To think that DS shouldn't get told off for not praying??

[MrsSnape]

Ds is really upset and has told me that he gets into trouble at school if he doesn't pray during assembly! It's not a religious school yet all of the kids (including the muslims etc) are forced into Christian prayer.

DS get's into trouble enough, I'm not happy about this being added on to another reason why he is shouted at at school.

I'm thinking of complaining.
AIBU?

[Hulababy]

How do they know he is not praying? What is he doing during the time the others are praying?

Presumably if this is a non religious state school you could have the option to pull him out of religious aspects of school, such as assembly. I believe this option is available to all children in such schools.

[nellynaemates]

Stewiegriffin's mum

Actually at my non-denominational primary school in Scotland we had prayers in assembly. I refused to pray but I just sat quietly with my head up and my eyes open instead of joining in with the reverent heads down, eyes closed bit.

No-one said anything, but then they all had their eyes closed so they probably didn't notice

[noonki]

I used to refuse to pray at school. I don't think he should have to bow his head as that is a symbol of prayer.

I do think that he should remain still and quiet as that is respectful.

[AbbeyA]

I don't for one minute think he is in trouble for not praying-I would guess that he is in trouble for not sitting still while others pray.
Because it is the law to hold collective worship every parent has the right to withdraw their DC from assemblies.

[halfaquark]

I think, as others have said, there are 2 issues here.

1. a school that insists on all children praying- I would ask the head if this is the case and write to the governors to complain if it is
2. your son's behaviour during prayers- I would clarify what the concerns here are, if any. If they are around your son not participating in prayer (quietly and respectfully!) I would complain vociferously. If the issue is muddied by him being noisy and disruptive I would leave this side of it for the moment.

I would also tell your son what YOU would expect and wish his behaviour to be like during prayers. For example, I would say to my sons- it is up to you if you want to pray. If you don't want to pray you sit quietly until prayers are finished. You do not talk, wriggle or try to make your friends laugh.

[childrenofthecornsilk]

The last school I worked in was non-religious. There was an 'act of worship' in each assembly in that the chn recited the school prayer with heads bowed and hands together. All the chn were required to participate unless their parents had objected to it. Chn who were staring into space or generally not participating would be noticed and would be spoken to.

[AbbeyA]

The ones I work in tend to say 'we will think about such and such-if you want to make it your prayer say amen at the end'. If they are not praying they should be having quiet reflection.

[Hulababy]

Could he not use the prayer tme to engage in some quiet meditation of his own - just to spend a few moments thinking about something nice and calm? Would this not be a compromise? Or wthdraw him.

[childrenofthecornsilk]

I've just read your other thread Mrs Snape. It sounds as if your ds may find it hard to sit still for any length of time. Could they perhaps give him a squeezy ball or some blu tac to keep him occupied in assembly.

[TinkerBellesMum]

You can't be told off for not praying, unless they're asking each kid to pray out loud which I can't see. I think it's more that he's not sitting quietly during prayer time.

I am a Christian but I hated prayers at school because it goes against my beliefs of it being personal, but I'd just sit there looking like I was praying and wondering how long till we got out.

As AbbeyA said, schools are not none religious they're none denominational which means they have to have some form of worship. If parents really don't want their kids to go to a Christian school then there are alternatives.

Heads bowed and eyes shut is a man made concept, it's only a sign of prayer because you think it is. There's nothing wrong with using the time when others are praying to be quietly thinking about things for yourself and that model is a good way of stopping your concentration wandering.