By RICHARD DAWKINS - MORE4
Updated: Fri, 20 Aug 2010 13:22:11 UTC

Richard will be presenting Faith School Menace? on More4 on Wednesday 18 August at 9PM. It will be available on 4od shortly after. Also available now on YouTube UK via 4oD and YouTube US via AtheistMediaBlog. (Don't be confused by the fact that the US link doesn't work in UK, and the UK link doesn't work in US).

Programme Synopsis

The number of faith schools in Britain is rising. Around 7,000 publicly-funded schools - one in three - now has a religious affiliation.

As the coalition government paves the way for more faith-based education by promoting 'free schools', the renowned atheist and evolutionary biologist Professor Richard Dawkins says enough is enough.

In this passionately argued film, Dawkins calls on us to reconsider the consequences of faith education, which, he argues, bamboozles parents and indoctrinates and divides children.

The film features robust exchanges with former Secretary of State for Education Charles Clarke, Head of the Church of England Education Service Reverend Janina Ainsworth, and the Chair of the Association of Muslim Schools, Dr Mohammed Mukadam.

It also features insights from child psychologists and key players in faith education as well as insights from both parents and pupils.

Dawkins also draws on his own personal history as a father, arguing that the government must stop funding new faith schools, and urges society to respect a child's right to freedom of belief.

Programme Website

TAGGED: RELIGION, RICHARD DAWKINS, TV