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?

I'm still waiting for a response to the number of questions above regarding whether Christian parents would be happy if their children were made to take part in an act of worship for a different religion e.g. Hindu or Islamic, on a regular basis, with no Christian acts of worship ever taking place in the school.

I'll answer. I wouldn't be happy with that, no. Assuming it was just the occasional assembly, I would do what the OP has done and request that they not attend. As it happens, I think that everyone should have the right to send their children to an entirely secular state school and I would have no problem with sending my own children to one. I have repeatedly said on this thread that the OP should stand up for her right to have her DC excused from these assemblies. I'm not sure what your point is. Several of the people who have completely agreed with the OP on this thread are Christians.

Oh no...you're that parent...

I can't believe that grown adults would make a decision on the lives of their children based around the superfluous and petty judgements of others.

The teacher is right

No, @BlueSlipperSocks, the teacher is wrong. By law, if a parent wants to withdraw their child from acts of worship the school must comply with that.

Where is your DS to go when there are lessons about any religion/religious ceremonies?

To the lessons. OP has said more than once that she has no problem with that.

If you mean, where should he go to during the religious assemblies, the answer would presumably be - the same place his sister goes to.

@Dahlietta thank you for answering that however, the questions have been posed specifically to those Christians who are stating here that OP should not be withdrawing her children from forced worship in school and those saying that it is beneficial or it doesn't do any harm. Would that stance on religious worship be the same if it were other religions?

However I concede that it is actually a rhetorical question because of course they would not be okay with it.

@Sunflower1989, I'm not getting angry, more astonished at the number of posters who can't be bothered to read the thread or even the OP's posts before they post. You asked why OP didn't want her children to have an awareness of the concept of religion. If you had read her posts you would be well aware that she has no problem with them having an awareness of that concept. The question why she doesn't want them to go to these specific religious assemblies is a different one which you didn't ask; and to be honest, I can see why, surely the answer is obvious?

@Villanellenovella - of course they're trying to evangelise .... they're trying to instigate their beliefs - hence saying Jesus says ... the lord says ... let's pray to god ... they're interfering and being evangelical

Oh and let's not forget the thousands of children involved with child abuse and the church yet the schools freely allow them in

Keep them away from our schools ffs - they shouldn't get s free pass to infiltrate our loved ones ... wait til Sunday and spend the rest of the week doing good for others by all means but fuck off away from our children

@TheLostTargaryen - you didn't mention the devil worshippers - let's get them in for a few sessions eh

“There are 3 non denominational schools on my area and I have friends/ family’s children at them all... none of them do this”

Then they are failing in their statutory duty.

Dahlietta thank you for answering that however, the questions have been posed specifically to those Christians who are stating here that OP should not be withdrawing her children from forced worship in school and those saying that it is beneficial or it doesn't do any harm

Ah, okay, sorry! I missed that. I do, as I say, agree entirely with you point (I assume) that they wouldn't be happy with it and therefore ought to respect the OP's right to object to these aspects of Christian worship.

Oh fair point. I like the Satanic teachings. Like the one that says don't make sexual advances on women (or anyone) unless you've got the go ahead. Much better than women being made to marry their rapist or having to marry the brother of your deceased husband.

Flumpy - pretty sure there's no chance for child abuse at school assemblies

“What concerns me is the use of lauguage that implies people of religion are stupid for holding certain beliefs.”
Any poster doing this is obviously in the wrong. But on this thread they are massively outnumbered by posters saying that anyone not wanting their child to take part in worship is intolerant, precious, imposing their views in their children (ironic, that one) inconsiderate and so on.

I'm still waiting for a response to the number of questions above regarding whether Christian parents would be happy if their children were made to take part in an act of worship for a different religion e.g. Hindu or Islamic, on a regular basis, with no Christian acts of worship ever taking place in the school.

Certainly not, it’s a Christian country, why should we expect to have the kids made to take part in Hindu/Islam acts of worship. In the same way muslim parents living in predominantly muslim/Hindu countries wouldn’t be happy for their kids to be made to take part in Christian acts of worship.

If you mean, where should he go to during the religious assemblies, the answer would presumably be - the same place his sister goes to.

I assume that throughout their school life OP will be happy to collect her children during all lessons regarding all aspects of religion and various religious festivals. Or does she expect school to lay on extra staff a few times a week for her children?

There are many (probably the majority) of families who have no interest in religion. Most parents are happy for their children to learn about life that doesn't necessarily involve them.

What if her children would like an element of religion in their lives? OP is preventing them from making an informed decision, because of her own views.

There are children from many differing religions, and none, who attend religion based schools. My DD attended Catholic school. We are athiest. Her best friend through school was a child of Muslim faith. Religion aspects in school have made no difference at all to their religious beliefs. And they certainly haven't been harmed by learning about the lives of Catholics, Christians, Muslims, Jews, Sikhs, Hindus, Jehovahs Witnesses.....

Should a child who has no interest in science or PE be removed from those lessons? Or should they be involved in subects they have no interest in because these subjects are on the curriculum - the same as RE.

I assume that throughout their school life OP will be happy to collect her children during all lessons regarding all aspects of religion and various religious festivals. Or does she expect school to lay on extra staff a few times a week for her children?

She is only removing them from assemblies that occur once a month or so. She is happy for them to attend RE lessons. And repeat.

@Villanellenovella - you need to read through the lines a bit here and use your gumption - it's not something the church will teach you as they like to keep their flock of sheep dumb ...

God is here, god is good, we represent good because we represent t god, come to me with problems, I can help solve them, trust god, trust the church ... 🎵🎶 trust in me 🐍🐍🐍....🎵🎶

God says that if we ....... blurb blurb ... spouts off some shit for 'this is what I think and want you to do' .... all this balony buys them freedom over someone willing to latch onto their smock ... or king sheep's clothing if you will

Rein them in, chew them up, and spit them out .... Amen

I'm still waiting for a response to the number of questions above regarding whether Christian parents would be happy if their children were made to take part in an act of worship for a different religion e.g. Hindu or Islamic, on a regular basis, with no Christian acts of worship ever taking place in the school

Children are taken to Temples and Mosques, as part of the curriculum. They will also be involved in Diwali, Hannukah, Holi, Easter festivals, to name a few. What is wrong with children from all faiths, and none, making a Diwali card as part of their learning about Hinduism and Sikhism? It's no big deal!

I'm not sure how the Scottish school system works but I do know they have religious schools. IMO, as long as you haven't chosen a specific faith school then you are entirely within your rights to withdraw your children from collective acts of worship. I would say that this differs from religious studies as a subject where you are learning about the festivals and customs of various religions.

I think that learning about different traditions and architecture is important but acts of worship are different and should be entirely voluntary. If it is a faith school then that's different as your children are either a part of that faith community or you have chosen for them to be educated as part of that faith community.

I would go and speak to the head again.

“What is wrong with children from all faiths, and none, making a Diwali card as part of their learning about Hinduism and Sikhism?”
Absolutely nothing. What has that got to do with the thread?

Villanellenovella, I think evangelising involves rather more than telling children to be nice to each other. There is a middle course between that and threatening hellfire.

She is only removing them from assemblies that occur once a month or so. She is happy for them to attend RE lessons. And repeat

Then that makes no sense!

Why does it make no sense, BlueSlipper? Can you not see that there is a different between being taught about religions, and worshipping under a religion?

I give zero fucks if my kids take part in any religious ceremony, that's because I don't believe in any of it therefore no harm can come of it. I teach my kids to think for themselves and to not follow the crowd. They are individuals who are not so easily swayed by mass marketing (of which religion is a part). Neither do they worship at the alter of i-phones, fortnite, nike - whatever it is that lots of kids are crazy about. Your kids are being indoctrinated all the time.

@BlueSlipperSocks - can you read ?! OP and most others don't have a problem in teaching THEORY (definition essentially thoughts but NOT fact) .... a Christian assemblies teaching and preaching God as FACT (remember here, not theory, see above) = not required in schooling thank you - as for getting parents in to watch the kids .... ERRRR NO! They lay on that shit, they seek babysitters from their own team .... perhaps put eastenders on ... its more factual

@crimsonrose19 Christian country? It's half Christian. The government website Office of National statistics shows that out of 65M inhabitants, only 33M identify as Christian.
Still doesn't make me think that acts of worship of ANY RELIGION should be forced at school.