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Original poster

What is so bad about faith schools?

208 replies

Jalexandra · 12/09/2006 20:26

After reading the 'anti sitting on a fence' thread, I was surprised by how many people had chosen faith schools as a subject they feel strongly about and was just wondering why.
I can't think of any good reason to be against them so maybe you can enlighten me.

OP posts:
sorrell · 12/09/2006 23:14

No, they probably wouldn't, because they think it is nonsense. Which is why they don't want religion in schools full stop. Non religious schools have no religious dogma (though they do have to have a religious assembly foisted on them by the government after pressure by the Church, but that's another story). Religion may be the biggest thing in your life. Politics might be mine (it isn't, but it could be), but it doesn't mean I would want schools set up to promote various political dogmas either.

sorkycake · 12/09/2006 23:16

I think the point is that all religious dogma should be left outside school

helsi · 12/09/2006 23:16

But by taking faith out of the equation you are indirectly discriminating against those who do want to include it. Some parents may have strong beliefs in their faith but not be in a position to "teach" it at home as well as they would like.
I apologise for getting a bit arsey back there - I didn't mean to but it I do feel that all information about faith schools is not known and people judge too quickly making people like myself feel like "bible bashes". I am no better than anyone else and do not claim to be. My Faith school is no better than any state school in fact one of the local states schools is my second choice should dd not get into the catholic one. However, I just want her to get the extra knowledge of her faith as I am not able to teach is like I know it would be taught by the people who have studied it for years.

sorrell · 12/09/2006 23:17

You can't discriminate against adults in the workplace according to their religion, so why don't we afford the same rights to children?

Pruni · 12/09/2006 23:18

Message withdrawn

sorkycake · 12/09/2006 23:18

Can I just add that faith schools by stealth is also outrageous! Academies that are teaching creationism as a valid theory fgs.

sorrell · 12/09/2006 23:19

Then take her to Church! Don't expect me to pay to teach your children a faith I have no truck with! It is NOT discrimination to take religion out of schools. Is it or is it not a good idea to have religious hospitals or political schools? If not, why is it a good idea to have religious schools?

VeniVidiVickiQV · 12/09/2006 23:19

oh dear.

JoolsToo · 12/09/2006 23:19

"Additionally driving faith underground -to be taught at home - mmm - nice - I don't think."

I don't think I've heard anything so barmy!
You paint a picture of a family locked in the cellar secretly worshipping their religion!

I learned most of my values and beliefs at home, its the best place.

SherlockLGJ · 12/09/2006 23:21

Helsi

I am going, do you want me to hold the door for you. ??

Pruni · 12/09/2006 23:21

Message withdrawn

sorrell · 12/09/2006 23:23

I just don't see any engaging with argument on the religious side here.

JoolsToo · 12/09/2006 23:23

surely schooling and religion are separate (or should be - whatever happended to Sunday School?

kiskidee · 12/09/2006 23:26

how can school and religion ever be separate in this country when the head of state is also the head of a faith?

sorrell · 12/09/2006 23:27

Well, yes, that's also wrong, of course. But dear old woolly Prince Charles seems to dislike it too, so who knows.

Pruni · 12/09/2006 23:28

Message withdrawn

JoolsToo · 12/09/2006 23:29

is Sunday School for teaching kids about their religion or not?

CountessDracula · 12/09/2006 23:29

at communists comment and driving faith underground

Honestly it is just selection. We are ALL paying, why shouldn't we ALL be able to send our kids to our local school?

kiskidee · 12/09/2006 23:30

no sunday school is about getting the kids out of the regular church service so the 'grown ups' can have a quiet service.

Pruni · 12/09/2006 23:31

Message withdrawn

curlew · 12/09/2006 23:31

I do not send my children to school to be taught to practice a faith. I expect them to be taught ABOUT all the faiths that exist around them, and once that is done , the school considers its work in that area finished and it can get on with teaching them maths. If I wanted my child to be educated in the Zoroastrial tradition, I would expect to have to pay for it. Ditto buddhist, spiritualist, seventh day adventist or catholic. You want that stuff, you pay for it. Me,I think that is the responsiblity of the parentsand the wider family circle.

Pruni · 12/09/2006 23:32

Message withdrawn

JoolsToo · 12/09/2006 23:34

ditto - well said curlew - I wanted to say that but while I was thinking about it you were posting it much better

Pruni · 12/09/2006 23:36

Message withdrawn

kiskidee · 12/09/2006 23:37

but school is the place where ALL faith schools can pass on their dogma. hence the CofE - the state religion - can also educate their propoganda in schools but cannot do so and disallow other faiths from doing the same.

no, i don't think its a plot but with the head of church and state being the same person, the state has a vested interest in perpetuating their beliefs - how better than through formal education.

we don't go to the police, hospital etc to be educated. unis were once all education & religion places. this link existed long before the establishment of public services. when these came along, the fashion of religion being linked to social services just didn't happen anymore. Even hospitals were once linked to religion - St. Guys is one example isn't it?

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