Humanism at last

Yup. Well said, lucky.

Why not indeed?

I don't really mind what subject it comes under as long as children become aware that living a decent and kindly life is not dependent on a religious belief.

I don't see how is can be taught in R E?

Why not pacifism too?

Of course all religions should be covered and explained in schools.
So as far as I am concerned they should also be told that one does not have to have to be of or belong to any religion. Whether this be in RE lessons or another I'm not sure.
I hope things have changed these days but I don't know of anyone who was told of this option.

My slant on it is that it's good for children to realise that you can live your life by why are essentially Christian principles [imo the best principles of any religion anywhere] without having to believe in God the father, God the Son and God the Holy Ghost [which is what friend once told me when I said I thought I was a Christian]. He said if I didn't believe in the existence of those three I wasn't a Christian and that was that.

I agree with the teaching of humanism in RE/Studies although I am wondering if, as jings said it isn't already covered in pastoral?

It must crop up in the NC as my DGD (9) has mentioned it. She currently can't decide whether she wants to be a Buddist or an Atheist "when she grows up" and can make a fairly serious argument for either.

Exactly Greenfinch.

I used to teach Religious Education/Studies and I would strongly refute the assumption that it is taught by evangelical Christians.It is taught by a wide range of people including my DH who is an agnostic. Most teachers of this subject in my experience are liberal thinkers and questioners themselves and that is why they are suited to help young people develop the spiritual dimension of their experience.Therefore I too would question the inclusion of humanism and atheism here. There are other areas of the curriculum where they could be developed but by its very definition my personal thought is that atheism has no place in religious studies.

I understand teaching humanism as its a philosophy but am baffled at insisting aethism be included in a religious context. As Jingle asked, what is there to teach?

I must admit to being confused about humanism. I understand that it generally means being kind and considerate etc but does that mean that there are no bad tempered humanists or what?

I think the way children are taught about all world religions, is excellent. But it does have to be religion, or how can it be included in Religious Education? Makes no sense to me.

Encourage kids

God forbid any teacher should encourage to live life according to the Christian religion.

I'm not sure how you can teach atheism. What would you say, "some people do not believe in any God", and that would be it. Or would you actively dissuade children to become a member of a church. Any church.

And what is there to humanism that isn't already covered in pastoral lessons? (Be nice. etc)