To judge parents who do not even tell their children Easter is a religious festival

[Tuliptana]

I'm shocked that 12 out of 20 children in my childs class had no religious knowledge of the meaning of Good Friday or Easter Sunday for Christians.
All aged 9yrs old.

She's not in the minority. We're only Catholic by default, because our parents were Catholic when we were born. We are not Catholic and absolutely nobody I know under the age of 60 goes to mass. I have a 15 month old and knlw lots of other parents with babies the same age. Only one that I knlw of had their baby baptsised. Where are you getting your 'facts' about Ireland?

I agree with this!

It bothers me too because it shows that parents don't talk about other people's beliefs or put any value on a knowledge of culture or heritage. You should bring your children up to understand the world. Help children understand why a friend might not eat pork or why they might cover their head or have a different view to you. Like the topic of death, lots of people are reluctant to talk to their children about faith. They dont know how to and it makes them feel uncomfortable.

My older two went to a church primary school (not by choice, catchment area) so had it rammed down their throats. Youngest has no clue. He’s 7 and tonight my dh told him Sunday is zombie Jesus day. That’s about all we will tell him.

Nah, you can't tell what the parents are saying from what the kids remember. I tell my kids about Ramadan, but I know very little and we don't observe it so they don't experience it. So it's a bit in one ear and out the other. Respect other religions, but no need to memorise them!

Ireland is a secular country.
If people wanted to know about the reality of Christianity in Ireland and the people who perpetuated it, they should read about the Tuam baby scandal.

I’m an atheist.

My kids can choose to believe in whatever religion they want when they’re older, but I’ll not be teaching them about it. They can get their info from school and their own research.

Are you this disrespectful to all religions or just Christianity? Genuinely interested.

I was raised in a cult. Salvation Army. Absolute cult. So yes I mock it. Damaging disgusting behaviour and rife with shame and abuse. I have zero time or respect for Christianity

Im sad you had such a damaging experience

DT’s are fully educated about different cultures and beliefs - they went to an international school and have friends from many different backgrounds but they grew up understanding why we are atheists.

This is despicable. Lots of terrible things have been done in the name of religions. Don't generalise from the depraved actions of a minority to the vast majority of normal people who have the same religion. Pretty sure there's a word for that?

Plenty of kids that grew up with mainstream organised religions had similar upbringings.

I replied to your post some time ago.

the problem is not so much the minority, although they are a big fucking problem, the problem is the systematic enabling, covering up and silencing of victims.

that's why the Catholic Church is abhorrent.

Catholics are fine. live and let live and believe what you like. the Catholic Church has blood on its hands.

I'm sorry your experience has put you off Christianity.

I'm not a great fan of the Westboro Baptist Church but that hasn't put me off Baptists.

I hope you can heal from your abuse and get help to move forward.

And your evidence for that is ??

It’s a spring and fertility festival

Are you seriously going to deny that there was shame and abuse in the Catholic church? Or Orthodox church? Or protestant church? Or in islamic countries ? Come on now.

My point is that the "reality of Christianity in Ireland" shouldn't be reduced to the actions of wicked people who adhere to that religion, or even to the superstructure of the Church. I agree with you about the Catholic church, though I'd make the same points about all organised religions. But the reality of Christianity in Ireland, or Islam in Turkey, or whatever, is largely normal people, trying to do good and be good. It goes far deeper than the church itself.

i blame it on the wine

There has been abuse recorded in UK at some boarding schools, within the Scout Movement, in the Armed Forces and even the NHS.

That doesn't mean that these organisations are evil or corrupt, just that sadly some people aren't honourable.

OP you are assuming people reading this all are of the Christian faith.
And assuming everybody in Ireland are Christians.

If they are not Christian why is is sad?
And a spring festival predates Christianity. Some of the things we do at Easter come from those older festivals perhaps we should reach children about those too?

Are all the people in a cult evil and corrupt? Are all cults evil and corrupt?

I said before I can keep going and argue for both sides. Advocating for RE knowledge and study in schools, affirming faith but also pointing out glaring failings and inconsistencies in organised religions(yes all of them).