Arg! Primary school is a minefield. Another one...

[Rosieeo]

DD came home today and told me that her teacher makes them say grace before they eat. DD has no idea what it's all about; she thinks she's saying thank you to the person who gave her lunch, i.e. me!

The school has no religious affiliation although the prospectus alludes to 'collective daily worship'. I appreciate that schools are somewhat obliged to provide some kind of 'spiritual' stuff. I just expected it to be Harvest Festival or a few hymns in assembly.

Obviously I have no problem with religious education, as long as it is 'education' (some people believe this, others believe that) and not religion presented as fact.

I went to a CofE primary school and even they didn't make us say grace! AIBU to be vaguely annoyed/disturbed and to possibly have a quick word with the teacher?

Any thoughts? Sorry if this has been done to death by the way, DD is my eldest and this is unexplored territory.

I am pleased if children are taught to be grateful. To farmers, for example, or to those who work on the land, and to the people who cooked for them. You know, people who actually exist.

Flyingintheclouds .... Home eduaction?

Don't get this, Britain has an established Christian church, very tolerant of other religions, grace is fantastic way of telling children they need to appreciate what they've got. Of course they're not going to pray to God and Allah alternately. Why would they? It's a "Christian" country just because not everyone in it is Christian doesn't change that. All this moaning. Not enough secularity around for your kid to pick up on? My arse. Secularity is everywhere, you can stuff it down her throat (to use someone else's delightful phrase), other religions are part of the curriculum and part of life and friendships and work partnerships how can you possibly object to saying grace? How boringly intolerant.

As somone who has paid the same taxes as everyone else, the OP has every right to ensure that freaky and unpleasant superstitions play no larger a part in their child's life than the (stupid) law demands.

Why is it intolerant? OP is not objecting to other children saying grace, just that her daughter has been told to do it despite not understanding it.

Appletrees .... how well put and I couldn't agree more.

OK, Appletrees, you are happy for your child to take part in satanist or scientology rituals?

dd told me they say a prayer to jesus christ sometimes. i just said why do you do that? she said it's to say thank you for a lovely day. so i said well that's nice isn't it.

she knows there are lots of religions etc etc. and i told her that her school is a christian school so she will learn about jesus there. our family is made up of muslims, catholics and protestants as well as atheists. school is just one bit of her life, one influence. all fine by me.

The problem is that superstitious people have absolutely no idea how disgusting and repellent their ideas are to other people.

I'm boringly intolerant? Surely it is intolerant to assume that everyone is Christian? My personal opinion is that religion has no place in a state education. There are religious schools left right and centre but not a single one where they just don't do it. That is intolerant.

"primary school is a minefield! arrgh"

oh my good God it's only grace, what an overreaction

she's four, five? she understands thankyou doesn't she? if the mum's so troubled by her lack of understanding why doesn't she put her straight instead of having seven fits and coming on here for smelling salts? blimey some people don't have enough to think about

"freaky and unpleasant superstitions"

at least that childish little phrase means I don't have to bother reading your posts any more

yy boringly intolerant

i don't understand your definition of intolerant at all because it makes no sense

despite the bold

You don't understand? What a surprise!

'Arg! Primary school is a minefield. Another one...'
The 'another one' bit is important. I read it as 'I keep posting on here' basically.

snort

course it's not a surprise, because it's rubbish

To the OP, complain, and tell your daughter this is a stupid thing, gods don't exist and she doesn't have to join in. She can think about anything she likes at the time while you sort it out.

coldcomfort ... my son attends a christian school and has visited a mosque and a synagogue in the last year. I feel happy that he is gaining an understanding of the holistic world and can decide for himself as he grows. Far better that than having ideas that it's all rubbish enforced on him. Isn't that worse ? I don't believe, so neither shall you ? It's called education, and like it or not religion plays a huge part in todays society ( regardless of the belief ).

It is intolerant to refuse to allow other people to opt out of religious ceremonies, traditions etc, or to deny their right to do so.

But you don't understand it, do you Appletrees. Bless.

coldcomfort last resort is always abuse

you reached it pretty quickly

YABU

what coldcomfortfarm said

appletrees this is no longer a christian country

religion should not be foisted on anyone. especially when they are young and naive enough to maybe accept some of it.

sorry that was supposed to be YANBU! i would have a word with the teacher

but the OP didn't send her child to a religious school, i think it's fair enough for her not to be taught to chant words that she doesn't understand and her parents disagree with. esp as just taking out 'the lord' and saying 'we are thankful' is the same sentiment and perfectly charming as a life lesson.