A few religions have a "confirmation" type thing for children in their early teens, which is quite sensible. However, most of the indoctrination has been completed by then.

However, I'm not sure Sunday School is on the same level as the kinds of abuse which are regulated against and I'm generally of the opinion that it's not my place to dictate how others raise their children.

This story was about religious acts in schools, and that I do think is very wrong at any age. I'll be toasting Oden with a sacrament of goats blood this Yule night, but I wont be offering it to random school children.

+1
I'm no fan of religion, but I can't see why anyone should be offended by a demonstration of kindness, regardless of their faith - or lack thereof. I bet it would be a different story if money was offered.

What a sick bunch of bastards our population has become.

It's a matter of perspective. I find it as creepy as someone offering to sacrifice a chicken for me.

Yeah, because saying some words is exactly like butchering a live animal. How could I have thought otherwise.

To me they're both actions performed by delusional people. I try not to encourage, what I consider, delusional behaviour. I wasn't being literal.

That's my opinion.

As long as they made it into a spicy chicken soup afterwards, I wouldn't mind... It is good for colds at least.

That, Sir, is a very good point.

The teacher went to the poorly child's home and sought to "encourage them to be open to prayer" and "to speak about her belief in miracles". In other words, to preach to them.

How would you feel if your young Christian child was preached to by a Muslim and encouraged to embrace Islam, or by a Satanist to do whatever Satanists do?

If the parents had wanted a preacher, they'd have called a denominationally appropriate preacher and not a maths teacher.

I'd have no problem with her preaching on the streets or to her friends while off duty, but not to a child while she's representing the school.

As to "butchering a live animal", I actually think that should be a part of the primary school curriculum. I find it quite appalling that many children eat meat without realising it was once alive. Butchery is a part of the British food industry, and perhaps if more people had killed and gutted a fluffy bunny at school then we'd have a little less hypocrisy and more informed decisions. Very few animals eat meat without knowing death, even as cubs.

Isn't it their choice? On the other hand, yes, children are suggestible, so tell them it was a lie if you wish...
Actually, Satanism is (as far as I've read) 'better' than Christianity. You can't join unless your 18, and it promotes "good will" (for example, Satanist 'churches' pay various taxes, believe that by doing so they are in turn helping the people around them, other religions happily don't pay various taxes.)



+1
I remember taking a kid to camp and someone showed them all how to cook and cut a whole chicken. He got quite upset that chicken came from actual chickens. He wouldn't eat any of it for dinner. When asked what he'd like instead, he replied "pork sausages"...We decided not to tell him what went into sausages...

Not nearly as bad as if a catholic priest asked the child to ambrace them (the priest)...

What to say next? Ah, yes: *gets coat*

[quote="adidan]
It's a matter of perspective. I find it as creepy as someone offering to sacrifice a chicken for me.[/quote]

So long as it becomes a nice Chicken Balti I dont mind

My point was, yes, by all means say "i'll be thinking of you" or something along those lines. Very nice, very considerate. What people then do that in their own privacy is up to them.

Do not bring religion into the equation which can make people uncomfortable and is highly selfish. If somebody asked if they could pray for me, well if I go along with what is, in my mind, a delusional activity they are then asking for me to validate their belief.

I will not do that, sure, think of me, that would be nice, but don't drag me into that world. Keep that private.

Is that a little too controversial?

Well, stuffit... that's what "proper" comedy is supposed to be about, isn't it? Pushing the boundaries...

PS. No offence meant to anyone of any religion... there, better?

My brother and his wife and bible bashers...she has a degree in theology...

At their wedding, I had to mouth along to the hymns, especially as I didn't know the words. The only reason I did it was because if she'd seen me on the video afterwards, lips clamped together, all my poor bro would have got was "That bast*rd wasn't singing! He's never allowed round here again!"

Wow...

If someone had offered to pray with/for me i'd feel quite honoured.

This is ridiculous.

Replace this Christian woman with a Muslim woman and then try sacking her. Let's see the country implode.