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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:
Ariesgirl · 20/06/2011 09:59

lunabelly, I know this debate appears to be over, but with respect I have to disagree with your definition of school! School is a place where children are sent to learn facts and ideas and ways of learning. A school where children only learned facts would be a very dry and boring place.

Sorry you were having a shit day though :(

GrimmaTheNome · 20/06/2011 10:12

School is a place where children are sent to learn facts and ideas and ways of learning.

Yes, that's quite right. But its important (a) for the distinction between facts and ideas to be clear - in proper RE lessons that's supposed to happen, its not clear whether this group attempt it and (b) it has to be ideas in areas such as religion and politics, not disproportionately one idea. Many people have said that a 'religions' day would be good.

Ariesgirl · 20/06/2011 10:16

Oh yes, I agree with that. The distinction needs to be made.

Lunabelly · 20/06/2011 10:49

It's one thing to have a learning day with representatives of various religions coming in to give talks (We wear this because, we do that because type thing) - quite another to have recruity evangelists take over the whole day.

It's like the difference between learning ABOUT the Alpha Course, and having the school actually put the kids through it.

Makes me feel meepy

I've brought my kids up with the view that we are all equal, and that racism, sexism and homophobia are wrong. I'm not having their minds skewed in the one place that they should be totally free from 'ists' of any kind. And you know that once you are suckered in, out comes the anti-ness...

HOW are they allowed near any school, and WHY?

Am looking at their website and no, no, no.

Cheers AriesGirl, still hurting though, get it quite often, no point going to the GP because the only thing that can be done to stop it massive reduction, they won't do...I guess I'll have to suck it up :(

ElsieMc · 20/06/2011 10:57

Our school run a christianity club each week which is quite high church - lots of shouting, waving of arms, dancing etc. I was a bit shocked when I saw it whilst waiting with some other parents for a meeting - the feeling was mutual.

However, my DS was asked to stay and join in whilst I went in the meeting and he absolutely loved it. It is very popular but perhaps this has something to do with the cake baking, sweeties, drinks etc which are on offer. It is also used by parents as an extended school club so they can pick up from work.

I suppose it all depends on your viewpoint.

pumpkincarver · 20/06/2011 11:07

that's absoluely outrageous I would kick such a fuss and speak to other parents as well as the headmaster/mistress.
Don't let your dc suffer psychological abuse inthe hands of these nutters.

You can als contact the British Humanist Association who can advise you.

pumpkincarver · 20/06/2011 11:12

ElsieMc,
your ds may well enjoy the sweets on offer, doesn't mean it's right to let those peple inculcate his brain with dangerous, superstitious ideas.
So, sme parents are able to pick up their dc later from school because of it- but what price do you put on your children's sanity? Poor dc.

Lunabelly · 20/06/2011 11:39

I've seen people get their minds so twisted by so called Christian groups that they have turned their backs on their families and friends and become rabid haters. Very sad. Those cakes will eventually come at a price.

onagar · 20/06/2011 12:04

Giving sweeties to children to get their cooperation.... hmm don't we usually discourage that?

Original poster
nameforaday · 20/06/2011 18:20

Thanks all for your wisdom and collective advice.

It was 'Christianity Day' today and I went along to the final session, which was all the year in the hall so I sat at the back and watched.

It looks like the day had been a bit of Christianity general knowledge - 'Jesus was jewish', 'the good samaritan' etc..(OK), some general inspiration 'you are special', 'look out for other people', 'buy fairtrade', (OK, but you don't need to tie these general good things to a religious brand) some credulous nonsense 'we did a prayer of healing in the church and this elderly lady's hip bone grew back then and there', 'this boy was in a car accident and he got glass in his bloodstream and he should have died, but the people prayed, and miraculously the ambulance got him there on time' (good grief!) and some more credulous nonsense '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' (Shock)

Needless to say I am going complain...

OP posts:
GrimmaTheNome · 20/06/2011 18:27

Shock Glad you went along... were there any teachers present? Any science teachers turning puce?

That is simply LYING to children.

Lunabelly · 20/06/2011 18:30

I'm speechless. And think that any headteacher who allows this into their school should be relieved of their position.

Lunabelly · 20/06/2011 18:34

Ah bumflaps and stupid touchphone, just accidentally hit report button, think I managed to stop it. I have not, repeat not reported anyone or anything. Stupid phone Blush

ChantingAsISpeak · 20/06/2011 18:35

Nameforaday, definitely complain! I have worked at a range of schools, including a CofE one - groups like this seem to be more common in non-faith schools. We have a similar group who come in saying ridiculous things and preying on working with the most vulnerable. Totally inappropriate.

GrimmaTheNome · 20/06/2011 18:43

I'd have hoped that 'did dinosaurs and humans live at the same time? There are good arguments on both sides' would have been met with howls of laughter (or at least suppressed snorts) and totally blown whatever credibility these people might have had.

CrapolaDeVille · 20/06/2011 19:04

OMG..... I think this is what I thought of ECs...seems I am right!!

When people doubt evolution and dinosaurs, I do feel the urge to scream.

Original poster
nameforaday · 20/06/2011 19:09

I know, it was weird, the dinosaur thing, it's not like anyone asked the question, he just dropped it in to a general riff on creation, and then said it really fast, like he realised it was BS, but hoped know one would notice

OP posts:
CrapolaDeVille · 20/06/2011 19:11

Grin Looking forward to your complaint, please please do it!!

HellAtWork · 20/06/2011 19:30

nameforaday Well done for going! That is awful! I do hope you will update us with the response to your complaint to see how the school deals with this (obv you don't have to but y'know....just that your fanbase awaits Wink) Has certainly opened my eyes to how blinkered a school might be to inviting this kind of religious teaching in to speak to its children.

I suspect Chanting might have a v good point about non-faith schools falling for this crock of....crock as opposed to say a Catholic, or CofE one because they'd already have their own crock to peddle and don't want it interfered with by anyone else.

blackcurrants · 20/06/2011 19:51

ooh, I'm dying to know how the school responds. Do keep us updated, OP.

[there should be a nosey emoticon]

GrimmaTheNome · 20/06/2011 21:27

Did your DS have any comment?

FingandJeffing · 20/06/2011 21:54

Surely the teachers must object to this nonsense interfering with their delivery of the curriculum.

In addition to loosing a days teaching, the science teachers must be pretty upset.

WillowFae · 20/06/2011 22:59

But nameforaday, if you look on the fairtrade website, 3 out of the 6 organisations that started fairtrade are Christian.

Christians are big supporters of social justice (which is what fairtrade advocate). This does not mean that EVERYONE who is concerned about social justice is a Christian.

I am currently teaching about social justice with my Year 7s and we have looked at why Christians feel the need to get involved with social justice. I certainly don't suggest that Christians are the only ones to do this. I use fairtrade as an example when explaining social justice as it is a concept that they are familiar with. Just because I do it in a lesson based on Christianity doesn't mean that I am suggesting it is an exclusively Christian thing.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that just because they talked about fairtrade doesn't mean that they were advocating it as a Christian 'thing'.

Lunabelly · 20/06/2011 23:00

I just don't know how they are allowed to go round schools doing this...bearing in mind that (in my day at least) kids can be pulled out of religious activities at school, how then was this compulsory? Who on earth gave them the go-ahead to start brainwashing our kids go spreading their message in places where our kids should be learning? And going up against FACT as well. 6000 year old earth? Jesus wept!

pumpkincarver · 20/06/2011 23:02

fucking outrageous just as it was to be expected. Do something!