From the Humanist Association - discuss

I suspect that parents just make an assessment of which school is the best in their area and do all they can, as good parents, to get their child in. We know that many do not make this choice on religious grounds but on academic achievement.

My DD went to a CofE comprehensive, not by our choice, but because there was little else to choose from. The religious bias that featured in her education was tempered by open and unbiased discussion at home. She was left to chose her own path, but I hope received a firm grounding in kindness and morality from us. We certainly did our best.

Granjura isn't that why there should be more Christian faith schools? (Parents want them, and are even willing to move house to get child into one)

I love Songs of Praise!

Church schools, as well as teaching about other religions in line with the national curriculum, do make statements about their chosen religion that are not tempered by clarity over the difference between belief and fact. I believe that to be fundamentally wrong. That is not an attack on religion in general, but a firm belief in the value of honesty and integrity in our dealings with children; a trust that should not be breached.

The teaching that one should love one's neighbour is alive and well amongst atheists and agnostics, and non-aligned schools promulgate this with vigour.

The non-aligned school at which I am a governor has a "Value of the Week", all of which would find favour with Christian believers.

There is nothing to fear from non-aligned schools, but everything to fear from fundamentalist schools.

Oh good grief the wanna be moderator it as it again

No need to google it you have told us your family has done so Granjura

ab attacking other posters for what they said in another different thread,is simply not debate.

Jingle , your grandson wasn't the only one with that prayer that day

And Songs of Praise should not be hymns only I suppose

May I suggest you practice what you preach Granjura , and again this is a discussion on schooling in the UK . Sorry but I think you have a problem , on another thread which was for an individual to say if they had lost their faith - no particular faith mentioned - up you pop with a lecture on how faiths in Switzerland get along just fine unlike a country close to you, what on earth that had to do with your personal loss / lack of faith is puzzling

yes, TFTD should include non religious philosophical thought as well.

In the meantime do Google 'parents cheating to get their children in the school of their choice' - you will find 100s of articles to that effect. Of course in villages that can't happen- but in town, it happens all the time, and has been for a long time- excellent post to that effect Penstemmon. Thinking about 2 primary schools in the town I used to live- this was as clear as a bell, including the shenanigans and the teaching towards the Private Grammar school entrance exams- still does now (I know several young parents with children at both the schools).

I can't see any harm at all in a school having a Christian ethos. "Love God and Love thy neighbour as yourself". The two commandments Jesus gave. Where's the harm in that?

And it was really sweet a couple of years back, seeing my youngest grandson squeezing his eyes shut and praying to "Please God" for Murray to win Wimbledon with his final serve!

my definition of defensive Djen since you ask, is saying that posters are 'ranting' when they merely give their opposing opinions.

Now we do agree wholeheartedly here, as it has happened throughout the thread:

I have since accepted there are none so blind as those who do not wish to see, none so deaf as those who do not wish to hear, I think twisting of posts is the abbreviated version of this

sadly, tragically even. In French we call it 'un dialogue de sourds' - a dialogue between deaf people. Keeping off the thread for now- but many points have made made to which I will respond at some point. Alea, your constant attacks are becoming tiresome and so obvious to others too. As has been said so often 'play the ball, not the person'.

Why not have their own TFTD

Not me that's getting knickers in a twist about it ab
It's called a debate, something that maybe you never did at school.

Haven't we been talking about state schools all along? Perhaps that wasn't clear to anyone who thought that NO faith schools would be allowed - that is just not possible in a democracy.

Those schools do need to be inspected exactly as other schools are inspected though. As it is, they can choose to have inspectors from their own organisations. That is not equality.

Rosesarered has view points, others are defensive

No criticism of the Christian faith in this thread ?

When AOL had their boards I belonged to a forum which discussed the monarchy . One poster was 100% sure a live broadcast on the Beeb showed a man standing and making certain comments , when I said no that man was sitting behind a desk the reply was - he was standing , Wales must have seen a different broadcast - it was live . I have since accepted there are none so blind as those who do not wish to see, none so deaf as those who do not wish to hear, I think twisting of posts is the abbreviated version of this

What's your definition of defensive, roses?
Of course there is a need for posters to get defensive if they disagree with you. Strange thing to say.

I have a Christian faith, but still think that all state schools should be secular,
And that includes Muslim schools.
This is not an attack on Christianity, or any other faith.
It's a viewpoint, and we all have them.No need for any poster to get defensive.

No, there has not been a call for "Thought for the day" to be abolished - but there has been one to have an occasional contribution from someone who is not religious. They are also capable of reflective thought and insightful comment.

Here is one response to that:-

"Of course "non-religious" voices should be able to share the Thought for the Day slot. To deny them is to deny that God is in all human experience - which would, of course, be nonsense.
Andrew Allcock (Reverend), Telford "

To be fair, rosesarered it was the connection with the Established church, bishops in the Lords, plus the perceived elitism ("Prep schools") the devious ways by which some people cheat or lie to get their children into Church schools and the question of church attendance -wrongly equated with belief - which provided the thrust of the argument. The reference to "medieval" was not aimed at Muslim faith schools was it?
Of course not. It is unacceptable to criticise religious minorities or ethnic groups, we have laws about that, but yet perfectly acceptable to take a pop at those of us who have a Christian faith, especially the Anglican communion and may want our DC or DGC to enjoy what we think valuable in their schooling.

I rest my case!