to think if we fund religious schools through taxes, DD should be considered for a place?

[experiencethis]

I'm not originally from the UK, so maybe I am missing the point here. It puzzles me that whilst some religious schools are (partially) government-funded by taxpayers, they do not treat all as equals when allocating places. Our local state CoE primary is lovely and walking distance from our house. But looking at the local authority's website we'd have to get the local CoE church to validate that we are part of the congregation (which we aren't) and attend service a number of times per quarter (which we don't). DH and I would be happy for DD to attend a religious school, we think exposing her to different faiths and beliefs will make her a well-rounded adult (we have Jewish, Catholics and Buddists in the wider family). She will then be able to decide on any of them or none at all as she pleases. AIBU ?

hackmum what utter bullshit you talk! Your stupidity and ignorance is astounding

1 For a a start 72 % of the Uk population describe themselves as christian.

2 people are not being asked to affirm their beliefs on an admissions form just how often they go to church and what practical help they give the church.

3 There is nothing dishonest about going to church if you are not a practising christian.Everyone is welcome

4 To be a practising Christian means to actually be of the faith, to have Jesus as their Saviour, etc. not going to church ebery Sunday.

Everyone might be welcome but speaking as an atheist, I don't really want to attend or give 'practical help' to a church.

Why not just start going to church, it won't do you any harm, and sometimes you just have to suck it up and stop trying to fight the system, cos it is what it is.

You're sooo right, that is totally the answer. I should go to church, which I don't believe in and condone organised religion, which I believe actively causes harm in the world, suck and up and teach my DD to sit back and take it because nothing will ever change. That is just the lesson I want her to learn.

Aridne1 - so it's just for the church to get bums on seats then. And that's ok how?!?

Gingerodgers 3 of the 4 closest primary schools to where I live are CofE or Catholic - so which church shall I send my Muslim sons to? (non-faith school is around 3x oversubscribed)

And anyway, I can't believe that op didn't look into this before moving to the area, people move house all the time in order to secure good schooling

I don't know about the OP but I bought my house with my husband before we knew we were even having children. Never mind what the schools in the area were like.

"hackmum what utter bullshit you talk! Your stupidity and ignorance is astounding"

ariadne, are you a Christian? You have a charming manner .

71% of the population describe themselves as Christian - do you really think this many people acutally even think twice or is just something you put down, like you tick ethnicity? I don't believe for one minute that 71% of the population are active Christians in any way whatsoever.

Of course going to church if you're not a believer is dishonest - it's entirely dishonest. But as someone else said, anything for bums on seats eh? Then the church can claim they still have a right to dictate policy to the government of the day and be represented in the House of Lords whereas in actual fact it's anachronistic nonsense.

MrsTP - same here - DH and I came from areas which didn't have such a ridiculously high proportion of faith schools so we hadn't a clue it was an issue and we weren't even planning a family then. The idea that people should have to move house to avoid religious discrimination (which is waht Ginge has implied) shouldn't belong in a civilised country.

The admissions policies of VA schools may get bums on pews (for a few years) but they are probably the best recruiting sergeant that the BHA and NSS have!

The 71% is a very disputed number, depending on how you ask the question.

ariadne

And yes, you're lovely too.

We're talking about access to Council funded services. Doesn't matter if you are Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Atheist, or sacrificing a goat to Cthulu in your back garden. Why should people's children be treated differently according to their personal beliefs when it comes to statutory services?

< people are not being asked to affirm their beliefs on an admissions form just how often they go to church and what practical help they give the church.>

And if you answer that you are not a Christian you are not allowed access to Council-funded services. Why don't you submit to Allah in order to get your bins collected?

Yes it is dishonest. I don't turn up at a synagogue as I'm not Jewish, I don't go to a Mosque as I'm not Muslim, I don't turn up at a stamp-collecting club as I don't collect stamps. Why on earth would I turn up at a church if I'm not Christian? Everyone is not welcome. Churches are for Christians and those interested in becoming Christian. It shouldn't be an requirement for access to council-funded services.

So it's OK to be a hypocrite and fake religious belief in order to access Council services, 'cos turning up at church is not real Christianity? Like wearing a hijab is not really being a Muslim. Or going to synagogue not really being Jewish?

In my local area, in multi-religious inner London, 600 of every 1000 school places are reserved for the children of practicing Christians. We're all living locally, working, paying tax (or not) and yet some people have preferential access to council-funded services because they believe in one particular religion.

And you think this is fair?

I personally think the 71% figure is utter nonsense. But it suits the church to perpetuate the myth .

I x-posted with you Grimma. I think the idea I should move is wonderfully discriminatory. Atheist ghettos no less. I do think this will backfire. I think all those people who either lied or attended church when they didn't want to are not going to raise Christians.

BTW, my dad is one of those annoying statistics. Puts Church of Scotland on forms but is a staunch atheist. It is more about being Scottish than Christian for him.

Wonder what Jesus would have made of it all? 'Suffer the little children and let them come to me...but only if their parents have been to church x times in the past two years.'

At a stretch, I would say that all Faith schools are based on Community. The idea that you all worship together and do the do!

Even if you don't live in the same streets you can meet the parents and do stuff. It's about community.

When you decide to go into a Faith school. It's not just about you, it's about the community. You decide to get involved in a community.

You will end up involved with stuff that you thought you hated, but ended up liking.

Faith schools do actually build communities.

Schools build communities. I'm sorry but when you exclude people of other faiths and no faith, you are not building a community.

The primary school I went to had a wonderful Parish, so I agree it's about community. We were able to get really hands on with things, like the community hall allowing us to perform plays there and getting a chance to help bake in the bakey. I could go on and on, my primary education was amazing.

The local state school has none of these community branches which don't think is fair. They should have the same opportunities as everyone else, no one should miss out based on religion/lack of religion.

However receiving a religious education was very important to my family (and myself) I don't think it's a fair idea to eradicate religion from all schools, which is the impression I'm getting. If I'm wrong then I do apologise.

I won't lie, I don't know much about taxes and such but the funding should be the same for all schools, that way parents can choose their kid NOT to have a religious education without missing out on all the benefits that come along with it.

Hope that makes sense!

Why on earth do people seem to think faith schools are preferable to non denominational?? Mmmmmmmm I wonder, let me think, it's nice to know so many people are prepared to put their principles above their children's education. Think about the reasons why your first choice is a faith school. What do they do differently, not that tricky really.

My first choice would not be a faith school. People compete to get into them, lie to get into them, so obviously their children are pushed and driven too. I think Lurking expressed it well.

Lurking, I wld eradicate faith schools and have RE around all faiths in all schools. Religious education of your own specific religion should be done at home with your parents.

Faith schools build communities of one faith - Northern Ireland anyone?

You will end up involved with stuff that you thought you hated, but ended up liking.

brainwashing with soft soap?