Friday, October 13, 2006 | Reason : Children and Religion | print version

ACTION ITEM: Religion and Education

by Cambridge University

Cambridge University in the UK are starting a two year study regarding teaching in primary schools and all related topics. They are asking for submissions from teachers, official and non official bodies, parents, and anyone who has a view on the education procedure and practice. They are collecting submitted opinions and information until 1st March 2007, and you are able to do this via the official website http://www.primaryreview.org.uk/index.html

One of the aspects they have an interest in is religious influence in schools; regarding the mandatory acts of collective worship, and how inclusive or non inclusive they are for a multi cultural society. The more people that can add their opinions about the lack of inclusion shown to those who do not follow and mainstream religion, and the fact that the majority of primary schools in the UK do not have sufficient provisions to cater for children opting out of collective worship, will show a need for the issue in the UK, and indeed across the globe; to be addressed.

Please, make your voices and concerns heard. If you feel it is morally repugnant that a country can indoctrinate their youngest members of society into a Christian religion, then stand up and speak, speak for those who cannot do so for themselves. Every voice can make a difference.

You can also express your opinion to the BBC at

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/6047106.stm

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1. Comment #1762 by Jonathan Dore on October 16, 2006 at 2:30 pm

Apologies for repeating something I've said elsewhere, but it's germane to this topic: I'm surprised that teachers' unions haven't yet spoken out against the increasing influence of religious lobbies in schools (or have they? I haven't heard if so). I'm not a teacher, and I no longer live in the UK, but I would encourage any British teachers reading this to get in touch with their union leadership and with the National Secular Society (who did a lot of work mobilizing action against the Religious Hatred Bill earlier this year) and get them to initiate a proper campaign to promote and defend secular education in the UK, and to protest against the lies that children are being exposed to in religious schools.

2. Comment #1890 by Andrew on October 17, 2006 at 1:25 pm

I was shocked to learn that a self-described Christian establishment called Cliff College, based near Sheffield UK, not only offers a dipoma course on "Children's Evangelism and Nurture" (i.e religious brainwashing of the young) but the course is actualy validated by the venerable University of Manchester . . .which also awards the dipomas!! One of the stated aims of the course is to deliver "more effective children's evangelists".

What on earth is going on? Is this really the sort of thing that any University worth the name should endorse?

3. Comment #8447 by lt_zippy2 on November 21, 2006 at 9:05 am

This reminds me of a time when I was a supply teacher in a Catholic Primary School. Despite my own lack of beliefs some of the children seem to be very very serious about thiers. Indeed I remember two young girls who were in my class (aged 7) come up to me and, as a matter of the upmost concern, asked me about the best way to genuflect when entering church and completing a prayer.

Despite this being an overtly RC school the curriculum was no different to any other state school, and I thought to myself that being asked this question by ANYONE as a serious enquiry let alone a child was obscene, and also goes to show how the teachers can also be culpapble.

My only answer was that it was for them to decide.

It got worse one lunchtime when I saw the reception children (4 years old) genuflecting before lunch!

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