To wonder how much longer school will do nativity plays?

[GreatestShowUnicorn]

As there is no biblical scripture to show Jesus was born at the time of the winter solstice. Surely it’s just teaching creationism or that the world is flat?

Well i don’t go on about that and to tell truth i don’t know anyone who does. I tend to just count my blessings and get on with life.

cosysock

I'm alright Jack.

Not a very christian attitude.

Yes- but are you not even slightly concerned that you have more “blessings” than other people?

What concerns, are you in pain, starving, homeless? But you want me to have concerns about “Christian privilege”? Why on earth is it a case of “I’m alright Jack”, i have huge concerns for people who are, erm actually suffering. If it bothers you so much, write to your MP explaining in detail the hardships that “Christian privilege” bring you.
But don’t ask me if i’m “even slightly concerned”, because no i’m not, I’m concerned about people with real issues, as.far as i can see, your “issues” are just self indulgent pettiness.

Can atheists/secularists set up and get funding for non-denominational, non-religious schools? Who dictates who gets funding? Surely anyone can apply with an ethos if they want? Would it be discriminatory against atheists for the Government to not give equal funding?

So you don’t care that a child might not get into the school next door to them because your church going child who lives 5 miles away takes precedence? You don’t care that the bishops in the House of Lords maintain a block vote on matters of health and social policy, such as end of life care that is wholly Christian centred? You don’t care that in order to take a full part in the life of a state funded school you have to be at least a nominal Christian?

“Can atheists/secularists set up and get funding for non-denominational, non-religious schools?“
Yes, anyone within reason can set up a free school. The point is that a third of the schools we have already are faith schools. Saying “oh well, you can always set up your own” is a bit of a strange argument!

Not all C of E schools have faith based criteria for admissions. I've been the governor of two aided schools and we have not had any faith based oversubscription criteria. In some parts of the UK there is less choice as outstanding schools put in church attendance criteria and I think that is not fair. The most popular non faith community primary school around here has a catchment of around 750m and that drives up house prices. That isn't fair either.

My grandaughter couldn’t get into her nearest school where her friends were going, nothing to do with religion, everyone wanted their kids going because it was high achieving. She has to get two buses now to go miles away, and gets detentions because she’s often late because the buses aren’t dependable. Nobody but me and her mum seem to care.

Just like to point out with any argument concerning faith school is that the actual building and land is Church owned. The Church loans the land and building for free to provide educational services.

I would be interested to know if people would be in favour of the government spending an incredible amount of money to buy land/buildings from churches/other religions?

All faith schools are required to follow the curriculum and teach other religions. Faith schools are definitely not a brain-washing reeducation centre that some people seem to think that it is.

Yes, there are many things wrong with school admissions policy. On this thread, we are talking about religion. So bringing up other issues is simply smokescreening. Which, I have to say, is a common Christian debating technique.

Do other religions do similar, Bertrand or just Christians?

A school doing a Nativity play at Christmas? How very dare they?

“Do other religions do similar, Bertrand or just Christians?”

Because I live in the U.K. I don’t tend to have discussions about faith based privilege with people from other faiths.

I thought this was about Nativity plays but there is an unwritten law that on MN all threads about religion end up on Christian privilege.

Some C of E Aided schools have over subscription criteria that are faith based. Not all.

Some members of the unelected House of Lords are bishops. Not all.

It is a bit like some Christians are fundamentalists but not all which is something that some struggle to get their heads around.

This week I've seen two Christmas plays. One was by the lower school and was Mary and Jospeh and the traditional story. Another was in the upper school, a bought in production where the Christmas story got shoe horned in the middle. Both were excellent and in an aided school (no faith over subscription criteria as we are not full as there are falling rolls here) the children hear from staff and clergy Christians believe that, Hindus practice this, Muslims have special places that are....

Maybe atheist and secular groups could get together and run their own schools.

Ah ok, so it's only Christianity you like to slate, good job it isn't any other religion, you wouldn't get away with it. It's only Christianity, that doesn't seem to count for some strange reason, It baffles me why this is so.

That was to Bertrand.

That's not really fair Cosy. She has a go at Woo-ers and used to have a go at Muslims. Poor Bert just struggles with people not being the same as her.

as.far as i can see, your “issues” are just self indulgent pettiness.

A good point IMO.

Yes, anyone within reason can set up a free school. The point is that a third of the schools we have already are faith schools. Saying “oh well, you can always set up your own” is a bit of a strange argument!

No it's not! If atheists can't be bothered to set up schools in the same way that Christians/religious groups have, then you can't moan that you're underrepresented. Just do the work if you're so bothered!

Excellent point mothertruck3r, then we might hear an end to the constant moans.

“h ok, so it's only Christianity you like to slate, good job it isn't any other religion, you wouldn't get away with it.”

I haven’t slated Christianity. I have said that there is no place for faith of any sort in public life. For the sake of completeness, I don’t think there should be Islamic or Jewish state funded schools either.

Incidentally, I love Nativity Plays and Carol concerts.

So should nativity plays and carol services be resigned to private viewing rather than being a part of public life?

No. Because it’s a play. And singing. And part of our cultural heritage. See also Guy Fawkes Night, Shrove Tuesday, Burns Night, Valentines Day and St Pat’s.