Do you think we should have this in the UK

[Bzzbzzbzzah]

In Florida they have just signed a law getting schools to have signed a bill getting schools to have 1-2 minutes per day for prayer/ silent reflection if not religious. Would you support us doing this in the uk?

ktla.com/news/nationworld/florida-gov-signs-bill-requiring-moment-of-silence-for-prayer-meditation-at-public-schools/

I'm an atheist, but I do think the practice of silent reflection is a skill that needs to be developed, and that could be better supported at school.

@Umberellatheweatha

I actually think it's a nice thing to do. What's the harm in taking a few minutes to chill and centre yourself every day? Think it's a good practice to get people into whilst young tbh.

I have never chilled or centred myself in my life and I don’t understand why it’s good practice? I’ve managed perfectly well without it all my life.

Just because it works for you (and that’s great) does not mean it should be mandated for everyone.

@howshouldibehave

The only problem with that though is that many parents do not give their children the opportunity to consider things like that.

Of course you could argue what is never there, is not missed.

But I kinda think it's sad tbh. That so many kids grow up not even believing in possibilities. Because their parents believed in nothing. And they were never really given the idea that there was another possibility for them.

I think people can be indoctrinated into atheistism the same as they they can be into religion.

*atheism

No absolutely not

I'm surprised people don't realise that this is already UK law.

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collective_worship_in_schools

Do you not all remember 'put your hands together and close your eyes' in assembly or on the carpet before lunch?

I'm a humanist and don't agree with it at all but had to do it when I was a teacher.

I went to a school with several minutes silence every day, and much more once a week. Whether we used that item to pick scabs, pray, meditate or just be calm was up to us. (Mostly I just checked out which boy in the year above I fancied) At worst it was a waste of time that could have been used for rote learning. At best it gave us the opportunity to take a deep breath, gather our thoughts, be thankful for what we have and prepare ourselves to move on with the day. I really appreciate I went to a school which offered this every day. I would totally support my children having this opportunity. In the UK it's very unlikely to happen in a state school. (Much to most MNers relief it would seem)

Daily communal worship may be the current law, but I suspect it's mostly observed by it's non-observance.

@Umberellatheweatha - surely they have the whole of their adult lives to consider religion? If it is essential to deliver religion at a particular stage of childhood development for it to take, that in itself is worrying and a strong argument for keeping religion out of education.

100% no.

No. Utterly pointless. And I say this as a teacher and a person of faith.

Follow Florida? Is it April 1st?

@doginatent

You could also argue the opposite: that they have their whole life to become disillusioned with religion/spirituality. Why should believing in nothing be the starter preset?

I believe in the right to believe or not believe in whatever we see fit but children should be given the opportunity to choose their beliefs just as any adult can. And if they come from a background where faith is never mentioned you could argue that they are deprived of that right.

I dont believe any one religion should be pushed in schools but I do believe that kids should be always be encouraged to see theres a possibility of something greater than themselves. And if parents cant do that...

Yes good idea if it is truly free to spend a few moments for quiet reflection in today’s all too fast, busy and stressful world. Ensure it is inclusive and not necessarily just religious but also more universal such as meditation or yoga etc or anything that settles and relaxes the mind. Perhaps some background chill out music - “Hey Google please play some relaxing background soothing whale sounds…zzz!”

My child’s primary do the occasional desk yoga but perhaps they should take it up a notch!

In my earlier corporate rat race we used to be invited to numerous corporate entertainment and team bonding residential away days to do team building soft skills etc. On return to the office from one event we incorporated some open plan office group meditation we picked up every morning and I had to say it is more positive than catching up with colleagues in the staff restaurant lounge. The large well known global corporate also provided a posh client meeting suite for in chair massage therapist at subsidised rates which were one of the best perks! Still remember those days!

No definitely not.

I think they do it already, yes, I support it

Why? Schools here for the most part are secular. What is to be gained? In my opinion kids will just ignore and mess about.

I went to a very multi cultural secondaey school in the UK in mid 90s and we did a moment of silent reflection, I don't think anyone cared we looked at the floor bored.

No.

1-2 minutes per day for prayer/ silent reflection if not religious
This is an oxymoron. How can you pray if you’re not religious?

Definitely not.

@Kanitawa

1-2 minutes per day for prayer/ silent reflection if not religious This is an oxymoron. How can you pray if you’re not religious?

I took the liberty to take this concept to the next level and include a chill out mediation or desk yoga session preferably with some smooth relaxing destressing background ambient sounds! Child in school already do some desk yoga so more for reflection and relaxation than gospel.

Because reflection is not necessarily something religious. I reflect. I often reflect silently. This is not praying, or at all religions, it's simply silent reflection, otherwise known as thinking about things that have happened. It's almost the opportunity of prayer, which often involves the hope of things to come.

I accept that you can reflect if you’re not religious. But you certainly can’t pray. Who would you be praying to?

I think the slash means or, not and.

So non religious people are not praying, they're reflecting. Or just sitting there bored.

Personally I think sitting still and doing nothing is a skill most people don't have these days.

Definitely not.