Baptism for non religious reasons?

[Penguin2]

Has anyone out there had their children baptised for non religious reasons, eg to get them into a school or to provide them with a broader social life? Are you prepared to talk about it?

Well said Aloha! Have to say lm dont think the french system is perfect but I still think that one religion should not be fed to children in school they should know about all faiths and if it were not so badly taught and open to interpretation the National Curriculum aim of awe and wonder are things I would prefer my kids to have. Having been in a ce school adn now going to a multi faith and multi cultural school my kids are now in touch with a wider and more diverse set of beliefs and ideas. They also are more sensitive and frankly morally and ethically responsible rather than smug and force fed in a way which is white, middle class and frankly out of touch.

Glitterfairy, my child is tolerant, ethically responsible, not force fed, smug or white! Please try not to stereotype people.

His school is also multicultural and he learns all about other religions. Yes, it is a catholic school!

Those who think that their religion has a monopoly on morality - and are incredibly touchy about their religion but still feel free to insult others' veiews - drive the rest of us nuts. That's not aimed at you, btw Hercules.
But if you think that there will only be one not-really-religious child in a class at a normal CofE primary, then I think you are mistaken. Everyone knows the churches are full of parents just going through the motions.

Also, How do I "contribute to the maintenance of the church school system"? Er, I pay for it. Via my taxes. Like everyone else. I think it is parasitic for the church to happily take my money but reject my child.
And re LadyMuck's point about if my neighbour gets benefits etc, well, if I wasn't able to access those same benefits solely because of my creed or colour, I would think that was just a bit unfair and wrong, wouldn't you?

But religion isnt creed or colour. Yes, I agree completely that as my son gets to go to a very good state school because of his fathers religion that people who are not entitled shouldnt have to pay. So what ever that makes me thats what I am. But no school has an equal policy on entrance eg where you live, how much money you have, siblings all make up part of the criteria surely for most schools.
I dont agree though with baptising your child into something neither parent believes in. I was never baptised as a baby as my parents didnt believe.
At my sons school the childrens parents to me seem to be very involved in the church although this is rc and I understand the point about c of e who are not so strict on entrance anyway.

Hercules sorry if I stereotyped. However I do think that religious schools of one religion do have a point of view which the children are given and whilst other faiths are talked about they are not inclusive in general. A certain amount of generalisation is necessary to have a conversation like this. Any religion bound by a book has a code which it follows and which it teaches to the children in its care. That is what I meant I personally do not feel that this is ever justified in the case of children who should make up their own mind and yes I do feel that this is an abusive relationship on the part of adults.

I send my kids to a private C of E school. It is very inclusive and has Jewish, Hindu and Muslim children on the school roll. They all take an active part and all faiths are valued. At the Easter celibration they sang a Jewish song for Passover.

I am sure that this happens but as I said it is often tokenism. There are budhists out there adn aethiests too!

But surely every parent brings their child up according to their beliefs?
I dont think sending your child to a school which supports your beliefs is abuse nor do i think it is acceptable to be prejudice about people who send thei children to a faith school.

Of course a church school will teach its religion as "truth" alongside learning tolerance and other religions. Which is why I cant understand why someone who didnt believe any of it nor wanted their child to believe it would want to send their child there.

In bringing up your child of course you impose your belief system on them whether you are religious or not. This is not abuse or everyone would be guilty of it.

Glitter fairy- no non religious school can possible teach all the differnt religions and belief systems! There is simply not time nor resources.

And no religious school has the time either.

All state schools that do no select on the basis of religion in this country have to teach Christianity as 50% of the re timetable. Is this the inclusion you are talking about? Doesnt seem to be so to me. If you want your child to learn about all religions equally and not focus mainly on one then you will need to opt out of the current system and withdraw your child altogether out of re lessons.

Absoltuely hercules. However, this does not mean that they cant try and one religion should not be made more important than another

But that's the governments decision about Christianity being taught 50% and also the limited time teachers have to teach about other religions. It applies to all schools unless they opt out.

I used to know a woman who was Buddhist, but had her son baptised to get into a Catholic school, because it was the only decent one in the area.

Sorry cross posting and yes hercules it is a headache! Have to grit my teeth but then I would prefer no religion at all!Hey ho that is state schooling for you.I have to say that I would prefer lots of different things in education and you are right i could take them out but what then? Ulitmately we all bring our kids up as best we can and send them to what we hope will be the best school but if the choice is limited it make people cross to be excluded because of a belief

Wse all do what we have to Lou I suppose

Yes, I agree with you about people being cross although I wouldnt personally baptise my child into a religion which dh and I thought false in order to get them into a "good" school.
I do think though it is very important for children to learn "about" religions as they are such a major part of history and current life whether you believe in them or not and most people in the world do believe in some sort of religion.
I do though think it is wrong that Christianity is the dominant religion taught in non religious schools, seems nonsensical and teaches that it must be the "right" one.

Dh just asked what I was discussing - told him , fine. Then he asked with who- glitterfairy!

Absolutely it gets us all steamed up and really I think we have alor in common it is fundamentalists who make things hard. Anyway sorry again for stereotyping but there you go we all have faults especially when roused

Great am very glittery today as abusing my kids who do ballet on a bank holiday not my choice though theirs and they are about to go off and sing and dance. So will sprinkle some glitter for you on stage now!

If dh were not catholic then i'm sure I would see it very differently.
Btw just to make you quake - mil told ds that Jesus was going to punish him!!!!! Luckily ds has far more sense and knew it was crap.

kids do they see through a lot and are usually very open to new ideas and thoughts poor old jesus his name is always being taken in vain. he was a cool guy and so much bad has been done by people taking it all to extremes. my dh is catholic too and gets very cross with my beliefs at times but of course I put him firmly into his catholic box!

Snap! I roll my eyes with dh.