Faith or indoctrination?

mcem's point about the discussions prompted by biblical stories is a good one. My sister (an atheist) taught RE and English to A level. She also ran a debating group. Providing things are taught in a balanced way, no single faith pushed as the only one and so on, I believe there to be value in teaching about religions. It should encourage children and young people to consider their own value system and question everything.

Largely agree Atqui. As far as basic morals and ethics go that's the parents' reponsibility but when teaching facts about world religions there is a place for the school's input - not trying to teach children what they should believe but giving an overview in the hope that it will help the understanding of the customs and traditions of their classmates and fellow citizens. Different of course in faith schools. Far from children being put off, these lessons very often generated excellent discussion.

Forgive me, but aren"t we a Christian country??

Have I a missed something along the way ?

You may have missed the fact that significant numbers of British citizens are not Christians and that it is a reasonable aim to provide some information which might help cross-cultural understanding from an early age and might help our young people to grow up less prejudiced than some of their elders. At no stage was I doing Christianity down, simply accepting that Christians don't have a monopoly. No-one is actively trying to recruit or evangelise. Our schools should be providing for a wide spectrum of beliefs and families who do not agree still (so far) have the option of faith schools. I'd also agree with anyone who advocates the abolition of faith schools since parents/communities might then take responsibility for passing on their firmly-held beliefs.

We are still a Christian country, and I hope we stay that way. If the Christians back down, then we leave the door open for the muslims to take over. And I don't want that. And that is not meant to be racist. I am not racist.

Who's talking about backing down? Is it utterly unpatriotic to be inclusive? Again I say, including facts about your classmates' beliefs and customs is not inflammatory. Works both ways maybe, in that muslim/sikh/jewish kids find out that Christmas isn't all about presents and Easter isn't all about chocolate!

There has been a lot of talk in the media recently about whether we should stay a Christian country.

one example

and here

I agree with you, mcem. Throughout my 'vaguely Christian' education, no mention was ever made of any other religion or belief - there was just one Jewish girl in our class at Grammar School who was excused from Assembly and RE lessons and I don't think one of us actually thought to wonder why!

It wasn't until after I'd left school that I began to investigate other faiths, and I'm glad that my own GC will be given the information that was so lacking in my own school curriculum.

We are a Christian Country, basically.

But it wouldn't do our children any harm to learn that there are actually other religions in the world - even in their own street!

Of course it doesn't do any harm. And they do learn it.

Nonu thanks for your hugs earlier.
I'm not sure that multi faith teaching works both ways, although I agree with it, because other faiths do not hold a universal view and probably ask for their children to be excluded from RE. I remember a small Jehovah's Witness once inadvertently staying in class for carol singing saying "Jehovah wouldn't like it". now if that isn't indoctrination.......

Rather a result of indoctrination

Nonu you've said that twice now. Could you please explain why / how my point about discussing the views of our neighbours in some way contradicts that? It's a fairly cliched remark so perhaps you'd expand on that in the present context. No comment about the 2-way process whereby non-christian kids learn a bit about Christianity?

I think that when we say that this is a Christian country, it is because our laws have grown largely out of the Christian faith and our culture has historically based on a Christian outlook. I think that we like to think that this is changing with the input of other faiths, but not nearly so much as we imagine. After all. those of other faiths make for quite a small minority.

I do believe we are a Christian country ! I do hope so anyway !

In the school where I spent the last 17 years of my teaching career, muslim children made up approx 15 % of the roll. In all that time the only child who was not allowed to take part in RME lessons ( or sex ed/ PSHE ) was a Jehovah's witness. However we invited mum to sit in on some lessons and assemblies and she admitted there was nothing that offended her beliefs. She agreed that her daughter could take part in some activities but drew the line at celebrations - including birthdays and St Andrews day as well as Christmas and Easter. They were scots born and bred. We didn't have this problem with muslim families.
One little girl -a muslim - was afraid to enter the local Christian church on a fact-finding visit. Granny had plied her with various scary stories. Mum and Dad were most annoyed when they heard and went home to put Granny straight.

Whitewave made some very valid points about history and culture with which I'd largely agree. But Nonu I still don't know where you're coming from.
Repeating a simple remark doesn't actually expand or explain your point.
The comment was made earlier that indoctrination accounts for some pronouncements. Is that the case here? I'd hope that young people who've had a wider view of world religions might just be able to put forward a point of view of their own.

I am a christened, confirmed, communicant! But the older I get, the more I question and doubt!
The ethics and morality of Christianity cannot be faulted.
But beyond that?

Well at least I'm not the only one who has not 'sorted it out' at this stage of life!

Beyond that, does it matter?

Xpost, atqui. I was replying to galen.

If one has good ethics and morals, one's sorted for life, isn't one? As sorted as one can be anyhow.