To not send child on school trip

[Notreligious]

My child’s primary non religious school has organised a trip to a multi faith centre and I’m considering not sending my child.
The school already has a heavy influence from the local church (vicar holds regular assemblies, is a governor with no children of their own, trips to church without telling us parents) which I disagree with as a non religious school.
On the trip they would need to wear head coverings and take a vegetarian packed lunch. Neither are a problem although I am uncomfortable treating girls different with them having to wear a head covering and boys don’t.
I understand that this is more of an awareness trip to appreciate different cultures and religions but we practice that as normal decent human beings everyday.
I think my issue is more to do with the regular influence of the church rather than this trip but it just feels a step too far but I think I may be overthinking it and kids just see it as a lovely day out!

I think the trip sounds like a useful lesrning experience and will act as a balance against all the church trips.

I think if your school is far more Christian than you’d like, a trip to a place where they learn about lots of other faiths is a very good idea. It feels like more of an antidote to me rather than making it worse.

I'm not sure if you can describe visiting the multifaith centre as being "a step too far" if you've allowed (begrudgingly) regular visits to the local church.

Two separate issues - and surely if you think the church has too much influence a multi-faith trip is a balancing force? All schools have to do RE as part of the curriculum.

I think all schools do this kind of trip. They will be learning about the lives and beliefs of other people living in this country. The head covering is out of politeness in another person's space and your daughter is hardly likely to be affected by it. You sound very bigoted to me.

No to the head covering part of boys don't. They're too young to understand that debate.

I think that the trip is fine. If you have a problem with the way the school is being run then that is what you should tackle. Or find another school.

I’m as atheist as they come but I think you would be wrong to stop your child going.

Whether you believe or not, many people in the UK do, and learning more about different cultures and religions is part of forging a properly respectful and integrated society. By refusing your child the opportunity to find out more about different beliefs, you are doing them a disservice - instead of spending time with (I assume) Muslims and learning about their culture from the horse’s mouth, your kid will only have other influences that may be less truthful.

You won’t get the opportunity to explain your reasons to everyone, so risk being seen as bigoted, which could be reflected to your child.

It’ll probably be a nice day out, with delicious food and beautiful clothes. And whilst I agree re treating women and men differently, it’s a good way to start conversations around religion and why you don’t yourself believe.

Sounds like you need to read up on collective worship and RE and decide if you want to withdraw your child from
one or both of them. How would you child feel about it?

So, find another school? But I'm afraid such trips will be similar elsewhere.

We are not religious and I would be fine if my child was but isn't but if they wanted to go I have no opinion they absolutely could go no question

A good way to learn how others live and not be tied too 'you are my child and I have to control all you do' even as young as 5 if my child wants to go they can go

What do you tbink is going to happen, your kids become religious freaks?

I agree with @Bingbangbongbash

You'd do your dd a huge disservice.

I would send your child, if you allow them to participate in Christian observance in school I think it inadvertently gives them a message about other faiths if you don’t. The head covering issue can open a helpful discussion about the ways in which women and girls are still treated differently in an allegedly equal society.

The wider issue of the school’s involvement with the church is something to take up with the school at another time.

In saying that, regardless of my own beliefs I have no problem with my children being exposed to different faiths and taking part in religious observance, it gives them an understanding of different beliefs, faith and spirituality more generally.

If its a multi faith centre then why must they cover their head ? Surely the point of a multi faith centre is that it welcomes multiple faiths to use the centre. It seems they are enforcing the rules of one particular faith on to everyone who visits. That's the part I wouldn't be happy about and I certainly wouldn't be happy about my child having to cover their head. It's not a mosque

I mean religion exists whether you like it or not and school visits to places of worship is common surely you knew this and were prepared not to send your child ? Without starting a thread about it. If you don't want your child exposed to religion keep them off school that day.

YANBU, it is your choice whether to indoctrinate your children. It won’t be neutral, it will be pro-religion. No chance I’d wear a headscarf to enter a British building. I refused to attend a mosque school trip as a teenager for that very reason. Good on you.

It's normal for schools to arrange these trips. I did so myself as a teacher when we reached that point of the National curriculum, taking my class to a Gurdwara and a mosque (as well as a church).

It's important for people, both children and adults, to be informed about what others believe. And I'm another who can't understand your logic. It sounds very much as though this trip is needed for balance.

And yes, if you refuse this trip, it will send a message about you. I had one parent refuse the gurdwara and mosque trips (and only those trips) saying that she thought they would confuse her child. I continued to have a good relationship with the mum and she was perfectly pleasant, but I did see her very differently after that.

Learning to respect other cultures is important.

DD went on a trip to a Gurdwara. They like having schools and youth groups visit as they want people to understand their beliefs, even if they don't share them.

Your child will learn about various religions through their school years, and visit religious sites. Why wouldn’t you want them to have this knowledge and understanding of the world. Don’t transfer your prejudices to your child.
Goodness knows, they may find a religion they subscribe to. What would you do then - disown them?

No state schools are "non religious" which i think sometimes parents find surprising. There is still the law about act of collective worship.

The head covering for multi faith centre sounds unusual.

Trips to mosque/gurdwara/temple or synagogue for boys it is about respect for space. But I agree a multi faith centre would normally be the most mild off dress codes that a school uniform would cover (not vest tops etc).

Agree

I'd let them go but they would not be wearing a head covering. I was under the impression that head coverings are not required in many religions until puberty anyway and this is a primary school trip, so feels a bit like dressing up and appropriation.

Thank you for your insight here as a teacher. Sounds like it’s the same place you went to.

It isn’t coming from a place of bigotry or fear that my child is being exposed to something we don’t understand or appreciate (thanks PP’s 🙄)
It is clear I have mixed my annoyance with the church influence with this trip and I need to separate the two.
Child will be sent with their classmates and we will use the experience as a lovely talking point at dinner

Another bigot