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Original poster

is a school allowed to do this?

331 replies

nonreligiousmummy · 21/04/2005 12:06

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.

OP posts:
mamadadawahwah · 21/04/2005 16:38

Even for those who do not believe in God/religion, etc., kids will question and enquiring minds want to know what all the "God" stuff is about. For me its a beautiful part of life, and most important. For others its not. If I prevent my child from learning about it, though, its a safe bet, he will want to know more!

LeahE · 21/04/2005 16:49

nrm -- I am pretty sure that you can ask for your children to be excluded from religious activities, even if it is a CofE school. Why not just have a chat with the head before getting to worked up about it? Chances are there won't be a problem.

ark · 21/04/2005 17:54

Thread Crasher Alert!!! I read lots of this and then stopped, coz soooo much has been said. I think it is interesting that people want religion to stop being taught in school. I could not disagree more - In France where this isnow the case, there is a generation of kids who struggle to comphrehend Art, History etc without a good knowledge of religion. What is not good is RE that comprises of a single religion - but I believe and of course may stand corrected that in RE the teaching of Comparative relgion is essential.

ark · 21/04/2005 18:00

Also - not wanting to go on - but I think there couldn't be a more important time in our history - for ours kids to understand religion and religious people. It is easier to tolerate something that you understand.

aloha · 21/04/2005 18:17

Aaaargh! NOBODY is saying they don't want their kids taught ABOUT religion...they are saying they don't want their kids a/indoctrinated by people telling their kids that their particular religion is true and b/ forcing their kids to worship any god.
Totally different issues.
I want my kids to be taught about politics but NOT told who to vote for.
Simple difference. What's not to understand?

Enid · 21/04/2005 18:19

aloha, I think you are being a bit hysterical.

Although I jokingly used the term 'brainwashed', dd1's CofE education gives her plenty of room to explore other cultures. She is not told that CofE/God/Jesus is the only game in town and certainly not indoctrinated or 'forced' to worship. Calm down!

Enid · 21/04/2005 18:22

Also it has encouraged her to be very thoughtful about life and begin to have an understanding of cultures and religions - there is something to be said for being able to understand other religions better if you have belief yourself

tallulah · 21/04/2005 18:24

FWIW I chose to send my kids to a C of E school because of the church connection. I'd have been none too pleased if other parents had demanded the church visits stop. The prospectus for the first school stressed the connections and made it clear that the children would be taken to the church regularly.

We drove 22 miles each way every day for 4 years to take our youngest to a C of E junior school instead of the crap "community" school round the corner...

Catan · 21/04/2005 18:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

donnie · 21/04/2005 18:57

hysterical is right.....!

jampots · 21/04/2005 19:13

Dont understand why someone so non-religious would send their kids to a CofE school. Im sure there must be another school your kids could go to unless of course you live in the middle of nowhere and Im sure if you spoke to your Head about your reluctance to join in with whole school christian activities then she would be more than happy to help you move your kids. Dont forget if your kids dont go with the rest of the class another member of staff would have to look after them, unless you took them out of school for those visits.

Children in my ds's class werent allowed to visit the Mosque last year which I personally thought was ridiculous based on their parents' narrow minded views.

morningpaper · 21/04/2005 19:39

I want my kids to be taught about politics but NOT told who to vote for.

Aloha, how is this possible? Who has EVER discussed politics with you and been completely impartial?! Politics is not that different to religion - but just because someone has an opinion about what is right, that doesn't mean they shouldn't teach - whether it's politics or religion!

I don't see anything on this thread that suggests 'indoctrination' or 'brainwashing'?

compo · 21/04/2005 19:52

I also can't see the problem with this. I went to a CofE primary school and of course took part in Harvest Festivals, Nativity Plays, Easter Plays etc. We had a vicar come to do assembly every Wednesday moring and yes we did pray. But I wouldn't expect anything less from a CofE school. Secondary school was Roman Catholic and even though I'm not Catholic I still had to go to mass on special occasions like Ash Wednesday (as did my friend who was Hindu). If you really feel this strongly there must be somewhere you could move to.

Hermione1 · 21/04/2005 19:58

talking of primary schools, my dd and ds got sent a letter yesturday saying if they are constantly late or having too many holidays over the term, we could get fined £50 and if we don't pay within 28 days then it goes to £42!! I can understand in one way. but that's quite alot of money.

Hermione1 · 21/04/2005 19:58

not just my kids the whole school.

sobernow · 21/04/2005 20:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

flashingnose · 21/04/2005 20:04

Does everyone really think a CofE primary school has so much influence on a child's eventual beliefs? I can sing along with confidence at weddings/christenings/funerals and can recite the Lord's Prayer. And that's about it, after 8 years at a CofE primary. So much for indoctrination - you're more likely to make them prick up their ears by making it so taboo IMHO.

morningpaper · 21/04/2005 20:05

Sobernow: What Biblical stories do you object to in particular?

cod · 21/04/2005 20:05

Message withdrawn

cod · 21/04/2005 20:06

Message withdrawn

flashingnose · 21/04/2005 20:07

cod you do make me

morningpaper · 21/04/2005 20:07

pmsl @ Cod

I don't really think there are MANY Christians who take these things literally.

compo · 21/04/2005 20:07

pmsl
I really think parents influence children's religious beliefs rather than school. Having said that my mother is very devout and we went to Sunday School etc but I don't go now.

morningpaper · 21/04/2005 20:09

Seriously, did ANYONE here actually come out of R.E. feeling damaged through anything other than draconian teaching methods or Victorian-stylee parents?

roisin · 21/04/2005 20:12

There is a child at ds1's school whose parents object (on religious - Christian - grounds) if he reads any books or hears stories about magic and wizards, especially Harry Potter!

But the point is, the school respect (though disagree with) their point of view and bend over backwards to accommodate them.

Unfortunately no-one mentioned it to dh (a vicar), who did an assembly about Christian values in HP
ROFL!!!

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