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Original poster

Ok, I AM a Christian, so why does it bother me....

60 replies

tissy · 26/09/2006 18:22

...that my 4 year old daughter comes back from her "non-denominational school" singing hymns and asking awkward questions about God?

I thought they wouldn't get much "religion" in P1, maybe sing "All things bright and beautiful" in assembly and work on the Christmas story a bit after half term. Instead, I swear she can sing at least five hymns by heart and has announced that she didn't come out of my tummy, as I had previously told her, but that God made her.

I know the husband of her teacher is an elder of the kirk, so suspect that it is coming from her, and she is lovely in other ways, so don't feel the need to complain, but I do feel a little uncomfortable with the intensity of it all, and a little upset for the children who do not come from a Christian background. There aren't many in Kilmarnock, it is true, but there are at least two muslim kids in her class.

OP posts:
trinityrhino · 26/09/2006 18:30

hmmm, I ma having abit of trouble wiht this at the mo, last year dd1 came home crying that jesus had died for her and I didn't really know what to say and this year it's lots of hymns

trinityrhino · 26/09/2006 18:32

sorry, that was almost completely illiterate
I am not a christian but thought I wouldn't have any problem with her going to a church of scotland school. I went to a church of england school and then made my own mind up when I was older but I am finding it hard to field the questions.

Original poster
tissy · 26/09/2006 18:56

dd's latest hymn is "God's not dead, no, He's alive!" and she has announced that God is sad when we're naughty, but loves us anyway. That I can deal with, as the analogy to Mum and Dad is obvious, but I'm having trouble with "is Daddy really my father, because Mrs M says God is our father" !

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pointydog · 26/09/2006 19:13

Unfortunately, tissy, if a teacher is of an evangelical Christian nature, they can adapt many parts of the curriculum and give them a Christian slant. I am in a similar situation.

There is also the issue of Scripture Union being allowed into non-denom schools to run fun clubs and hand out sweets.

I've never heard of anyone complaining. It's assumed this is all 'good' so what's the problem.

Twiglett · 26/09/2006 19:15

pisses me right off

DS goes to a COMMUNITY SCHOOL

but still gets instilled with religious rubbish

trinityrhino · 26/09/2006 19:15

It only bothers me because it is all taught as if it is true. I also don't know how to answer my 6 year olds questons.

gigglinggoblin · 26/09/2006 19:16

we have had fewer awkward religious questions since starting catholic school this term than when they attended community non religious term last year. i know there is time yet, but i did expect something!

LemonTart · 26/09/2006 19:18

We are a non church going, rather unreligious "sitting on the fence lets not talk about it" family and yet my two are obsessed with the local church and christianity. Every time we drive past a church DD2 announces "there?s my church!" with plenty of genuine passion and "ownership" to it - quite worrying DD1 goes to a CofE church and is asking harder and harder philosophical questions. Not easy is it. Worrying in a way as they are so impressionable at primary school age and really believe their teachers. I do worry about brain washing but then run out of brain space and time to mull it over and get on with the reading book/ironing/washing up

pointydog · 26/09/2006 19:19

I do like answering the awkward questions though.

I didn't know there were CoS schools, trinity?

trinityrhino · 26/09/2006 19:21

I didn't realise either till I moved here but I guess they aren't going to have a church of england school are they

pointydog · 26/09/2006 19:29

Sorry - what I meant was, I live in Scotland and I am not aware of CoS schools, only Catholic.

MrsMuddle · 26/09/2006 20:02

Catholic and so-called non-denomonational only, I think.

Original poster
tissy · 26/09/2006 20:30

that's the point, really. We chose the school for other reasons, and have no problems with her being taught about religion, but was expecting something other than "this is the truth". As I said before, I'm not going to complain, her teacher is lovely, but do feel a little uncomfortable when dd comes out with stuff I'm not expecting and have trouble answering. Also feel for the Muslim kids, who don't seem to have any choice in the matter, and are at the same impressionable age!

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Original poster
tissy · 26/09/2006 20:32

my Mum was in hysterics, as I was talking to her on the phone during dd's bath tonight, to the accompaniment of dd singing "Yes, Jesus loves me" at the top of her voice, then asking, "Mum what's the Bible?"

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bobsmum · 26/09/2006 21:46

DS is 4 and was asked by a friend if he'd made any friends at nursery yet. He looked at her and laughed out loud:

"I don't make friends God made everybody!"

Still not clear though on what people are saying re Church of Scotland schools.

Just to clarify - there is no such thing in Scotland. THere are Catholic schools and non-denominational schools.

Pointydog - I used to work for Scripture Union and the lunchtime clubs were entirely voluntary. No bribery for attendance - maybe small prizes for games and quizzes if that's what you mean. We operated in schools in the same way that any other faith group could operate. I wish more faith groups did run similar activities in schools - it would make for a great opportunity for joint meetings and debates.

ja9 · 26/09/2006 21:54

thats really cute bobsmum!

trinityrhino · 26/09/2006 22:03

ok, you lot are right apparently, just went and asked dh and he says thats true church of scotland don't support schools therefore she is at a nondenominational school.

well now I am even more surprised because for one all the other parents seem to think that it is church of scotland and there is quite a heavy rekigious slant in the school

hmmm not sure what to think now

pointydog · 26/09/2006 23:27

bobsmum, I personally don't agree with any evangelical organisation being allowed to run clubs in school during school time with the sole purpose of reaching unchurched children. That's what churches etc are for. There are all sorts of issues about children being left out and conflicting with parents' views. The sweets are a big draw.

Haven't heard of other faith organisations doing this.

pointydog · 26/09/2006 23:28

And I am all for children being taught about religion, morals and philosophy.

Skribble · 26/09/2006 23:34

I am a bit uncomfortable with the overly religious bits like assembly etc, it is a normal state school in a village ok we have 1 muslim or no hindus but who is to say the rest of us are all christians. Scottish school too.

Skribble · 26/09/2006 23:36

BTW I don't mind my children being taught about religions and beliefs, morals are pretty universal anyway. But it is more the asumption that all the children at the school should and will follow Church of Scotland.

handlemecarefully · 26/09/2006 23:42

I'm not a Christian, but our local village school happens to be C of E and dd has to go to a harvest festival on Thursday morning at the village church (and I have to take her and stay for the service, with her 2 yr old ds in tow). All a bit much really.

I wouldn't mind but it is her local village school, so it's not like we positively opted for a faith school.

Don't mind that much but worried incase she starts coming up with questions about God etc because frankly I am not qualified to answer!

pointydog · 26/09/2006 23:45

You're as qualified as the next person, hmc.

DominiConnor · 27/09/2006 00:31

I think the reason that tissy might feel uncomfortable is that she comes from a group that regards faith as a choice.

4 yos don't have "free will" as we would assign it to an adult.
They tend to accept statements by adults at face value. That's why most Christian factions try to get at kids as young as possible.

Why do you think they are so keen on running schools ?
(Ok, there os an obvious reason, but to be fair , the majority of Christian leaders aren't paedophiles).

If you wanted to do good for humanity you'd do adult literacy or health education for drug users, but of course you'd get very few people set up with you mindset that way.

harrisey · 27/09/2006 00:55

If a schools emphasis is not right for you, then raise it with the school.

There is no such thing as a CHurch of Scotland school in Scotland. There is catholic or non denominational, and as most catholics opt for segregated education, then the other schools are sort of protestant by default.

I am a Christian and a teacher who has worked with SU and cant fault their methods - it is all totally voluntary with no more coercion than a chess club or a gym class. I have never worked with one that handed out sweeties. It is a lunch club like any other and I would defend the right of anyone else to do the same.

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