To be angry that parents won't allow their children to go on school visit to local mosque?

[ptangyangkipperbang]

DS2 is going on a school trip to the local mosque. However, the school nearly cancelled it because so many parents have refused to let their children go. I have only spoken to one parent who won't allow her child to go but she said "I'm not racist but...why should they visit a mosque when we daren't get a plane or go to a shopping centre because of that lot". Not racist .

Lemonaid, admittedly I did not think of the situation where the village school is CofE and there being no other schools around!

And Lemonaid, have been trying to get hold of you, as we are both tsarinas in the same area...

DC, strangely, I agree with you too on these issues.

And I echo that all children of all faiths should be able to learn about/explore all faiths.

sad and racist (to go back to the opener)

Tsarina - get you two! Is there going to be a crowning ceremony?

Now there is a thought Kewcumber! Do I sense a night out in the near future?

"Personally I find any "religion" whose premises are more far-fetched than a b rate sci-fi thriller to be cultish."

so that would be all religions then.

as for scientology being blacklisted in england i think it's a bad idea. as far as i know scientology does not promote violence,hatred or bigotry. and as such i do not see why they should be villified just because the majority of the population do not share their beliefs.if you wish to join and pay them money as an individual capable of deciding what is right for you then why stiop them?it does not hurt anyone else.remember christianity began as an underground religion which was outlawed,and how many times when we hear about middle eastern tyrants is the first crime listed against their people not allowing them the freedom of religion?

I think a lot of people who practice Scientology are slightly bonkers but then I think trainspotters are mostly slightly bonkers too and I wouldn't lead a concerted campaign to stop trainspotting...

where are you strrystarry? Tsarinas a meant to hold (and fund) big banquets for the local plebs (Lemonaid will go halves with you)

OH no, you are wrong there, us tsarinas is getting taxes from you lot, to fund our villas and YOU plebs do the cooking, lol!

I am right across the border in wandsworth, and am in fact a double tsarina, as I cover both areas till I can find a co tsarina in your borough, so.... the question is there.... help me? You get taxes!

THAT below was of course for Kewcumber

I teach religious studies at secondary school level and I feel very strongly that pupils should visit different places of worship. I also feel that it is even better if they do so when at primary school because (hopefully) they then accept different faiths for what they are rather than how the media portrays them. Because of the geographical location of my school we are predominantly a white christian school (and town) and so I feel it is particularly important for children to learn about others. I would (will?) be upset if my DS, who is only 3 at present, did not have the opportunity to learn about other faiths. Whether or not one has a religious belief oneself is irrelevant - it is a case of understanding why/how people act etc. I am not talking politics here I am talking about different dress/food laws etc. I think it is important for children to understand why others are different and to appreciate the feelings of others.

I suppose my point Peachy is that one shouldn't assess other people's religion at all if you think this is going legitimise buggering them around.
I've no doubt that one can compose a scale that makes Scientologists look bad, I'm no fan myself.
But...
A list from someone who makes a living out of rescuing people from cults is like the WH Smith "Recommended" lists which are wholly commercially chosen to make money.

Imagine this bloke was devising a list, and giving weights to things like donations, illegal activities, etc. Imagine further that a respectable religion like Orthodox Judaism came near the top.
Would he announce to the world that this was a cult ?
or, more realistically would he think up a new factor which made them look really uncultlike.
I'm sure that given 10 minutes we could put our heads together and devise an objective looking scheme that made the England supporters club look like a cult.
Th FA takes lots of money from their members. England FC cult members are required to undertake frequent expensive pilgrimages. They are observed to stand motionless for hours chanting prayers, and make assertions like "we're going to win the competition" which have no basis in objective reality.
These people are apparently required to drink alocohol in such quantities that it damages their health. Like any good religion, they have a faction who seeks out non-believers and imparts violence unto them.
They are required to wear clothing in public that on person who was not under the influence of a cult would choose, and they are seen to break down and cry in public then their messiahs fail them.

I agree with DC on the point about religious freedom. If the state starts making laws in preference of one belief-system above another it gets very complicated. I think the government is best out of religious affairs - whatever the religion. (and vice versa, tbh)

am I the only person who hasn;t read DC's comments on this thread as they are so long? Am feeling more than a bit shallow about it

I believe (but am not sure) that gender segregation at worship is a feature of many world religions including orthodox judaism and old fashioned Christianity (up to about 200 years ago???) Shall have to go and look that up now.

If my children are going to be out of school I'd much rather they went to the theatre or the seaside. Something you actually have to visit to really understand. I visit all sorts of places on holiday as a tourist, but think this is mostly a waste of time for children. I'd rather they read Greek Myths to find out about religion.
And I think whoever posted that the less people understand about each other's religions, the less conflict there is, has a point.

I agree with aloha. And I can't say that often on a thread about religion

Kerrymum, how do you depgrogramme that?
I am keen to know, as my son now tells me "God has made everything, but WHO made our shower cubicle or the car?" My husband, even if he is the catholic one, is beginning to wonder if we made the right choice in sending our son to a catholic school. The questions we get, such as "How can Jesus be in my heart?" is just a little bit tricky to answer.

Theres no way i would even let my kids learn about Islam or anything to do with muslims, so there would be no chance I would let them near a mosque

Just Islam? Why?

first post mrsyoshi? i wonder why?

could you expand mrsyoshi, please

Why not???

I feel very strongly about this kind of thing.

I mean it not exactly 'the religion of peace' is it.

This is just my opinion though i am not wanting an arguement.