7 year old doesn't want to do R.E.

Mojisola

lidlest wrote: »

They probably don't do half the amount you think, and at 7 she's just probably picking up on your feelings and making a huge deal out of it. I'm an atheist teacher who used to work in a church of England school, and it really wasn't a massive issue on a day to day basis.

If there's one thing that's clear from the posts on other threads about religion and schools is that there is a huge variation between schools - if your school had sat the children in front of a bible story video every day and had them spending hours colouring in pictures from bible stories, would you have thought that was alright?

margaretclare

Person_one wrote: »

In what way is it better to impose religious and cultural practices and remove choice? What are the advantages?

It is not better and I do not know whether there are/are not any advantages. We are often hearing that Christianity is becoming a minority religion and that others are gaining. Is this why?

I only wonder why those of us in the Christian tradition are the only ones who do this. You're not 'born' a Christian even if you have Christian parents. You make the choice. As my DH did, but much later than his 'marrying out'. Although I'd been a practising Christian for many years, I did have the chance to convert to one of the other religions (this was when I was in hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia) I turned down that chance. I suppose I made the choice all over again at that point.

I think this choice should be the case in all religions, but I can just imagine the row that would erupt if it was even suggested.

cazziebo

Mojisola wrote: »

If there's one thing that's clear from the posts on other threads about religion and schools is that there is a huge variation between schools - if your school had sat the children in front of a bible story video every day and had them spending hours colouring in pictures from bible stories, would you have thought that was alright?

But is that the reality? With all the content teachers have to cover these days, I really don't see how this could be true.

To me, there are two issues here.

First - is there too much denominational religious content being taught? Raise that through the proper channels - teacher, head teacher, governors (sorry don't know NI system)

Second - 7 year old doesn't want to go to school. Some things you have choice over, some you don't. At seven years old most things fall into the latter category.

lidlest

Mojisola wrote: »

If there's one thing that's clear from the posts on other threads about religion and schools is that there is a huge variation between schools - if your school had sat the children in front of a bible story video every day and had them spending hours colouring in pictures from bible stories, would you have thought that was alright?

Well no, because colouring in and watching videos are not particularly educational. And frankly I would be surprised if that was happening in any school