To email school AGAIN re religious assemblies

[pineapplepenthouse]

I have twins in year 4 both in different classes. I have expressed my feelings about not letting them be involved in religious assemblies or having anything to do with religion. My children are in different classes. Today for the third time my DDs has come home saying he has been included in the religious assembly.
I have strong feelings on this but other mums just say 'it's not a big deal' and 'it didn't do us any harm'.

AIBU?

Possibly @MarieKondo

I have put a friendly letter in his bag tonight just reminding her he's not to be included.

She maybe did forget, but she also told us at parents evening she thought it was 'silly' so I know she disagrees with us.

@merename
We generally sat in a different classroom for a bit with either a teacher or a TA, there were usually a couple of other kids who also sat out so I didn't feel singled out. At assemblies (from the perspective of me as a child) there were always more than enough staff for a teacher to sit out. I think my brother did care more about appearing different to other kids, but for me it was fine. We had talked about why we were not going to the assemblies, and it made sense to me.

Not to take away from the interesting debate but just to say that all of those comments about 'sky fairies' (whatever that may be) and 'fairy tale nonsense' doesn't portray athetists in the best light. It just shows an ignorance of different religious beliefs.

Just as much as I can't categorically prove the exisitance of God to you, you can't categorically disprove it.

OP - As mentioned, it is your right to pull your children from religious services (I would recommend an honest talk with your child first). I don't agree with your reasons. However, I respect your choices and I'm pleased you are in agreement that religious studies as a subject is important.

Pumpkin-Jesus is an historical figure. There’s as much evidence for his existence as is there is for other ‘ancients’ whom we accept as having existed (eg Herod). Historians (Christian, atheist and everything in between) are in agreement about this.

The question is whether or not he was the son of God, not whether he was a real person.

Learning about other faiths and cultures is one thing. Taking part in an act of worship, ie a devotional act, is quite another. I’m astonished at how many posters seem not to be able to understand the difference.

Every educated person should know the Bible, irrespective of beliefs - get over it Said every bible basher ever.

Having been forced to read the Bible as a child I never found one single thing of value in it and would never subject my children to such a complete waste of time.

Great help when studying Shakespeare or any art or literature actually.

Goodness me, we are all so special nowadays. With all the pain and suffering going on in the world it makes things like this very trivial

I'm no bible basher, but everyone should be well versed it's part of being a well rounded cultured individual.

No it isn't.

PJ how lovely to see you. How are you, young oinker?

Well, the Bible is the world's most read and bought/distributed book ever (as measured over the past 50 years).

Even if I was an atheist, I think that I would be intrigued to read it.

This is an unreasonable request in today's climate where schools are gasping for more staffing barely any cash to employ!! Your 2 kids being excluded means a member is staff has to be dedicated to looking after them rather than helping look after the 100's of students under one roof! Even our SEND who needs support hardly get 1 adult to 2 students these days.
I work in a faith Catholic school with lots of Muslims and they just get on with the assemblies without a fuss. We know they are Muslims so they are not forced to sing or pray. They are there as assemblies always have many other components apart from 'religious stuff' they benefit from. At worst it's a time for reflection.
This new age sense of entitlement and demands on schools for inconsequential issues like this makes the job tough.
Kids coming to school with various demands - my mum says I shouldn't sit by this bitchface/ my dad says I should do my adding this way rather than what the teacher is teaching/ mum says I should not do the detention you set me.
Well well well., dear demanding parents - you may have confused govt funded schools for private ones. Even better if you homedchool. Go on then..

Jesus is an historical figure. There’s as much evidence for his existence as is there is for other
Untrue, whilst there is a bit of evidence of a person (or persons) called Jesus existing, there is nowhere near enough evidence to conclude he did exist. And there is ZERO evidence of a demi-god called Jesus existing.

I agree about far more pressing issues in life really but listening to someone say a prayer is hardly brainwashing. No child would be forced to say Amen etc. Teaching a chulf to be sble to listen to different points of views and not be brainwashed, and to be able to listen respectfully to other beliefs is in my opinion far more important. You can't leave a room everytime someone says something you don't agree with. Teaching tolerance, acceptance, own thoughts and questioning needs to be more valued.

“Teaching a chulf to be sble to listen to different points of views and not be brainwashed, and to be able to listen respectfully to other beliefs is in my opinion far more important”
So why don’t Christian children get the chance to learn this valuable lesson?

The bible. Read the whole thing before I left primary school. It's one of the things I hold a grudge against school religious indoctrination for. I should have been playing and or reading something fun and escapist at the age of 10 not trying to squash my sense of morality into a shape that could fit the OT.

Well, the Bible is the world's most read and bought/distributed book ever...Even if I was an atheist, I think that I would be intrigued to read it.

Fifty Shades of Grey has topped best-seller lists around the world, selling over 125 million copies worldwide. And yet I am not the least bit intrigued to read it, or encourage children at school to study it.

Totally agree with you op and think that you should formally write to the school, copying in the governors.
Moral teaching in assemblies is fine but any hint at any brainwashed 'religion' is unacceptable and who would want their child part of that?
When are these poor blinkered souls going to open their eyes? Sorry for the rant but it has no place in our society.

There is no sense on entitlement here just the OP asking the school to to what probably most primary schools do in Scotland and have provision for those children that are withdrawn from religious observance - not education but observance.

Err creambeforejam there is a very simple solution if the schools dont have resources and that is to leave the religious worship at home..that way assembly time is used for information on school affairs and celebration of achievements and each household can cater for their own varying beliefs or non beliefs in the privacy of own homes. ...secular schools have my vote.

Op go ahead and keep contacting school as they are out of order.

@Creambeforejam, since when was it unreasonable or "new age" to ask schools to comply with their legal duty? And how difficult do you imagine it is for the school to have a few children sitting in reception colouring in or readings?

I thought you would say that.....

I don't think we can compare 125million to 3.9billion as well as the huge influence that the Bible has had on the Western world.

To say that this the Bible has no value whatsoever (morality issues aside) seems quite a prejudiced view to me.
Whilst I don't agree with it, I don't dismiss the critical responses to Christianity e.g works of Nietzsche or Voltaire as worthless. IMO, it is important not to shy away or dismiss out of hand other people's criticism.

Absolutely not being unreasonable. I have asked for my children not to attend RE or religious assemblies.
How dare they send them when you have specifically asked them not to.
I would put your wishes in writing to the principal, and if they send them again, make a formal complaint to the relevant education department.