Attend Islam class or be branded racist
Discussion
SGirl said:
how many English speakers know all about grammar, etc. in their own language?
Pretty much all the grammar I ever learned has been as the result of foreign language studies. I don't know if it has changed but "when I were a lad" most English grammar teaching was of the prescriptive "make up rules based on Latin grammar" school and effectively worse than useless.standards said:
I'm almost certain the one subject you have the right NOT to study in school is RS/RE.
Which is one reason why the OP issue is controversial. My (limited) understanding is that parents can remove their child/young person from RS/RE or PART of it.
Certainly just after 9/11 the Local Authority had to accept youngsters being withdrawn from any teaching of Islam. No racism label threats made as I recall.
Not in Wales at least.Which is one reason why the OP issue is controversial. My (limited) understanding is that parents can remove their child/young person from RS/RE or PART of it.
Certainly just after 9/11 the Local Authority had to accept youngsters being withdrawn from any teaching of Islam. No racism label threats made as I recall.
RS is compulsory up to Year 12 (5th form for us oldies). The GCSE isn't required, lesson attendance is.
My eldest (15) isn't interested but isn't fussed either, my youngest (13) has been a militant atheist since he was 8/9 and is seriously unimpressed.
DJRC said:
Either kids have changed an awful lot since my day or...I rather suspect they haven't. As such any "label" any teacher gives them that carries a negative connotation would be worn, displayed and prized above all else.
It is a long standing accurate observation about teachers that they really do understand f
k all about kids.
That's certainly true. I should imagine the kids are going to get an awful lot of mileage out of this regardless of what happens next.It is a long standing accurate observation about teachers that they really do understand f
k all about kids.standards said:
98elise said:
While I thing some knowledge is fine. I think it being a mandatory GCSE is a piss take. History, geography, sciences, languages, all optional. My son did not want to take RE yet was corced to, and due the the way structured he couldn't take physics.
As an atheist I think its outrageous that my kids have to get a formal formal qualification in fairy stories, in preference to a science.
He got an F so it was completely futile.
I'm almost certain the one subject you have the right NOT to study in school is RS/RE.As an atheist I think its outrageous that my kids have to get a formal formal qualification in fairy stories, in preference to a science.
He got an F so it was completely futile.
Which is one reason why the OP issue is controversial. My (limited) understanding is that parents can remove their child/young person from RS/RE or PART of it.
Certainly just after 9/11 the Local Authority had to accept youngsters being withdrawn from any teaching of Islam. No racism label threats made as I recall.
This obviously reduced the number of subjects he was free to choose or take, and ultimately might affect the rest of his career/life.
I don't mind people believing in what ever they want, but it should not detrimental to a child's education.
CommanderJameson said:
standards said:
If there is anywhere Comic Sans CAN be used
There isn't. It's a ghastly affront to eyeballs, no matter the context.Yes, the head is an idiot for sending a letter like that. Shame this thread has flushed out such ignorant reactions from posters though.
Going on a school trip to learn about a religion does not mean these kids will be locked into a room and brainwashed! Studying the Land Down Under in geography did not try and force my to become Australian...
Some people here could benefit from meeting an actual Muslim and learning a little about them, rather than recoiling in disgust at the mention of Islam - Have many of you actually tried this yourselves?
That is what is valuable about RE - Learning about religious people, learning what they believe and why they do what they do. This is much more likely to give the student a realistic picture of other peoples, rather than getting their view of others from hysterical, reactionary Daily Mail readers.
Just FYI, I am not a Muslim - I was brought up going to a Christian church, but had stopped believing by the time I was 15. I have no religious beliefs and do not encourage my children to believe in any gods either - However, I did not prevent them going on a school trip to one of the largest Sikh Gurdwaras outside of India - In fact I went along as a parent helper. I was impressed and fascinated, and learned things I did not know before, despite growing up in a town where Sikhs make up a large proportion of the community.
'Learning' is not just about the 3 Rs
Going on a school trip to learn about a religion does not mean these kids will be locked into a room and brainwashed! Studying the Land Down Under in geography did not try and force my to become Australian...
Some people here could benefit from meeting an actual Muslim and learning a little about them, rather than recoiling in disgust at the mention of Islam - Have many of you actually tried this yourselves?
That is what is valuable about RE - Learning about religious people, learning what they believe and why they do what they do. This is much more likely to give the student a realistic picture of other peoples, rather than getting their view of others from hysterical, reactionary Daily Mail readers.
Just FYI, I am not a Muslim - I was brought up going to a Christian church, but had stopped believing by the time I was 15. I have no religious beliefs and do not encourage my children to believe in any gods either - However, I did not prevent them going on a school trip to one of the largest Sikh Gurdwaras outside of India - In fact I went along as a parent helper. I was impressed and fascinated, and learned things I did not know before, despite growing up in a town where Sikhs make up a large proportion of the community.
'Learning' is not just about the 3 Rs
Edited by Silver Smudger on Monday 25th November 02:27
Silver Smudger said:
Going on a school trip to learn about a religion does not mean these kids will be locked into a room and brainwashed! Studying the Land Down Under in geography did not try and force my to become Australian...
Youre missing the point, religion has nothing to teach anyone and it shouldnt be polluting the minds of kids.Silver Smudger said:
Some people here could benefit from meeting an actual Muslim and learning a little about them, rather than recoiling in disgust at the mention of Islam - Have many of you actually tried this yourselves?
What benefit is to be gained?The whole media continually carpet bombs us with muslim this, that or the other, its boring, pointless nonsense.
Strip away the idiotic beliefs of muslims and any other religious groups and youre left with people, simple as.
Learn about people yes, religious cobblers no.
Silver Smudger said:
That is what is valuable about RE - Learning about religious people, learning what they believe and why they do what they do. This is much more likely to give the student a realistic picture of other peoples, rather than getting their view of others from hysterical, reactionary Daily Mail readers.
Learning about someone elses sky pixie delusions is valuable?In what way is there any value in learning that my god is better than your god?
Youre a bit prejudiced against the daily mail arent you?
Maybe you should go on a field trip and learn more about it....
Silver Smudger said:
Just FYI, I am not a Muslim - I was brought up going to a Christian church, but had stopped believing by the time I was 15. I have no religious beliefs and do not encourage my children to believe in any gods either - However, I did not prevent them going on a school trip to one of the largest Sikh Gurdwaras outside of India - In fact I went along as a parent helper. I was impressed and fascinated, and learned things I did not know before, despite growing up in a town where Sikhs make up a large proportion of the community.
'Learning' is not just about the 3 Rs
Bully for you, What did you learn that enriched your life so massively and turned you into an even more wonderful human being?'Learning' is not just about the 3 Rs
Edited by Silver Smudger on Monday 25th November 02:27
chris watton said:
Mojooo said:
4v6 said:
Or we could just bar any religious bullsh*t being promoted in schools and stop trying to fill kids heads with sky pixie nonsense.
The use of threats to try and co-erce the parents by attacking the children because mom and dad dont want ideological boogeyman stories taught as fact is pretty despicable and akin to indoctrination techniques practiced by uncle adolf and co and cant be tolerated.
Its telling that the words "cultural education" immediately conjure up the religion of peace and tolerance rather than Inuit culture or say Australian Aboriginal culture, or arent they as important?
In my ever so humble opinion islam is getting far too much promotion and needs a whole lot less.
If they want to teach culture in schools, try English culture, learn about yourself before you learn about others.
its called education not promotionThe use of threats to try and co-erce the parents by attacking the children because mom and dad dont want ideological boogeyman stories taught as fact is pretty despicable and akin to indoctrination techniques practiced by uncle adolf and co and cant be tolerated.
Its telling that the words "cultural education" immediately conjure up the religion of peace and tolerance rather than Inuit culture or say Australian Aboriginal culture, or arent they as important?
In my ever so humble opinion islam is getting far too much promotion and needs a whole lot less.
If they want to teach culture in schools, try English culture, learn about yourself before you learn about others.
according to the report the school has a duty to teach about other religions/cultures - it is not clear if this particular trip was about islam - but so what if it was - given that its such a favourite talking point isn't it more relevant?
That the original letter was deemed fit for circulation tells you plenty about why kids are emerging from school without a clue about how to conduct themselves.
Mojooo said:
When I was in primary school lots of non christians were 'forced' to go to church for events at Christmas - their parents didn't kick up a fuss
i think we have had a fundamental shift - thesedays everyone thinks they are the boss - in all walks of life really.
We had a Muslim lad at our secondary school back in the 1980s/early 1990s. He was exempt from attending all school assemblies and RE lessons at his parents request citing "religious grounds" because their content was primarily Christian in nature.i think we have had a fundamental shift - thesedays everyone thinks they are the boss - in all walks of life really.
This has always gone on - we just get to hear about it more these days because of the meeja.
rambo19 said:
Religion should not be taught in schools.
I disagree. I reluctantly accept that religion is too important a field to ignore in the education system, however it should be no more significant than a short module in History / Psychology / Sociology lessons IMHO.It can only be confusing, the cognitive dissonance caused by imparting genuine scientific knowledge and understanding to our children while simultaneously pandering to conflicting ancient superstitions as if they are simultaneously worthy of merit. The continued existence of religion in the modern/enlightened age is an embarrassment to mankind, again IMHO, second only to the oblivious march towards completely unsustainable population growth and the associated irreversible environmental degradation.
Are you allowed to withdraw your child from ALL religious classes on the grounds that ALL religions are immaterial to the real universe they will be living in?
I don't want my child growing up to think that there is absolutely any truth in near-stone-age & medieval books published about all-seeing creatures who created us.
I don't want my child growing up to think that there is absolutely any truth in near-stone-age & medieval books published about all-seeing creatures who created us.
im said:
Are you allowed to withdraw your child from ALL religious classes on the grounds that ALL religions are immaterial to the real universe they will be living in?
I don't want my child growing up to think that there is absolutely any truth in near-stone-age & medieval books published about all-seeing creatures who created us.
Be careful what you wish for, a friend of mine was brought up by atheists and as a form of rebellion started going to church. He's better now, thankfully, but it's something I'm mindful of while raising my own sprogs.I don't want my child growing up to think that there is absolutely any truth in near-stone-age & medieval books published about all-seeing creatures who created us.
IMO it should be taught as a sidebar to history as so much of what does and has gone on in the world is informed by religion.
No-one should be forced to partake in any kind of event relating to religion if they don't want to. Their children should not be compelled to attend anything religious either. In fact, we should not have to be 'tolerant' of religion either - all too often this bleeds over into 'pandering' and bending over backward to accommodate nonsensical thought. If someone's faith isn't strong enough to withstand parody, mocking or intolerance then that's their problem not mine.
I'll take the piss out of all religions equally - if you're making a choice to do something dumb, that's your call. You weren't born religious, therefore it's a choice and fair game for ridicule.
I'll take the piss out of all religions equally - if you're making a choice to do something dumb, that's your call. You weren't born religious, therefore it's a choice and fair game for ridicule.
Silver Smudger said:
Yes, the head is an idiot for sending a letter like that. Shame this thread has flushed out such ignorant reactions from posters though.
Going on a school trip to learn about a religion does not mean these kids will be locked into a room and brainwashed! Studying the Land Down Under in geography did not try and force my to become Australian...
Some people here could benefit from meeting an actual Muslim and learning a little about them, rather than recoiling in disgust at the mention of Islam - Have many of you actually tried this yourselves?
That is what is valuable about RE - Learning about religious people, learning what they believe and why they do what they do. This is much more likely to give the student a realistic picture of other peoples, rather than getting their view of others from hysterical, reactionary Daily Mail readers.
Just FYI, I am not a Muslim - I was brought up going to a Christian church, but had stopped believing by the time I was 15. I have no religious beliefs and do not encourage my children to believe in any gods either - However, I did not prevent them going on a school trip to one of the largest Sikh Gurdwaras outside of India - In fact I went along as a parent helper. I was impressed and fascinated, and learned things I did not know before, despite growing up in a town where Sikhs make up a large proportion of the community.
'Learning' is not just about the 3 Rs
Couldn't agree more. The ignorance of the following posters only futher serves to reinforce the point. The irony is strong in this thread.Going on a school trip to learn about a religion does not mean these kids will be locked into a room and brainwashed! Studying the Land Down Under in geography did not try and force my to become Australian...
Some people here could benefit from meeting an actual Muslim and learning a little about them, rather than recoiling in disgust at the mention of Islam - Have many of you actually tried this yourselves?
That is what is valuable about RE - Learning about religious people, learning what they believe and why they do what they do. This is much more likely to give the student a realistic picture of other peoples, rather than getting their view of others from hysterical, reactionary Daily Mail readers.
Just FYI, I am not a Muslim - I was brought up going to a Christian church, but had stopped believing by the time I was 15. I have no religious beliefs and do not encourage my children to believe in any gods either - However, I did not prevent them going on a school trip to one of the largest Sikh Gurdwaras outside of India - In fact I went along as a parent helper. I was impressed and fascinated, and learned things I did not know before, despite growing up in a town where Sikhs make up a large proportion of the community.
'Learning' is not just about the 3 Rs
Edited by Silver Smudger on Monday 25th November 02:27
Edited by Swervin_Mervin on Monday 25th November 14:40
Gassing Station | News, Politics & Economics | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff