You know how a lot of us object to the way church schools run on state money but won't let any old taxpaying atheist in?

[WendyWeber]

Well....

DD1 didn't get a teaching job at a CofE school today because the person who did is a practising Catholic (and DD1 is any old taxpaying atheist).

(By the way befor eanyone points it out, I am aware that religious schools have a "necessary requirement" argument )

Northerner - "the official feedback she got was that the other candidate was older and would better balance the ages in the department"

Sorry, hc, that wasn't in reply to you, have been mulling.

No, she won't go any further - it doesn't even feel like age discrimination as such - the teaching interview process seems utterly unlike any other (and yes, DrN, I agree, you always have to find something to differentiate)

They shouldn't have mentioned the age issue.

They ca say that the other candidtae wuld balance their staff roll better, or similar, however. They just shouldn't bring gender or age into it.

See HC I read the officila feedback as, the 2 candidates were on an eaqual par, but we had to make a decision. Our decision was her, as she is older and we feel she complements our existing team more.

Fair do's I say.

There were 2 vacancies, btw, and the first went to a younger person - although older than DD1.

It is a complicated issue though, isn't it? Should non-church schools favour non-believers?

NB The actual wording about the age thing may not have been as I gave it - just how DD1 interpreted it (or how I interpreted what she told me)

I was just wondering if teachers who teach in specialist schools (like residential dance or stage schools) have to have a similar enjoyment of the other parts of the curriculum or whether they can just teach their own topics. Not really relevant here but it just popped into my mind. I suppose it depends how much 'faith' teaching they'd be expected to do in the context of this school if did come down to the religious aspect.

I was just wondering if teachers who teach in specialist schools (like residential dance or stage schools) have to have a similar enjoyment of the other parts of the curriculum or whether they can just teach their own topics. Not really relevant here but it just popped into my mind. I suppose it depends how much 'faith' teaching they'd be expected to do in the context of this school if did come down to the religious aspect.

I was just wondering if teachers who teach in specialist schools (like residential dance or stage schools) have to have a similar enjoyment of the other parts of the curriculum or whether they can just teach their own topics. Not really relevant here but it just popped into my mind. I suppose it depends how much 'faith' teaching they'd be expected to do in the context of this school if did come down to the religious aspect.

Oops - computer must have hiccuped

Have you been thinking about this a lot, LaComtesse?

I have a short-term memory

There was a case in Scotland. An atheist teacher in a catholic school did not get or couldn't go for promotion due to faith issue. Won court case, I believe. But I'm sketchy now on the details. It was a year or so ago.

Complicated because there were two vacancies and one went to someone younger, so you can't really argue age discrimination. If it was simply 'you were both equal but she's older' that would be straight age discrimination and illegal.

I cannot see why a CofE school should favour a Catholic over an atheist, tbh. There are very real differences between Catholicism and Anglicanism. (I was reminded of this at a family funeral last week when I got caught out over the Lord's prayer.)

Catholics have a different Lord's Prayer, edam?

yes wendy

Incidentally - this is not precisely relevant, but sort of connected - we were at a (state) school function yesterday which required singing the National Anthem and I just couldn't - in the same way I can't pray (or pretend to) at eg funerals.

I haven't been at a National Anthem event for years and was surprised at how vehemently I couldn't do it

Would it be the references to God or the Monarchy that stuck in your throat more? .

It is a bit dirge-like. Other countries seem to have much jollier NAs.

I think it must have been both, LC - that and the rhythm.

I bet I could sing La Marseillaise (if I knew the words) or Nkosi Sikelel i'Afrika (ditto)

Different Lord's Prayer??

Do you mean that the Anglicans say the extra bit 'For thine is the Kingdom etc etc' ?

Same prayer otherwise, though?

Anglican prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.

RC prayer
Our Father,
who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Deliver us, Lord, from every evil,
and grant us peace in our day.
In your mercy keep us free from sin
and protect us from all anxiety
as we wait in joyful hope
for the coming of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

For the kingdom,
the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever.

Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your apostles;
I leave you peace, my peace I give to you.
Look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church,
and grant us the peace and unity of your kingdom
where you live for ever and ever.

Amen

Quite a bit different!

I think that the Anglican church may have more than one version though - it depends if it's a High or a Low Church. Just to confuse the issue further .

Well I'm very shocked by that.

When I lapsed from the RC faith, about 20 years ago, The Lord's Prayer stopped at 'deliver us from evil'.

WHAT is going on?