Why is religious studies compulsory in primary and secondary schools?

[GulliversTravels123]

Just that really- it’s more obvious why Maths and English matter, don’t understand why a subject which IMO is a load of twaddle is compulsory.

I’m guessing there must be a reason?

[whiskeysourpuss]

It's semi-compulsory in some form or another - they don't have to take the official Nat 5 but do have to attend at least two periods a week & can be excused from this at parents request - at DD's school but then she does attend a catholic school so it's what I signed up for.

At the non-denominational school DS will attend the same rules apply but there it's called religious, social & moral studies & covers a variety of subjects.

[scaryteacher]

Sissy The school is wrong - they may not have to sit a GCSE in it, but it is still compulsory, see here: www.gov.uk/national-curriculum/other-compulsory-subjects

[BertrandRussell]

RE is a very interesting subject. Some knowledge of the main world religions is an important part of understanding history, culture and current affairs.

The study of RE to GCSE level is compulsory in state secondary schools- but taking the exam isn't. So the amount schools do varies a lot-anything from a full GCSE curriculum to watching and discussing a thought provoking film every fortnight.

[scaryteacher]

And here: assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/...data/.../DCSF-00114-2010.pdf

[Thesnobbymiddleclassone]

So that they learn about different religions and what those followers believe. It leads to greater understanding and respect towards others.

[Ninoo25]

Because it’s important to understand that you live in a multicultural society, with people with lots of different beliefs. As long as they’re teaching about all the major religions and not teaching it as fact in the way that you would maths or something then I think it’s a good thing.

[TigerDrankAllTheWaterInTheTap]

Isn't it more that schools have to timetable it but parents have the right to withdraw their child?

In theory all schools also have to lay on an act of worship every day, aka assembly, but that seems to have gone by the board now that school designs and timetables mean this isn't feasible any more.

[Sirzy]

If you don’t learn about other religions you can’t understand their beliefs and that ignorance often feeds animosity and intolerance.

You don’t have to believe in something to learn about it. RE isn’t about indoctrination it is about learning about the beliefs of other religions

[vandrew4]

beacuse it's important to realise just how backwards some people are in their beliefs and may help them understand why wars / terrorist acts are carried out by believers.

[scaryteacher]

When I was 19, I went to work in London (in 1985). I grew up in Hampshire, attended a comp, which was overwhelmingly white, (can't remember one non white child at school), middle class, and nominally Christian.

I worked in an office where I came across religions, creeds, skin colours and cultures that I had never encountered in reality before. Had we had RE to O level as opposed to CSE, then i might have known about some of these. My colleagues were unfailingly polite and good natured to me in the face of my ignorance about them.

RE is not about proselytizing, the best RE teachers I know are atheists; it is about equipping students for the wider world. Not every child grows up in a metropolitan borough in a cultural melting pot. Many grow up in areas that are white, and that don't have any other religion than Christianity and Paganism. If we didn't teach these children about other religions, we would be doing them a disservice.

I also taught about euthanaisa, abortion, crime and punishment, war and peace, conflict resolution, community cohesion, religious beliefs or not, wealth and poverty, religion in the media, philosophy of religion, religion and the environment, marriage and the family, contraception, sexuality (I still laugh when I remember making a whole row of Year 10 boys blush). There's a wide variety of stuff that gets addressed in RE lessons, and that students can't, or don't want to, raise with their parents.

[Scotinoz]

Religion has no place in schools. 'Faith' schools should be abolished and it's ridiculous that the government funds them.

The system is ludicrous. The 'Catholic' school with the high Muslim and Jewish pupil count...the thread with the parent surprised by the level of Catholicism in a Catholic school (although that one is private)...it's all nuts. And down right wrong.

[PlinkPlink]

There is alot to be gained by learning about religion, even if you don't believe in it.

Alot of those religions have stood the test of time. They have influenced wars. They have influenced legal rulings. They have influenced literature, films, movies, books, poems. They have become part of every corner of the history of the world.

It creates interesting discussion on morals and ethics.

If you want your children to understand the broader context of history, English literature, music, drama, even geography and to make those vital links between the subjects, RE is definitely a good subject to have.

Can I also please bring some people's attention to the fact that teaching RE does not mean converting children to a religion?

[AnnPerkins]

If you know nothing about religions how can you understand everything about the world around you? You learn a lot about society by knowing about the different religions.

We're an atheist family but happy for DS to study RE. I don't agree with worshipping in schools but that's a different subject.

[bellinisurge]

One of the reasons I nudged my dd to a non-Catholic secondary school (we are Catholics) was so that she wouldn't clog up GCSE choices with having to do RE GCSE - it's compulsory at the Catholic secondary schools that her primary was nudging her to.
She has two 45 min lessons over 2 weeks and it is more about the skill of understanding philosophy and debating moral issues than dogma. My pals' kids have it 3 times a week and will have to do it at GCSE.

[AuntBeastie]

Because learning about other cultures and studying ethics and philosophy is an important part of a rounded education, and helps to challenge narrow minded bigotry based on a lack of understanding about other religions and cultures.

[DancingDot]

I have no issue with religious education but I do have an issue when one religion is given more weight than others. My children attend what is supposed to be a non-denominational primary school and the Christian teachings outweigh any information about other religions by a ridiculous amount. We are not a religious household and I resent that Christianity is taught as fact and other religions as a patronising aside. But there are literally no other choices for me and my children.

[AuntBeastie]

Also, you are fundamentally misunderstanding the subject if you think it is teaching your kids to follow a religion or believe in any particular theologies.

[vandrew4]

may as well just teach them various beliefs about the tooth fairy etc. In fact, why isn't it lumped in with stuff like greek legends.
treats us all like we're fucking imbeciles

[GulliversTravels123]

I disagree - I think other subjects such as geography, history and music are more important and useful than religion

[lunar1]

Understanding what might motivate someone, or knowing why they licht make certain choice is essential to function in the world.

Every aspect of our lives can be improved by knowing more about the people we may interact with.

[noeffingidea]

It's impossible to understand other subjects such as history, sociology and English literature without a knowledge of religious belief systems, however it should only be taught in that context.
I'm an atheist but I wouldn't want to know nothing at all about religion. I find it very interesting in a sociological context, and a lot of religious art and music is beautiful and life would be poorer without them.

[jenthelibrarian]

If you don't like RE you do have the right to withdraw your child.
The school has an obligation to make you aware of this right, although most fail to do so.
We go fed up with every aspect of school RE, withdrew my son and he used the time to do his homework instead. He was the envy of his class.

[Kokeshi123]

may as well just teach them various beliefs about the tooth fairy etc. In fact, why isn't it lumped in with stuff like greek legends.

I actually would be fine with creating a general subject which included world religions, mythology and classics.

[Sirzy]

The lack of respect for other people’s beliefs shown on this thread is a perfect example of why schools should teach about other religions to help encourage respect for others and their beliefs

[BertrandRussell]

Why do beliefs deserve respect?