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AIBU?

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Original poster

To feel a bit [hmm] about 'Christianity Day' at school

252 replies

nameforaday · 17/06/2011 13:07

Regular MNer, namechanging because this identifies my son's school.

He is in year 7. Now their end of year exams are over there are a lot of special projects, away days etc...One of the compulsory events is 'Christianity Day' which as far as I can work out is a whole day run by these people...groovy young evangelical Christians who are basically doing missionary outreach work in schools - their aim is to bring more young people to Jesus.

I don't think it is appropriate; it is one thing to teach children about different religions, but another to give over teaching time and premises for an evangelical group to peddle their wares for a whole day. They didn't even send home a letter saying what they day was going to be, and giving people a chance to withdraw.

Any advice on what to do? If if it was primary school I'd go and have a chat with the Head, but secondary school is so much more intimidating! I don't think it will harm my son, I just think its a bit off.

OP posts:
M0naLisa · 23/06/2011 14:22

what was the reply?

Ihavewelliesbuttheyrenotgreen · 23/06/2011 14:34

As a Christian I think their comment about dinosours/the age of the earth was concerning. But I'm not sure that they actually lied to the pupils, they said 'some people think..' not 'this is fact' as far as I can see. I don't think that evolution is neccessary important in evangelism, Jesus is more relevant imo

GrimmaTheNome · 23/06/2011 14:45

'some people say the world is 6,000 years old, some people think it is a lot older, it is controversy that science can never solve', 'did dinosaurs and humans live at the same time? There are good arguments on both sides'

These two statements are untrue - the first is not a controversy which science can never solve, and there is no good argument at all supporting co-existence of man and dinosaur.

The guy may have not lied deliberately, just been astoundingly ignorant, but that's really no excuse if you're taking up a day's education.

Lunabelly · 23/06/2011 17:28

I myself would simply not want a group who's ultimate aim is to recruit at my childrens' school.

Look, I'd happily abolish faith schools because they are divisive and misleading. Even the Amish let their children choose.

MollyMurphy · 23/06/2011 17:37

I'd say something (and make a stink all the way up the line myself) because if its not a Catholic School then I don't think its appropriate at all. Agree with you 100% its one thing to talk about different religions in an educational way and another thing entirely to recruit kids to one point of view. Its also very disrespectful to children of other relgions or atheists who attend the school. Its not the schools place - the parents can reinforce whatever religion they want at home.

MollyMurphy · 23/06/2011 17:44

wildkittydeer - would you feel that way if there was an Islamic Day, a Buddhism Day, a Hinduism Day, Judaism Day, Sikhism Day, Scientology Day, Secular Day....etc etc? If you would support all such diversity then I could be convinced but if not.....[biscut]

MollyMurphy · 23/06/2011 17:45

failed Biscuit Sad

Lunabelly · 23/06/2011 18:10

I'd be angry about any religion days if trying to recruit. But then since I came off the pills I have permanent PMS Angry

I'm nice two days a month.

Original poster
Nameforaday · 23/06/2011 22:19

So the Head of RE phoned me today and we had a most unsatisfying conversation.

She assured me that the photos on the website were all taken with consent, and those taken on the day did not leave the school. But on the other issues she completely missed the point and was completely defensive of the event.

On the dinosaurs and age of the earth statement she said "well there are scientist who believe that". wtf?

She also said "we have all kind of different speakers come in to talk about their beliefs. In year 9 we have a speaker about the holocaust who believes that it happened" Shock, [anger] "It did you dingbat" (I didn't say that, I was struck dumb..)

My faith in RE teaching has reached an all-time low.

Time of write to the Head I think.....

OP posts:
Lunabelly · 23/06/2011 22:28

Fook mi, is that RE teacher a Holocaust denier?

I rather think that I would not want someone like that anywhere near my child.
Good luck with Phase Two.

Original poster
Nameforaday · 23/06/2011 22:48

No I think just a wooly thinker/postmodernist who has spent too long gliding over the distinction between areas where there are legitimately different points of view, and areas where 'controversy is manufactured, that she has forgotten how to tell the difference herself.

The school is generally good.

OP posts:
Moobee · 23/06/2011 23:22

Yes, definitely time to write to the head and any governors. That's a terrible response.

GrimmaTheNome · 24/06/2011 08:08

Would it be appropriate to let the Head of Science know about the issues where they were spreading misinformation?

Original poster
Nameforaday · 24/06/2011 09:17

Grimma, nah I think that would be seen as 'stirring'...he Head is a science teacher through Smile

OP posts:
GrimmaTheNome · 24/06/2011 16:09

You're probably right Smile

MollyMurphy · 24/06/2011 18:43

That principal sounds like a twat. I would send a letter up the line. Say what? -where are the grey scale distinctions about whether the holocaust happened? I could not have let that go.

blackcurrants · 30/06/2011 00:08

Anything else happened, OP?

[nosey emoticon]

Lunabelly · 30/06/2011 06:48

Yes, any updates?

InLimboAgain · 30/06/2011 07:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

threefeethighandrising · 30/06/2011 07:36

I would be spitting bricks if they tried to make my DS endure that kind of nonsense!

You letter is very restrained IMO! I'd want to know who arranged it, a promise it would never happen again and a session arranged with the kids to talk about the groups more outrageous claims and explain what nutters they were the scientific, rational viewpoint.

I'd also be looking into whether the school's actions were legal (the British Humanist Society might ba able to advise on this) and I'd be threatening the groups with legal action if they didn't take the pictures off the website.

Angry on your behalf!

threefeethighandrising · 30/06/2011 07:42

Sorry just saw your most recent post.

I would write to the head and the governors.

threefeethighandrising · 30/06/2011 07:56

If it was me I'd be stronger in my lists of demands to make amends for this, at the very least so that think twice before arranging something like this again. Your letter is a bit too polite and could lead to you being fobbed off. If all you're asking for is for them to rethink the day in future, then they can fob you off with "yes OK, we'll think about it".

If I was writing again to them I'd first try to find some ammunition - a reason for them to listen to you. So, it would be good to include an explanation of how the school has fallen short of its duties, referencing relevant legislation / guidance.

I would also add any criticism I could find (by googling) of the specific project or groups like them.

Then I would make it clear what I wanted them to do, and it would include

  • a firm promise to never let an evangelical group run a session at your school again
  • a session run by someone with an science background to debunk the claptrap about healing etc
  • recognition that you are unhappy to have your child's photograph being given to a third party. The school need to clarify their policy on giving your children's pictures out to third parties and ask for this photo to be taken off the site
  • a written apology

HTH

Lunabelly · 04/07/2011 13:15

OP, have you kicked further buttocks?

Original poster
nameforaday · 10/07/2011 21:04

Thanks all for your advice and support on this.

I was away on business for a few days, and after I came back I sent an email to the Head. He emailed me back a fairly dismissive reply "....We will continue to review and where necessary, adapt our learning days to ensure that young people receive the highest quality learning possible....." and also told me off for attending the session without informing them (as someone on here did warn me...).

They have taken the photos (old ones off the school) from the website, and assured me none were taken away by the group from this session, but haven't addressed any of the other issues.

I guess you are right threefeethighandrising maybe my letter was too polite... Sad. But then I don't really want to get into a stand-up row with the Head, as I really am happy about everything else at school.

I have emailed him back again and said please do review this, and at the very least tell parents what this group's agenda is if you do invite them back (...if they do that I think more would complain...) .

What I told my DS, and what I am telling myself, is that people don't like to publicly back down, or be seen to criticise their staff, but that if I give them some space they may decide not to do this anymore for themselves.... I will keep an eye out.

This group I think visits most schools in the district, so it is a wider issue than just my son's school, and I guess it is probably legal given the crappy legislation we have on RE ...and also since I started doing some research on this on the internet I have noticed that there are a lot of groups like this here is a directory (...maybe time for a new thread on this to research other parent's experience??...if it reconvenes at religion/philosophy please do come!)

I think I will write to the BHA on this, as they don't seem to have anything specific to say about these kinds of groups.

OP posts:
Mum2Luke · 10/07/2011 23:36

I am an 'evangelical' Christian but I think parents should really have been given a choice to whether their child was to join in. If I wasn't I would be wary of a group coming in to talk about Jesus.

I do however agree with Scholes, my church holds a Tots group, not to get 'bums on seats' necessarily but it is nice when people come out of curiosity and then stay. We are a big family church with many people from various backgrounds and from different countries too so we get the best from both worlds in that they show us how they worship God.

I don't even force my own 9 year old to come even though he goes to a C of E school and learns about other religions as well as Christianity.

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