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?

I'd let my son take part in the nativity too!

However, id tell him it's just a make believe story that the school acts out each year, I wouldn't let him believe or think it was real!

That's like telling a child there really is a peppa pig!!

Children don't need to be excluded, they just don't need to be spun a story

And seriously? ... six year olds having a good old sing song to 'Away in a Manger' is not going to radicalise them.

Teach 'ask for evidence ' as someone said upthread. Very wise words.

Hate to speak badly of an old lady, but once we no longer have a religious believer on the throne it is to be hoped that schools will be able to stop the act of worship.

I'd withdraw them from the assemblies if you feel like that. Tbh though I am a little to those in church schools who have an issue with it as the churches help to fund these schools.

but I know the steady drip drip of information could plant a seed that could lead to what I would consider radicalisation

😂

I teach young kids and i start every single bloody mention of religion with a deep breath and a very ostentatious 'SOME PEOPLE BELIEVE.......' and I'm sure some of the kids still go home and tell their parents that what they learnt that day was gospel (literally!)

Hate to speak badly of an old lady, but once we no longer have a religious believer on the throne it is to be hoped that schools will be able to stop the act of worship.

How likely is this ever to happen?

The monarch is the head of the Church of England by default. Of being the mornarch.

the churches help to fund these schools

Is that true?

If it is, its hardly something the church should be placed on a pedestal for. They are tax exempt, and exclusive faith schools receive government funding from tax payers like the ones on this thread, who don't believe religion should be taught in school at all.

Maybe if faith schools didn't receive government funding, it could go to secular state schools.

The meaning of Christmas and Easter in that they were/are pagan festivals?

Isn't it quite likely that pagans over the centuries have, at various times, adopted a number of traditions from those who came before them? I like the way these things evolve and how the nature aspects of paganism link in well with the ethos of Christianity and creation.

BIG IDEAS TO CONSIDER:

1. There are basically two kingdoms: a kingdom of light and a kingdom of darkness. It seems strange to have those who walk in darkness educate children of light. It doesn't fit.

1. If Jesus Christ is Lord, then He is Lord of all. We cannot divide things into secular and sacred.

All truth is God's truth, and God's Word sheds light on our path. Only in His light can we see light. Education is not focused on possibilities but on certainties found in God's Word.

. Three key institutions that shape a child are the home, the church and the school. Children are served best when all three institutions point them in the same direction.
Only an education that has the liberty to address the whole child social, intellectual, emotional, physical AND spiritual reaches the possibility of excellence.

Not my words but i totally agree.

Yanbu op. This whole 'this is a Christian country' bollocks is exactly why we haven't dropped this made up nonsense from assemblies and such.

Religion should be only taught in schools as a 'this is what some believe' rhetoric. I'd be as unhappy about my child coming home talking about Jesus as he were a real person, as much as I'd be unimpressed if they made out Hogwarts was a real place during story time. Absolutely no need for hymns and such as part of assembly, if you want you children taught these stories as fact, do it in your own time.

School is for learning facts, not talk about some magical boogeyman in the clouds.

I can see your history would affect your feelings on this.

Long term you will likely be the most important influence on your child's future religious beliefs.

I would as she gets older point out some of the negatives that can come with religion. The example of the minister's wife story is the kind of thing I'd go over with an older child and point out the flaws.

In your opinion it is made up Ollie.

My son attends a church school which is in a very poor area. Year to year probably one or two children get in on religious grounds so not really exclusively religious intake at all.

Education is not focused on possibilities but on certainties found in God's Word.

There are no certainties in fictional literature. A true education is based on fact, not with a religion used to control people with fear and untruths.

Although nearby catholic school took only siblings and catholic children last year in their intake.

No, but I wouldn't take it too seriously. My parents were both 'spiritual', but more on the atheist side of things. They sent me to church camps over the summers growing up. It was a fun thing for us to do and gave them some free time. We knew lots of Christian songs and history, but none of us (5 kids) grew up to be religious. If it is that important to you, have you considered homeschool instead?

YABU. My non religious parents let me go to Sunday school (it was fun and there were free packets of Chewits) and put up with me singing all sorts of happy clappy Jesus songs without fearing I was being brainwashed. They were chilled about it. I'm not especially religious now, but wouldn't say I'm a firm atheist either.

My older kids believe in evolution not creation but have devout church going friends. My little ones love all the Christian stuff they're taught.

Just try not to let it bother you. Unless it's a madrassa then your daughter will probably get a decent balance of views.

But... but...

We all learned about Jesus and God at school, didn't we? I wasn't aware of anyone who became indoctrinated by the Songs of Praise hymn book. Radicalisation my arse!

In your opinion it is made up Ollie.

Sorry do you mean, in my opinion the bible is made up?

My parents told us as early as I can remember that religion is a way of people feeling less worried about all of the problems in the world but that it was like the fables or Greek mythology I loved as a child.

I was certainly never christened! But I went to a C of E school and absolutely loved hymns and hearing some of the cracking stories (especially Old Testament). I loved going to the local church for Christingle. I once made an egg Jesus shepherding egg sheep for Easter. I went to my best friends Baptist church youth club for five years, I sung carols on the doorsteps of carehomes and celebrated harvest festival.

I am 100% atheist and have never had a moments flirtation with faith in my life. I simply enjoyed the feelings of community, belonging and tradition. Even writing that list of religious exposure gives me a warm fuzzy feeling because they were just lovely times.

Anyway my favourite hymns (for all the people who are secretly nostalgic like me) were;
You shall go out with joy
Peace perfect peace
When a knight won his spurs
Cross over the road my friend
And obviously autumn days!!!

That's a nice post, FrogsLegs.

You've made me all nostalgic.

I've got 'Give me Oil in my Lamp' going on in my head now. 😄

I agree with teal. I went to a normal state secondary, we did all the Christmas and Easter stuff and I fondly remember playing hark the herald and Mary's boy child in the orchestra. Some people went to church every weekend, some went for special occasions and some like me didn't go at all. We didn't really talk about religion with classmates, we didn't care. I couldn't tell you who believed and who didn't but we did all sing along in assembly and recite the Lord's Prayer.

I couldn't tell you if i believed then or not, I gave it such little head space.

I'm assuming all the "atheists" who don't like their kids being taught Christianity at school also don't celebrate Christmas or Easter at home?

Which bit of the bible refers to Santa?

Which bit in the bible does it say that on zombie jesus day you eat chocolate delivered by rabbits?

YABU Jesus is awesome

DD(10) is very adamantly anti religion - she just calls it fairy tales, is happy to say she doesn't believe in god, and actually certain of her views.

She didn't get that from me, as I am typical non commital not wanting to offend anyone puts c of e on forms

DD's school sounds much like yours, OP, so I wouldn't worry too much about indoctrination.