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Original poster

Should I be worried about my 6 year old coming home with this?

80 replies

Nebula360 · 01/04/2025 17:52

He wrote it on the back of an r.e. worksheet.

I just asked him why and he said “because I don’t think there is a god!”

I’m just worried what his teachers would say if they saw it!

Should I be worried about my 6 year old coming home with this?
OP posts:
Depressedbarbie · 01/04/2025 18:23

Year 2 teacher here - not a problem in the slightest!! He should be able to express that in school - it's very much taught as 'this is what some people believe and thjs what other people believe'. That's in a c of e school. If i saw it as a teacher I'd probably just remind him that we shouldn't be writing on the backs of our worksheets, that he'd be fine to say that's what he believes, and that he needs to remember to show respect when other people explain they do believe there is a God. No biggie.

Astrak · 01/04/2025 18:23

A child/young person is entitled to their own opinion. If he's questioned by a teacher, as long as he is polite and respectful, I think that's fine.

Bruisername · 01/04/2025 18:21

Why would it upset other people if he said he doesn’t believe in god?

have you brought him up in a religion?

I was brought up with no religion - not there is no god but more ‘some people believe this and some that’ if asking a question. I was never told I could share my belief/non-belief

QuickPeachPoet · 01/04/2025 18:18

Nebula360 · 01/04/2025 18:03

I just said to him it’s fine if he feels that way, but not to say it around other people, as it might upset them.

This is a good answer. Or unless as part of a debate.
He should not be writing anything on a worksheet other than answers to the questions on it. And that goes for all subjects.

FoxRedPuppy · 01/04/2025 18:17

I was an RE teacher for 15 years and I’m an atheist! Wouldn’t bother me in slightest and I’m not sure why you think it is so shocking.

GRex · 01/04/2025 18:16

Nebula360 · 01/04/2025 18:12

It’s definitely his writing and he always does the g backwards

Children who write neatly and can spell all those words at this age... do not. You've got to get a real kid to write this stuff for you, that's the only way it'll fly under the radar.

Acommonreader · 01/04/2025 18:15

Nebula360 · 01/04/2025 18:05

I was just a bit shocked that a 6 year old would write this. But he’s always had a very enquiring, scientific and factual mind.

It’s totally fine. I’d be pleased with the handwriting and the potential for independent thought ( if it is his own thoughts).
However I’d be very concerned about any teacher who had a problem with this!
Chat with him about it .

Cotswoldmama · 01/04/2025 18:14

It wouldn't worry me at all but I'm atheist. My son at a similar age said 'god is just an unevolved Godzilla' (obsessed with pokemon at the time!)

BallerinaRadio · 01/04/2025 18:13

That's a very definitive opinion for a young mind still forming his views on the world

Original poster
Nebula360 · 01/04/2025 18:12

It’s definitely his writing and he always does the g backwards

OP posts:
LizzieSiddal · 01/04/2025 18:11

My DDs went to a church school and DD2 was adamant there was no such thing as God at 6. They were allowed to state this in class and discussion was actively encouraged.
Unless you want to indoctrinate your child then of course he’s allowed to write what he has. And “respecting” someone’s religion does not mean agreeing with them about it!

GRex · 01/04/2025 18:09

His letter formation and sizing is really great, but the reversed g is a problem. Does he always reverse the g? I would talk to the teacher about that. I'm also surprised with such good letter formation that he hasn't done any cursive, even "he". It seems a bit odd to me. Even year 1 have done the "he" by this stage.

On balance, I'm going with "not written by 6yo" and reporting accordingly. Not that it's even an interesting one. What's the point?

moveoveralice · 01/04/2025 18:07

I would be impressed with his critical thinking.

I might suggest to keep it to themselves when in school though.

Would not bother me in the slightest.

Mnetcurious · 01/04/2025 18:07

His prerogative if he wants to hold that opinion, the teacher couldn’t tell him off for his belief. However, it is offensive/disrespectful of other religions to write that message on something symbolic of that religion (whichever religion it may be) as he appears to have done here and you should gently point that out to him.

TimeForABreak4 · 01/04/2025 18:06

This wouldn't bother me at all, he's correct, there is no God. He should be allowed to express how he feels.

meganorks · 01/04/2025 18:06

I'm with the boy. I doubt the teachers would care.

ComtesseDeSpair · 01/04/2025 18:05

Nebula360 · 01/04/2025 18:03

I just said to him it’s fine if he feels that way, but not to say it around other people, as it might upset them.

It’s completely fine, even at school, for him to say that he doesn’t believe in god. It’s only not fine for him to tell other people their beliefs are wrong or that they’re stupid for believing in god.

Original poster
Nebula360 · 01/04/2025 18:05

I was just a bit shocked that a 6 year old would write this. But he’s always had a very enquiring, scientific and factual mind.

OP posts:
ShortyShorts · 01/04/2025 18:05

What he wrote was fine but it'd be really interesting to know why he decided to write it.

Was it because he felt it was 'naughty'?

Bit random otherwise even in an RE lesson.

Hoggyhoghog · 01/04/2025 18:05

I agree with him. No problem if it was my child.

Cabbagefamily · 01/04/2025 18:04

It’s fine. No need to worry.

ComtesseDeSpair · 01/04/2025 18:04

Unless he’s at a faith school where religious education is supposed to be about learning and practicing that faith itself, RE is mostly about exploring different religions and beliefs, including the beliefs that some people hold that there isn’t a god, or they aren’t sure if there’s a god. His teacher isn’t likely to have thought anything in particular.

hollyjolly12 · 01/04/2025 18:03

Why would you be bothered what his teachers think? My children attend a C of E school (all the primaries in the area are) but we are not religious. They talk about different religions not just Christianity, however I do say to them that not everyone believes in Jesus/God etc.. and that it's a personal choice. They know they can make up their own mind about what to believe. Have conversations about it with him and keep it open for discussion.

Jabberwok · 01/04/2025 18:03

So your son thinks for himself. Who gives a stuff what the teacher thinks, he doesn't have to believe in god. I personally do, but your lad has the right not to.

A good teacher could use it as the basis of a discussion

Original poster
Nebula360 · 01/04/2025 18:03

I just said to him it’s fine if he feels that way, but not to say it around other people, as it might upset them.

OP posts: