To keep DS off from Christmas church assembly?

[stickysausages]

Last day of school, church assembly...

We're atheists... is it wrong to keep him off?

All opinions, both sides welcome..

Many a time we ended up giggling uncontrollably in church, usually over something very minor, excruciatingly embarrassing. My dcs don't attend church unless for wedding and funerals but they know the drill - eyes front, say nothing, follow others on stand sit kneel - it's not hard. But it amazes me how many people sit in a church staring madly around at others, older people especially, looking behind them fgs...terrible lack of manners especially at a funeral.

Glad it is sorted, I agree with Summerwood1.

Glad you're sending him :)

I do like a good church service occasionally, and I am an atheist. Often the sentiments behind any of the preaching are actually very good if you take out the God aspect and the songs are good to sing :)

How can he choose who he is if he doesn't know the options?

If there was a group of people coming in to school to share a celebration of the Lunar New Year in Asia, with Dragon Dancing and firecrackers would you keep him off for that?

Trust him to learn from it. Talk to him at home about it.

Excluding him on the grounds of what?

Also, does that mean you don't have a Christmas tree and do presents on 25th of December in your home?

Genuine question.

I'm humanist and want my daughter to learn as much about different religions as possible do she can make her own choices based on knowledge when she's old enough. Every year, we go to our local CofE church for the christingle service. She know full well that belief in a god is like belief in a tooth fairy, ghosts or Father Christmas, some people make a leap of faith and believe in something that's not proven and it enriches their lives, others simply don't believe at all. Everyone is lucky in this country to have free choice.

My DH is Catholic, I'm not, all the children went to church until they were 14 and then they could choose.
DD went to a Catholic school but went to several Muslim. Hindu and Buddist celebrations as part of school. The DS's went to a non denominational and a vaguely catholic school.
DD believes and attends church sometimes at 21 the boys don't but come Christmas eve we'll all be at midnight mass along with my pagan friend who is spending Christmas with us, btw we're not forcing/expecting any of them to come with us.

Was about to ask the same question about what Christmas trees and presents have to with Jesus?

It won't kill him and you can't exactly avoid every church-based wedding, funeral, christening, can you?

In the same way Christians are allowed to get out of all kinds because of their religion (sex ed, working on Sundays blah blah) exercise your atheism and ask for him to be excluded.

If he's 5 I very much doubt he will even listen to any preaching going on

if its anything like the services they do here it will involve lots of singing - dd and ds have been practising songs in the house over the last few days. They are P3 and P6.

Also agree that christmas trees and presents on the 25th has sod all to do with Jesus - its all about Santa Claus!

its not the last day of school today is it? Ours are in school until 20th december

I was at a school church service yesterday. I sat next to a YR boy who spent the whole time being very bored "why are we here?", "this is soooo boring", "are we missing choosing time?"

Twas very entertaining.

We are generally atheists, even the kids have said they don't belive. However I like going to some of the things connected to the church. The kids school has several assemblies and things going on at the church through the year. Really don't think it does any harm and happy to let them see what goes on in churches and other religions. I also sometimes take them to a service on Christmas Eve for the atmosphere and the carols. I'm also interested in other religions and would happily attend a service or whatever for the experience. I must be a confused Atheist.

Also, attending a service is a skill. He should know how to behave through it.

Was about to ask the same question about what Christmas trees and presents have to with Jesus?

Trees have been adopted from the pagan traditions (although that's obviously not to stop pagans continuing it as well!) Presents are continuing the tradition of the Three Kings bringing gifts to Jesus, and about giving to others.

Yes Bunny summed it up best. This has actually been a nice pre Christmas spirit thread to read. A lot of tolerance and openness shown.

a Little bit of jesus never hurt anybody imo I think you are wrong to withdraw your child fromt he assembly you will have 6 other chirstmases before he goes to high school, I think you need to remember this isn't about you this is a School activity and all the children like taking part.