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/

er, many UK schools already have this ?

"In England and Wales, the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 states that all pupils in state schools must take part in a daily act of collective worship, unless their parents request that they be excused from attending."

People in Northern Ireland are fighting for the right to not have to pray in schools.

@Overthelid

I would be absolutely thrilled if this happened in the UK. I think children and teens should be more able to explore faith and God in schools for themselves rather than a spoon fed version through RE (or not if they don’t want to this isn’t mandatory. I also think it is great for everyone to be able to get a few moments silence. Also even for the non religious normally in times of adversity people turn to prayer. I honestly can’t see a downside and don’t see why this outlet should be prevented for kids who want to pray.

Why should it be schools responsibility to indoctrinate kids into religion?

@wed8pril how is allowing students to pray or silently reflect indoctrination?

My workplace encourages people to take 5 minutes out for mindfulness meditation ; it's meant to reduce stress and also increase productivity.

Not a bad idea to introduce children to a similar concept.

No.

A LAW?

Let schools manage this stuff according to policy and the way the head and teachers work with the kids.

How much further must professionals in education be micromanaged by government?

Schools are already meant to be doing Christian worship but most don’t ( www.tes.com/news/schools-may-be-investigated-over-daily-collective-worship-duty ). I think this would be great and I really don’t get what would be such a big deal about allowing students a chance to pray .

I don’t see the issue with this personally but I do understand people will have objections but they are free to silently reflect- if students want to pray then why not?

I think that 2 mins of stillness each day might be nice. So many kids nowadays don't get a chance to be still and reflect on their thoughts due to the constant bombardment of tech or chaos at home or other siblings forever disturbing them.

[quote 5678bysteps]@wed8pril how is allowing students to pray or silently reflect indoctrination?[/quote]
Encouraging students to explore god seems like it is.

No I think religion should be kept to private time not in education. There is enough to get through in a school day as it is.

I don't agree with religious schools either.

But its not. It's not telling them what to believe. Its giving them the opportunity to search for something to believe in.

Sorry that was a response to @wed8pril

You could argue that its indoctrination that children from not religious backgrounds have no opportunity to explore faith. Not believing in something just because your family dont believe in anything and there is no opportunity to look outwith that is commonplace.

@Umberellatheweatha

But its not. It's not telling them what to believe. Its giving them the opportunity to search for something to believe in.

Why do they need something to believe in? And how will two minutes of Silence help them find it? Unless, as I suspect, this is only the first step in governor Desantis's plan.

Not sure how you can indoctrinate someone by doing nothing.

No ones saying they do. But what's the harm if they do? What are you so afraid of? How is two minutes of soul searching each day going to harm anyone?

On the face of it, I don’t like the thought of it becoming law - feels a bit big brother / North Korea.

I would be in support, however, of a teacher caring about the mental health of their students and taking 5 minutes out of the day for everyone to sit quietly and maybe think or something they did well today and something they struggled with - or something along those lines. Maybe with the option to share for those who want to.

@Umberellatheweatha

No ones saying they do. But what's the harm if they do? What are you so afraid of? How is two minutes of soul searching each day going to harm anyone?

I'm afraid that this being mandated by law is the religious right trying to get into schools in America.

I get that but even if it is how is 2 minutes a day gonna be of use to them? And we had full on christian assemblies right the way through our first 7 years in school. Twice a week I think. Half an hour a piece. I'm spiritual but not religious. Most people took it with a pinch of salt.

I guess in america maybe theres more extremist views/ppl that probably should be around kids. But here in the uk most people are pretty chill, irregardless of the religion.

*probably should not be

I think the Florida law is very insidious in what it's trying to achieve and should not be emulated or aspired to.

Despite the fact teachers can't dictate what students do with that time, De Santis has been very vocal about the fact he's doing this to keep his Christian God in schools along with all that entails.

I would like it if we did this in the UK