To ask the nursery about grace?

[Stangirl]

My DD (2) attends a nursery 2 days a week - since last October. I am very happy with the nursery and love the way the staff are with the kids. DD seems very happy there.

They just had a Mother's Afternoon where the mums were invited in to attend a music and movement session, facepainting, playing, tea with the kids. I went along and it was lovely apart for one thing - one of the children was asked to say grace before the sandwiches and said a few words thanking god. I was shocked by this as I had believed them to be non-religious - teaching and celebrating all festivals etc but not active worshipping. As an avowed atheist I am quite perturbed.

Would you ask them if this is usual and if they are teaching them grace?

I think this would be a very minor thing to worry about in terms of choosing a nursery. Militant atheists need to choose more carefully. Are you sure you're not forcing your children not to believe in a faith? That can be just as damaging as forcing it down someone's neck

AgentZigzag Round here all the "religious" schools have only the tiniest number of non-religious spaces and so to have any chance of getting your child into one you have to attend church etc etc As my DP is unwilling to do this and I (who would be more minded to throw my principles to the wind and do this) am neither christened/baptised nor have ever attended a non-wedding church service I think the religious schools are off the list - regardless of any concerns I may have about the religious nature of their curriculum.

I'm saying that if you can't begin to fathom why atheists don;t want their children taught to worship gods, you must not be the sharpest knife in the drawer. Thats not putting anyone down, thats just being reasonable.

Satan represents evil, so I don't think anybody would think that would be a good idea

My DC's (particuarly DS1 who is in senior school) are sometimes taught things that I disagree with or feel I would approach differently, but I would never cause a fuss or remove them from the lessons. I have talked about loads of different stuff with them, explained my viewpoint and why I hold my viewpoint and tried to help them understand that learning to think things through for themselves is an important skill.
I think some people like to complain about something......anything.

its exactly the same, hidden. You wouldn't like satanic worship, I don't like christian prayers. There is no difference,its someone else forcing their beliefs on your children.

its exactly the same, hidden. You wouldn't like satanic worship, I don't like christian prayers. There is no difference,its someone else forcing their beliefs on your children.

I am not stupid and I can understand that atheists would not want their children exposed to repeated hardcore religion, but a few prayers before meals doesn't brainwash anybody - even a two year old.

I repeat, what exactly are these people afraid of?

I would say that it is very unimportant if you are happy with everything else. If you feel very strongly change to a different one and ask the right questions first. Your DD is only the DD of an atheist-time will tell what she decides.

Even way back in the 70's the Government recognised that children being forced to take part in religious worship was a contentious issue for some parents. That is why parents have the right to remove their children from religious worship.

And I'm saying that if you can't discuss a topic without resorting to calling other posters thick Gilgamesh, then you must be struggling for something to back up your ideas.

You seem very hostile against something you don't believe exists.

Weird.

I think you're the one who's missing the point Gilgamesh You stick to your form of brainwashing and I'll stick to mine

Wonder how many of you married in a Church and, as Nigel says are happy to celebrate Christmas ?

I was out to lunch yesterday with a friend who bowed her head in a crowded restaurant and said a few words of Grace, I thought it was lovely .

What would you be afraid of with the satanic singing?

Its not about being afraid, its about the inappropriateness of teaching small children things their parents do not approve of. Would it be harmless if they were told to face mecca 5 times a day and read from the koran? Or to say prayers from any other religion?

What is it about christians that makes them think their own brand of religion should be allowed free reign everywhere? Why do you think yourselves so special?

So if I want my children to say grace , for example, and you don't why are your wishes more valid than mine? Honest question.

Religion is the new homosexuality. Years ago, parents would be devastated if their child came home and said they were gay. Now they'd be upset if their child said they wanted to follow a faith.

People have some funny ideas about religion

I am hostile, because its insidious, gets everywhere, and atheists are discriminated against.
And I'm not resorting to calling people thick due to lack of cogent argument, I'm merely pointing out the fact that if you fail to understand something very obvious, you might not be up to the challenge of arguing anything at all.

Hobnobs, your children are free to say grace, my children should be free not to. Is that so difficult to understand?

Hidden - I wouldn't mind if my child wanted to follow a faith. But I would be unhappy that a nursery hadn't told me that they were getting children to say grace.

I do see my children as individuals and if they choose to follow a faith then that is their choice.

This country's famous tolerance and warmth comes from its Christian background Gilamesh. These are virtues which the Gospel preaches and have been handed down from generation to generation, partly through the education system.

Disagree that children would not develop beliefs in God if they are not exposed to religion. How do you think religions were created in the first place? Human beings are naturally questioning and philosophical.

Being told there is no God may make them believe that, but left to their own devices many may ponder such things.

Even with modern day scientific knowledge, may scientists are also religious.

So hidden?

'What is it about christians that makes them think their own brand of religion should be allowed free reign everywhere? Why do you think yourselves so special?'

Making a few generalisations there Gilgamesh.

All christians think they're special?

Every. Single. One?

What would you do if your children wanted to stay grace Gilamesh? I honestly shudder to think Would you lecture or belittle them, or a mixture of both?