to expect state primary's to accept/talk about Atheism?

[onebadmother]

my DS's teacher expressed surprise/anxiety (?) that he was very firm about God not existing when they were on a Nature Walk and talking about where all this Nature stuff comes from..

Happen to know that teacher is a 7th day Adventist..

a why were they discussing where nature came from?

b wouldn't she expect any 5 yo to be firm about his/her family's 'beliefs' - ie a Muslim/Christian child would not be expected to be 'maybe'ish about Allah/Jesus.

C Every possible religion's special days are 'celebrated' - why??? Why can't they just be explained?

d Who's telling the children that there's another option, and that some people believe God does not exist, and they're called Atheists. Atheists believe its amazing enough that Humans exist at all...and that we're not completely sure where the world came from but it's possible that .. blah blah.

This happened a couple of weeks ago, but I just can't shake it off. Did a really lame but simultaneously aggressive 'Well we as a family happen to think that belief in God is not the default position..' but sounded like a stupid prig, and wished I'd just said I'm sorry, I'm going to take this further, you are not respecting my son's spiritual beliefs and I'M GOING TO GET YOU FIRED YOU CRAZY CULTIST!!!!

Ok, calm now.

chickens!

Desi - I guess I'm a bit of a control freak on this issue. I really don't like the idea of people telling my DSs that Christian beliefs are facts, rather than an interpretive system.

I quite agree that it is important for children to know about Christianity for cultural purposes - huge swathes of literature, music and art would be inaccessible to them if they were ignorant of it.

crikey evil, am thinking I can see how you got into hot water before...!
Why naturally Christianity rather than another? They're equally wrong headed for an atheist, surely?

yes, I agree that an understanding of Christianity is very important culturally speaking.
I think it is overly optimistic to think our children will follow our views.
well maybe, maybe not.
I don't like my children being indoctrinated, I would like them to make their mind's up for themselves.

though policywonk I can see you're cultural point in terms of literature etc..

And I agree, OBM, that the bible is no more important than Shakespeare. In fact, they go hand in glove. I would not place the bible above the bard.

Yet I don't agree that children should have no knowledge of the bible at all. It seems like a massive blank in their education.

I just wish that people would interpret faith it in a more intelligent way.

Want to repeat the point that it's not just my child I'm concerned about, but all the others too. I live in an increasingly fractured (along religious lines) community. I'd like the chance to explain that it might all be a storm in a teacup..

I don't quite see, onebadmother, how you've extrapolated that from my post.

Maybe it was because I mentioned it ...

Are you adopting the epistolary form tonight desi? This is like that Two Ronnies Mastermind sketch.

I'll have four candles please ...

Sorry theEvil was just that you mentioned it and I slightly bristled at the Christian kind being better than another religion bcs it's prevailing tradion

But actually on reflection that is a completely reasonable position - it's just that its the kind of language that dodgies hijack - hence bristling.

But you're right, if any it's reasonable that it be prevailing kind.

Though I still bellow for none at all! As you say, no need.

that would be an ecumenical matter

also I like TheEvil. Desi seems limp in comparison

Yes, it is a perfectly reasonable position.

Bristle away, and have a fecking mince pie while you're at it

like i said, limp in comparison

I must admit, OBM, it is hilarious when people get arsy with me and call me 'Evil' or the 'Evil One.'

but aside from all this fun and godless games, does anyone think that I should actually in RL take this whole God thing further? Evil, I know you're position and think you're probably right, calmness etc, but something is still rankling...

Problem is that teacher was almost implying that ds was intolerant to the Muslims/Christians bcs was saying that God doesn't exist. Hence me saying that all 5yo's believe what their families believe, very firmly.

Could almost see crazy situation where ds was excluded for religious insensitivity..!?

I was floored and concerened today when dd came home saying 'did God make the first people and then they made the next etc...' (she's 4) I understand that she'll encounter religion, but this creationalist (is that the word?) rubbish?

YANBU

I meant you should embrace your inner Evil one and own it. I wish I had a more arsey nickname. No one seems to get my Eddie Murphy reference.

it is utter nonsense to suggest that to express a lack of belief is intolerant of those who believe.
how intolerant.

harpsi agree - but should I take it further? Hmm.

Well, assuming it's not a church school, I think you should take the info in that curriculum link and have a friendly word with the teacher. If that doesn't get you any joy, have a friendly word with the head.

My brother and I were at primary school together. Our headteacher, who wasn't the world's brightest, was giving an assembly one day around Easter time and asked brightly:'Who can tell me something about Jesus?' My brother leapt to his feet and said: 'He was a North African Jew, from slave stock, and was almost certainly black!'

That's what happens if you put my mother in charge of small children.

Eddie Murphy reference?

No! I don't get it and you must explain. This is far more important than religion.

Spill.

pmsl poilcywonk
well if I were you I would probably go and see the head, and suggest you give a talk about atheism/humanism
best of luck

actually, I don't think that advice should change if it is a church school.
just because a child is at a church schol, doesn't mean s/he shouldn't be able to express a contrary view
going to a church school doesn't mean that you are obliged to believe in the orthodoxy