[Jack_]

Originally Posted by the truth

yes indoctrinating kids with atheism and anti religious teachings is equally disgusting

I don't disagree with that either so I'm not sure what points you're trying to score

Parents should bring their children up with a balanced, objective view on religious belief on either side of the argument and stress to them that it's for them to form opinions of their own as they grow up and look into that aspect of life themselves. By all means let them query your views and tell them but if I have kids I'll definitely be saying 'I'm not personally religious, some people in our family are and they are x and y and they believe this, some people believe this, it's up for you to think whatever you wish as you grow up'

Parents should not be forcing these types of beliefs on children from an early age no matter which side of the debate you're on. They're individuals, anyone that doesn't let them think for themselves is a ****

[Ammi]

Originally Posted by Jack_

That's just as bad, parents forcing their religious beliefs on their children and basically indoctrinating them is disgusting

Faith schools shouldn't exist full stop. Religious beliefs are a personal, private and individual choice that should be made after studying and understanding different viewpoints when at an age where you're capable of forming your own rational opinions, not having them taught to children as fact from an early age whether in the home or at school. It's sickening

.it isn't like that though, Jack..maybe it is in some Catholic schools but in faith schools/all the faith schools that I know, it's taught more as part of philosophy and morals etc...and also to compare different religions and to teach 'tolerance' etc..that we all believe in different things...

[Jack_]

I know they're not all the same and I accept that, but the fact that some are and will use their building to push their religious agenda is reason enough to close them IMO

I went to a Catholic school in London for Reception and Y1 and assemblies would be focused around bible stories and praying at the end. If you didn't join in you'd be told off, and when I moved to where I live now my second primary school whilst not being an official faith school had hymn singing and prayers and that alone is way too far. I thought about this recently actually, six year old children being forced to sit in an assembly hall and pray, sing hymns, listen to readings from the bible there isn't that much religious education at that age either, certainly not from what I remember so it really is a case of indoctrinating children at an early age. That's just unacceptable

[AnnieK]

I am currently trying to get my son in the local catholic primary school....it has the best ofsted in the area but I don't think they will accept him. I have my own beliefs but I decided against having him christened (which I got a lot of stick for) as I do think religion is a personal thing and I wanted him to decide but now it could go against him

[Ammi]

Originally Posted by Jack_

I know they're not all the same and I accept that, but the fact that some are and will use their building to push their religious agenda is reason enough to close them IMO

I went to a Catholic school in London for Reception and Y1 and assemblies would be focused around bible stories and praying at the end. If you didn't join in you'd be told off, and when I moved to where I live now my second primary school whilst not being an official faith school had hymn singing and prayers and that alone is way too far. I thought about this recently actually, six year old children being forced to sit in an assembly hall and pray, sing hymns, listen to readings from the bible there isn't that much religious education at that age either, certainly not from what I remember so it really is a case of indoctrinating children at an early age. That's just unacceptable

..yeah, I agree, that shouldn't be forced on young children, especially by schools but it's irritating sometimes when it's assumed that 'faith schools' are all as one because they are so, so different and you would be more likely to hear our children singing High School Musical in assemblies, than you would a hymn...

[AnnieK]

Originally Posted by Jack_

I know they're not all the same and I accept that, but the fact that some are and will use their building to push their religious agenda is reason enough to close them IMO

I went to a Catholic school in London for Reception and Y1 and assemblies would be focused around bible stories and praying at the end. If you didn't join in you'd be told off, and when I moved to where I live now my second primary school whilst not being an official faith school had hymn singing and prayers and that alone is way too far. I thought about this recently actually, six year old children being forced to sit in an assembly hall and pray, sing hymns, listen to readings from the bible there isn't that much religious education at that age either, certainly not from what I remember so it really is a case of indoctrinating children at an early age. That's just unacceptable

I don't feel it's indoctrination, more tradition. We had the same type assemblies at primary school and had to say prayers at the end of the day but it was more parroting than praying....I can't see it had any effect on anyone's beliefs. It is outdated now but I don't think there is that much of an agenda in primary schools especially

Edit....plus, if I don't get to sit and cry watching my boy in his first nativity, I will. Not be happy. He better be Joseph