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Original poster

Why, when so many places in England ONLY have CoE state schools....

115 replies

Blu · 31/03/2009 16:58

...do so many posters get berated for questioning the level of worship and religous practice their children are expected to participate in?

Often a poster will explain that their only local state schools are CoE, only to be told 'what do you expect?' 'you signed up for it!' 'You chose to send your child toa faith school!'.

Many many people really do not have a choice. The ONLY state education on offer to them is in a faith school.

Why do they get shouted at?

And is it OK that this lack of choice be the case? Shouldn't state faith schools in this position be a bit sensitive to the fact?

OP posts:
FlyMeToDunoon · 31/03/2009 18:11

The recent attempt to change the terms of succession involving religion just highlighted the bizarre connections between state and church.

Annoying yes.

fryalot · 31/03/2009 18:16

totally agree with Blu's OP.

If I want my children to go to a school within 10 miles of my house, it has to be a c of e aided school.

There is no alternative,

Pruners · 31/03/2009 18:17

Message withdrawn

Original poster
Blu · 31/03/2009 18:19

And Mosschops - I am British, my entire family background and culture is British. I have much culture, feel rooted in British culture, and do not feel my culture depends on schools which, due to postcode lottery, are compulsorily Christian.

And I'm not talking about ME (my child does go to a community state school - he was offered a place at a very nice CoE school, I was grateful to them for mking the offer, and politely declined it) - my thread, and post, was about peple who are told they made a CHOICE and are told to be accountable to it, when they did NOT make a choice.

OP posts:
Original poster
Blu · 31/03/2009 18:22

Pruners - quite - I have nothing against bishops per se. I have nothing against people practicing religion if they choose to do so.

The whole constitution is madness. As you might expect when it has grown out of a varied history. But they should get a grip now and sort it.

Problem is that too many people who would be sorted OUT in a true democracy are the ones with the power to sort!

OP posts:
katiestar · 31/03/2009 18:36

Older Cof E schools were originally owned or financed by the church. When education became brought under the state umbrella they wre bequeathed to the Local authorities on the condition they retained their religious character.I am not sure how the state could get round this without finding the money and the land to build tens of thousands of new schools.

FAQinglovely · 31/03/2009 18:42

hmm I thought the last census showed that the majority of people in this country still classed themselves as "christian"? here (and before you ask - yes there an option for "no relgion" and "any other religioin" so not like that felt they had to put that.

FAQinglovely · 31/03/2009 18:43

and @ 26 Bishops in the House of Lords!!! I really don't care who is in the House of Lords - but they should all bloody well be elected

FAQinglovely · 31/03/2009 18:43

and I can spell "religion" (have no idea why my spell checker let those atrocities for words get by )

mosschops30 · 31/03/2009 18:47

''Your child arguably gains nothing by being taught to be religious at school''

Pruners this is absolute nonsense, if you are religious and send your child to a faith school they learn a lot of it at school, and it is supported (or not) in the home. Just like teaching children about good behaviour and morals, it has to be reinforced in the home by parents.
My children learn a lot about their religion in school and for you to say they gain nothing from it is ridiculous

Pruners · 31/03/2009 18:48

Message withdrawn

Ivykaty44 · 31/03/2009 18:48

I really don't want to pay taxes to schools that practice religious services - but I am forced to I don't have a choice in paying taxes to a religious school that tells children god is real and bow down to god.

mosschops30 · 31/03/2009 18:52

ivykaty I'd be far more worried about paying taxes for people who screw the system than paying for faith schools.
They get to share it with their friends, take part in ceremonies, learn about the importance of family/morals/behaviour etc, its not all about God, its about having an ethos and mission statements where they respect each other and other cultures and religions, whats wrong with that?

You cant say that if something is being taught at home then theres no need to teach it at school!

Ivykaty44 · 31/03/2009 18:55

What about the teachers do they have to be from a particular faith to teach in the school? How would you get round employment laws?

mosschops30 · 31/03/2009 18:56

In catholic schools you are allowed to teach for a certain amount of time then you have to do an extra qualification that allows you to continue teaching in a catholic school (I think)
Not sure for CofE

Pruners · 31/03/2009 18:57

Message withdrawn

Ivykaty44 · 31/03/2009 18:59

Then why bring a God into it?

It is not needed is it - all thoses things you say morals family respect can be taught with out bringing a god in to it. A god is not needed to teach thoses things, niether is getting on your knees and praying.

Religion should be left out of schooling. Fine to educate about all different religions but end it there.

mosschops30 · 31/03/2009 19:03

Im not sure I understand why saying this is a christian country is an immature attitude.

I do believe people should have a choice, and I live in an area where you can choose within a 3 mile radius 2 state primarys, one catholic school and one welsh medium school.

Its sad that some people dont have the choice, but I do find it hard to believe that you find it offensive for your child to be taught about God. I went to a CofE school, neither of my parents went to church, but I enjoyed the rituals even though they werent suported at home.
There are plenty of things I disagree with the catholic faith about, but I choose to deal with those at home (like homosexuality/sex before marriage/use of condoms and other contraception etc).
If you dont have a choice of school, couldnt you explain that you dont believe in God and give the reasons for that then allow your children to decide for themselves.

I really am struggling with the offensive thing??

mosschops30 · 31/03/2009 19:08

Lots of things in school are not 'needed' but we still teach them.
Lets just do away with everything each of us think is not needed shall we and see what we're left with.
We are lucky to have an education system

Peachy · 31/03/2009 19:11

I know Blu, and FWIW I agree with you.

I don't think schools hould be faith based- I do think they should teach comparative religion style RE.

I am a practising Christian btw; I just think that school is not the place for it.

It's CofW here, but same thing.

Peachy · 31/03/2009 19:13

There is a catholic Cert yes MC< I was offered it (did the work just didn't pay for the cert) but I wou8ldn't actively choose to work in a state school, I want a multi cultural one to teach in.

Peachy · 31/03/2009 19:14

(Completely effed up last post- silly ds2 and ds1 yelling behind me LOL- choose to work in a Church school want a multi faith environment to teach in)

Apologies, was tring to explain to ds1 that a bruise isn't a broken leg

Pruners · 31/03/2009 19:23

Message withdrawn

mosschops30 · 31/03/2009 19:24

It is still something you can choose, whether you go to a faith school or not

Metella · 31/03/2009 19:26

But that's the whole point, mosschops - some people don't have a choice, i.e. their only local school is a faith school.