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

@StopStartStop I don't know how you have followed religion for so long and not come to the conclusion that it's not for financial gain?

Religion is all about power, financial gain and control of women.

Parents who buy into santa are certainly not getting any financial gain? And they would buy presents at Xmas anyway with or without him it just adds some magic.

A magic fairy in the sky
..

If there was a school trip to a mosque and you had a DD, would you be adamant they didn't cover their hair?

No need to complain or go to the governors. Total overreaction. Just ask the teacher and if it is the case that she is insisting everyone says it ask her to double check because you don’t believe it is the case that anyone has to say it. That way you get your message across without aggression. Im sure that if she did say it, it’s because she is trying to do the right thing. We are all human after all.

Perhaps. The synagogue objectors were Muslims.

@zebraztripes maybe it depends on the area? Our muslim children (and their parents) had no objections to trips to churches (every Christmas and as part of the curriculum), synagogue, temple etc.
The only trips they skip (from other religions too) regularly are overnight residentials.

The mosque objectors were either atheists or Christians.

Hmm.

I don't like the lies people tell their children about Santa and would not comply with a requirement to pretend I believed. 'Santa' isn't part of any religion. There is no 'Santa' in the Bible, for example. When I had a small child we discussed this and still 'played the Santa game' before going to midnight mass and to morning prayer before presents. It was fine.

I began life in a mainly believing family, grew up as a believer, developed a deep and lasting interest in religions and belief systems, studied them at school, at home, at university, and taught religious education for over twenty years.

I don't think Santa and religous beliefs are comparable. One is a device for financial gain, the other is rooted in a sincere desire to live responsibly and take into account the experiences which suggest to believers that there is a greater being than themselves.

eta: My dd is 42. My dgd is 13. I still look at the Norad Santa Tracker. 😂

Yes, respect should go both ways. My child recently went on a school trip to a synagogue to mark Holocaust Memorial Day. The only two children in the class who didn't attend were Muslims. I guess a visit to a synagogue was a step too far...

I don't think so

I wouldn't expect dc to be taught to do the sign of the cross at school as a ritual either

It's for each religion to keep those rituals and dc just to learn more broadly

This thread reminds me of the "He/she can learn about Islam, but a visit to a mosque is a step too far.." parents.

I haven’t met any adults who believe in Santa for their kids

they pretend to

it’s not quite the same thing …..

@StopStartStop would you be equally mindful of those who believe in santa for their kids and if not would you be concerned certain religions don't follow santa isn't that equally disrespectful?

Or do we say, they don't follow it and we don't care

don't object to PBUH except that I might forget to say it and thus offend people.

Why would anyone be offended at you not saying it? If they were, they'd be in the wrong and very intolerant.

Raised Christian, former RE teacher, don't object to PBUH except that I might forget to say it and thus offend people.

Same. Although we seem to be losing the edges of that.

@Chunkychips23 unfortunately there have been such violent reactions to perceived insults to the prophet that people are afraid of saying something wrong and triggering a fatwah.

That's not right so maybe steps need to be taken by the powers that be eg the Muslim councils of Great Britain to allow a discussion, any discussion to be able to take place around Islam.

I was quoting someone who was in the post you replied to- and in general it has been flung around on the thread quite a bit.

Yes we are very fortunate and want it to stay this way

And wasn’t there then an investigation

it shouldn’t have got that I agree

but it’s not the same as living in a country where people fear the morality police for good reason

we do not live like this which is something I truly appreciate

Yes that's what I tend to think

I think the OP should approach the school, perhaps thinking their child has misunderstood.

I am all for schools making people aware of different religious festivals, and object to those who want public bodies to never mention Christmas, but do not want children saying what for many will be empty words.

SerendipityJane, so funny, thanks. I think all religions need to laugh at themselves and not take themselves too seriously. I assume we don't make muslim children in secular schools make the sign of the cross so I don't see why we have to make the 94% of non people in the Uk who are not muslim wish peace on something that does not exist - it is like saying - Thou must lie.

I would 100% not agree with my child doing this.

Are children of the Muslim faith asked to do things which a Christian or Catholic would do?

That's what Harry Miller thought. Until he had a knock from the police "checking his thinking". And then noting his name on a list.

Exactly!!!!! The children should be taught about all religions and decide for themselves and that is the whole point! Many are missing it.

I am aware of arguments on SM but I can still voice my opinion without the morality police arresting me

this discussion couldn’t even happen in some countries