http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-30989933

Honestly don't know what to think about that. I'd happily watch organised religion and what passes for it die on it's arse, but I'm wary of how we handle it in the meantime. Mind you, telling today's kids about all the different approaches could be a guaranteed way to make them laugh at it all...

As a side note, it seems those of a religious bent have generally taken to arguing the facts and using recent events as platforms to propagate their beliefs. A sort of guerilla war.

'Religious education classes 'needed' in schools'......... says National Association of Teachers of Religious Education.

That's like McDonalds saying 'More burgers need in schools'.
I can only assume they're not getting much enthusiasm for the subject from pupils. I found it a complete waste of time as a subject myself. Whether that was my apathy, a poor curriculum or just poor teaching at my school. Probably all three.

Whether one agrees with it or disagrees with it, religion has had a phenomenal effect on the history of the human race in the last 4-6000 years or so, and continues to hold a lot of sway in a great many countries. As such I think it is wise to be aware of at least some of the salient details of the more predominant ones. It's very important however that such eduction is not used as an opportunity to proselytize by a teacher with a particular disposition. It really needs to be taught in exactly the same manner as history or geography.

I agree with studying religions as a part of history etc...

It is when religion interferes with classes (I.e. Teaching creationism as a science) that I disagree with.


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Sociology too I think. You can study the fact religions have on the past and the effect they have on the people of the world today. You don't have to agree with them to do either of those.


Absolutely. Frankly, religious education and science education should have no interaction whatever.

As long as its aimed at ensuring a good understanding of the various religions fine, if its "this is the preferred religion of this school" - forget it.

Interesting. I think we do have to allow for the possibility of people who are of sincere faith wishing their children to be educated in that faith so they understand that part of their family history and makeup. Maybe not do that in 'regular' school, maybe that's what Sunday school should be for?

I'm not adverse to children being taught about religion. I'm not even adverse to them being taught about religion and for someone to say 'this is the religion of your family and of your culture.' As long as at some point the child/person is allowed to make personal choice as to whether they wish to follow that religion without coercion or pressure. This was my education - my parents are practicing christians and I was sent to a school that followed christian traditions and taught christian values. But at no point did I feel pressured to have to follow that religion specifically and, in the end, I decided that I preferred to form my own sense of morality apart from what some dudes thought was important two thousand years ago. I think being taught religion made a valid contribution to that process though, even though I ended up what would probably be called a humanist.

Hmm.

I agree, people should be educated about it - the good and the bad. Providing it is taught objectively, instead of what in my experience was a dry old bible-bashing witch who spent 95% of the time referring to Jesus and God as though they lived down the street, leaving no doubt that the other religions were for other less fortunate folk.

I had one teacher like that in middle school. Probably the only year in my entire school life where it was seriously taught. It was a C of E school, but people when there because they lived in that half of the village. The other half went to the other school.

schools are a place of education not a place for mumbo jumbo aka religion ...

You understand that opposition and ignorance are not the same thing, right?

FWIW you can't set up an atheist "faith school" - so if the secular society wanted to do that, they'd be told where to stick their ideas by the Department for Education. If I was a parent, I'd have a bloody hard job finding a school that fitted with my views on how education should be taught (basically as an historic artefact), and no daily worship.

This

Call it a pastafarian school or Jedi academy or something. Who knows what OFSTED would think of it .

Totally agree