NationStates Jolt Archive

Note that this isn't a post about Ten Commandments Monuments or anything. This is about religion and education in Britain.

At my school, a grammar school and an old one at that, we have the usual school assemblies. In these assemblies, we have hymns sung, bible passages read and prayers shared. I've recently been appointed a prefect and it turns out that my duty for next week is to read said bible passages. Now, I'm not one to rankle at the Bible just because I happen not to believe in it. No, my concern is about what kind of a message our school is giving out - that we are a Christian institution, despite our Muslim, Sikh, Hindu and, yes, atheist pupils. I have consented to read the passages, out of duty to my school and my head of sixth form, but I still hold deep misgivings about the validity of what I will do.

I know this is a very minor concern, compared to the greater church and state issues, but am I right to feel so troubled? Or am I simply blowing this hugely out of proportion.

You're perfectly alright to feel troubled. I wouldn't like my school to have passages of any religious book read in an assembly. It sends the wrong message, I think.

Schools in the UK have the right to hold Christian religious assemblies if a majority of pupils are Christian. Non - Christians are entitled to opt out of these and religious education if they wish.

It only becomes difficult if the pupil is happy to go along with the assemblies as an observer but does not wish to take part.

The responsibility is on the parents of theses kids to specify their requirements early in the term. In my experience (as a Pagan parent) kids can stand up and say " I'd rather not do this bit but i'm happy to come back when it's over" as long as the parents have discussed it with the school and got an OK.

All or nothing isn't always the best option.

Schools in the UK have the right to hold Christian religious assemblies if a majority of pupils are Christian.

Not once has my school held a poll to guage the religious beliefs of its pupils.

Not once has my school held a poll to guage the religious beliefs of its pupils.

Parents usually fill a form in when they sign a child up. I certainly did at all the schools my kids have been to.
Parents, unfortuneately, are rarely completely honest and will put Cof E 'cos it's the easy option which of course squews the statistics and gives those religious teachers permission to push their beliefs.

Well, isn't the Anglican church the official religion of the UK? Don't you guys still have blasphemy laws on the books? Separation of church and state isn't really a part of your government is it?

Parents usually fill a form in when they sign a child up. I certainly did at all the schools my kids have been to.

Fair enough, but were these private or state schools?

Well, isn't the Anglican church the official religion of the UK? Don't you guys still have blasphemy laws on the books? Separation of church and state isn't really a part of your government is it?

Alas, yes. But disestablishment has to start somewhere.

Well, isn't the Anglican church the official religion of the UK? Don't you guys still have blasphemy laws on the books? Separation of church and state isn't really a part of your government is it?
And a lot of states still had sodomy laws on the books lol (though Minnesota got rid of there’s a few years ago)

Fair enough, but were these private or state schools?

State schools, but I think the rules are applied across the board.
It allows a Jewish school, for instance, to hold assemblies appropriate to there faith.

Most mixed schools hold non-faith or interfaith assemblies. You are still allowed to opted out of any faith based activity if you wish. A reasonable school would not expect permission from your parents for you to not do RE (but they'll probably ask for it anyway to stop kids taking the piss)

I know this is a very minor concern, compared to the greater church and state issues, but am I right to feel so troubled? Or am I simply blowing this hugely out of proportion.

You are right to feel concerned. Any attempt by government to recognize a specific religion shows an underlying willingness to show preference towards certain demographics. Any government that treats its citizens inconsistently based on intangible characteristics is failing.

I just found a referrence to the 1996 education act on some naff assemblies website.
I seem to have got the facts about right.

The law in England and Wales requires that the main content of religious education in non-denominational schools must be devoted to the study of Christianity.

The content of religious education is determined at the level of the local education authority. The law requires that syllabuses “shall reflect the fact that the religious traditions in Great Britain are in the main Christian whilst taking account of the teaching and practices of the other principal religions represented in Great Britain.”

There must also be a daily act of collective worship in schools (this usually takes place as an assembly) and it must be “wholly or mainly of a broadly Christian character.”

Worship is deemed to be of a broadly Christian character “if it reflects the broad traditions of Christian belief without being distinctive of any particular Christian denomination”. State schools can positively promote Christianity although they cannot promote any one Christian denomination.

There are provisions for pupils from a non-Christian faith to have collective worship and RE according to their own faith.

The law has always provided for a parental right of withdrawal from both worship and RE. Teachers also have a right of withdrawal
.

I shall have to get that act scrapped, then :)

I shall have to get that act scrapped, then :)

Are the passages that you have to read laid on for you?
Are they themed at all. They usually are.
Why not get the theme and find an alternative passage from another religion.
My sister married a roman catholic in an anglican church and just to piss off her mother in law to be she read a buddhist passage.
If you do it " to broaden the schools interfaith knowledge", "to create solidarity and understanding between faiths" or any other foolish thing you can think of you can read what you like.
The internet is a great resource for that kind of thing and tey can only say no.

Why not post here and ask for a reading suggestion?

Are the passages that you have to read laid on for you?
Yes, they are, by our RS teacher - a delightful man who's said he'll give me all the passages with the long names (Hessaphessabishaphot and so forth).
Are they themed at all. They usually are.
They are themed, yes. This week it's... hm, I have no idea - no one listens.
Why not get the theme and find an alternative passage from another religion.
That would be breaking protocol - for all my school's good points (of which there are a great many), it practically guillotines anyone who breaks protocol.

I suppose I'll just grin and bear it and bring the subject up at a meeting if I'm made head boy.

Oh well, thanks for your kind words and insights.

Yes, they are, by our RS teacher - a delightful man who's said he'll give me all the passages with the long names (Hessaphessabishaphot and so forth).

They are themed, yes. This week it's... hm, I have no idea - no one listens.

That would be breaking protocol - for all my school's good points (of which there are a great many), it practically guillotines anyone who breaks protocol.

I suppose I'll just grin and bear it and bring the subject up at a meeting if I'm made head boy.

Oh well, thanks for your kind words and insights.
One last plan, and this works in my experience.
if you feel a more multi-cultural approach is apropriate speak to your RS teacher. Explain your point of view and get his support. Do the same to several other teachers, prefects and the head boy. Your aims are admirable and if you can explain them clearly you should move people to your side.

Once you have some support take your idea to the head and put it to him in a reasonable and logical way. I'll bet you get an occassional assembly or reading from other faiths. if nothing else you will be seeen as a consideate and compasionate person which is no bad thing.
I really do feel that this is worth your time persuing.

Good luck

rainy