to be fed up with school thinking it is okay to keep giving my sons a bible and asking them to pray?

[soontobeslendergirl]

I don't have any issue with people following whatever religion or belief that they choose.

However, despite going to a non-denominational school, both my sons are now in possession of two copies (each) of the New Testament. These have been handed out at school assemblies by persons unknown and they have been asked to pray at the end.

I am sure that the school population wont be exclusively Christian.

We are of no religion, neither of my son's have any religious beliefs.

I'd like to remove them from worship in school, they don't want to make a fuss or be made out to be "different" by sitting out. I respect that, but it really annoys me.

The home and with parents is the place for this. I have no issue with religious education as this gives my children the opportunity to learn what others believe and to make their own choices, but worship is another matter.

But it isn't religion ... It is just a religious text. It is like handing out a pamphlet about Darwin to a group of fundamental christians ...

i dont understand how anyone can argue against this,

children go to a non demoninational school and are blatently asked to participate in a christian religeon

how are you fucking aguing that point?

dear op

i would complain - in writing to the school and the LEA, i would also sent my MP an e-mail

and maybe contact the guardian - they love that shit

Annunziata I don't think I am spoiling for a fight. I just don't think that worship has any place in a non-denominational school.

Bumpy - i'm not afraid of knowledge and which part of my post says that I am or want to remove my children from lessons about religion - it's the worship that I object to.

theknack - it is handed out by some Christian group as part of an assembly where they have contributed and asked the children to pray. It's not a pamphlet just handed out.

By law All children in a scool in England or Wales must take part in a daily act of communal worship which is broadly Christian in nature.

School not scool!

IT ISN'T WORSHIP

Mine went to a non-denominational school too and they had an assembly by the Gideon people, where they were all given bibles, most of which went straight in the bin.

I think you're right, OP. IN Scotland, we don't have a daily act of worship, and, apart from RC schools, religion is more or less kept out of education. We maybe have one service a year. I'd be asking questions of the school, and if I didn't get an answer I'd go to the edu dept at the LA. The whole point of a non-den school is that there's no prevalent religion.

Oh didn't read it was in Scotland. My mistake.

Custardo - I have almost already been in the paper on a similar point when my son was taken on an adventure bonding day - only to find out that it was run by a Christian group - who held a service in the middle and guess what? Asked them to pray!......and I paid for him to go.

I did complain to the school and was fobbed off.

the knack - am I missing something then that prayer isn't worship?

If they are 12 they are old enough to ignore the worship aspect surely?

seriously, i'm not sure how, but you need to fuck this up

and to go to a previous point. The fact that their objection isn't noted means that it continues and seen as acceptable whereas actually should it be? If my atheist sons feel uncomfortable, I wonder how children who are part of other religions feel?

As has been said above all schools have to have an act of collective Christian worship, by law.

Weird sentence Custardo?

Waltons, yes they can ignore and do. My point is that they shouldn't have to, it has no place in a non-denominational school.

My younger son has only been there since August and already has two bibles and a day put at a Christian centre. That seems a bit excessively biased to Christianity to me.

Pipbin, as has been said above, OP is in Scotland, and we don't have an act of Christian worship by law.

Pipbin and has has been said - we are talking about Scotland and they don't.

Crickey .
I am the staunchest atheist going , my rants at the school are legendary - all religions are taught but the concept of non belief and evolution aren't and that infuriates me . But this is different , this is about respecting a visitor to the school and hearing about their views . Why is this so wrong ? I can't see the issue .

I suppose it is the intention of the person.

Just because your children aren't Christian, doesn't mean that they can't use the time to reflect.

Walton I agree and have no problem with them respecting a visitor but as I say one son has been there 6 months and has already had two such sessions plus a day out at a Christian centre. Eldest has been there 18 months and tbf has only the two bibles and no day out. But then he is less vocal about that his brother.

Then as a non believer you should pick the battles better ; request a fairer spread of religions and explore other views . You shouldn't tackle blinkered attitudes with equally blinkered attitudes .
If it was me I would request to visit the school and do an assembly on Darwin . That's how to get your point across whilst respecting others .

Handing out bibles and asking for children to reflect on their good luck is hardly shoving the Christian message down anyone's throats.

Part of being a Christian is actually believing - some of getting to know Him is by reading the bible but is not exclusive.

theknack, if it was badged as "can we all no take a few minutes to reflect" it wouldn't bother me or them. But the fact that they are asked to pray does.