AIBU to be a bit miffed that DS's (non-church) school does prayers at morning assembly.

[TheSweetLittleBunny]

Christian prayers. We are atheists. I chose a non-church school so why do they pray at assembly? I have no problem learning about religion, ALL religions my problem is that he is being taught Christian worship. I don't want to exercise my right to pull him out of assemblies, because that would mean that he misses all the other stuff that they do in assembly.

[TheSweetLittleBunny]

That reads wrong. My problem is that he is practising Christian worship, as opposed to being taught about Christianity in a general sense in addition to all other religions.

[cornsilk]

All schools are required to have a daily act of worship.

[TheSweetLittleBunny]

Really? I didn't know that. But what about people from non-religious/Christian families what do they do?

[stillstanding]

Really, cornsilk, I didn't know that. Seems extraordinary to me.

[TheSweetLittleBunny]

And why worship - worship of what exactly - why not a celebration that can include everyone?

[Northernlurker]

Well if you don't believe in God then what harm can the prayers do? He's participating in a group activity - doesn't mean he will do it lifelong. I'm sure he also sits on the carpet and plays tig - he won't be doing that lifelong.

[cornsilk]

Your child can be excluded from this - in my last (non - religious) school the Head would remind the chn who did not take part to leave the hall before he said the school prayer. It wasn't a big deal and they didn't miss anything else.

[Hassled]

From Teachernet:

All maintained schools must provide daily collective worship for all registered pupils (apart from those who have been withdrawn from this by their parents). This is may be provided within daily assembly but the distinction should be made clear.

The head teacher is responsible for arranging the daily collective worship after consulting with the governing body. Daily collective worship must be wholly or mainly of a broadly Christian character. The precise nature will depend on the family background, ages and abilities of the pupils. It is acceptable for schools to split the collective worship sessions over the school year to be 51% Christian and 49% other faiths or interests.

[TheSweetLittleBunny]

You're right northernlurker - when I am being rational about it I think exactly that - but when I am feeling that my right for my son NOT to have a particular religion forced on him I feel so I just feel it is wrong. I am trying to be rational about it, but it's hard.

[TWINSETinapeartree]

I was going to post the same as cornsilk and I think from memory it is supposed to reflect that we live in a country that is in the majority Christian. (not saying I agree just stating the law) In fact schools often start doing this when they think they are due for an oftsed so they can get the God box ticked
I can remember spending one of my teaching pratice blocks in a school where every child bar one was a muslim listening to them saying the lords prayer and singing colours of Day. Bonkers,.

[cornsilk]

It is your right to 'not have religion forced on him.' Chn don't have to take part in the daily act of worship.

[TheSweetLittleBunny]

That's interesting Hassled - so maybe I will find out from the Head whether they will do this split or not. If they do, then I will feel a lot better about it. This is a good school, carefully chosen amidst much angst last year.

[Donk]

What is more, all state school are required to have a daily act of worship of a mainly Christian nature unless they have an exemption because of the ethnic/religious background of the students.

It is because we have an established Church of which the Head is also our Head of State - i.e. a state religion!

So at least it is a logical consequence of sorts.

I can see that it would rankle if you were an atheist.

The solution is disestablishment of the Church of England!

[stillstanding]

How amazing, Hassled - I never knew that and always that non-faith schools would be secular. I wonder why that is required?

SweetLittleBunny, I really wouldn't worry about this. I can't imagine that your DS is too focused on what is going on and that it will do him any lasting damage to have a bit of quiet time in the morning. I would think twice about having him withdrawn tbh as it would single him out imo unnecessarily.

[Donk]

Too slow again!

[TheSweetLittleBunny]

I don't want him to be the child who has to leave assembly - there is a child in DS's class who had to wear headphones/leave the room whenever class had discussion about Christmas even non religious discussion.

[stillstanding]

Ah others have already answered my query re background - wow. Learn something new every day!

[TheSweetLittleBunny]

It's just that he keeps going on and on about God and the baby Jesus since Christmas time and it makes me quite cross because I think it's all so confusing for him - being so impressionable - what school says it the truth as far as he is concerned. I jsut say to him that "some people believe A but other people believe B, C, etc - lots of people believe different things"

[stillstanding]

Sounds like you have the perfect balance, SLB

[TheSweetLittleBunny]

Thanks stillstanding - I must say I feel a lot calmer about it now. DS knows it makes me cross. He did assembly for the first time today and was very cagey about it, then an hour after we got home he said "Actually mummy there's something we did in assembly that I know you won't like very much".
I told him there is nothing wrong with it, just that it is different from what we believe and from what lots of people outside the school believe.

[MrsSeanBean]

SLB - Christmas is all about baby Jesus so it's not surprising. If you feel strongly you would have to withdraw him; if not I don't feel any harm is done.

[MrsSeanBean]

Also SLB, I know your ds is still young and impressionable, but would you be bothered if he wanted to be religious when he was older and could decide for himself? Seems a bit unfair to foist atheism on him. Just let him make up his own mind.

[TheSweetLittleBunny]

I disagree the festive season is not all about the baby jesus etc - the word Christmas obviously is the birth of a Christ. But the season is and always was generally associated with other things to do with the end of the year, the winter solstice, etc etc

[TheSweetLittleBunny]

He is not old enough to make a choice yet, he is just 5 years old. The neutral position would be to let him have a general religious education about the major world religions which I am happy with, without practicing a particular religion which I am not happy with. I am not foisting atheism on him, I am simply trying to hold on to what is current belief systen in our household which I am entitled to do. When he is old enough to make a choice I will accept his choice. Rather in the same way that we were a totally vegetarian household, I would be opposed to him eating meat.

[MrsSeanBean]

Of course SLB, I respect that.