Religion in Schools
Discussion
Religious education is compulsory* in all maintained primary schools. Whilst RE is compulsory for all maintained schools to provide RE, it's not part of the National Curriculum. So why do schools still teach it?
Isn't time we made it optional, or better still, push it back to the homes of those who choose to practice or teach it?
Isn't time we made it optional, or better still, push it back to the homes of those who choose to practice or teach it?
* I had to look up whether or not it was part of the NC and found notes on it being compulsory but still not part of the NC. Happy to be corrected on the definitive/official word on this.
Unless anything's changed, it's not 'Education about 'A' Religion' but education about Religion. Regardless of one's own opinions on the matter, religion influences a great deal of what happens in the world and how the world works so educating kids about this is a good thing.
It's interesting to note that on the whole, bad things are normally done by those from those societies that forbid education on religions other than that practiced locally.
There's a big difference between education and preaching.
It's interesting to note that on the whole, bad things are normally done by those from those societies that forbid education on religions other than that practiced locally.
There's a big difference between education and preaching.
Edited by StevieBee on Monday 3rd February 20:13
StevieBee said:
Unless anything's changed, it's not 'Education about 'A' Religion' but education about Religion. Regardless of one's own opinions on the matter, region influences a great deal of what happens in the world and how the world works so educating kids about this is a good thing.
It's interesting to note that on the whole, bad things are normally done by those from those societies that forbid education on regions other than that practiced locally.
There's a big difference between education and preaching.
An interesting statement and I don't know whether or not I want to agree or argue, however, I am seeing that my eldest (final year in primary) is being moaned at for 'not respecting' another's belief when all he's doing is saying he's just not interested in discussing religion. My youngest is asking questions as he sees things and is also coming home confused about 'how can they say this' and 'how can that be'. Furthermore, my eldest plays in a football team (which I also manage) and by far the worst teams to play against in the league are the single faith teams. It's a PITA having the KO times altered for the 'religious dispensation' they get, but when they turn up and behave like tribal thugs, it tests the character. It's interesting to note that on the whole, bad things are normally done by those from those societies that forbid education on regions other than that practiced locally.
There's a big difference between education and preaching.
I personally do not subscribe to any religion. My mum is the daughter of a Proddie and my father (was) the son of a devout Hindu. I've had a look at the subject closely and it's not for me. Not. One. Bit.
TwigtheWonderkid said:
As said, depends on what is meant by "taught".
1. Jesus rose from the dead - utter b
ks.
2. Christians believe Jesus rose from the dead - that is a fact and kids should be taught facts about the world they live in.
During my schooling years I don't remember RE in primary other than hymns every morning. 1. Jesus rose from the dead - utter b
ks.2. Christians believe Jesus rose from the dead - that is a fact and kids should be taught facts about the world they live in.
In secondary we had RE. I honestly don't remember what 'Miss Edmonds' was banging on about but I do remember it was never anything on Islam, Hinduism, Judaism or Sikhism (C of E School). In my kids' school they have kids from all over the world: Jewish kids, Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Russian Orthodox, Roman Catholic... It's great to have all the cultures around you. When it comes to the Summer Fetes (and that lovely Lithuanian mum in year 2).
Glassman said:
During my schooling years I don't remember RE in primary other than hymns every morning.
In secondary we had RE. I honestly don't remember what 'Miss Edmonds' was banging on about but I do remember it was never anything on Islam, Hinduism, Judaism or Sikhism (C of E School). In my kids' school they have kids from all over the world: Jewish kids, Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Russian Orthodox, Roman Catholic... It's great to have all the cultures around you. When it comes to the Summer Fetes (and that lovely Lithuanian mum in year 2).
Different times. Different worlds.In secondary we had RE. I honestly don't remember what 'Miss Edmonds' was banging on about but I do remember it was never anything on Islam, Hinduism, Judaism or Sikhism (C of E School). In my kids' school they have kids from all over the world: Jewish kids, Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Russian Orthodox, Roman Catholic... It's great to have all the cultures around you. When it comes to the Summer Fetes (and that lovely Lithuanian mum in year 2).
If you think back to the 50s and 60s, people would see these 'different' looking people arriving doing 'different' things or read of lives around the world without really any understanding of what was driving their day to day actions. I sometimes wonder if things might be better today if more effort was made to explain the differences to young enquiring minds back then.
Your kids will grow into adults with a far more rounded understanding of things than we ever did. That's a very good thing.
And IMO, parents who tell the children religion is b
ks is as dangerous and short sighted as others who tell them that it is not. Provide the information, explain the basis and allow them the capacity that they are capable of to work it all out for themselves.Personally I don’t have a problem with the religious elements my son has been taught in the 7 years he has been at a C of E school, he has formed his own thoughts on the subject. He has picked up what I can see are the positive messages without be coming a zealot. There has only been one instance I can remember where someone came in who was OTT.
He does seem more interested (and far more knowledgeable than me) in the Ancient Egyptian’s vision of the afterlife which he’s learning at the moment. It’s certainly more exciting than St Peter at the pearly gates, no plans for any pyramids just yet though...
He does seem more interested (and far more knowledgeable than me) in the Ancient Egyptian’s vision of the afterlife which he’s learning at the moment. It’s certainly more exciting than St Peter at the pearly gates, no plans for any pyramids just yet though...
Being taught about religion is pretty important I think, particularly once you get into the work place so you have some general grasp of what different religions celebrate and their day to day practices. I think it can come off a bit ignorant if you don't have a basic understanding.
Religious teaching is a whole other thing though, and schools aren't the place for it IMO.
Religious teaching is a whole other thing though, and schools aren't the place for it IMO.
It’s really important otherwise you’d have all kinds of subjects being optional because one doesn’t prescribe too it... learning what others believe is valuable so people can make their own conclusions.
Why should my kids study music... they hate classical music, or insert any other subject.
Furthermore one could argue that subjects like PHSE and the interesting world views on things like transgender and non binary stuff (where by it’s stated factually) are more damaging to primary school children than the story of Moses or learning about the pillars of Islam.
Why should my kids study music... they hate classical music, or insert any other subject.
Furthermore one could argue that subjects like PHSE and the interesting world views on things like transgender and non binary stuff (where by it’s stated factually) are more damaging to primary school children than the story of Moses or learning about the pillars of Islam.
ash73 said:
Should only be taught in the history class, imo.
Doesn't really matter though, when they get home just explain to them it's a load of rubbish.
Doesn't really matter though, when they get home just explain to them it's a load of rubbish.
- facepalm
RE teaches you about other faiths, unless, if it was like my school (mid eighties here) where we all learnt about religion , just after all the Jewish, Muslim and Hindu kids all trooped to the library.
It made me resent it, I wanted to arse about in the library as well, but now it rankles as those kids parents had expressly forbade them to learn anything about other faiths.
Not sure is its the same now in schools, bet it is, I would have been been much better spending more time on Maths, English, Physics and whatever than listening to "Hamster Head" the RE teacher driveling on about Abraham, Moses and whatever.
I am sort of interested now in religions, not I dont say "other" as I dont have one, I am intrigued as to the stuff those with a faith have to go through to observe, and am mightily glad I dont have to. Too much fixation on pork products, alcohol, sex and masturbation, or "The weekend" as most of us know it.
It made me resent it, I wanted to arse about in the library as well, but now it rankles as those kids parents had expressly forbade them to learn anything about other faiths.
Not sure is its the same now in schools, bet it is, I would have been been much better spending more time on Maths, English, Physics and whatever than listening to "Hamster Head" the RE teacher driveling on about Abraham, Moses and whatever.
I am sort of interested now in religions, not I dont say "other" as I dont have one, I am intrigued as to the stuff those with a faith have to go through to observe, and am mightily glad I dont have to. Too much fixation on pork products, alcohol, sex and masturbation, or "The weekend" as most of us know it.
bristolbaron said:
My daughter is in reception in a non faith school and comes home each day singing various Jesus based songs that apparently they learn in assembly.
It does seem odd to me that this is deemed okay without having mention of it via website or open days etc.
Seems possibly better than coming home singing songs about money or drugs or liking kissing girls or her milkshake bringing all the boys to the yard. It does seem odd to me that this is deemed okay without having mention of it via website or open days etc.
My niece tells me that at her RC school, they're told that Jesus rose from the dead, died for us etc. They're not taught about other religions other than that others have false gods and aren't proper religions.
Similar to my experience as a child.
Having said that, RC schools get the best results in the area so maybe praying to their god helps.
I think teaching religion is a good thing but needs to be balanced.
At the other end of the scale, the little girl up the road is at a local none faith school and the parents were up in arms when the school wanted to take the kids to a cathedral and a mosque.
Similar to my experience as a child.
Having said that, RC schools get the best results in the area so maybe praying to their god helps.
I think teaching religion is a good thing but needs to be balanced.
At the other end of the scale, the little girl up the road is at a local none faith school and the parents were up in arms when the school wanted to take the kids to a cathedral and a mosque.
Glassman said:
I am seeing that my eldest (final year in primary) is being moaned at for 'not respecting' another's belief when all he's doing is saying he's just not interested in discussing religion...
...I personally do not subscribe to any religion. My mum is the daughter of a Proddie and my father (was) the son of a devout Hindu. I've had a look at the subject closely and it's not for me. Not. One. Bit.
First point, what difference would it be if he was being "moaned at" if he said he wasn't interested in doing PE as he just wasn't interested. Or science. or any subject really. ...I personally do not subscribe to any religion. My mum is the daughter of a Proddie and my father (was) the son of a devout Hindu. I've had a look at the subject closely and it's not for me. Not. One. Bit.
You could argue you've brought up a forward thinking child who's confident to question his elders about what he's learning just as much as you could say it's the school curriculum and you need to allow the teachers to teach and not disrupt lessons.
Second point, at the moment that isn't how the curriculum works at your school presumably-where every parent gets to choose what subjects their precious little ones does and doesn't do?
We send our daughter to a CoE school through choice. I don't believe in Religion either but it's a fantastic school and I have an issue with her learning about Christianity. I learned about it and didn't end up believing nor practicing. I wasn't touched up by any clergymen nor became a religious zealot neither so I'm struggling to see any down sides.
ash73 said:
All of religion is wrong, so it's not worth learning. It's about as useful as an astrology degree.
As an atheist myself I have to disagree.Opiate of the people may be a fair accusation, but I have personally seen how people’s faith has helped them through difficult times. I came to the conclusion, that as much as I may find a certain idea strange or ridiculous if it can provide comfort then it has to have some merit.
Whilst there is no doubt that religions or more accurately Zealots has been at the root of a lot of terrible things. Religion has also been behind a massive amount of good.
Understanding and tolerance of others beliefs is necessary whether we like it or not and therefore religious education can only be a good thing.
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