handed down by the word of God and they are not going to teach your child that it is only one of many possible and equally valid ways of viewing the world.

I find it hilarious, as someone who was brought up a catholic and went to a catholic primary school, when all these posters say, why don't you withdraw your child from RE. I don't think that would go down very well with the local priest

Seriously, though, OP, if you feel that there is an important clash between your and your DH's world view, and the one that's being taught at the school, then yes, move them. Or you could talk to them at home and explain that religion is what some people believe and it's up to each individual to decide what they believe themselves.

socharlotte, you can't withdraw from RE lessons in a Faith school. RE in a catholic school has the same weighting as science in curriculum time, it is a core subject and even has its own OFSTED inspection.
If you move your children, it should have no impact on your job at all, OP.

squoosh and wiggles I was always told it was like going into a sauna and then a steam room and then back again for a long time then having to get on a bus to go to the pool with the slides. Don't think the nun realised we were a bunch of working class kids who had no clue what a sauna or steam room felt like. Now I'm rather looking forward to it - could do with going to a spa.

Purgatory use to be actual fires that as mortal men we could not imagine but that went out years ago - they are more cleansing in a less like hell sort of way now.

I'm sorry your DC was upset but it is a catholic school you are going to get catholic doctrine. what other scary stories? He's 8. I was terrified of St Pete and Saint Joseph when I was that age. For some reason, I have no idea why (I was also scared of rabbits). they are not very scary at all. But at the time...
Could you explain that sometimes stories are just stories? or that the 'stories' might have a different meaning to some people.

It does seem a bit of a leap to take them out of school especially as you can legally withdraw them from RE classes. You may get some looks if you send them to a faith school and take them out of the faith bits. Especially as they wont just do RC but other religions as well. Would you with draw them from those as well?
But it is your choice. They cant sack you for it and if asked you could always make up a story.
It does seem a bit extreme though

I don't think you can withdraw from RE in a Catholic school. Their philosophy is "take it all or leave it".