To get annoyed when dd(6) learns about Christianity?

[MooPointCowsOpinion]

She is at a non-religious, normal state primary. She is the type of kid who remembers everything she's told and parrots it back, so I hear about her entire day every day at school. Almost every day she tells me they sang this song about Jesus, learnt that story about Jesus, learnt this lesson about Christianity. Every assembly they sing a Christian song.

I am an atheist. I don't want her to learn just about Christianity, all religions are important in a 'this is what some people believe' kind of way but I feel like they're indoctrinating her into Christianity by pushing it so much. I try to counter it by teaching her other religious beliefs and telling her my beliefs, but I know the steady drip drip of information could plant a seed that could lead to what I would consider radicalisation.

I've brought it up with her teacher, she's sympathetic and has given us the option to opt-out but I'd hate for her to feel singled out and to miss important things in assemblies.

Does/did it bother you? AIBU to be annoyed?

'the greatest story ever told' or 'Jesus of nazareth' every Good Friday/Easter Sunday do tend to give the game away

I've never seen the greatest story ever told aired on Good Friday, the Muppet Christmas Carol isn't on until much later in the year.

FWIW I'm all for completely secular education and I say that as a devoted Christ follower in a hippy dippy, bleeding heart, foodbanks and George Harrison kind of way. I find the equality and fairness inherent in secular education much closer to the radical inclusivity of Christ than any organisation in which a unified church and state feel entitled to oppress. Ironic really,

Oh I believe other "gods" exist, I just don't think they are "God!" If they didn't, then why would we be warned against following them and be misled by them?
Yes, because your god is right and the others are wrong? Give me a break.

If they didn't, then why would we be warned against following them and be misled by them?

Funny how the bible refrains from mentioning other 'gods' by name. No mention of bible-god saying 'hello Middle East people, you can worship me. I'm not talking to the Greeks, Romans, Vikings, Huns etc. Just you. I've had a falling out with Thor, Hera and the rest, so don't worship them, 'k (not that you have any idea who they are)'.

There was only a warning not to follow any 'other gods' at the time men made up that rule, because those men wanted people to be controlled. Claiming 'well we have this god, so you better follow his rules or else', of course they were going to follow with 'oh by the way, don't listen to anyone who supposedly has a better god to make your crops grow and animals thrive. Otherwise there might be a mysterious drought. In this hot, arid country. All because you worshipped some other made up god'. Amazing how myth and fear combined can suddenly becomes fact to desperate people.

OOOh oooh oooh I can use my history degree! Exciting! Ahem

Christianity has NOT been in this country since the first century! It's brought to England in the 6th century by Augustine has his band of 'reluctant monks' (to quote Bede) who are sent to convert us heathens by Pope Gregory, but prob at the request of the wife of whoever was king of Mercia or Wessex at the time... not all kings convert - especially those pagen heathens in East Anglia!

Right, as you were

(I'm atheist, btw) 😄

I think it's sad that it's such a big deal. As part of their education they will learn about all faiths. From when I was at school, it didn't proclaim to have any connection to religion, but we sing hymns and said the Lords Prayer. Can anyone else remember the excitement of decorating your hymn book? Usually with wallpaper scraps?

I have faith, I'm from a big family where some have faith, others are sceptical, the rest deny existence of God. They usually go with the line religion starts most of the wars bla bla.

If your daughter chooses to be a Christian at a later stage, or a Hindu or Buddhist, would it be a problem for you? I would support my children no matter what.

I honestly don't worry that learning about different faiths, will cause any harm.

I read earlier that it's the atheists who are stomping up and down about this. I can't comment if it's a religion. I would say if you're an atheist, for religion, you would put none. Just because you have a certain belief, why should that stop your child from learning about different faiths.

For those who are Agnostic, you have the Bible, you have methods of worship that haven't really changed. I don't get the notion of actually seeing God as that's not going to happen, Jesus was the human form of God. We're 2000 years too late. Maybe ask why you need proof.

I read earlier that it's the atheists who are stomping up and down about this

Are you so concerned about your religion that you need the law of the country to state there should be a daily act of worship in state schools?

I think it's sad that it's such a big deal. As part of their education they will learn about all faiths. From when I was at school, it didn't proclaim to have any connection to religion, but we sing hymns and said the Lords Prayer

Learning about religions is not a big deal.

Is singing hymns and saying the Lord's prayer in assembly learning about religion - or is it practising Christianity?

Yabu. Singing hymns and learning some bible stories is hardly 'radicalisation'. Like it or not at the moment Britain is classed as a largely Christian country. I've read in fifty years it's likely to be more Islamic than Christian due to birth rates and popularity. I'm not sure whether any countries are officially atheist.

So it seems you'll always have a battle if you want atheism over religion

2000 years from events that didn't happen, as there is no evidence they did Fairytales. Jesus wasn't a 'human form of God', no such thing existed. I'm personally asking for proof as I think it's awful that the church has such an influence and power in education (and law) based on one old story book. It's not good enough.

And this isn't about learning about different religions, it's about one specific religion being paraded as truth every assembly in British schools. There's a difference in unbiased classroom lessons and preaching.

Why has Christianity survived so long? What makes a religion survive and others fade away?

They usually go with the line religion starts most of the wars bla bla.
Back in the day, it did. Now it's politics, drugs and still religion. I'm sure I've missed a few major reasons here, add what you like, but it can't be denied that religion has been used as an excuse for oppression throughout history. I'm not saying religious beliefs are bad per se, but I do not see why one set of opinions (ie religion) should be presented as any better than another. This is the implication in having a regular act of Christian worship in schools, when not all of those expected to participate have professed to hold these beliefs.
Don't think it's radicalisation though.

Why has Christianity survived so long? What makes a religion survive and others fade away?

There are a multitude of reasons, but I would say Christianity spread further through force. It has been violently forced on people for hundreds of years. A certain populous would invade a country, and usually gave the indigenous people a choice- change your heathen ways or die. Fear and control, conditioning the generations until it becomes 'the norm'.

Prompted by this thread, I've just given ds Terry Pratchett's "Small Gods" to read.

Should be an interesting one in his reading log...

Edmund,

The bible isn't one book. It's a collection of many books, written by many different authors over several thousand years. Religious and a-religious scholars agree about that, although obviously differ over whether they were divinely inspired or not.

Warnings against other gods are scattered throughout the Old Testament (the books written from around 1400BC to 400BC).

Specifically and from memory rather than looking up chapter and verse, beyond the commandment "you shall have no other gods before me", there are warnings against worshiping Asherah, Baal, "household gods", Molech. Possibly others. Whether or not you see those named as gods, demons, twisted fantasies designed to keep others in line, they are named and both warned against, and repeatedly worshipped against Yahweh's express command.

In the New Testament, (books written in the first hundred years or so after Christ), reference is made to Aeres - the Greek god of thunder and war, and warnings against various other Greek temples and the practices associated with them. Take a look at Acts if you're interested.

Later on in the early church you've got massive exposure to other gods when Christians or "followers of the way" refuse to worship the rulers of the day as gods. Named and unnamed, it's a recurring theme throughout the history of the church and the "chosen people" before Christ.

IF you're looking for sources outside the bible, I'd take a look at Tacitus - he certainly wasn't a fan of Christians or Jesus! Or else have a look at Josephus, although as a Jewish scholar I suppose you might find his adherence to massive and abrahamic tradition annoying. Tacitus though as a Roman comes from a totally different perspective.

It doesn't matter though. The best collection of evidence I have is my own personal experience; I know that I am talking to someone who is both fully human and fully divine, but I'm sure the more I mention him the more irritated you are probably getting with me. And it isn't my intention to irritate (or to convert), I just wanted to put forwards my own alternative experience.

I wish you well.

Silence
interesting...so the bible only warns about the 'gods' which have negative aspects? Is there any mention of the more benevolent gods, or can we assume from the above that your 'God' didn't feel the need to warn followers about those, as long as he came first in their worship, iyswim? Genuine Q, as they say.

Silence you're not irritating me in the slightest. You're just not providing any evidence or answering many of the points I have raised in my posts. You are doing what most believers do when someone questions their faith - refer to the bible (absolutely not a 'source' for anything factual) and refer to your own experience, which is only 'real' to you. And as many believer, refuse to elaborate on why they believe they are talking to an entity rather than an empty room.

The warnings against other gods in the bible has as much real significance as if Dumbledore warned against Darth Vader in literature. Interesting story cross over, but it does not inspire me to start talking to the former as a 'real person'.

IF you're looking for sources outside the bible, I'd take a look at Tacitus - he certainly wasn't a fan of Christians or Jesus! Or else have a look at Josephus, although as a Jewish scholar I suppose you might find his adherence to massive and abrahamic tradition annoying. Tacitus though as a Roman comes from a totally different perspective.

Along with Pliny and Suetonius, Josephus and Tacitus have already been disproved, lots of later additions to their original text

YABU...the UK (if that's where you are) is predominatenly Christian. As a whole, we (not all, the majority, I am very aware that there are different religions in this country) celebrate Christmas and have Easter eggs. Do you skip Christmas? If you do then fair enough, take her out of the school or get her to sit out of lessons. However, it is part of our culture. If you DO celebrate Christmas, you are being a hypocrite, IMO

If you DO celebrate Christmas, you are being a hypocrite

Why? Can you explain your reasoning behind that.

Some people would argue that it is an established festival during winter when it's dark that brings families together to share food and presents. It's a nice time of the year.

The fact that Christians remember the birth of Jesus at this time is great for them.

When I celebrate Christmas, I am enjoying a festival of giving and sharing with family near the end of the year.

Screwinthetuna, the Christmas/Easter ideology has already been discussed. Christianity has mostly appropriated these festivities from other cultures. If anything, christians are the hypocrites. The UK isn't 'predominantly Christian' either, it's a large mix. It's called a Christian country because we have built our laws and culture around it for hundreds of years in the ages of ignorance. Difficult to restructure a whole country after such a long time, have to do it bit by bit. Like fighting for more secularism in education.

Listen to the name, Chist mas. Whether you acknowledge the birth of Jesus or not, it's still a celebration rooted in Christianity.

Nope, the name was given to the Christian festival which was put on at the same time as the mid-winter festival already celebrated at the time by the ppl they wanted to supersede.

Whether you acknowledge the birth of Jesus or not, it's still a celebration rooted in Christianity

Do you even know when Jesus was supposed to have been born?

Clue - not December.

I'm still trying to figure out easter.

Do you throw the chocolate eggs at zombie jesus to defeat him? Are chocolate eggs akin to silver bullets on werewolves?

Or

Do you eat the chocolate eggs to ward off zombie jesus? Sort of garlic and vampires kind of thing