To wonder why non-believers send their doc to faith schools

[Latetothematch]

Not a thread about a thread but thought whilst reading a thread when reading 'dc goes to a faith school and comes home with questions but we don't believe'.

Why send your child to a school where you do not believe what it is teaching?

all schools in the UK have to have an act of worship, so all are faith schools.

Faith that can't cope with being disagreed with or laughed at isn't very strong.

if you want me, I'll be watching some Dave Allen clips...

I should point out that plenty of us who complain about religious content in school didn't send their dc to a faith school. DD went to a community primary (not a choice really - there's one school in the town and that's all there is!). They still prayed 3 x a day, had 'bible explorer' lessons led by an evangelical group etc etc. The other two community primaries potentially within reach (7 miles & 10 miles away, so an awful lot of driving) are exactly the same. So basically its home educate or put up with religion.

I don't have a choice. All schools within walking area are Catholic schools bar one which is in special measures as it's failing so badly.

So my atheist children go to Catholic school but don't join in any of the religious stuff and we talk about how silly it is at home but how you have to respect people's beliefs.

Angel I'm really sorry you didn't get the school of your choice, but you are being unreasonable here. Church schools criteria is regular and fairly long-term attendance at church. If they attend church, they are complying with the rules.

For the record, I'm church-going CofE. But I think it's very wrong to misguided to suggest that we must greet with suspicion anyone who attends church. All are welcome - the doubters, the half-hearted, and yes, atheists too. Have you Angel, never had a doubt, or crisis of faith? I know I have, and yet I've turned up on Sunday and I am welcomed. No one peers into my heart and turns me away because I don't quite make the cut that day. Similarly, parents should not face an inquisition on what they believe.

All church schools round here, but undersubscribed so no one cares if you go to church or not.

I'm an agnostic verging on atheist but was raised a catholic, and have Christian values. I want my kids to have the same values of respecting others, kindness, taking responsibility for yourself and your actions, not stealing etc etc. I don't think non faith schools give this as much Ime.

Even though I don't believe I don't see a problem in sending them to a Christian school. We tell our kids the tooth fairy and Santa are real when they absolutely aren't.

I'm strongly opposed to faith schools and am atheist as the next atheist, but my children go to a c of e school. It's the nearest and nicest school. My friend sent hers to the non-faith one at the other end of town and came home jesusified anyway so I figured what's the point. I still love the school after a few years, they don't over-egg the Christian thing as church attending believers are in the minority, and they cover other religions regularly. I'd have been raging if we hadn't got a place because we aren't Christian. Rag-ing.

From my point of view.

It was/is the best local school imo, not in terms of ofsted and results. But the size of the school, the facilities, the staff.

The religious teachings aren't any different to that of when I was at a non faith school in the early 90s. We did hymns and morning prayer, nativity and visited church back then, school being completely impartial on religion is a fairly new thing.

The religious teachings aren't what I'd call very 'in your face', and most of it is simply teaching good values. They still learn about other religions and have little celebrations for other festivals but also focus a lot on the importance of the major important Christian festivals such as Easter and Christmas and the history behind these.

It's a lovely school and they although priority is given to children of that faith there were also places left for non faith, so why shouldn't I or anyone take that place if I think it's the best school for my child?

I understand people's annoyance that schools are partly subsidised by the church however why is that any more unfair than somebody paying for private school.

I really don't know why people get so up in arms over faith schools, use them, don't use them. It's up to you.

But most of you will be celebrating Christmas this year, why if you're an atheist? Because of course you will do what makes your family and children happy. Which is why I send my child to that school. He's happy and part of a happy caring school community and he's free to make his own mind up about religion as and when he chooses.