AIBU to be surprised how few people know all UK state schools include compulsory Christian worship?

[TheMightyMojoceratops]

The law in England and Wales states that ALL state schools "shall on each school day take part in an act of collective worship... wholly or mainly of a Christian character". All UK state schools have to do this: at least 51% of collective worship - often embedded in assemblies - has to be Christian. And this is worship, as distinct from education.

Yet I quite often see threads on here where people are surprised to find their children are coming home saying things like "we said thanks to God today", or "it makes me sad God died for me"... Christian worship is a legal requirement in school, even if it's one I disagree with. Most people I talk to seem unaware of this and express surprise when it's explained to them.

AIBU to be surprised that more parents aren't aware of this?

Not all schools ds2 did a letter home looked at info and decided in fact that practicing Christians were very low in minority were talking those that ho to church regulary So dropped it

The school can ask parents and then depending on numbers opt out

LRD - that would be because in 1851 the assumption would be that nearly everyone in the UK would be Christian.

The issues around religion then were largely about ending discrimination against Catholics - it was only 12 years since Catholics had been allowed to sit in Parliament and it would be another 20 before the Universities Tests Act allowed them into Oxford and Cambridge and Durham universities.

Oh and dd school don't have daily or collective worship either . None of mine really believe and ds2 defintley not but he opted to do RS as full gcse and loves it even his teachers are pleased as he is very open minded to other peoples beliefs

All I ever ask my children to do when comes to religion is respect other people's right to worship and believe in who they want

So if at church for anything then they stay quiet and close their eyes . When dd went to mosque for something I made sure clothes were approaite ( to young to need consider head scarf) but if was older I have no problem with her wearing for the time there

It REALLY annoys me. Think education should be separate from religion. DD is at pvte school now where they learn about all religions in a factual way and dont do "worship" or praying.

Yes, but isn't it odd it wasn't compulsory to say so, rusty? When you think about the fuss with HE and Catholicism you're mentioning? You'd think they'd have wanted everyone to put down what they were. Making it an optional question suggests people were quite aware there would be people who would rather not admit what they believed, and that it was ok to give them the option to be quiet about it.

The fact that the Queen is both head of state and head of the Church of England may be the historical reason why we have 'broadly christian' worship in schools, but it does not mean that its constitutionally necessary.

There is no reason at all why it has to be continued, other than that a small number of people in the establishment seem to think that religion is a Good Thing.

Is it so awful for children to takepart, for few momments a day, in an execrcise that teaches tolarance and kindness to the whole of mankind. Most schools have to learn about cultural diversity and celebrate many different festivals so why exclude Christianity.

Many of you say it is for your children to decide for themselves in the future what, if any, religion they will follow, but how will they know if a religion is right for them if they have no experience of it?

If you object to a broadly Christian act of worship in schools, I presume you also don't ,mark Christmas or Easter in any way in your homes?

And also that you didn't marry in a Christian church or have your children baptised?

If you have done/do any of these things: why?

I object to a broadly Christian act of worship because I don't like the idea of children having to 'opt out'. I think it marks them out and is potentially uncomfortable to be the one (or the small group) who's 'different'.

You presume wrongly, though: I got married in church and mark Christmas and Easter because I'm Christian.

(TBF 'object' is probably too strong. 'Would be happy to see discontinued' is more like it.)

But in the UK we have Christmas because we are a Christian country. Don't call it Christmas if you're not celebrating the birth of Christ, and maybe then schools would see that you are not, in fact, Christian and you would have an argument for no Christian worship in school.

You can't have it both ways.

Well done LRD, you are not acting in a hypocritical manner, but it really gets my MN Goat (TM) when people want all the trappings of Christianity (carol services, beautiful weddings and a lovely Christening party etc.) And then complain when their children are asked to participate in a wishy-washy watered down act of worship.

If you had your child baptised, then you agreed to bring your child up as a Christian. A vow wa made during that ceremony which the school act of worship perpetuates.

I don't follow your argument, ruby? Why can't I celebrate Christmas and have an argument against Christian worship in schools? It's not 'having it both ways', it's just a different attitude than yours.

Argh, sorry, cross posted.

I see.

So you celebrate Easter because you're a follower of the goddess Oestre I take it?

Don't be so silly.

But it just goes to show how ingrained our cultural Christianity is. You can't think of calling your favourite festival anything but Christmas.

"Just because it's called Christmas does not mean I should have to think about Jesus."

Really? Really? Please try calling it something else then. The clue's in the name.