is a school allowed to do this?

[nonreligiousmummy]

My 2 children go to a CofE school. I have no choice in this because it is the only school we can get to. I am very unreligious (sorry) but obviously being a CofE school they have religious stories. I hate this but know that unless I change schools (impossible) I have to put up with it. If I had my way they would not be taught religious studies.

The thing I am happy about is the fact that ds has come home from school on two different occasions now, and said that they were taken to church that day. We (the parents) had no letter or anything to tell us that this would be happening or to ask our permission. Can the school do this? Just take our kids off like that without us knowing? I think its a bit out of order. I don't know what to do. Thanks.

I know iota - but it's cos I'm fighting a few emotional dragons at the moment so it felt appropriate.

Bundle, um, the school is paid for by the taxes of non-religious people (ie the vast majority of us) so I hardly think that is 'generous' to offer places to their children!

Never thought I'd say it... but I'm with Cod too (and St George). Also Pagan here, but if DD was at a c of e school, then you have to go with the flow.

Is it actually services they are going to or just looking at the church?

At the end of the day, even if it isn't your belief, a couple of services wouldn't harm them anyway. It is all learning new things.

What I don't understand is that you say you wouldn't mind if your child chooses to join a religion when he's older.

But by denying him(or her, sorry) the opportunity o attend church at all, you are denying that choice, as your children would never know what the religion is actually about. As someone else has said, many schools also visit places of worship for other faiths too.

On a practical level, what should your children do when the rest of the class visit the church? Would you go in to supervise your child during that period? Or do you expect the school to find an extra member of staff to supervise your child?

I think that as it is a church school, then you have to conform to that aspect. If you really do feel so strongly, then you would need to make the sacrifice of moving to withdraw them from the church environment.

But it is learning bad and immoral things IMO and in nrm's view! i think that's what people don't understand.

but aloha given that such schools exist if you choose to "opt into" them, shouldn't their values be respected?

I am with the others who say that religion has no space in schools too... although that could just be foot stamping cos mine ain't a school .

RE lessons I do agree with though... it is a chance to learn about many religions (or it was for me) in a far more informative way than my mum could have told me.

they go to services. they dont go to any other religious buildings.

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Don't the government provide non denominational school places for every child? Maybe I'm being naive...

I'd say my right to have my child educated without being brainwashed into religious orthodoxy within the state system was more important that the right of a minority religion to do the brainwashing.

I may not agree with what Christianity thinks about certain things... but bad and immoral things???

absolutely, aloha

yes if my children want to learn religion then fine when they are old enough to make that choice INDEPENDANTLY. As it stands, they are being taught about only one religion in particular, so IMO they are having it pushed on them

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I disagree with you Aloha. I think religion has as much a place in education as it does in any other part of life. I am not a Christian only for the time I spend at Mass on Sunday - it's part of my life and who I am and therefore part of my children's upbringing.

That's not to say I support indoctrination - but church schools are always clearly identified as such so you know what you are getting.

Here here Aloha... not often we agree.

I think if your child is at the school then realistically all you can do is provide a strong alternative viewpoint at home. Certainly you can go into the school and complain but I suspect they might be stubborn. Just tell your ds the truth - God was invented by man and religion is like astrology - interesting but untrue. And the Christian God is no more real than the Greek or Roman Gods.

Mrs Wobble, very happy for you to bring up your children in your home any way you want...but not to use my money and the state system to promote your particular viewpoint/beliefs.

i would like to home ed them but not sure i am up to it. plus my children would miss out on friends etc

If you object that strongly, and you say that you had no choice at all in sending your kids there, can't you write to the Head and ask that they be excluded from the church visits/assemblies, etc?

children are taught about comparative religion in such schools, not just christianity. and again, if you're in one of these schools, shouldn't you respect their views?

Nothin wrong with the Greek and Roman gods.....