Thoughts on withdrawing from RE lessons?

[MidgetJones1]

We’ve had to send our son to a Catholic high school (Long story but no real choice and 70% of the kids there are not Catholic). I’ve looked at the RE curriculum and it’s almost entirely a study of Catholicism rather that a comparative study of a variety of faiths/beliefs, which I’m obviously not surprised about with it being a Catholic school. We are firmly atheist and would be very happy for him to study a regular inclusive RE curriculum but not comfortable with him being taught from the perspective of Catholicism being the truth.
We are considering withdrawing him and finding an online course for him to do instead so he doesn’t waste his time out of lessons.
Has anyone got any experience of withdrawing from RE from a parent or teacher POV and how has it worked out? Thank you

… or have any non Catholics put their kids through Catholic RE lessons and and got any reassurance/advice? Would you withdraw them with hindsight? Was it a waste of time academically (looks like there’s a lot of bible study)? Or were you pleasantly surprised?

What happens during Religion to the other kids that aren’t Catholic ? You’ve chosen a Catholic school so where would a pupil go if withdrawn (supervision?)

I work in a catholic school (English teacher) and parents don’t have the right to withdraw from RE lessons. I’m not saying I agree with it, but the idea being that you chose the school so 🤷‍♀️

They have you study all 6 world religions at some point, and Christianity plus one other for GCSE. I’m an RE teacher, your local SACRE will have more information
Also Humanism is part of the GCSE

What is it you’re worried about - that your DS will become Catholic? My children went to CofE primary schools and one went to a CofE secondary school, neither of them are Christian, and both enjoyed their RE lessons as it enabled them to practice their debating skills!
Your DS might find it interesting; he might find it boring. What he won’t be able to do is form his own opinions if he’s withdrawn. I’d let him join in with the lessons from the start then if you feel it’s turning into indoctrination then withdraw him.

I'd let the kid go and see what they think.RE lessons are very different how they used to be and well I appreciate in a Catholic school it's a bit more godly, most gets really like it

Also, why the fuck go to Catholic School?
😃😃😃

In England, parents have the legal right to withdraw children from RE and Sex Ed lessons.

Might not be the same in a Catholic school

Some children end up in a faith school because they didn’t get allocated a place in a non faith one.

If you choose a Catholic school, surely you accept they will be taught about Catholicism? I wouldn't like it, so I would not choose a Catholic school.

I wouldn’t feel uncomfortable with this at all. I would view it as an opportunity to spark lots of interesting debate and discussion with dc.

Mine went to catholic primary but had a very well rounded view of other world religions by the time they got to non-catholic secondary school, more so it seemed than their peers who had gone to non-catholic primaries (at least based on their factual knowledge of other religions). Mine actively chose not to go to catholic secondary but has chosen RE as an option and loves the philosophy and ethics side (it is about 50/50 mix of Christianity and Islam and then religious approaches to crime and punishment, abortion etc). Probably worth a chat with the school to understand how they deliver the curriculum before making a decision.

So you were all in favour of a Catholic school right up until the point it actually wants to teach its own beliefs? LOL!

Talk about wanting to have your cake and eat it.

I'm really surprised by this. My children attend catholic school and they have to learn about all religions.

I dont think you need worry too much. A huge amount of british art is based on bible stories so at least your children will have a good grounding in it. A big part of history is about the split from Rome so at least they will understand what a lot of the population believed. There are frequent references in literature..

Its a shame they wont get a broader pperspective but I dont think there's much harm in an indepth understanding of one of the biggest religions.

You can do the breadth at home and give counterpoint to any bits of catholic social and moral theory you find problematic.

Because we have the utterly iniquitous system of state funded faith schools and parents are often left with little choice. They pay their taxes and their children finish up being indoctrinated in a faith they do not want or endorse!
Why should children have to travel long distances to escape this religious stranglehold?
GCSE RE covers all main religions and that is what should be taught, not nartow indoctrination in any one faith.

They all have to, they can’t just teach Catholicism

Does the school do GCSE RE? Because they’ll need to do comparative religion for that.

Just don't be that parent.

It's not going to impact him adversely. He might learn some stuff too.

I am sure you have other things to prioritise in your life. If not you are very fortunate!

It's interesting that you don't want him to hear about another faith as you have decided to indoctrinate him in atheism, but complain about the school you have chosen!?
However, if the conversion rates are anything to go by, Catholic schools are rubbish at indoctrination and the curriculum allows students to compare religious views with the views of atheism and humanism so they've got you covered.

I didn’t know that, thanks.

Your kid will be taught all sorts of things in any school, some of which you will not personally agree with. Schools and curriculums are riven throughout with political thinking.

All you can do is teach your kids to be curious and questioning and let them make their own choices as they grow.

They may well grow up to follow a religion. That may well bring them great joy and meaning and community.

I’m an atheist and I love studying religion. I’d find a deep dive into Catholicism fascinating.

I have loads of strong opinions but I tell my kids that their opinions may differ from mine as they grow up.

Do not try to make your kids the weird kids who have to leave class and sit by themselves because of your personal beliefs.

Encourage a love of curiousity about different world views, such as Catholicism, and let them make up their own minds. Life is always richer with more knowledge. And this is a knowledge that is currently being offered at their school. It’s an opportunity to learn, not a threat.

Didn’t have the luxury of choice really

Unless it's a private school the parents do have the right to withdraw and individual schools can't over ride that.