Religious Education in Schools

2345876 · 26-10-10, 07:58 PM

Nice and simple really,

"Should parents have a say in what their children learn in Religious Education?"

I am looking to get some for's and against's for this question

Personally I think that in some instances parents should be able to have a say in what their children are learning about. However it is important that parents understand that their children should learn about the World Religions and grow to be a more empathetic adult.

In today’s ever growing multi-cultural society it is vital that every child is given access to the best opportunities possible to both understand and appreciate their own, and others religious practices. However some parents do not want their children learning about other religions and simply push their own beliefs onto them.

So again,

"Should parents have a say in what their children learn in Religious Education?"

Discuss.

Ilikefree · 26-10-10, 08:22 PM

I'm not sure if I'm part of a minority but I've never had a single lesson of R.E.

2345876 · 26-10-10, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ilikefree

I'm not sure if I'm part of a minority but I've never had a single lesson of R.E.

Seriously? R.E. R.S. may be included in PSHE?

jrjokerz · 26-10-10, 08:30 PM

I had RE for 2 years. So boring......(not being ignorant)

az87aris · 26-10-10, 08:34 PM

Not wanting to sound ignorant but imo RE in schools should be scrapped.

Ilikefree · 26-10-10, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2345876

Seriously? R.E. R.S. may be included in PSHE?

Never done PSHE either. Never done anything based on Religion in the slightest.

**ryan1087** · 26-10-10, 08:39 PM

When i was in school R.E. was taught so boringly and nobody really paid much attention (me included lol). Maybe if it was an option or they made it more fun to learn then it would be considered more.

2345876 · 26-10-10, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryan1087

When i was in school R.E. was taught so boringly and nobody really paid much attention. Maybe if it was an option or they made it more fun to learn then it would be considered more.

Brilliant. RE is a difficult subject for many teachers as it deals with truth claims in an uncertain field and it has a vast area of enquiry.

Also RE tends to be the lesson which is taught "from the book" I know even at A-Level one teacher just read line from line from a text book.

RE has the potential to be a rich and enjoyable subject incorporating many teaching approaches including drama, art, debates, discussions etc. It doesn't need to be a boring book based subject it just needs teachers who aren't scared to push the boat out and dive into the depths. And passion.

Harvez · 26-10-10, 08:44 PM

when I was a lad

RE was all about Jesus etc, but now its more about awareness of other religions which since the UK is now more multicultural than it was 30 years ago I can understand why this is taught the way it is now.

jakcool6 · 26-10-10, 08:49 PM

I've been taught R.E since i first started primary school, and i am still learning it now (year 10 in UK school) infact i'm having to take a GCSE on it in december, but I honestly find it boring, no offence to anyone who enjoys it. I think parents should have the choice, but as always some people will disagree with me...

jrjokerz · 26-10-10, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harvez

when I was a lad

RE was all about Jesus etc, but now its more about awareness of other religions which since the UK is now more multicultural than it was 30 years ago I can understand why this is taught the way it is now.

When aren't you a lad

TheDoctor · 26-10-10, 09:48 PM

I honestly didnt mind R.E at school, although Science was my favourite subject.

I hated French though, I didn't really want to learn a new language.

2345876 · 26-10-10, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrjokerz

When aren't you a lad

When Harvez and I role play?

iFreeZone · 26-10-10, 09:58 PM

Oi oi!

ElectroGirl · 27-10-10, 01:19 AM

It depends on what school the student attends. For example, I go to a catholic school (even though I'm not catholic) simply because it's a very good school! RS is a mayor subject, the school is a humanities one. We learn a lot in RS lessons, varying from parables to debates about if its right for homosexuals to marry.

It also depends on the teacher leading the lesson. If he/she is prejudiced about a certain subject e.g. Gays, then I don't think it would be right for a teacher like that to teach the class. It could distort the students perspective on what is right and what is wrong.

I do not class myself an athiest, most of them are ignorant, narrow-minded and rude snobs who think they are smart by replying things like 'If God is real, why can't we see him?!'. I find RS lessons quite stimulating. I find it humorous to poke holes in the teachers logic and debate how the bible has become inflated and distorted by generations of stories retold in different ways by different religious figures.

I think parents should have the right to know what their son/daughter is learning, but they should not have the right to take their child out of that lesson. If one parent could, the whole subject would appear to be optional and unimportant.

RS isn't just about Jesus, it's about understanding what is right and wrong. It's there to help us make the right decisions in life and to be the best person we can be.

williamblah · 27-10-10, 04:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ElectroGirl

I do not class myself an athiest, most of them are ignorant, narrow-minded and rude snobs who think they are smart by replying things like 'If God is real, why can't we see him?!'.

I disagree with most athiests being ignorant, narrow-minded, rude, or snobbish!

I am an athiest because I always try to hold myself to be as logical as possible, and simply sway towards whichever opinion either has infallable proof, or at least the highest quanitity of valuable evidence.

Personally I have been exposed to as much evidence of the existence of any form of higher power as I have of a huge cucumber floating in the sky.

I can accept though that other people have different methods of coming to conclusions and forming opinions, and that is entirely fine.

And back to the OP, I disagree strongly with parents having a say in what children can learn with regard to religious education. If you were truly confident in your belief, you would not have a fear of being exposed to other opinions. It is control of information, propaganda and brainwashing that leads to extremism, racism, genocide.

ElectroGirl · 27-10-10, 05:13 AM

I only say so due to the vast majority I have met. I know, ofcourse that there are logical and considerate atheists out there who are willing to listen to others point of view (not necessarily agreeing with it).

sam01794 · 27-10-10, 05:14 AM

I think it is essential that RE is practiced in schools as it helps to prevent future problems such as what is going on in Israel.

I believe that there would not be so much violence in Israel if the two religions had a better understanding of the opposing group.

Larkino · 27-10-10, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ElectroGirl

I do not class myself an athiest, most of them are ignorant, narrow-minded and rude snobs who think they are smart by replying things like 'If God is real, why can't we see him?!'.

I would like to see you tell Dawkins that. I don't think I've heard anyone use the "if God's real why can't we see him?" response for quire a few years now. It might have been a primary school thing.

I find when it comes to religious debates a lot of the time (in my past experiences) the religious people are the ones who are narrow minded. So set in their ways in the same old arguments that they don't bother to listen to the point of a logical thinking intelligent atheist.

ElectroGirl · 27-10-10, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larkino

I would like to see you tell Dawkins that. I don't think I've heard anyone use the "if God's real why can't we see him?" response for quire a few years now. It might have been a primary school thing.

You'd be surprised Larkino. Particularly on other forums (such as DigitalSpy) have a very strong, very narrow-minded lead of Atheists.

26-10-10, 07:58 PM	#1
2345876 Mini Mac Join Date: May 2008 Location: Cumbria Posts: 4,184	Religious Education in Schools Nice and simple really, "Should parents have a say in what their children learn in Religious Education?" I am looking to get some for's and against's for this question Personally I think that in some instances parents should be able to have a say in what their children are learning about. However it is important that parents understand that their children should learn about the World Religions and grow to be a more empathetic adult. In today’s ever growing multi-cultural society it is vital that every child is given access to the best opportunities possible to both understand and appreciate their own, and others religious practices. However some parents do not want their children learning about other religions and simply push their own beliefs onto them. So again, "Should parents have a say in what their children learn in Religious Education?" Discuss. __________________ Not Signed Up To eXceem? What Are You Waiting For Sign Up Here Free Gifts \| TAG Sport Rally Team \| DRH Photography - Rally Photography

26-10-10, 08:30 PM	#4
jrjokerz iPod 60gb Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 1,860	I had RE for 2 years. So boring......(not being ignorant) __________________ Free iPhone 5 \| Free PS3 \|\| Free Gadgets

26-10-10, 08:34 PM	#5
az87aris Mini Mac Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: South Yorkshire Posts: 4,901	Not wanting to sound ignorant but imo RE in schools should be scrapped. __________________ Free iPhone 4S \| Free iPad \| Free iPod

26-10-10, 08:39 PM	#7
ryan1087 What to put... Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 8,984	When i was in school R.E. was taught so boringly and nobody really paid much attention (me included lol). Maybe if it was an option or they made it more fun to learn then it would be considered more. __________________ free ipad 3 Last edited by ryan1087; 26-10-10 at 08:40 PM..

26-10-10, 08:44 PM	#9
Harvez Mini Mac Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: l33dz Posts: 9,487	when I was a lad RE was all about Jesus etc, but now its more about awareness of other religions which since the UK is now more multicultural than it was 30 years ago I can understand why this is taught the way it is now. __________________ Freebiejeebies \| Free iphone \| Free Blackberry \| Free Wii U \| Free laptop Someone once said "Life is what you make it", I disagree sometimes life makes you into what you are.

26-10-10, 08:22 PM	#2
Ilikefree Mini Mac Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: London Posts: 5,140	I'm not sure if I'm part of a minority but I've never had a single lesson of R.E.

26-10-10, 08:49 PM	#10
jakcool6 iPod Nano 4GB Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 230	I've been taught R.E since i first started primary school, and i am still learning it now (year 10 in UK school) infact i'm having to take a GCSE on it in december, but I honestly find it boring, no offence to anyone who enjoys it. I think parents should have the choice, but as always some people will disagree with me...

26-10-10, 09:48 PM	#12
TheDoctor Mini Mac Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: London Posts: 3,836	I honestly didnt mind R.E at school, although Science was my favourite subject. I hated French though, I didn't really want to learn a new language. __________________

26-10-10, 09:58 PM	#14
iFreeZone Mini Mac Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 7,547	Oi oi! __________________ Free iPod \| Facepalm

27-10-10, 01:19 AM	#15
ElectroGirl Mini Mac Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Plymouth! Posts: 5,669	It depends on what school the student attends. For example, I go to a catholic school (even though I'm not catholic) simply because it's a very good school! RS is a mayor subject, the school is a humanities one. We learn a lot in RS lessons, varying from parables to debates about if its right for homosexuals to marry. It also depends on the teacher leading the lesson. If he/she is prejudiced about a certain subject e.g. Gays, then I don't think it would be right for a teacher like that to teach the class. It could distort the students perspective on what is right and what is wrong. I do not class myself an athiest, most of them are ignorant, narrow-minded and rude snobs who think they are smart by replying things like 'If God is real, why can't we see him?!'. I find RS lessons quite stimulating. I find it humorous to poke holes in the teachers logic and debate how the bible has become inflated and distorted by generations of stories retold in different ways by different religious figures. I think parents should have the right to know what their son/daughter is learning, but they should not have the right to take their child out of that lesson. If one parent could, the whole subject would appear to be optional and unimportant. RS isn't just about Jesus, it's about understanding what is right and wrong. It's there to help us make the right decisions in life and to be the best person we can be. __________________ Got a top secret method but don't know how to use it? I'll help! Free iPod \| Free Stuff Spoiler Received: Canon IXUS 100 digital camera \| 4 colour makeup palette \| 88 Colour makup palette \| Bondage trousers \| iPod Nano 5th Gen \| Bamboo Tablet \| £34 BT \| £119 BT \|£51 BT\| £34 BT Working On: 2 referral custom order Tom Felton & David Bowie Fan Girl!

27-10-10, 05:13 AM	#17
ElectroGirl Mini Mac Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Plymouth! Posts: 5,669	I only say so due to the vast majority I have met. I know, ofcourse that there are logical and considerate atheists out there who are willing to listen to others point of view (not necessarily agreeing with it). __________________ Got a top secret method but don't know how to use it? I'll help! Free iPod \| Free Stuff Spoiler Received: Canon IXUS 100 digital camera \| 4 colour makeup palette \| 88 Colour makup palette \| Bondage trousers \| iPod Nano 5th Gen \| Bamboo Tablet \| £34 BT \| £119 BT \|£51 BT\| £34 BT Working On: 2 referral custom order Tom Felton & David Bowie Fan Girl!

27-10-10, 05:14 AM	#18
sam01794 iPod Nano 4GB Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 299	I think it is essential that RE is practiced in schools as it helps to prevent future problems such as what is going on in Israel. I believe that there would not be so much violence in Israel if the two religions had a better understanding of the opposing group.