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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:
GrimmaTheNome · 17/06/2011 14:37

Most parents and schools can offer a lot more than that, thanks all the same.

Hmm
Scholes34 · 17/06/2011 14:37

Here, here hiddenhome. Our local church youth group is just a place for teenagers to hang out together - it's a large place, it's dry and costs just 50p. I don't think the kids even realise it's a church.

Scholes34 · 17/06/2011 14:39

Don't know it Gimma there are some excellent youth workers in these places.

GrimmaTheNome · 17/06/2011 14:44

Sure. I just thought hidden was presenting a false dichotomy.

LadyClariceCannockMonty · 17/06/2011 14:51

Kids and teenagers can and do behave in ways other than 'Call of Duty shoot em ups' and 'a promiscuous lifestyle' Hmm

What people are 'so afraid of', I suspect, although 'afraid of' is possibly not the right term and 'fuming about' might be closer to the mark, is religion, ANY religion, being introduced by stealth. Far better IMO would be an open discussion about ALL religions, from a non-partisan point of view.

Basically, what Zombie said.

hiddenhome · 17/06/2011 14:55

That's nice Smile

You could have a Scientologist Day then Grin

You're all overthinking it.

LadyClariceCannockMonty · 17/06/2011 15:03

Yeah, thinking too much is terrible isn't it?

Ihavewelliesbuttheyrenotgreen · 17/06/2011 15:11

As I Christian I find this quite suprising, although not neccessarily a bad thing. It may be that this group does encourage dicussion (their website did not load properly on my computer so am not sure) rather than simply preaching. Personally I think that when Christians evangelise we should over opportunities to ask questions and discuss and also serve people in whatever they're need is. So for example this group could (and they may well do) provide a Youth club as a safe place for teenagers to hang out after school. I know a church who created a revision club during study leave so teenagers could have a safe, quiet place to study and could spend time together in their breaks. I think to spend a day preaching (which may or may not be what this is) would be wrong.

Ihavewelliesbuttheyrenotgreen · 17/06/2011 15:14

*offer not over

CrapolaDeVille · 17/06/2011 15:15

Evangelical Christianity is practically cult like, fucking awful and takes 10% of people's income. NO place for that sort of shit in schools.

CrapolaDeVille · 17/06/2011 15:17

Having recently been to a church of weirdy evangelicals, I can tell you it's frightening and creepy. People are weird and I did not feel entirely safe.

MrsBethel · 17/06/2011 15:17

"What is everyone so afraid of?"

I don't think people are afraid of anything. Just a lot of people think it's a waste of the school's and the childrens' time. Like if they had a day devoted to the way of the Jedi.

CrapolaDeVille · 17/06/2011 15:19

Actually I think you should be afraid, EC's prey on the lost and lonely and so I would imagine they're seeking to recruit people for their finances congregation. No EC preacher is poor either, a friend of mine is just about to move into a £million home as part of a church....as long as they have guests drop in at anytime, who they'll freely allow to babysit their children....because no Christian has ever abused children.

spookshowangel · 17/06/2011 15:24

agreed i wouldn't be overly thrilled but they are not like the baby snatchers are they and there are worse things kids could be in to, psychophysically its quite common for kids to want to be accepted and feel special religious groups like this offer this for the time it is needed often till they hit about 17/18 and start having sex or so i have read.

CrapolaDeVille · 17/06/2011 15:26

But EC does seem to want to be the solution to everything, playgroups, kids groups, cinema, big TV events.....and they do take 10% of your income, this is not Jesus love for free.

spookshowangel · 17/06/2011 15:28

crapola all Christianity driven churches ask for 10% of your income its in the bible its called tithing.

MrsTerryPratchett · 17/06/2011 15:30

What about Atheism Day, I'll run it?

CrapolaDeVille · 17/06/2011 15:31

I've been to many Catholic churches and have never heard of 10%......Evangelical Christianity is weird and preys on the weak and desperate with it's fucking healing and stuff. I would be giving my child the day off if something like that came to school.

Someone mentioned the white rose alliance or something coming to school.....I have asked for written conformation that it doesn't happen.

spookshowangel · 17/06/2011 15:32

hahahahaha valid point mrs think thats called science thought.

LadyClariceCannockMonty · 17/06/2011 15:32

I'll come to Atheism Day, MrsTerry. In fact, I'd happily come to any religion day as long as it was presented in the spirit of 'These are the religions that are out there'. It's the evangelical stuff that sets alarm bells ringing.

spookshowangel · 17/06/2011 15:34

you have been to catholic churches and seen the collection plate passed around, if you had grown up in the catholic faith you give are told to give what you can afford, but they like 10%, if not more.

GrimmaTheNome · 17/06/2011 15:35

I don't think many enforce tithing but they're usually very keen on doing it via covenant (or maybe its gift aid now) so they get the tax relief, so we're all subsidising them. They jolly well should run some youth clubs and not do any evangelising on the sly.

HellAtWork · 17/06/2011 15:36

Crapola All religions take your money - I believe Islam has Zakaat which is a set amount Muslims are expected to give to charity? A lot of churches pass around a 'collection' for attendees to contribute money to?

I think the main thing is the differentiation between 'learning about' and 'recruiting for' which this group definitely fall into the latter.

Love your idea about Religion day - how great would it be to have that! So long as the Atheists and Humanists get a look in too seeing as the school is non-denominational. I would make that suggestion and say that your DS won't be able to attend. I wouldn't let my DC attend something like that I'm afraid.

spookshowangel · 17/06/2011 15:38

honestly craploa most churches have tithing from their church goers its how they keep going, run soup kitchens etc

spookshowangel · 17/06/2011 15:41

your absolutely right its not enforce gimmey but pretty much a given that if you attend a church you will participate in the upkeep of it.

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