'we said thanks to God today mummy!' Really??

[unexpectediteminbaggingarea]

Apparently a 'special lady' came and told my son and his class that God gave them a special gift so they should all say thank you to him. And they did.

Does this kind of shit go on everywhere? It's not a church school. I am an athiest. My son, aged 4, is now apparently not. He says that, thinking about it, he now thinks God is real and the reason you can't see him is because he 'lives in a different country, maybe London'.

I'm actually quite pissed off about it (not the London bit, that was funny), but if it's what happens everywhere or is some kind of statutory thing I suppose I'll have to suck it up. If it's not I may write to the head.

Although I do think more time on geography and less time on God might be better for DS .

"All maintained - state funded schools - have to hold assemblies of which at least 51% are wholly or broadly Christian in content. You can go and 'have serious words' with the school, but they have no choice. If you don't like it, take your child out of collective worship or, indeed, of school."

It is up to the school how they interpret that requirement, and there is a wide variety between schools.

As an atheist parent, I am certainly going to say something if my DCs' school is teaching them that god is real.

If they went to church then they probably would! The interpretation of the law is down to the Head. Most non church schools wouldn't attend a church service but church schools will quite regularly (but not all)

"Even in the nursery they say a prayer at the end of the day."

That would be absolutely unthinkable in DS's nursery.

unexpecteditem only read your post not others.

DD has assemblies at her school where a local vicar comes to have a chat, and some of her RE lessons have been about God.

When she first came home and asked me if nanny was an angel in heaven, it took me by surprise and I was slightly taken aback. I even posted here about it i think as she seemed to be very directed by her school to believe in God even though it is not a Faith School.

DD, even now says 'i know you don't believe in God mummy, but I do, ok?' and asks me sometimes what Heaven looks like, what God looks like and says things like how God made everyone and she likes to go to church (christenings etc) and say amen, she likes to thank God for her dinner.

However, in time, I have grown to realise, it is ok. I answer her questions honestly about my own beliefs and make it clear that those teaching her are not wrong, as we don't know the right answers, no-one really does, but they believe their way is true and I don't. I also explain to her that it ok to think different things.

She is growing up in many ways with many different influences around her, this is only a small part and if I don't want her to believe in God, I can show her my way. But ultimately it will be her own decision what path she chooses.

I think, she is very young and naive at the moment and in time she will learn to question even her teachers and those who are not parents. In time, she will learn that it is not right just because someone at school tells her it is. But I am equally sure she will question my views too and learn that mine might not be right for her just because I say it is.

And your little boy is very young and school is such a big thing, but he will continue to be influenced most by his parents and family around him.

What I am trying to say in a long-winded way is don't get hung up on it. When he is older he won't have been indoctrinated into religious ways.

It is up to the school how they interpret that requirement, and there is a wide variety between schools.

There lies the problem-as a supply teacher I can vouch for a very, very, wide range.

To be fair, they may be teaching it amazingly well & our DD getting wrong end of stick, but as they WON'T PROVIDE THE INFORMATION it has made us incredibly suspicious of what the heckins is going on!

Apologies for bringing in own issue & shouty capitals, but feel near tears with frustration ....

DD, even now says 'i know you don't believe in God mummy, but I do, ok?'

A very sensible child who has worked out it is her decision. Lots of you don't agree with your parents so I don't see why you expect your DC to agree with you. My mother is free to think whatever she likes-she is not free to expect me to follow her. (luckily she never has)

Indeed, Suffolk .

It is a very sensitive issue for lots of people - so subjective and very very important to so many. I agree with those up post who say law should be changed in non faith schools.

I feel so cheated that we chose a non faith school that includes worship etc. And they all have to! That is no choice at all.

up thread, I meant

With DD1 in school, I would hardly put DD2 in another nursery which meant I couldn't pick her up when she finished because DD1's school finishes at the name time. So it means a choice of two nurseries in the village, one in the school grounds and one across the road. They both say prayers at the end of the day, so it's not like there is a choice on that score!

That's my whole point though. I can counteract religious indoctrination at home so it doesn't bother me from a school/nursery perspective...it bothers me from a national/legislation level. If schools had to be secular, this wouldn't happen.

Exotic... You are not listening. Of course it ultimately becomes our children's choice what they choose to believe in when they are old enough to make that decision. I haven't once said otherwise.

But school is for educating, worship should be removed from all schools. How a specific head teacher decides to bring faith and worship into schools and to what extent is wrong, there should be one clear policy. RE is okay, worship is not... End of, no interpretation, no argument.

Not read whole thread but I similarly have a 4 yo son who comes home and talks about god sometimes. Although both his dad and I are atheists and I don't particularly like this aspect of schools I am not too worried. I've had lots of discussions with DS about how people have different beliefs - how his granny believes in god but we - his mum and dad - don't, about different religions past and present and about how the stuff to do with god in school is not the same as learning reading and writing and it's something he'll have to make his own mind up about.

I was brought up without religion, decided I was a devout Christian when I was about 7 and prayed every night for a while, before deciding I was in fact an atheist and refusing to bow my head during school prayers or join the guides because I wouldn't pledge allegiance to god :-) my parents aren't religious but I'm glad they let me find my own way.

I wouldn't be so relaxed about an actual faith school but the small amount of collective worship in state schools is not equivalent indoctrination - much as I'd like it scrapped...

As a general rule, though, the keener an individual teacher is to peddle a particular brand of crap, the more harmful the brand is likely to be. Traditonal old wooly Anglicanism is fairly unthreatening, but the aggressively evangelical types usually come from the nastier, woman-hating, homophobic, borderline racist type of cults.

A very sensible child who has worked out it is her decision.

My ds used to think there were monsters who came out of his wardrobe at night. Should I have gone along with his beliefs for fear of abusing my position of power?

We - well you live in a Christian country where the Head of State is head of the Church, It should come no surprise that this is the message in school. We all grew up under the same shit, after all. All things bright and beautiful and grace before the lamb stew and sponge pudding. From what I read on Mn though, everyone WANTS to get their kids in the faith schools. Will gp through great deception to do so, in fact.....So which is it

Shouldn't all our children be brought up to respect the views of others even if we don't agree with them. We sent out DC to a cofe primary and to schools with a christian ethos for secondary because that is what we believe in and think best. I know people who have sent their children to church schools on the basis of results who have then complained about the christian ethos .

I respect those without faith; I think it only right that those without faith should respect the views of those with faith. You can't say you don't like Chinese food if you haven't tried it can you? Isn't that a little ignorant.

I respect those without faith; I think it only right that those without faith should respect the views of those with faith.

Thats rich when its those without faith who are expected to leave the assembly.

I respect their views, well, the ones that aren't homophobic or misogynistic anyway, but just don't want their views given as fact to children in a supposedly non-denominational state school.

You can't say you don't like Chinese food if you haven't tried it can you? Isn't that a little ignorant.

Why is it assumed that atheists are ignorant?

I could say you are ignorant to actual fact but do I. No I dont.

I have tried religion. Because I rejected it I am not ignorant. I think thats true for the majority of atheists.

God expects no-one to leave. I have never heard of a church school expecting those of other or no faith to leave an assembly. I am aware that those of other faith are allowed to leave if they do not wish to participate.

Christianity is neither mysoginistic or homophobic in its liberal and non fundamental forms. Jesus included all and cast out nobody.

I tried not believing once and returned to God; that doesn't mean I don't respect the views of the non believer and that must surely work in reverse.