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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Bible from school

409 replies

user7755 · 14/12/2015 17:51

DS goes to a standard secondary (not a religious school), he came home last week with a bible.

I remember we got them when we were kids but I had forgotten thought we had moved on since then

DS doesn't believe in God, his choice and nothing to do with us. But I'm just really shocked and irritated at this act, presumably an attempt to spread the word and indoctrinate kids into organised religion.

I am very, very anti organised religion right now, following a historical abuse case involving our family which has just been through the court and involved a vicar, so very aware that I'm probably oversensitive.

Is it me? AIBU?

OP posts:
myotherusernameisbetter · 14/12/2015 20:13

user unfortunately I have been involved in many many lively debates on here about similar issues - people just can't see what the problem is and that religion is fine in their own homes and places of worship but they need to keep it out of schools.

myotherusernameisbetter · 14/12/2015 20:15

here's a link to my thread about it - i had a different user name then.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/2018992-to-be-fed-up-with-school-thinking-it-is-okay-to-keep-giving-my-sons-a-bible-and-asking-them-to-pray

BertrandRussell · 14/12/2015 20:15

It is so frustrating that on threads like these people always focus on saying things like "oh he won't
be indoctrinated" when as far as I know nobody has said he will be.but that is not the point. The point is that this is yet another example of the thread of Christian privilege that runs through our society. Did you know, for example that the "moving on" workshops in year 6 in many state non faith primary schools are run by a
Christian organization? and that the helpful leaflets handed out suggest that if you find it hard to make friends Jesus is always there?

originalmavis · 14/12/2015 20:23

I worked for a vicar for 4 years and the only thing that happened to me was that I learned even more swear words. I also saw a lot of good work being done in a very underprivileged part of London.

My DS remains unsullied too and he used to 'help' in my office and interrogate the vicar about cavemen, communists and ancient Egyptians, and moths (just why?), why the kings gave presents to the baby Jesus then just wandered off...

It's just a book. Ive seen similar hooha over harry potter in the states.

Oysterbabe · 14/12/2015 20:26

I'd be hoofing it straight in the bin.

myotherusernameisbetter · 14/12/2015 20:27

it's not just about the book though, it's the principle of the whole thing.

Yes, i am sure there are some very nice people who do some very good things who are Christians, same goes fr people of other religions or none. There are also absolute shites in all walks of life - the ones who hide behind religion imo are worse.

They use their position of authority and power to use and abuse children and vulnerable adults every day of the week whilst the pope weeps crocodile tears and others in authority cover it up.

BertrandRussell · 14/12/2015 20:27
chantico · 14/12/2015 20:27

"Did you know, for example that the "moving on" workshops in year 6 in many state non faith primary schools are run by a Christian organization?"

Can you recommend alternative providers?

DioneTheDiabolist · 14/12/2015 20:29

...people always focus on saying things like "oh he won't be indoctrinated" when as far as I know nobody has said he will be.

Bert, the OP brought up indoctrination in her OP. Maybe you didn't see it.Xmas Wink

vestandknickers · 14/12/2015 20:33

YA totally BU.

It isn't indoctrination. He can read it or not. His choice.

Like it or not, it is part of the culture of this country and a useful reference source if nothing else.

You massively need to chill out!

NeedsAsockamnesty · 14/12/2015 20:33

You encourage him to learn about different faiths and wish him to make up his own mind but don't want him to read a bible.

That makes no sense.

What would is giving him copies of how ever many other faith books you can get your hands on and encouraging him to read the whole lot.

Original poster
user7755 · 14/12/2015 20:35

I said that it's an attempt to spread the word and indoctrinate kids, not that I was concerned that they would be indoctrinated. To be fair unless JackSepticEye or DanTDM tells him anything I doubt he would listen.

It's the principle of an organisation being allowed into school to spread their version of the truth as a given thing when others aren't given the same opportunity which I object to. And perhaps this is because other groups don't donate the books, I don't know.

OP posts:
chantico · 14/12/2015 20:37

Have the others asked for the same opportunity?

myotherusernameisbetter · 14/12/2015 20:38

what people christians don't get is that they can learn about all religions at RE/RME or whatever it is called in your particular country/school. However, having a christian group in distributing texts as what is meant to be a school assembly is not right. It's affording one religious group access to children that they wouldn't normally get. no other religion gets that privilege and it's difficult for children to opt out.

It is done with the sole intention of indoctrination spreading the word of Christianity. There is no other reason for them to be there. If they wanted to do good work they could save the money they are spending on the bibles and spend it on other things.

Original poster
user7755 · 14/12/2015 20:38

You are right that I need to chill out vest Grin

It's not that I don't want him to read a bible - he has one in his room from my Nan before she died - it's the principle that I mention above.

OP posts:
Original poster
user7755 · 14/12/2015 20:39

I don't know chantico, perhaps some of the teachers / head teachers on here would know?

OP posts:
myotherusernameisbetter · 14/12/2015 20:43

The fact is that children are seen as "easy meat" as are other vulnerable groups. Church attendance and therefore funding is dwindling as the congregation ages and they pass away leaving a gulf to be filled. Who better than children, try to catch them young before they know any better. Hence the church clubs and holiday sessions etc.

PeasOnEarth · 14/12/2015 20:50

I think with what you've been through you're bound to be angry with organised religion, and will be for a long time, and with the hypocrisy of those in the church. And the Gideon bible kind of represents all that.

I became a Christian through reading the Gideons New Testament and Psalms I was given at school. I was raised in an atheist, science-against-religion, home and I think my parents were quite fearful of it as I wasn't allowed to go to church or really to talk about it at all. During a difficult time I started reading and started praying.

And to pretend that they don't give them out for that reason would be foolish - they do. I'm sure I too would be furious with the church if I'd your experiences.

SanityClause · 14/12/2015 20:51

The Gideons is a charity that exists to distribute bibles. They also place them in hotel rooms and the like, as well as schools.

If atheist organisations or other religious organisations wanted to distribute books, it would be down to them to do the fund raising and schools liaison, to do so.

Fwiw, I am an atheist.

DianaTrent · 14/12/2015 20:53

It would piss me off, too. I have a bible in the house, along with some other religious texts. I agree with good quality RE lessons which are properly inclusive of the different main religions alongside equal recognition of the many who have no religion, but I don't agree with religion being promoted in any way.

Original poster
user7755 · 14/12/2015 21:05

Peas, what a lovely open and honest response. I'm really glad that you found what you needed Smile

OP posts:
celtictoast · 14/12/2015 21:15

If you really want to put him off religion, encourage him to read it all. He'll probably give up on it well before he gets to Leviticus.

They distribute the New Testament and Psalms in secondary schools AFAIK, so excluding most of the Old Testament such as Leviticus.

captainfarrell · 14/12/2015 21:26

The point is that this is yet another example of the thread of Christian privilege that runs through our society.

Hmm might that be because this is a Christian country? I'm sure the child could have refused the book. It's a talking point even if he is not interested. I would say I am Christian but have no objection in my DC being taught about the Tora or Koran. It's an education so that they can make their own decision. If you feel that strongly OP then as a pp said, charity shop it.

eastwest · 14/12/2015 21:27

YANBU.

Bunbaker · 14/12/2015 21:29

I bet charity shops get a little tired of being given Gideon bibles all the time.