[Misc] Religious promotion in schools

Papa Lazarou · Apr 29, 2015

Morning,

My son happened to mention to me yesterday evening that in year 8 assembly yesterday every child was given a Bible. Apparently a nice man from Gideon was giving them out.

Now, I have an issue with this on a number of levels;

1. Why the Bible and not The Koran or Torah?

2. Who gives them the right to hand out religious 'propoganda' of any flavour to 13 year old children anyway?

3. Where was the consulatation with the parents? I am aware that there are some children, who because their parents are Jehova's Witnesses have opt outs for all sorts of things, but why has the school allowed this without any discussion?

I've read that this is a big thing in the US, particularly the Bible belt states, but I never thought it would happen here.

I might contact them to see if I could hand out some satanism leaflets, or some of Richard Dawkins' or Sam Harris' books in the school and see what reaction I get.

It's parents' evening tomorrow - I think I might have a word.

By the way - my son said he left his copy behind

What's the view of NSC?

Papa

Stumpy Tim · Apr 29, 2015

I agree with you 100%

KZNSeagull · Apr 29, 2015

Totally agree. I would have several words at the parents evening personally.

soistes · Apr 29, 2015

Hmm isn't George Osborne's real name Gideon?. I suspect a Tory plot.
Seriously though - this is outrageous. I expect the school will (rightly) get a fair number of complaints

CherryInHove · Apr 29, 2015

I'm with you 100%. I would be making a strong complaint if my daughter was given any religious text at school. There really needs to be a complete separation between religion and education.

seagullsovergrimsby · Apr 29, 2015

Smacks of Christian radicalisation if you ask me. Next thing we know there'll be modern day teenage Crusaders making their way into Syria to fight against ISIS.

Don Quixote · Apr 29, 2015

That happened to me when I was at school, but I did go to a faith school so it is to be expected.

seagully · Apr 29, 2015

We were given them as well when I was at Primary school- but it was a Church of England school so slightly more understandable. Think I threw mine in the bin on the way out...

Mellor 3 Ward 4 · Apr 29, 2015

CherryInHove said:
I'm with you 100%. I would be making a strong complaint if my daughter was given any religious text at school. There really needs to be a complete separation between religion and education.

What about RE Classes?

Surely kids should be learning about all religions, in equal measure?

Badger · Apr 29, 2015

We were given them when I was at Secondary School back in the late 90s, I'm pretty sure it wasn't a C of E school either (it certainly isn't now it's changed to "community school").

It was promptly put in the bin, even at the age of about 12 I was quite angry to have someone try and force religion on me.

Mattywerewolf · Apr 29, 2015

Mellor 3 Ward 4 said:
What about RE Classes?

Surely kids should be learning about all religions, in equal measure?

They do...My sons have both been through the system and learned a lot about all World religions (and so did I!)

CherryInHove · Apr 29, 2015

Mellor 3 Ward 4 said:
What about RE Classes?

Surely kids should be learning about all religions, in equal measure?

Yeah, I probably didn't phrase it well. They should be taught about Religious History, but not be pushed towards any religion (or non-religion).

wellquickwoody · Apr 29, 2015

Papa Lazarou said:
Morning,

My son happened to mention to me yesterday evening that in year 8 assembly yesterday every child was given a Bible. Apparently a nice man from Gideon was giving them out.

Now, I have an issue with this on a number of levels;

1. Why the Bible and not The Koran or Torah?

2. Who gives them the right to hand out religious 'propoganda' of any flavour to 13 year old children anyway?

3. Where was the consulatation with the parents? I am aware that there are some children, who because their parents are Jehova's Witnesses have opt outs for all sorts of things, but why has the school allowed this without any discussion?

I've read that this is a big thing in the US, particularly the Bible belt states, but I never thought it would happen here.

I might contact them to see if I could hand out some satanism leaflets, or some of Richard Dawkins' or Sam Harris' books in the school and see what reaction I get.

It's parents' evening tomorrow - I think I might have a word.

By the way - my son said he left his copy behind

What's the view of NSC?

Papa

Not a church school by any chance?

Papa Lazarou · Apr 29, 2015

wellquickwoody said:
Not a church school by any chance?

Nope. I well known High School in Durrington.

beorhthelm · Apr 29, 2015

Mellor 3 Ward 4 said:
What about RE Classes?

Surely kids should be learning about all religions, in equal measure?

RE should be replaced with philosophy, which covers religion and provides a much broader education on the issues religion trys to cover.

Gwylan · Apr 29, 2015

Badger said:
We were given them when I was at Secondary School back in the late 90s, I'm pretty sure it wasn't a C of E school either (it certainly isn't now it's changed to "community school").

Yeah, I was given one in the late 60s (and I didn't go to a church school either). It's pretty standard practice - can't say I'm wild about the practice but it's scarcely something new: it's been going for at least 50 years, that's when the protests should have started

Papa Lazarou · Apr 29, 2015

Gwylan said:
Yeah, I was given one in the late 60s (and I didn't go to a church school either). It's pretty standard practice - can't say I'm wild about the practice but it's scarcely something new: it's been going for at least 50 years, that's when the protests should have started

Well, yesterday was the first time one of my children has been approached to join a cult - I think I might just protest.

Eggmundo · Apr 29, 2015

I assume you don't celebrate Easter or Christmas as well?
Or are you just being selective in your outrage?

Stumpy Tim · Apr 29, 2015

Eggmundo said:
I assume you don't celebrate Easter or Christmas as well?
Or are you just being selective in your outrage?

We don't really do Easter, but Christmas for me is now more like ThanksGiving in the US. That's what I celebrate at Christmas anyway - a day a year where family gets together, drinks a lot, and then argues.

drew · Apr 29, 2015

Did your son have to accept it?

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