A call for Creationism in schools

[Thorpe-le-Saint]

As a trainee teacher I find this alarming! Religion should have no place in schools unless it is a 'faith' school and even these, in my opinion, should be banned. All it does is spread stereotypes, fear and mis-understandings.

 

http://news.uk.msn.com/Article.aspx?cp-documentid=9559181

 

I'm almost certain that if I was to even utter the sentence "God created the universe" etc that I would be thrown off of my SCITT course.

[Eyes k8]

As a trainee teacher I find this alarming! Religion should have no place in schools unless it is a 'faith' school and even these, in my opinion, should be banned. All it does is spread stereotypes, fear and mis-understandings.

 

http://news.uk.msn.com/Article.aspx?cp-documentid=9559181

 

I'm almost certain that if I was to even utter the sentence "God created the universe" etc that I would be thrown off of my SCITT course.

 

No one could fail to be impressed by your liberalism and commitment to freedom of speach. Banning faith schools and forbidding children to express their views will clearly show who is in the right. Have you ever considered where your freedom of speach comes from and which people achieved this for you?

[TopGun]

I have no problem with RE being part of the national curriculum as long as it is studied in an impartial and philosophical manner. It is then of worth and interest IMO, as it combines morals, history, sociology, politics and more besides.

 

It is when it is taught in a zealous manner that it is of doubtful use.

[PES]

Look, let's be honest here Thorpey. Christians know that the best way you can get people to 'Believe' in Christianity is to 'get them' as Impressionable children. This is why it is important to them that creationism or whatever you want to call it is taught in schools. Any 'Sane' adult who approached religeon for the first time would I'm sure think 'Nice story, but I cant accept that as fact', however get a young child and fill their heads with what as adults would be implausible nonsence and there is a very good chance they will take their 'beliefs' into adulthood.

Its not my intention to offend anyone here, I'm just stating my beliefs, I just wish Christian adults would allow children to formulate their own opinions in their own good time, but thats not going to happen, is it?

[Guest Hacienda]

It'll never happen as 90% of the UK population doesn't give a toss about it.

[bridge too far]

The Big Bang experiment should put paid to Creationism I think.

[Guest Hacienda]

The Big Bang experiment should put paid to Creationism I think.

 

I think dinosaurs already have unless you're a redneck yank.

[Saintandy666]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utPg5NqCjxE

 

^

 

Preacher Teacher

 

The guy got sacked for preaching. The girl in this video is really annoying but it half gives you an idea. Doesn't give some of his best quotes though.

 

In a science lesson he told us 'God created the earth in 7 days, that is fact'. Told us(though apologectically) we were going to hell because we were non-believers and sung us hymns. He told me I would do no good without god ecause god is the only good :/

[Saintandy666]

Look, let's be honest here Thorpey. Christians know that the best way you can get people to 'Believe' in Christianity is to 'get them' as Impressionable children. This is why it is important to them that creationism or whatever you want to call it is taught in schools. Any 'Sane' adult who approached religeon for the first time would I'm sure think 'Nice story, but I cant accept that as fact', however get a young child and fill their heads with what as adults would be implausible nonsence and there is a very good chance they will take their 'beliefs' into adulthood.

Its not my intention to offend anyone here, I'm just stating my beliefs, I just wish Christian adults would allow children to formulate their own opinions in their own good time, but thats not going to happen, is it?

 

 

I know, a couple of my friends are arrrrgggg, I try to be respectful and that but it's hard with some of the **** they are spouting out. I've been told I'd understand it all if only I went to church. I hate the way you aren't meant to take the **** out of christianity, when all christians I know take the **** out of other religions and so on. Religion is silly, a device for controlling people. Let me correct that actually, nothing against

religion, people can believe what they want. It's the churches that are the problem.

[saintmorley]

I find it amazing that in this day and age when we are doing experiments such as the large hadron collider that is looking into the fundamentals of our universe, that there is still people who think there is an unseen force that knows what everyones thinking. And live their lives following a book that says outdated things like a child should be killed if they cheek their parents. I think you're completely right thorpe religion has no place in the tax paid education system.

 

Religion is the enemy of reason

[bridge too far]

Never mind religion having no place in education, it should also have no place in government IMO.

 

We should be a totally secular society, like France and Turkey for example.

 

The churches have far too much say in how our country is run and they have no democratic right to do so.

[Guest Hacienda]

Never mind religion having no place in education, it should also have no place in government IMO.

 

We should be a totally secular society, like France and Turkey for example.

 

The churches have far too much say in how our country is run and they have no democratic right to do so.

 

Amen to that.

[LVSaint]

I find it amazing that in this day and age when we are doing experiments such as the large hadron collider that is looking into the fundamentals of our universe, that there is still people who think there is an unseen force that knows what everyones thinking. And live their lives following a book that says outdated things like a child should be killed if they cheek their parents. I think you're completely right thorpe religion has no place in the tax paid education system.

 

Religion is the enemy of reason

 

It'll never happen over there.

 

We on the other hand have a hockey mum VP candidate who has stated in the past that it needs to be taught across the board. Yikes!

[dubai_phil]

Interestingly.....

 

Once you move abroad and live in a different culture you start to see "the preaching of religion" in a different light.

 

What SHOULD be taught in schools is the "understanding" of religion and the ways to explore and learn more and make your OWN choices.

 

What I have seen as very wrong is when ANY "preacher" instills a doctrine that "their way is the only way".

 

In the US it leads to weirdo's, in the UK it leads to narrow mindedness but over here it leads to kids who are 'programmed' to believe that they will have access to Virgins and Milk & Honey for blowing themselves up.

 

The basics of all the main religions are actually fairly close, it is simply "one man's" interpretation that makes them different and who knows whether that one man is right or wrong.

 

sorry sound a bit like Prince Bl**dy Charles there, but I actually found that being able to understand the basics of ALL the different religions has helped me understand the whole meaning of life so much better..........

 

42 of course

[bridge too far]

Maybe different religions should be discussed in schools in a philosophy context? That would tie in well with Phil's view that greater understanding leads to a more rounded view of life in general.

 

I don't subscribe to a religion but I respect the right of others to do so, as long as they don't try to convert me or ram their views down my throat - in other words, as long as they respect my right not to have one.

 

I think some religions have very interesting aspects - Buddhism for example. (Have I spelt that right?)

[Eyes k8]

Never mind religion having no place in education, it should also have no place in government IMO.

 

We should be a totally secular society, like France and Turkey for example.

 

The churches have far too much say in how our country is run and they have no democratic right to do so.

 

Not sure churches have much of a say in how the country is run. I'd agree with your pro democracy comments and would like to see an elected House Of Lords which would involve the ditching of 20 odd anglican bishops. Like to see the French system in schools as well. However when it comes to theories of the origin of the world I think you have to go with the guru of Dawkins namely Anthony Flew who having for decades been the leading advocate of life by chance and evolvement now considers that the mathematical probability just doesn't add up and that some form of intelligence behind life is the preferred conclusion. Can we not cope with two possibilities?

[dubai_phil]

Not sure churches have much of a say in how the country is run. I'd agree with your pro democracy comments and would like to see an elected House Of Lords which would involve the ditching of 20 odd anglican bishops. Like to see the French system in schools as well. However when it comes to theories of the origin of the world I think you have to go with the guru of Dawkins namely Anthony Flew who having for decades been the leading advocate of life by chance and evolvement now considers that the mathematical probability just doesn't add up and that some form of intelligence behind life is the preferred conclusion. Can we not cope with two possibilities?

 

We all know both versions are wrong....

 

Roswell....

 

:-)

 

But to follow BTF's point, with my work I've been lucky enough to travel extensively in the Middle East and it is sort of freaky driving past the Mount of Olives, seeing a road sign to where Christ was baptised, seeing the Dead Sea Scrolls, meeting a blaoke from Samaria, seeing Monastries in Syria and visiting Amaraeic (sic) shrines, swimming in the Dead Sea, driving past Mecca (not allowed in of course), seeing Buddha's tooth in Sri Lanka and the whole temples thing in Asia.I know others feel stuff like that when they visit some of the shrines and temples in Greece at stuff

 

IMHO the problem is the lack of understanding between the religions, as each one has it's proponents who (to be fair) are driven by self interest in the positions they have achieved or the life style they enjoy each ramming down our throats that they are the one way to enlightenment. When you understand each one better your attitude to people is changed, and the ONE thing I hate in life are those people who are ALWAYS convinced THEY are right ALL the time....

 

(they're all fookin mad! and enough of this - off to watch Battlestar Galactica - oh bugger that's gone all religous as well doh!)

 

Oh and we ALL know that there is only ONE person who is right all the time

 

The wife.....

[RoswellSaint]

We all know both versions are wrong....

 

Roswell....

 

:-)

 

But to follow BTF's point, with my work I've been lucky enough to travel extensively in the Middle East and it is sort of freaky driving past the Mount of Olives, seeing a road sign to where Christ was baptised, seeing the Dead Sea Scrolls, meeting a blaoke from Samaria, seeing Monastries in Syria and visiting Amaraeic (sic) shrines, swimming in the Dead Sea, driving past Mecca (not allowed in of course), seeing Buddha's tooth in Sri Lanka and the whole temples thing in Asia.I know others feel stuff like that when they visit some of the shrines and temples in Greece at stuff

 

IMHO the problem is the lack of understanding between the religions, as each one has it's proponents who (to be fair) are driven by self interest in the positions they have achieved or the life style they enjoy each ramming down our throats that they are the one way to enlightenment. When you understand each one better your attitude to people is changed, and the ONE thing I hate in life are those people who are ALWAYS convinced THEY are right ALL the time....

 

(they're all fookin mad! and enough of this - off to watch Battlestar Galactica - oh bugger that's gone all religous as well doh!)

 

Oh and we ALL know that there is only ONE person who is right all the time

 

The wife.....

 

Interesting thread and I get a name check! Thanks, DP. For those that don't know, I control all forms of life from my lair in the Deep South.

 

On a serious note, coming to live in the US introduced me to a whole new interpretation of religion. Some good, some bad. As LV mentioned, we have a candidate for VP that wants to introduce creationism in schools, all well and good if taught as what some people believe. Here in Georgia, people want it be taught to the exclusion of evolution. We have a governor who seems to equate the buying of alcohol on a Sunday with the end of the world.

 

That being said, my children know more about Kwanzaa and Hannukah (sp?) and other festivals than Christmas given what they are taught in school.

 

There should be more understanding and acceptance of everyone's beliefs, no one should ram their views down anyone else's throats.

 

I have only made one trip to the Middle East, to Saudi Arabia 15 years ago. It really drove me crazy that they expected everyone to conform to their beliefs and suppressed others but, when they visit other countries, they expect us to bend to their requirements. Then again, the US is full of religious bigots! At least I can tune them out here or laugh at them!

[saint boggy]

i agree with many posters on here in that RE should be taught in schools but done so in an exploratory way,discussing the origins etc rather than being told "this is how it happened and this will happen if you do/don't do this"...

 

but i would like to ask a serious question to all of those who think religion is a crock of sh1t..

a) if you are married, did you get married in a church

 

b) if you have kids, did you get them baptised.

 

i have many friends who have never been to church, except for funerals and weddings who have had their children baptised and have vowed in church to raise their children in a christian home with "God's help" etc.... why???? i'll tell you ,shall i

because for so long now we have been hearing that unless you are baptised that you will not gain entry to heaven, and so the parents are scared sh1tless that if anything happens to their kids that their souls will somehow be left stranded in the netherworld........what a load of bolliox!!.....

and anyone who isn't religious but has had their kids baptised is a hypocryt,if you ask me.

 

(rant over, i feel better now)

[rocknrollman no2]

Maybe different religions should be discussed in schools in a philosophy context? That would tie in well with Phil's view that greater understanding leads to a more rounded view of life in general.

 

I don't subscribe to a religion but I respect the right of others to do so, as long as they don't try to convert me or ram their views down my throat - in other words, as long as they respect my right not to have one.

 

I think some religions have very interesting aspects - Buddhism for example. (Have I spelt that right?)

 

Actually bridge too far is spot on.

I have no objection to schools teaching a little piece of every religion to kids,hopefully giving them a more rounded and tolerant view of the world.

But after that if they want to opt out,then that should be fine.

I dont believe in any type of god,but i believe everyone should at least know about everyones views.

[Rattlehead]

I put people who believe in God and creationism up there with people who believe in fairies and leprechauns.

[saint boggy]

I put people who believe in God and creationism up there with people who believe in fairies and leprechauns.

but surely , like me, you believe in Santa Claus, don't you??:confused:

[bridge too far]

As I said earlier, I don't have a religion and haven't had since I was about 15.

 

However, when my children were old enough to choose, I let them go to church and Sunday School if they wanted to. They all did, briefly, but then stopped.

 

Interestingly, the one with a philosophy degree and the one with the arts degree now don't have a religion. The one with the maths degree is a Christian!

[EastleighSoulBoy]

I have no problem with RE being part of the national curriculum as long as it is studied in an impartial and philosophical manner. It is then of worth and interest IMO, as it combines morals, history, sociology, politics and more besides.

 

It is when it is taught in a zealous manner that it is of doubtful use.

 

A very sensible line of thought, however

 

Look, let's be honest here Thorpey. Christians know that the best way you can get people to 'Believe' in Christianity is to 'get them' as Impressionable children. This is why it is important to them that creationism or whatever you want to call it is taught in schools. Any 'Sane' adult who approached religeon for the first time would I'm sure think 'Nice story, but I cant accept that as fact', however get a young child and fill their heads with what as adults would be implausible nonsence and there is a very good chance they will take their 'beliefs' into adulthood.

Its not my intention to offend anyone here, I'm just stating my beliefs, I just wish Christian adults would allow children to formulate their own opinions in their own good time, but thats not going to happen, is it?

 

As Top Gun says, we need to let the children decide with as much information at their disposal as possible.

 

I was 'dragged up' as a Catholic, yet while at St George's we questioned our faith. the answers we were given, viewed with that miracle 'hindsight', were less than satisfactory. Now I don't view Catholicism as that 'extreme' but what I did experience shaped my outlook as a Christian (rather than a practising Catholic).

 

I think that R.E. in any shape and in any school is canted too much in favour of the education provider with no 'all round view' being given!

[Spitfire Saint]

Most wars are about religion which is basically 2 sides fighting over who's got the biggest imaginary friend.

 

I'm not religious and am completely hypocritical because I got married in a church but what I am is tolerant of people's beliefs. If they want to believe in a bloke called Mo, a hairy hippy called Jesus or a fat bloke called Buddha that's up to them but to me anyone who needs religion is weak minded. It's that they want to live by a set of rules but they need to believe in something.

 

Religions of all kinds preach that we should be tolerant of each other, love our neighbours and generally be nice people so why don't we scrap all religions and just be nice to each other?

[Guest Hacienda]

The State should not support religion in any way, shape or form.

 

We are, in essence, a secular society and the State should reflect that.

[EastleighSoulBoy]

The State should not support religion in any way, shape or form.

 

We are, in essence, a secular society and the State should reflect that.

 

Hmmmm, so do we strip our Sovereign (at the moment Queen Elizabeth) of the title 'defender of the faith'?

[Guest Hacienda]

Hmmmm, so do we strip our Sovereign (at the moment Queen Elizabeth) of the title 'defender of the faith'?

 

Yes.

 

It infers that we must all be protestants as that is the faith she is defending.

 

Why do Bishops have the right to sit in the House of Lords? Who decided that these men should have the right to oversee the passing of laws?

 

There should be a seperation of the State and religion as in France*.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*This is the only time I will ever praise the cheese eating surrender monkeys.

[PES]

 

I was 'dragged up' as a Catholic, yet while at St George's we questioned our faith. the answers we were given, viewed with that miracle 'hindsight', were less than satisfactory. Now I don't view Catholicism as that 'extreme' but what I did experience shaped my outlook as a Christian (rather than a practising Catholic).

 

I think that R.E. in any shape and in any school is canted too much in favour of the education provider with no 'all round view' being given!

 

I too am a Catholic, It's amazing how many of us there are! I'm 34 and went to St. Edmunds in Portsmouth, I don't know St. Georges in Southampton, but know its Southampton's non-private equivalent to St. Eddies in Pompey (The cleverer or better off Catholics in Pompey go to St. Johns). When I was at Eddies the Headteacher from St. Georges joined as our head. I think his name was Mr. Wright, was he your head? I left just after he joined.

[EastleighSoulBoy]

I too am a Catholic, It's amazing how many of us there are! I'm 34 and went to St. Edmunds in Portsmouth, I don't know St. Georges in Southampton, but know its Southampton's non-private equivalent to St. Eddies in Pompey (The cleverer or better off Catholics in Pompey go to St. Johns). When I was at Eddies the Headteacher from St. Georges joined as our head. I think his name was Mr. Wright, was he your head? I left just after he joined.

 

No mate, there's some 19 years between us! (You are the younger of us) Our head was a chain smoking Mr. Woods.

[PES]

No mate, there's some 19 years between us! (You are the younger of us) Our head was a chain smoking Mr. Woods.

 

Sorry ESB, my mistake!

[Eyes k8]

Most wars are about religion which is basically 2 sides fighting over who's got the biggest imaginary friend.

 

I'm not religious and am completely hypocritical because I got married in a church but what I am is tolerant of people's beliefs. If they want to believe in a bloke called Mo, a hairy hippy called Jesus or a fat bloke called Buddha that's up to them but to me anyone who needs religion is weak minded. It's that they want to live by a set of rules but they need to believe in something.

 

Religions of all kinds preach that we should be tolerant of each other, love our neighbours and generally be nice people so why don't we scrap all religions and just be nice to each other?

 

Most wars are about religion, well yes, apart from WWII and I suppose WW1 and the Napoleaonic Wars and Crimea, but apart from them and er the Falklands and Korea and vietnam you do have to say pretty much the English civil war was but then again the wars of the roses weren't or the hundred years war or stephen and Matilda or battle of Hastings but then again you're probably right. The Spanish inquisition was a bad thing.

 

well thats my 3 in 1(see what I did there) day of posts, goodnight and here's to another Pompey victory tomorrow. Praise God!

[dubai_phil]

FWIW, I had a "mini revelation" when I came out here, and quite simply it is that World War 3 started ages ago and we just never noticed.

 

The excessive preaching of BOTH sides means that to them, Islam and Christianity are mutually exclusive, you have one or the other.

 

To the normal, rational and aware humans amongst us on both sides (ie the majority) we don't see it that way.

 

But ONE single factor is ALWAYS the same whenever extremism is looked at.

 

Namely that almost every country in this part of the world had SOME preachers who went too far or were too extreme. They preached a return to the Medieval ages, when everyone lives in mud huts (except them of course).

 

Those countries tried to balance the hatred, tried to reason and often arrested them to remove that bile and hatred from being preached to what in reality is a peaceful society.

 

And guess what? almost without exception, those deemed too radical for the "radical" Saudis, the aggressive Yemeni's or even the theocratical Iranians ALL ended up being given welcome, State money, Passports, AND a vehicle to continue to spout their hatred in ONE country.

 

Yep good old fookin Blighty took all of the extremist nutters and let them preach.

 

Political and Religious freedom is a given right to all people and the asylum system has a great deal of good in it. However a country that allows Political Correctness to get to SUCH an state that when countries full of extreme religous nuts think that some people are TOO extreme even for THEM are allowed to flourish are then allowed into the UK and KEEP spouting their hatred, then the unatics have truly taken over the asylum.

 

It isn't about being aware WW3 already started, thanks to the morons in the Home Office who let these people in, we already LOST it (and I include the normal Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and Jews in that - but not sk8tes).

 

rant over.

Edited 12 September, 2008 by dubai_phil

[Spitfire Saint]

Most wars are about religion, well yes, apart from WWII and I suppose WW1 and the Napoleaonic Wars and Crimea, but apart from them and er the Falklands and Korea and vietnam you do have to say pretty much the English civil war was but then again the wars of the roses weren't or the hundred years war or stephen and Matilda or battle of Hastings but then again you're probably right. The Spanish inquisition was a bad thing.

 

well thats my 3 in 1(see what I did there) day of posts, goodnight and here's to another Pompey victory tomorrow. Praise God!

 

Go and read the history books....

[rocknrollman no2]

Actually Eyes K8 is right.

But to that list i would add the Opium war,Sudan campaign, Zulu war and the Boar War.

Theres a lot more i havent mentioned as well.

Just goes to show that people dont need religion to kill each other,just greed .

[Wiltshire Saint]

No one could fail to be impressed by your liberalism and commitment to freedom of speach. Banning faith schools and forbidding children to express their views will clearly show who is in the right. Have you ever considered where your freedom of speach comes from and which people achieved this for you?

 

We have always had freedom of speech. Who achieved freedom of speech for us? How far back are we going here? Besides which, what has this got to with religion in schools?

 

He is right, religion has no place in education. People can believe what they wish, but there is no need to make it a compulsory part of education. I would welcome basic and general teaching about different religions in order to generate understanding, but there is no need to make it a subject that goes all the way through childrens school careers.

 

Faith schools encourage division and do not breed tolerance. Therefore they should not be allowed. This goes for every faith.

 

"Forbidding children to express their views" is a nonsense. Children are not born believeing in God and rarely do they discover a faith on their own accord. They are taught that there is a God and that they should believe in it, often through fear of what will happen if they don't. They are not expressing their views, they are repeating something they have heard and think they should believe.

[tombletomble]

I read this story yesterday and was very worried by it.

 

I am soon to be starting a Secondary Science PGCE. I would not be able to work in a school where I was expected to teach creationism along side evolution.

 

I would rather religion was not in our schools at all but if it must then it should only be in RE lesson. Not science.

[OldNick]

Look, let's be honest here Thorpey. Christians know that the best way you can get people to 'Believe' in Christianity is to 'get them' as Impressionable children. This is why it is important to them that creationism or whatever you want to call it is taught in schools. Any 'Sane' adult who approached religeon for the first time would I'm sure think 'Nice story, but I cant accept that as fact', however get a young child and fill their heads with what as adults would be implausible nonsence and there is a very good chance they will take their 'beliefs' into adulthood.

Its not my intention to offend anyone here, I'm just stating my beliefs, I just wish Christian adults would allow children to formulate their own opinions in their own good time, but thats not going to happen, is it?

I have for some time wished for religion of any denomination should not be taught until the person is 18.

I have little knowledge of the bible but can somebody explain to me what happened after Adam and Eve. Did their offspring procreate with their close relatives/brothers /sisters? I do realise if this is the case the Garden of Eden would be Fratton Park.

[Guest Dark Sotonic Mills]

None of my children have been baptised as we made the decision that they could choose for themselves when they were old enough.

They all went to C of E schools but then all the primary schools in my area are C of E. At least they aren't being force-fed religion; in fact the lessons they have are comparative so they are as knowledgeable about Buddhism or Sikhism as they are about Christianity.

[TopGun]

I read this story yesterday and was very worried by it.

 

I am soon to be starting a Secondary Science PGCE. I would not be able to work in a school where I was expected to teach creationism along side evolution.

 

I would rather religion was not in our schools at all but if it must then it should only be in RE lesson. Not science.

 

My ex-wife studied religion at Oxford Uni as a philosophy based course and that is how she teaches it in her career as a secondary school teacher. She is not religious. There is no prob teaching RE in that sense. It just musn't be creationism or faith led as part of the state curriculum but secular and comparative instead (what faith schools of any denomination do appears to be up to them but state funding for any of them should be banned or at least limited IMO).

 

To understand world religions and history and how it affects us all now is fine. Fantastical diatribe about God is nonsense.

Edited 13 September, 2008 by TopGun

[Guest Hacienda]

None of my children have been baptised as we made the decision that they could choose for themselves when they were old enough.

They all went to C of E schools but then all the primary schools in my area are C of E. At least they aren't being force-fed religion; in fact the lessons they have are comparative so they are as knowledgeable about Buddhism or Sikhism as they are about Christianity.

 

None of my kids have been baptised for the same reasons. However, we chose not to send ours to the local CofE primary as religion was way, way to high on the school's list of priorities.

[dubai_phil]

I rest my case about preachers. Note however the article and the condemnation comes in a newspaper published in a Muslim country

 

 

http://www.gulfnews.com/opinion/editorial_opinion/region/10244920.html

 

Murdoch's in trouble then!

[Eyes k8]

We have always had freedom of speech. Who achieved freedom of speech for us? How far back are we going here? Besides which, what has this got to with religion in schools?

 

He is right, religion has no place in education. People can believe what they wish, but there is no need to make it a compulsory part of education. I would welcome basic and general teaching about different religions in order to generate understanding, but there is no need to make it a subject that goes all the way through childrens school careers.

 

Faith schools encourage division and do not breed tolerance. Therefore they should not be allowed. This goes for every faith.

 

"Forbidding children to express their views" is a nonsense. Children are not born believeing in God and rarely do they discover a faith on their own accord. They are taught that there is a God and that they should believe in it, often through fear of what will happen if they don't. They are not expressing their views, they are repeating something they have heard and think they should believe.

 

 

Of course we have not always had freedom of speach. First plea for liberty of conscience in England is 1612 Thomas Helwys who told the king so (James I) he died in prison a few years later. You largely have freedom of speach due to the English Civil War which led to religious toleration including jews. Freedom of speach didn't just happen it cost people their lives and most of them were religious.

 

Your argument that if something doesn't breed tolerance it should be banned is one that you may wish to reflect on.

[St Landrew]

There's nothing wrong with RE being in the curriculum as far as I'm concened. I would suggest that it would be an option that school kids and students could choose. If it were to be used solely as a tool for suggesting an alternative to scientific evidence into Earth and Universe evolution, then I would say only the gullible need apply. But as a philosophy on how to live one's life, then it certainly has a place.

 

It has long been suggested by some that only a God could create a universe so diverse as the real thing we observe. I would suggest that those people consider how evolutionary forces and enough time quite easily manage to do the same thing that creationists would have us believe otherwise. And the evidence stacks up on the evolutionary side. The problem is, religions work on a human scale. Evolution doesn't. We're just an almost insignificant part of an ever evolving process.