Mr Dawkins,
I wholeheartedly agree with you on the divisive and destructive role religion plays in society. I also think that it should not be something we teach children to believe, I think that they should instead be taught about different world religions in an unbiased and factual way.
I have experienced religious education in both Scottish and English secondary schools (both of which were in state comprehensives) and have to say I much preferred my experience in Scotland. We were taught about a variety of religions in weekly lessons, and though there was a focus on Christianity, it was only slight.
However, the religious education I received in England was deplorable. Instead of weekly RE classes we had an annual 'RE Day', which amounted to indoctrination rather than education. The school contracted in a Christian organisation called 'STEP' (www.stepschoolswork.org/) to host this day. Every year it was filled with emotive monologues about the volunteers own conversions and the kindness of Jesus. It really angers me that this is the ONLY religious education offered to children at my school. The same group came in year after year, with the obvious intent on converting pupils. That the school considered this to be education is laughable. Most of the pupils at the school were white and from middle class CofE backgrounds. If only one religion is covered in RE, it most certainly should not be Christianity, but rather a religion such as Islam, Buddhism, Sikhism, or Hinduism that is less familiar to the children. I really cannot put into words how angry it makes me that RE at this school was so limited in scope, and that the 'teachers' were intending to convert rather than teach.
In my opinion religious education is important but it must be executed correctly. Firstly, it should cover a wide variety of world religions (and perhaps historical religions). Secondly, it should do so in an unbiased manner.
Another problem which I think is little addressed is the indoctrination which occurs in primary schools. Though neither of the primary schools I attended were 'faith schools' prayer and hymns were a regular occurrence. We were also given the opportunity to go on a week long school trip which was provided at a Christian adventure centre, and of course this involved Christian videos and discussion of god in the evenings. I think this kind of religious influence on schools and children is completely unacceptable.
I also have an enormous problem with state funded faith schools. It seems completely absurd that taxpayers money goes toward schools which do not welcome all children. Furthermore, I do not think the state should fund any form of religious indoctrination. Children receiving a state education should not be labeled or encouraged into religion.
I think faith schools are 'better' academically because in selecting for religion they select for middle class children. Parents who lie about their religion in order to gain a place are also more likely to be middle class. In addition I think the church funding these schools receive also has an influence on performance.
Perhaps an answer to faith schools would be the creation of secular schools. These could apply to be categorised as faith schools in order to benefit from the increased freedom faith schools have in setting their curricula. However, instead of teaching religion the schools could teach ABOUT religion, but devoting much more time to philosophy, ethics and scientific reasoning.
I've really enjoyed your books by the way, your books about evolution are both accessible but also fascinating. Also your interview with Ted Haggard provided a few laughs/sobs of frustration. Thanks for fighting the atheist corner!