Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17646549

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17646549

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

I don't have a problem with religious education in schools. People should learn about the different religions as this forms a large part of world history. But let’s not brain wash kids into religion, and keep it out of the science lessons.

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

Agreed

Allow religious education to those who have requested it. Those who have not should not be forced into religious education classes and should not be forced to attend a religious event as part of school registration. The whole process of forcing people to do something they do not wish to do stays with you for the rest of your life.

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

You're almost there ;)

Religion is too big an issue in the world to ignore IMO. It forms the basis for cultures, governments and ways of life. I believe it should be compulsory education.

BUT: Religious Education does not equate to religious acceptance. I have no issue with RE lessons which encompass education on all major faiths - in fact I prefer it. I also have no issue with personal religion being left to parents, sunday school and faith schools. But to remove RE from schools completely just because the parents don't believe is short sighted and narrow minded.

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

RE is part of that "freedom of choice" that atheists are always banging on about ,they give a child a chance to study about a variety of religions and make a choice as to whether they want to follow up on those studies with the spiritual aspect of a religion.There is no belief required or expected in RE lessons ,they are more closely related to history lessons than religious instruction

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

You can look at this 2 ways.
one being that there is a God, and the other being there isn't a God.

the first would be sort of expected to 'learn' about him/it.

the second would be just the long tradition throughout the world. hoping that more members join if you like.

but it doesn't help matters when he says
he's basically saying that there isn't one, but it would be nice to believe that there is.

which is why people question it now. why 'teach' about it in schools when really it's not much different to believing that there really 'was' such thing as Giants, beanstalks and golden eggs?

now you're going to tell me that the Giants, beanstalks and golden eggs was just a story.

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

Except they don't teach it in schools ,they teach about religion in schools ,there is a huge difference between learning about a religion and worshiping within a particular religions beliefs.

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

Thanks, I've put the word in now.

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

Then in answer to your question "why teach about it" i would say because ,like it or not religion has played a massive part in world history and is largely responsible for the layout of the world today ,and understanding how and why events happened is very important

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

So hopefully those people with spectacularly cock-eyed ignorant attitudes towards religion and faith may finally be educated about what is actually believed and written about in holy texts and not use what is written on the back of a beer mat on which to base their 'knowledge' of such matters.

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

Good point. I suppose a lot of wars and battles get mentioned then?

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

I was there from an early age. I have no issue with RE in schools but it should be totally voluntary

I have big issues with religion being forced down the throat of someone who is not interested in religion, be it at school, council meetings or my front door by someone who cannot read a simple sign and then gets upset when i tell them to go away ;).

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

Religious education isn’t, or shouldn't be about the existence of God. It's about religion and how it has and continues to shape society. Not to teach it at all would be wrong. It’s like saying lets not teach people about the Nazis because you don't like them. They are part of our history.

All inclusive religious history = Good.
Monotheist and creationist pseudo-science = Bad.

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

Learning about the religious differences between Christianity and Islam would give a person a better understanding as to why the crusades happened .
so yes there would be plenty of wars and sword fighting to keep your interest :rolleyes:;)

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

The issue isn't about religion (or indeed, atheism) being rammed down anyone's throat. Nobody is suggesting that.

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

Its funny that the church are against war and killing but tell you god is on your side just before you move forward and blow the crap out of the enemy's tanks :LOL:

I bet the other side say the same as well, God if it exists must be pretty confused by it all and might need a bit of that education :)

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

With Religious Education, misconceptions and misunderstandings such as these will cease to exist ;)

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

Teaching about religion is essential.

It is the "daily collective worship of a broadly Christian nature" I would get rid of.

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

what type of beer was stood on this mat -Bitter-?

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

Agreed, that’s why I voted for less in the poll. Less, but not none.
Structured leasons not those religious assemblies to teach about morals. Morality and religion are not the same.

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

Going on some people's attitudes toward RE I'd say it's likely.

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

Oh good i like bitter :)

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

Well that happened to me. I can remember being made to say "The Lords Prayer" every Assembly in Primary School. But then, that was in the late 70's. I dont know if they still do it. Probably not..seeing as Nativity Plays are banned from most schools now. I dont have much time for Religion.. and I dont want my children force fed it either. Science is much more beautiful to learn than listening to Fairytales from thousands of years ago. Thats where Religion should remain.. in the History books where it belongs. Just my opinion of course :)

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

Point of information - nativity plays have not been banned from most, if any, schools.

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

Not many here seem to be against RE. But I agree that beer mats are not a good source of information, on any subject.
But you don't need to read The God Delusion to become an atheist either. The Bible did that for me before I got to the end of Genesis.
But that's my personal choice, which is why it should be in schools.

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

Just a quick search Hugh.. Im sure theres loads more.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/ne...p-1/index.html

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

Unfortunatley that paper is as accurate with the truth as the book at the centre of this thread. ;)

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

You should know better than to use The Mail as a point of reference for these types of things. There is no evidence (other than "my mates once told me" types of stories) that nativities have been banned.

You seem to be under the misapprehension that agreeing to Religious Education means you are somehow giving validity to its teachings.

Religion plays such a massive part in the world that to hide from it is pure ignorance. It forms a central part to so many governments, policies, cultures etc.

If we as a country need to negotiate with another country for whatever reason then understanding its customs (which may well be deeply religious) is essential.

Nobody is suggesting that studying religion should involve indoctrination.

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

I love nativity plays with little children in. they're just really crap actors :)

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

Sorry but its lovely to see their lovely smiling faces Gary so it does not matter how they act to be perfectly honest.:)

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

Personally i think that Rowan Williams' sermon is a rambling piece of junk ,i've read through it a couple of times and apart from giving a brief synopsis of an old Doctor Who episode there wasn't much to peak my interest.

full sermon here but be prepared for a brain explosion
http://www.archbishopofcanterbury.or...-easter-sermon

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

I agree with what seems to be the consensus here. RE, if taught well and not just as a way to force a particular religion on pupils is good.

I had two RE teachers at school. One was catholic and taught us very little about other religions. He also actively discouraged any attempt to question the Bible. The other did not reveal his religion (he didn't consider it important for the class to know), but he did teach us about each of the major religions in turn, their history and beliefs. He also actively encouraged us to question what we are taught. A lesson which I think is important for all of us (whatever we believe) to learn.

The reason why I think it's good is because people (naturally) tend to fear the unknown. Some people will fight what they fear.

Whether we believe or not, Religion does form the basis of the lives of a lot of people. As such, it is an important part of their lives, and in many cases, an important part of their society.

When you get people not really understanding parts of a society, you tend to get wars. In these cases, Religion is the excuse, but ignorance is often the reason. RE can be used to combat that ignorance.

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

no i can't agree with that -at least the mail doesn't write its story's hundreds of years after the deaths of the alleged participants .;)

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

Point taken ;)

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

Don't be confused with "banned" and the "school chose not to...." they are totally different things .The comment you linked to is far from factual and is written by someone who has decided that because the school decided to break with tradition and not have a nativity play then it must have been banned

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

Indeed. A google search for Nativity Ban turns up (on page 1 at least) one example (posted by the Mail) of a school headmaster banning Nativities in the UK. Another Mail article about how parents are being banned from taking photos of children at another school. One article from a Christian site about how the NYC appeals court upheld a ban on Nativities (but, oddly, no article on the Ban), a load of blogs talking about that ban, and a liberal blog questioning some of The Mail's FOI requests (which are off topic but intriguing none the less).

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

So the evidence is a reader's comment in the Daily Mail?

If you google search on 'School nativity plays banned', you really don't get much, besides one about a school in Rochford in 2010, where there was one being held, but the headmaster only wanted the junior school kids to take part, not the middle school kids, as he wanted them to focus on their school work.

You would have thought that if, as you stated, most schools had banned nativity plays, there would be more stories in the press.

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

I have to stand corrected on my comment 'most schools' .. Ive just asked my 9 and 11 year old if they had them..and they said "yes".. so ;) I was also going on a story I viewed on the BBC news channel a couple years or so back..Perhaps blowing it all out of proportion.. like the Prophets of doom they are. I do still believe though, rather than having a Nativity Play... our children would benefit far more from a Science Play:tu:

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

This is the problem ,media reporting on the subject of anything religious is always tied in with agendas .The mail (and other papers)have for some years now had a "anti foreigner" agenda ,and any decision by schools or local authorities to break with tradition results in headlines such as "nativity plays banned" or "banned from flying the union jack" and it's all because of the "foreigners" when in reality there is usually a perfectly reasonable explanation

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

A 'Science Play' would not teach children anything about the history of the feast of Christmas. Some parents may be happy to keep it commercialised but I think other would prefer their kids to learn about world history and tradition.

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

Perhaps their History lessons could ?

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

Yes, but they don't need to do the nativity every year. I remember when we did The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe one year. It was nice to have a change.

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

The role of religion and faith in history plus its effect and role in the world today would be too widespread for it to be applied to anything bar a subject of its own.

---------- Post added at 14:19 ---------- Previous post was at 14:18 ----------

As it tells the traditional story of Christmas I think it makes perfect sense to do it every year.

Even allowing someone's child to take part does not mean they are validating any religion's doctrine.

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

its nice your happy that the pagan origins of this feast should be explored .

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

If the pagan festival had also been named 'Christmas' then you'd have a point.

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

i do have point your just not interested in it -any way happy chocolate bunny day :tu:

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

It's not that I'm not interested - it's just not relevant. The Navitiy is based on the story of Christmas which is not a Pagan event.

If people want to celebrate the Pagan origins of 25th December then all the power to them. But that isn't what this thread is about.

On top of that, if Paganism is to be brought in to RE (if it isn't already) then I see no problem with that either.

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

But we are talking about RE in schools, I don't see why the nativity needs to be done every year. Teaching the same thing over and over starts to make it sound like indoctrination to me. Should we teach the same kids Diwali every year too?

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

Around here they already do.

Surely it's only indoctrine if they teach "this is the only way it happens", of which there is no evidence of happening now?

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

What I mean is you don't go over the same subject material again and again. When I was at school we did algebra then moved on to trigonometry. We didn't do algebra year after year.

Putting on a school play teaches kids a broad range of things it's not just about the subject matter. But it doesn't have to be the nativity every year which is what you seem to be suggesting.

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

The Navity isnt really about teach part of a syllabus though.

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

Russ, I find it hard to believe that any of the above you stated from any Religion couldnt be explained separately in 15 minutes per Religion.

1 Its birth
2 How its affected the world
3 Fifteen minutes is too long.
4 We could add the Tooth Fairy and Santa Claus belief to make up time.

Surely one day every month out a schools history lesson curriculum is more than generous to learn about Religion. Instead, we have it in its own subject making it appear more than something it actually is. And thats fairytales probably made up by not even basic educated teenagers (perhaps younger) thousands of years ago.. people who,s life expectancy was around 21 and thought the world was flat and thought a solar eclipse was a sign of a curse from "God" And not the fact that the moon got in the way of the Suns rays..
etc..
Im not against religious people..I just believe they should keep it to themselves.

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

If only you'd had a proper Religious Education, then you'd know how much more it is than that ;)

Once again, RE does equate to religious acceptance.

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

Of which I have.. acceptance that is :)

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

Skip it all together then, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is better written.

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

Not sure it affects governments though..

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

You do realise that the Narnia books are an allegory for Christianity, and that Aslan was written as a metaphor for Jesus? ;)

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

thats it the wardrobe is going in the skip- grr ruddy jeebers gets every where ;)

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

How anybody who's read all the books can fail to see that is beyond me :D

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

Yes I know that. I didn't as a child but after years of the nativity I remember enjoying it much more.

EDIT: Like I said it's better written.

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

You may accept it, but you don't seem to understand how important it is to large sections of multiple populations.

Regardless of whether you or I consider it important, the fact is that a lot of people the world over do believe in some sort of religion. To give an example of this, according to the CIA factbook around 17% of the world's population is Catholic. Add up the other religions (particularly Christianity, Judaism and Islam), and you will find a massive percentage of the population is religious, even if they don't go to church.

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

CIA - The World Factbook:

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

They did try to force it on me by making me attended RE, however i had more important needs from my education.

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

If you don't mind me asking, how long ago was that?

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

I believe its entirely up to any individual to believe what they want to believe. As long as they keep it to themselves and dont frown on the rest of us for not believing what they believe. Especially when their claims of the supernatural are completely unfounded and unproved. On the other hand.. I cant prove their claims arent true. But surely, it isnt up to me to prove there isnt a God. Its up to them to prove there is..as they are making the claim.

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

I'm presuming that as an atheist you extend the same courtesy to believers?

Either way, again you seem to be under the impression that Religious Education equates to religious acceptance or validation.

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

That's just it. IMO, a well taught RE lesson should not attempt to persuade the pupils that one religion is right, or that any belief system is the right one. You can teach people about various religions without attempting to get them to believe that one is right.

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

R.E is either a History lesson..or an open invitation to pick your horse in the Supernatural race at Epsom... or perhaps a mix of both. I dont believe it serves any function.

Btw.. Im not Atheist.. Im Agnostic. :)

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

All that proves is that you weren't paying attention in class. RE is one of the humanities subjects, along with history and human geography, and has its place in that context.

Has it not occurred to you that dealing with the locals in Afghanistan requires experts in the local religion? The recent case of Qurans being heaped on a bonfire by Americans shows what happens when people who are ignorant of local customs are allowed to get on with the job unsupervised. IIRC at least one American soldier was attacked and killed as a direct reprisal.

If only those soldiers had paid attention in RE and had understood how Muslims view the physical books in which their holy texts are printed.

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

Thankfully your view appears to be in the minority.

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

Apologies if you have been asked this, but when did you last experience an RE lesson?

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

Chris.. I never took R.E in school .. I decided Home Economics was a better choice..I wouldnt have needed to take R.E to understand how not to aggravate a Muslim by burning their holy book.. its innate in me. A bit like I dont do to others that I wouldnt like done to me. I dont need taught this. But I did need taught how do a great steak dinner.. and being a great cook now.. Im glad I chose that path :)

---------- Post added at 21:02 ---------- Previous post was at 21:00 ----------

They dont in this threads poll vote :)

---------- Post added at 21:03 ---------- Previous post was at 21:02 ----------

Never :)

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

With more than 3 billion claiming to be religious, I'd say in the bigger picture they do.

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

I beg to differ but you did ,it still is a compulsory subject up to a certain age ,you may not have chosen it as a subject in the last 3 years at school but you did do RE before that

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

At a guess..a good 500 million of our worlds population from the Judea religions believe in Santa Claus. Doesnt mean he exists.. or does he ? :)

---------- Post added at 21:11 ---------- Previous post was at 21:10 ----------

First two years in high school.. but I never chose the subject for the remainder of my education.. it bored me beyond belief.

---------- Post added at 21:14 ---------- Previous post was at 21:11 ----------

And btw Marty.. theres my point. I was forced to take it for two years...

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

Statements like that don't do your argument any good ;)


I am not a religious man ,but i did do RE upto CSE grade 1 level and found it very fascinating and when linked to the same level of history it worked well and made a lot of sense ,and not once was i ever encouraged or asked to worship anything ,but as you say it is a matter of choice and for those who do choose it ,even more so in todays multicultural society ,i feel they have an advantage over those who don't

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

Changing the answer to suit your question? (Although I'm curious as to where you get your figures from.)

Let me remind you: you said you believe RE doesn't serve any function. That's fine and you're entitled to an opinion of course.

I replied that your view is probably in the minority, seeing as the majority of the planet claim to have some form of religion.

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

I am not a religious man ,but i did do RE upto CSE grade 1 level and found it very fascinating and when linked to the same level of history it worked well and made a lot of sense ,and not once was i ever encouraged or asked to worship anything ,but as you say it is a matter of choice and for those who do choose it ,even more so in todays multicultural society ,i feel they have an advantage over those who don't[/QUOTE]

Well..the exact figure I dont know.. but Im sure theres plenty under 10's in the different Judea religious families round the world believe in Santa..so perhaps Im not as far out as you'd think ;)

As for your main post..yes.. your right.. it SHOULD be a matter of choice.. but it isnt...

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

Russ, why do this. You had won the argument.
Mactire confused the validity of religion with the validity of religious education and you rightly called them on it. But then you had to play the numbers game, like being in the majority means anything. The majority of people used to believe the world was flat but that didn't make it so.
Learn to quit when you have won.

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

Judeafamilies having children...they brainwash them with Santa.. theres the figures :)

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

It's the same choice as for example taking geography ,it's a subject that has to be done up to a certain age and the reason is to give a good grounding to a childs education and allow them to form choices in their eucation and about the rest of their life

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

I'm not playing any sort of numbers game. There are a number of individuals who want religion removed from parts of society for no reason other than they disagree with it. I can't stand the attitude of "I don't like it so ban it it". What I pointed out was I'm glad that most people don't have that view.

---------- Post added at 21:39 ---------- Previous post was at 21:38 ----------

So your source is anecdotal rather than factual?

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

I cant concur Marty.. this is 2012.. Religion belongs either in the history books.. or Churches. Not in schools. It serves no purpose as a subject..When did you last see a talking snake ? And dont say me ;P

---------- Post added at 21:42 ---------- Previous post was at 21:41 ----------

Are you of age where as you taught your children Santa ?

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

Huh?? :confused:

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

When did you last see a dinosaur?

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

Are you of age where as you have kids.. and taught them about Santa ? Its a simple question Russ...

---------- Post added at 21:49 ---------- Previous post was at 21:47 ----------

Margaret Thatcher.. probably about 1990 (ish) :)

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

Ah right, now I get it. Yes I do and yes I do. Although I'm not sure what this has to do with the OP.

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

Religion does not belong in schools (or government ) so it's a good job it isn't taught in schools isn't it :rolleyes:.You are once again confusing religious worship and religious education ,not surprising since you didn't take the subject .Teaching about religion does not involve any kind of worship at all ,it merely gives one an insight into how religions work and how they effect world order .Yes i agree it is history of sorts and imo should be taught alongside a history course for the best results ,but religion is such a wide ranging subject as to be worthy of it's own lesson and specialist teachers

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

So, you actually have no idea what you are talking about?

---------- Post added at 22:28 ---------- Previous post was at 22:13 ----------

What has the snake got to do with it? No one (not even the religious people) is arguing in this thread that everyone should believe in God.. In fact you are doing exactly what you said they shouldn't by continually knocking the beliefs of others.

However, regardless of what you (or I) say, enough people believe in Religion that it's going to be a major force in the world long after every member of this forum is dead. Personally, I would have thought that any subject that could help you deal with around 90% of the planet on a level that shouldn't offend them is a good thing. I am happy for others to disagree, as long as they don't mind me questioning or disagreeing with their statements.

You seem to want to impose your views on everyone else, and when someone questions your views, you just reply with flippant comments.

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

I think the case for RE in schools to remain has been proven ;)

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

:clap:

:clap: :clap:

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

Work it out from my age

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

No. They want traces of it removed from public life so that it doesn't have a influence of those who don't share that belief. Such as the influence against Gay Marriage.

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

Attitudes have changed greatly since then. At the very least, political correctness has ensured that there is less (if any) focus on "this is how it is and you should believe it" in RE these days apart from within faith-schools.

I get that - but read any thread on any forum about religion, faith and beliefs and you will always get members of the anti-religion brigade wanting it to be removed from public life purely because they don't agree with it. The Humanists are notorious for it. Not suggesting all Humanists are but many atheists use it as a vehicle for their evangelising, precisely what they criticise those with faith for doing.

Usually they are so viciously anti-religion that they view any promotion of RE as acceptance and validation of religious belief. This alone is a good enough reason to ensure the next generation do not share their ignorance.

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

Given that throughout history Religion has been responsible for more and bloodier periods of time than most other things (Witch trials, Crusades, Christians being thrown to lions etc to name but a few brief moments in the history of mankind) I can see the motivation. However (And remember I am an Atheist) I believe that a balanced education regarding religions from Agnosticism to Zoroastrian is essential to remove some of the bigotry surrounding some of the religions. (True, I have yet to hear of an Extreme Buddhist but still, I'm not going to single one religion on the basis of some extremists) We need to stamp out intolerance and the ONLY way to do so is through a balanced education.

When I first joined this site many many moons ago Russ was 'The self proclaimed Cableforum Bible Basher' and we had several discussions. Each of our belief structures is based on PERSONAL preference and opinions we have formed through education and knowledge and so we should provide that same base of information for the children, whether they wish to become paganistic in their beliefs, whether they wish to follow a polytheistic or monotheistic religion or become atheistic or agnostic. We do not fail them by giving them the ability to make an informed decision as to what works best for them. (Though if I ever have kids and they decide to follow the Westboro Baptist Church there may be some therapy sessions booked) We are each our own people and the best thing we can do for those generations who are to follow is to make sure they are as well educated and well informed as possible, only then may we see an end to the events that take place in the name of religion.

Remember also this simple adage 'Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it'

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

Im putting across my opinion on a forum.. who's being Flippant now ? ;)

Im going leave you all to yourselves.. Ive never met such an up their own ass bunch of Moderators on a forum in my entire life. But it figures.. Jeebus people.. See ya's around >>>>>>>>>

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

As a compulsory subject it should be continued to year 9 and not as a GCSE. Thankfully they seem to have separated the full GCSE into general religion (all children) and specific faith (Muslim or Hindu or Christian etc depending on the child's religion) based for the full GCSE which is optional.

It was the one O'level subject I truly hated at school as we were stuck studying the Gospel according to Matthew.

Re: Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education
 

Bye.

Absolutely - a balanced education on ALL sides.