to be pissed off at school for telling DD (5) about Baby Jesus?

[Kalemu]

We don't want religion anywhere near our house, one of the main reasons we chose to send our DD to state school instead of a CoFE school. Imagine my surprise when she came home with a Baby Jesus picture book and singing about the Baby King. This makes me very mad - it's not like we want to keep her in a bubble, but I wanted to have told her the different religion when she was a bit older.

Thinking of writing to the headteacher to let him know our thoughts, and to demand that we're informed next time they plan to talk about religious stuff in class. Do you think AIBU?

YABU

The only way to have a completely secular education is to home school.

Think of it as learning about other people's beliefs and teach your child tolerance.

Land grabbing done in the name for religion. Homophobia carried out in the name of religion, etc.

Communism was/is carried out, not in the name of Atheism.

Sorry, I just cannot see them in the same way at all, but happy to agree to disagree. :)

Get over it.

It's Christmas. It's about Jesus. Hence the name.

YABU.

Exactly gordy

Fine but I think being intolerant of people personal faith is as bad as being intolerant of their sexuality or race - you do not have to believe but you should respect other people right to do so

some of the anti religious comments are akin to saying 'all muslims/catholics are terrorists' etc etc - bigoted and wrong

You did imply it actually. At the some time as you attempted to portray all manifestations of atheism as totally benign. I repeat: I was offended by your post. If you want to generalise you should try and least be a bit clearer about exactly who you are generalising about. I have a faith. I believe Christ lived and died for me and that faith influences my life. Now it could certainly be argued that is 'an extreme' view. Do you see what I mean? I don't have to embrace any horrible thinking at all to be defined as 'extreme' I just have to have a faith and suddenly it's possible to define me like that. Talking about religiou 'extremists' without clarification is really sloppy.
Actually as Christians go, I'm on the way out left liberal leaning side. Your problem is NOT with people of faith. Well it shouldn't be unless your professed atheism is actually about a hating of religious faiths. Your problem should be with people who commit violent, hatred filled acts in the name of religion. Of course that rather limits your scope for lazy religion bashing but I'm sure you'll muddle through.

oh and homophobia, sexism etc still exist in the absence of faith

Your problem should be with people who commit violent, hatred filled acts in the name of religion.

Yes - zealots.

Yabu.

knowledge is power.

what is wrong in knowing why everybody is talking about Christmas?

Out of interest, did you write to the head master when they did Diwali or Halloween?

Well, religion is just a bit inherently silly. It's ludicrous to believe in imaginary friends when you are an educated NT adult. However, in otherwise nice people it's the same sort of harmless quirk as liking green fruit pastilles/stirring your tea anticlockwise/collecting stamps. The real problem with religion is the undeserved privilege it's given, both as a concept (you mustn't laugh at other people's superstitions, you have to treat them sensitively even when they are vile and used as justification for major abuse) and as a political force (unelected religious officials being awarded positions of power despite the fact that they represent a mythology that's irrelevant to many of those they are allotted power over).

Garlic do you think religion can never be a force for good then - the likes of Desmond Tutu or Bruce Kent didn't make a difference

Those people who used faith to campaign against slavery and poverty and the treatment of children? Those faith based charities that do good the world over for people regardless of faith - those who will be staffing food kitchens in churches on Christmas Day?

Religion is not 100% eveil

Not read through all these posts but I would like to ask how the poster has decided to explain all the twinkling lights/trees/decorations/carol services/nativity scenes/father xmas/reindeer visits/christingles/dressing up/parties/meals are all about right now, to their child, without touching on religion? It is everywhere - you can not avoid it and a child will ask what it is all about if they have not been exposed to it!

Religion is not 100% evil

Somebody should bumper-sticker this.

Fall on your knees,
Oh hear the angel voices,
Oh night divine,
Oh night when Christ was born
Oh night divine, oh night, oh night divine.

NorthernLurker, I don't think any definition of 'religious extremist' would include those with strong personal faith, but who do not use said faith as a basis for interfering in the lives of others in any way.

"Your problem should be with people who commit violent, hatred filled acts in the name of religion "

There. I've corrected that for you.

I haven't EVER said, on ANY thread, that don't think religion can ever do good.
I have argued, on other threads, that this same good can be done without faith in supernatural beings.

I have never bashed anyone for having religious faith. I have defended my right not to believe in the supernatural, and I've advanced evidence for my view that no supernatural beings have ever existed. In short, I've claimed the same right to express my views as I afford people of faith.

I do criticise those who wish to harm others and/or control them via religious beliefs. I agree with some posters here that some religious teaching verges on control of children - however, I think it's fairly unavoidable and mostly harmless. If I had a religion it would be critical thinking. I'm a strong advocate of teaching it to children.

Those who want to see me as disrespectful of their right to have religion are founding their anger on incorrect assumptions. If anybody just wants atheists to shut up, then I fear they're displaying the intolerance they claim to abhor.

I'm a better nurse because of my faith. If it wasn't for Jesus I'd have probably throttled the buggers clients years ago

garlicbaubles - you say "without faith in supernatural beings."..........and yet if I hover my cursor over your User Name is says """the gimmer GHOST of Christmas grumpy"""". What eh?

The op wants to control her daughter by not allowing any exposure to religion. That is just as harmful as those who make their children think that their religion is the only "right" one

Caught me out, Berry!

Op, I can't believe you didn't think your dd would be exposed to religion at school. Ds attends a normal state primary school, they say prayers in assemblies and before there dinner. They do natvity plays, sing religious songs / Carols and read stories about various religions. You were incredieably naive to think your dd wouldn't be told about baby Jesus. They are also told about other religions and there festivals etc as and when they happen. Despite not being religious myself I think it's great that they are learning so many new things, they don't have to 'believe', just appreciate others beliefs.

SoldGold bingo for religious threads

"Imaginary friend" - tick
"harmless quirk" - tick
"undeserved priviledge" - tick
"irrelevant" - tick
"myth" - tick
"justification for major abuse" - tick

Not that you're predictable or anything

oh dear Garlic even when back tracking you still have to insult people - seriously did you mean to be so rude?