School is asking children to say ‘peace be upon him’ anytime Mohammed is mentioned

I don’t think anyone has a belief system centred around the times tables.

There’s a big difference between rote learning and being forced into expressing something that fits with someone’s beliefs that you don’t share.

Definitely inappropriate. This is the Uk, let’s not pander any more to Muslim minority

..like so many things in school, then. Times tables??

Times tables are factual. It's maybe not the best comparison.

..like so many things in school, then. Times tables??

Absolutely nothing, if someone wants to wish someone peace.

It’s being forced / told to say it that’s the problem

Agree with this

I cant see why on earth that would be a problem! what is wrong with wishing peace?

Apart from anything else I'd feel really silly wishing peace upon a long-dead historical figure that I don't have any personal connection to.

The bigger issue is it's not like making Diwali decorations, it's not just learning about another culture and religion and joining in a bit with an important festival. It's an utterance of belief, and that should be left to the believers.

I'm wondering what makes this particularly a problem?

I've had a hard time on mumsnet before for expressing that my children learn about other religions but because of religious beliefs do not celebrate Xmas or take part in worship at school. Do you have a problem with the children making and lighting candle holder for Diwali for example, or singing a hymn in assembly if you're atheist?
Is it just THIS particular act of of Islamic reverence that is a problem?

What about religions that avoid saying the name of God? Should a RE teacher avoid using that word and make sure all the students did too?

What about children who are atheists - should they be encouraged to venerate religious leaders?

Or children who take their own religion seriously? Christians, Buddhists, Hindus, etc?

I'd argue that this mouthing of veneration actually teaches nothing of the spirit of the words, which is after all, the important element. If I were a Muslim I'd be cross about this bone headed exercise.

Exactly. Not sure why so many posters are equating uttering religious formulas and making the sign of the cross with respect or learning about a religion. Respect is not mocking beliefs, refraining from saying things likely to be unnecessarily offensive, falling in with rules when visiting religious sites - or not visiting them. It is absolutely not, for a non-believer, enacting religious practice, which the examples given in this thread are.

My OH is catholic and crosses himself in Catholic churches. I don’t, because the gesture is meaningless to me and I’m not going to pretend to others I’m something I’m not. I do behave respectfully, however.

In the same vein, would you all protest, withdraw your kids from RE , from the school, complain to Ofsted etc. , after your kid came home and did some mandala/rangoli patterns? Or role played a sikh/buddist/hindu ceremony or ritual? Or mixed some sugar water? Or was chosen as Mary/Joseph/angel in the nativity and you're an atheist?

Wind em up and watch em go eh OP?

Some religions avoid using the name of God - is this to happen in the classroom too?

What is expected of the students when other religions are mentioned? The sign of the Cross? Bowing heads?

Sounds as if the teacher hasn't thought this one all the way through.

I imagine it's their personal choice to both perform that ritual and to enter an Anglican church. If it's a choice freely made by them then it's no one else's business.

If they were to insist that other people, who may not share their belief in what constitutes respectful behaviour, did it then it would be a different matter.

Freedom of religion and belief is freedom to believe or not to believe. I would never disrupt anyone else's religious practice but I don't feel it's disrespectful if I don't join in.

Would it be respectful towards atheists, to make everyone religious say "Gods dont exist"? Being respectful doesn't equal forced speech, being respectful means allowing others to believe what they wish without harassment, and that goes in all directions.

@vi0letfemme what form does this forcing take?

What did the teacher actually say?

Is there a consequence for not saying pbuh? Do they get told off? Their answer ignored until they say it properly? Miss play time?

A thoughtful and considered response.

It is not appropriate. Just like it wouldn’t be appropriate to make kids say amen or similar if not a religious school.
RE should be about teaching what people believe and how they worship etc. you should not have to participate in any aspect of any persons religion. If a kid in the class wants to say it then that’s absolutely fine imo.

Totally agree

How is it disrespectful to show respect? Losing the will to live here. I have Buddhist friends do from other countries who out their hands together and pray in an Anglican Church a s a sign of respect that they acknowledge Christian’s’ belief. I taught RE thirty years ago and pbuh was standard. nothing new here.

Maybe at some schools but we absolutely didn't learn this at my school. The GCSE was very new at my school too (we were the first year able to take RE at GCSE). Plus I remember doing a lot more about the moral than the religious side. It is possible for the curriculum to change.

I was just having visions of what RE class would look like if every time any religion was mentioned they acted briefly like a devout observer.

Edit - sorry no idea how I quoted the wrong post! Was replying to pp talking about pupils crossing themselves.

Not quite the same, I know, but quite often when I go into a dark room and switch on the light, I say (to myself),

"Let there be light, and there was light."

and, I have to admit that inside, I feel quite pleased with myself. 🤫