to be cross at the content of this assembly?

[EvilVampireFrog]

My children attend an Integrated school in Northern Ireland.

They do not attend RE (they have the choice between Protestant or Catholic lessons, or PSHE).

Apparently, a local free church Pastor spoke in assembly yesterday.

He presented as fact the literal existence of the Devil, of demons and spirits, and told the children that "The Devil hates boys and girls, because you are made in the image of god." He also spoke about hell.

His church is at the forefront of a local campaign to essentially ban Hallowe'en.

Had it been presented with "I believe," or "some people believe," I would have been more accepting - but this was presented as fact.

AIBU to be cross? And WIBU to email the school asking when I can expect the Muslim/ Hindu/ Jewish/ Humanist/ Atheist assemblies? Or, as I would prefer to do (but think might be over-reacting) remove them from assemblies with religious speakers?

Just FYI, I am atheist. DD and DS do not have a position on religion as yet, being 8 and 6 years old.

YANBU but you'll get short shrift on MN.
It's one of those things where people seem to think there are all sorts of secular schools just falling over themselves to educate your child! "So sort yourself out and stop moaning to the people who are just fine with not thinking about it" kind of opinions.

la prune it is a secular school!

As secular as you can get here, anyway.

I would concentrate on encouraging your children to think and reason for themselves, and listen to all sides - especially in Northern Ireland.

fwiw my dh is a Minister of Religion (not right wing), we are both Christian and my ds1 announced he was an atheist at the age of 4 . Ten years on and he still holds this position. We never attempted to 'indoctrinate' him, but I am rather bemused at the success of our policy to encourage him to think logically and reason for himself rather than just accept whatever he is exposed to!

It seems surprising from an integrated school. Perhaps the school was sold a pig-in-a-poke, ie maybe they weren't expecting him to talk like that. On those grounds, worth letting the school know you are unhappy.

Well "as secular as you can get here" isn't the same as "totally and refreshingly secular"! I can't even get "pretending to be secular" where I am, even if I pay.

I would write a letter of complaint to the HT about the content as you understand it, trying to verify if what you heard is true and stating why you object (calmly). It may at least prevent him from revisiting.

Is integrated the same as secular? Does it identify itself as a non-denom Christian school? Most schools do in England, even if they're not St Something or Other RC/CofE. I don't know the N Irish system.

I would still complain at someone giving it fire and brimstone at a primary school.

YANBU. I personally wouldn't complain to the school although I might politely suggest they have 'other faith' assemblies to balance things out. I like roisin's suggestion that you use it as an opportunity to encourage your children to think for themselves and form their own opinions on the subject.

Ragged's right. Definitely check it out before assuming you've got the full story and writing a letter.

Sadly, this is all too common in Northern Ireland.

I would almost 110% guarantee you've got the story right.

I've pm'd you.

I'd like to suggest that you write a very polite enquiry - along the lines of your DC saying that XYZ was said in assembly. You are of course quite sure the school would have no intention of putting such views in front of (RE opted out) pupils and so you thought they should know how this had been misunderstood. You'd be grateful for a clarification of the actual intent and content of this assembly, so you can put DC straight, plus assurances on tone of future assemblies as you are sure they will be balancing this religion/denomination's presentation with one's by a representative selection of others.

Can you opt out of any occasions where a religious leader is giving the talk? That might be the easiest way to avoid the extremist stuff.

My mother had me kept out of any occasions where a vicar was coming into my school to stop my grandmother's head exploding.

I agree with EdithWeston that a polite enquiry is called for.

Love that, Edith