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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:
thebestfurchinchilla · 14/12/2015 21:38

I wonder how many of you horrified posters are celebrating Christmas this year? I suppose you can't stand Easter eggs either.

DecaffCoffeeAndRollupsPlease · 14/12/2015 21:41

Yanbu

LittleLionMansMummy · 14/12/2015 21:43

We were encouraged to read the Bible as a background text for English Literature as so many novels and texts rely on a degree of knowledge of Christianity and the bible - from Chaucer, Milton and Dickens to Plath and Heaney. I'd treat it as an educational experience in storytelling and leave it to my ds to decide whether or not he wanted to keep it and read it or bin it.

clarinsgirl · 14/12/2015 21:52

I agree with Narp, no better way to move away from organised religion than actually reading the bible. And please, don't get me started on Christmas. Please point me to any reference in the bible to Jesus being born on 25th December. There is no evidence of Christmas even being celebrated by Christians until it reached Northern Europe where they found us all celebrating the winter solstice.

clarinsgirl · 14/12/2015 21:53

Oh and Easter eggs, doesn't get much more pagan than that.

myotherusernameisbetter · 14/12/2015 21:54

thebestfur Do you mean the winter solstice and many other pre christian festivals that were celebrated at this time of year before Christianity adopted it in order to celebrate the birth of someone who wasn't born in winter?

myotherusernameisbetter · 14/12/2015 21:56

and i take it that the Christians will not be telling their kids about Santa?(just the St Nicolas version)

i wonder if that's a dilemma as when you explain that Santa is just made up, how do you possibly get them to continue to believe that there is a god?

thebestfurchinchilla · 14/12/2015 21:57

Ha wondered how long it would take the pagans to start up .I am well aware of the origins of the dates, however that is not what is celebrated at Christmas now. I suppose you make a pilgrimage to Stone Henge on 25 th then?

myotherusernameisbetter · 14/12/2015 21:59

I'm neither a pagan or a christian or anything else, it's all shite, but i get a day off work, it brightens up the winter and the kids like getting presents - so shoot me...

thebestfurchinchilla · 14/12/2015 22:00

It's amazing how quick people are to slate Christianity. The same people wouldn't dare to voice such derogatory remarks about Islam or Judaism .

clarinsgirl · 14/12/2015 22:01

No, I'm an atheist, just pointing out some of the origins of the traditions. Christmas is a wonderful mix of the rich history that we share, Roman saturnalia, Norse mythology, paganism and many many more.

clarinsgirl · 14/12/2015 22:02

Yes I would, I think that all organised religion is divisive and completely unnecessary.

celtictoast · 14/12/2015 22:02

I like the way that traditions around the world are taken on and adapted by different groups over time. Perhaps the Pagans took on cultural aspects, traditions and customs from those who went before them, too.

Oysterbabe · 14/12/2015 22:05

Well I certainly don't celebrate the birth of Christ, not sure I know anyone who does. We just eat too much, exchange some tat and enjoy a bit of time off.

myotherusernameisbetter · 14/12/2015 22:06

It's amazing how quick people are to slate Christianity. The same people wouldn't dare to voice such derogatory remarks about Islam or Judaism .

That old chestnut. People mostly slate Christianity as that is the dominant religion in this country and the one that is afforded special privilege in our society hence the extra attention and slating.

However. i equally think all religion is shite and am happy to slate Islam and Judaism and Hinduism and anything else you care to mention. I'm for the pursuit of truth personally. I already know that the truth is not in religion.

clarinsgirl · 14/12/2015 22:07

Me too Celtic, we celebrate at this time of year because it dark and cold and the days are short. We celebrate because we have always needed a little light.

thebestfurchinchilla · 14/12/2015 22:07

Oh wise one myother Please tell us what is the divine truth in your opinion?

clarinsgirl · 14/12/2015 22:08

Not because a baby was born in a manger.

thebestfurchinchilla · 14/12/2015 22:09

clarins Have you got children? have they ever been in a nativity play?

WMittens · 14/12/2015 22:09

there are many sayings in everyday speech that originate in the Bible.

Just out of interest, what are some? I've never really thought about it.

muttonaslamb4 · 14/12/2015 22:09

YANBU
..and i attend quaker meetings with-variously- Jewish members, Christians, Muslims, Pagans, Buddhists and Atheists (like me)- most certainly I have nothing against religious folk but religion has no place in our schools except as a taught subject.
I'd feel the same if my kid came home clutching an atheist manifesto!

clarinsgirl · 14/12/2015 22:09

Yes and yes because I live in a country where church are state are not separate. Bastards.

thebestfurchinchilla · 14/12/2015 22:10

Oh well done Clarins thought as much. Hypocrite!

WMittens · 14/12/2015 22:13

I wonder how many of you horrified posters are celebrating Christmas this year? I suppose you can't stand Easter eggs either.

clarinsgirl · 14/12/2015 22:15

No, my beliefs are just that. My children will access Christian doctrine because of where they live. I'm actually very keen that they go to church and read the bible because I don't need them to believe what I do, I want them to make informed choice.