To think it is time to secularise all state-funded education?

[fideline]

Just that really.

The rest of us are suggesting removing religious selection and compulsory worship. I think it would be perfectly possible to remove those two features of our current education system without dismantling our whole culture.

Knowing Music teachers spend all their extra-curricular time from October half term onwards tearing their hair out to take Carol Concerts to Old Folks' homes etc, I think they would be very glad that this is no longer a compulsory part of the school year. Instead of this being a compulsory part of schooling, I bet Music Departments up and down the country will be pleased that this would be optional in secular schools.

It does raise the question of whether any references to traditions that are still deeply rooted in a particular religion's tradition are banned or become optional...

And the whole thing about my anti-monarchy stance is just a quick illustration that all laws that pass through this country have to pass through the House of Lords, a large part of which are made up of C of E Bishops who have been appointed by the Head of State (and Head of Church), the Queen.

So go ahead, have a healthy debate on this subject. But don't think it is an easy job. Propose that all state schools become secular, try getting that passed through as law, but my flippant comments are in response to the simplicity of this argument...

There are 26 "Lords Spiritual" in the House of Lords out of 779 Lords. I think that it is quite a leap to say that they form a large part of the House of Lords.

Kim, I have never said one way or the other whether I support the status quo as it is. But I do understand where it comes from and how it is being enforced, or not, as it is.

Jus thought I'd post this again. It's still largely being ignored..
"Right. If it's all about choice, then I choose to send my children to a school where faith is not an admissions criterion, and where teachers will not at any time ask them to pray, and where teachers will be expressly prohibited from teaching Christianity, or any other religion as fact.

How can I organize that, please?"

Could some of the pro faith schools people answer this point, please? I notice that it seems to have been studiously ignored by them!

You meant 'wield', kim. Though obviously 'yield' would be a good idea, as Kate said.

I'll be back tomorrow, off to bed now.

Well, breathe that will make things easier for bringing in secularism, won't it?

(I didn't know the numbers, but thank you)

Not had time to read the thread, but it is correct that the church only now contributes 10% to capital funding for voluntary aided schools. Although actually, they cost more in absolute funding terms as they cant claim back vat like LA schools and academies can, so their funding is lowered by 10% for the church contribution but also uplifted by 20% to cover the vat.

Unfortunately, no child of mine would be allowed to go to this school. Catholic children get priority, followed by children of any religion who can get a letter from their religious minister saying they require an education at this school. A child from the other end of the country with such a letter would take priority over my child, as my child would be a child of atheist parents.

This is the absolute crux of the issue for me - admissions to faith schools. I would like someone to explain to me why this sort of discrimination is allowed in state schools in this day and age.

Yes, I think it would make things a bit tricky if Wills suddenly wanted to convert to Buddhism.

Charles has mooted being defender of faiths, rather than defender of the faith.

A few months before her wedding, Catherine Middleton was confirmed in the Church of England.

And, I'm not sure if, with the change of succession allowing first born girls priority over boys, they also changed allowing Catholics to be 'royal' but only a short while prior to that change, Peter Philips bride-to-be had to renounce her catholicism in order to marry the queen's grandson.

Not keen on compulsory worship either.

Religious education - oh yes, wide, varied, tolerant and impartial education please.

Compulsory acts of worship - er.... why? It's a school. A place of education, not worship.

*collective worship

But this is a very interesting debate. I just think it edges into challenging the establishment as it is.
Start one of those email petitions to try to further the debate?

YANBU - plenty of my family go to faith schools - PRIVATE ONES. I'm fucked in my area as there's a huge proportion of faith schools my kid can't got to because he's erm - mixed and multicural. I'm paying a shed load of tax for schools locally to subsidise the entire world and not my kid.

Couldn't give a shit about the religion but my son is being racially discriminated against because he's is a the perfect example of a multicultural kid. I'm fuming. I didn't experience this discrimination.