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Original poster

To think that the form for my kids new school should not ask......

195 replies

SuedeEffectPochette · 23/04/2013 09:36

.......for my "christian" name! It's a state school. They must get all sorts of guidance on how not to cause offence. Surely this is a term from the 1950s these days!

OP posts:
kim147 · 23/04/2013 12:41

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Fillyjonk75 · 23/04/2013 12:41

The UK has a state religion, it's CofE. We have unelected bishops sitting in Parliament, if you're going to be upset about something, get upset about that. In what is officially a "Christian" country, and in a state school to boot, they're perfectly entitled to ask your "christian" name.

Doesn't mean any of those things are right though. It should be a secular country. And we have lots of different faiths as well as the vast majority of people not attending church or any other religious institution with any regularity.

And although a fairly minor thing, it is a bit 20th century to still have "Christian name" on the form. Sounds like they haven't updated it since about 1975. I'd be slightly worried about what else they haven't updated and think it is careless.

mrsjay · 23/04/2013 12:42

other schools have assemblies where they pray the go to church services end of term they have religious stories etc, although yes Id imagine faith schools have more jesus than not Wink

Fillyjonk75 · 23/04/2013 12:43

I am an atheist and still say 'Christian' name

I'm agnostic and found myself saying "the name they were christened" about DDs the other day, and they quite deliberately have not been christened! Brainwashed from an early age in an allegedly non-denominational state school, you see.

fedupofnamechanging · 23/04/2013 12:53

You are probably right, Filly.

I think we should go down the French route and separate church and state. I feel very uncomfortable about my children being told Bible stories as if they were incontrovertible facts. Would much prefer an approach which says 'some people believe X to be true, other people do not'.

kim147 · 23/04/2013 12:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BumpingFuglies · 23/04/2013 13:03

So Atheists should just suck it up should they? Its discrimination.

It's a form. They want to know your name. Do calm down Grin

DamnBamboo · 23/04/2013 13:03

Christian name clearly doesn't imply religion, it just means 'tell us what you like to be called'

Don't be so ridiculous

DamnBamboo · 23/04/2013 13:04

p.s. I'm an atheist

kim147 · 23/04/2013 13:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BumpingFuglies · 23/04/2013 13:05

kim you didn't spell it right!

antidisestablishmentarianism

Fillyjonk75 · 23/04/2013 13:05

I think we should go down the French route and separate church and state. I feel very uncomfortable about my children being told Bible stories as if they were incontrovertible facts. Would much prefer an approach which says 'some people believe X to be true, other people do not'.

I agree entirely, though I probably wouldn't go as far as the French banning headscarves or any religious dress/symbols.

wannabedomesticgoddess · 23/04/2013 13:05

Do calm down?

Erm. I am perfectly calm thanks. Pointing out that something isnt right doesnt make me angry or worked up.

It is discrimination.

BumpingFuglies · 23/04/2013 13:07

Er, ok. Explain how then?

DamnBamboo · 23/04/2013 13:09

I've read some of your earlier posts wanna just because I was interested to know what it is you are referring to as discrimination, but it is not clear to me.

Are you talking about the fact that there are no secular schools?

Despite the fact that many non-denominational schools (in my experience) tend to discuss all religions equally? (diwali, passover, easter etc..)

wannabedomesticgoddess · 23/04/2013 13:12

I wasnt referring to the form thing alone. More the whole picture.

State schools are christian. There are schools that cater for other religions. But if you have NO religion there is no option.

So those who have no religion are expected to either put up with it, or single their kids out by withdrawing them from collective worship.

If there was no option for Jewish or Hindu or any other religion it would be seen as discrimination. But when its a case of no religion it isnt?!

EldritchCleavage · 23/04/2013 13:13

I think 'offended' is a bit strong. It is irritating, at most. Obviously the school forgot to update their form to the current usage. Ditto calling a married couple Mr. and Mrs. [His initial] [His surname]. That's not the set 'correct' usage anymore, but not everyone's updated yet. Again, irritating at most.

It's only bloody annoying when you ask people not to do these things and they keep doing it regardless. That is offensive.

wannabedomesticgoddess · 23/04/2013 13:13

My issue mainly is with collective worship.

DontSHOUTTTTTT · 23/04/2013 13:15

It wouldn't bother me. (And I am 100% athirst). First Name is better though.

I wouldn't give it a second thought

HoHoHoNoYouDont · 23/04/2013 13:17

I hear what you're saying wanna but even if there was a secular school there would still be a minority of children attending probably from a religious background who would take time out to pray. Then they would be the ones being singled out. I don't think there are any schools out there that are exclusive to any one belief. I think it's tolerance and understanding that is required all round.

DamnBamboo · 23/04/2013 13:18

I see. Well yes, you have a point.
We are atheists, and my boys non-denominational school did an Easter service this year for the first time in a long time (so I'm told), probably down to new deputy head (whole other story).

I let them go, I even went and watched them (although I was a bit Hmm) about it.

The kids sang beautifully, it was a nice enough 'show' and that was it, no more said about jesus dying on the cross.

They have no exposure to religion at all, not outside school and barely inside school and so I suppose, in the context of making sure they aren't unduly indoctrinated with these ideas, I can live with it. They ask me if I believe, I say no, but many others do and the conversation usually stops there (once I've explained my ratinonale for not believing).

I do see your point, but you are a much bigger influence over your DC so even if they do occasionally participate in worship, does it really matter?

DamnBamboo · 23/04/2013 13:19

p.s. I do think many state school allow for the no religion aspect of things. At least in my experience they do.

Fillyjonk75 · 23/04/2013 13:20

My kids don't have a Christian name as they haven't been Christened. It's just incorrect and outdated. It annoys me in the same way that a form would if it contained a lot of obvious typos, misspellings or grocer's apostrophes, with the added dimension of confirming the established church's power over supposedly non-denominational schools.

HoHoHoNoYouDont · 23/04/2013 13:21

I think that would have been a good experience for your children DamnBamboo. By allowing them to participate you gave them an opportunity to understand other's beliefs which is always a good thing. Smile

Fillyjonk75 · 23/04/2013 13:22

does it really matter?

A form doesn't matter but the issue of Christian normalcy in state schools is rather important, IMO.