| paganism taught in schools
Posted: 8/5/2007 12:23:47 PM | All faiths should be taught in school, it helps children become more aware of the world around them and the people that make up its population.
The more we understand the more we can open our minds.
Paganism should be taught in schools, along with all the others, no faith should be left out.
Though i do object to collective worship in schools, that is forcing a particular faith on children, that is very wrong. If parents want children to worship in schools then they should choose a particular religious school, sadly there isnt one covering paganism, but yeah teach dont preach when it comes to religion. | |
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| paganism taught in schools
Posted: 8/5/2007 12:24:03 PM | | either teach all religions or teach none. unless the school is based on a religion which it then has the right to teach just that one, but it should still explain the fundamentals of other religions. i do not understand paganism, but it can only be as bad/good as believing in a man who can walk on water, raise the dead and turn water into wine. if they can believe in that with blind faith then surely they can be taught about the other alternatives? | |
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| paganism taught in schools
Posted: 8/5/2007 12:25:42 PM |
It is ridiculous to even think of Paganism to be taught at school
It is not about God (whichever religion) its about witches.
*sigh*
That statement is so ridiculously uninformed it's hard to know where to begin.
Paganism is a religion. You do not have to practise witchcraft/magic to be a Pagan. Paganism has Gods & Goddesses. Paganism precedented Christianity in the UK, so if there is to be any teachings of religion, of course it should include Paganism.
And children of school age tend to believe what they're being taught
Thanks for the enlightenment, I'm sure none of us had any idea.
Would you like one day to come home and find your child boiling a cats bollocks as part of a spell?
There aren't any spells containing cats bollocks.
We need our children to have healthy diverse minds which allow them to be free thinkers with out external peer pressures to conform to a certain belief and not like the one dimensional minds of fundamentalists.
Well said. And we need them to be correctly educated with facts, least they pick up idiotic ideas & notions from brainwashed misinformed biast & bigoted individuals.
Blessed be.  | |
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| paganism taught in schools
Posted: 8/5/2007 12:26:28 PM | I would like to see Humanism taught in schools.
Ops, I mean discussed... ;-)
VVV - OK dictionary definition
Noun: Humanism
1. The doctrine that people's duty is to promote human welfare
2. The doctrine emphasizing a person's capacity for self-realization through reason; rejects religion and the supernatural
PS, it's a shame some people relate Paganism to Harry Potter and TV shows like Buffy. | |
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| paganism taught in schools
Posted: 8/5/2007 12:30:59 PM | Lets think about why paganism is being talked about and being part of the RE curriculum...All because one woman brought her 3 children up on Paganism so now wants it taught in all schools..So she petitioned 10 downing street with 79 signatures. Wow lets change the way we teach are children because one woman collected 79 signatures...
My question is did she teach her children other religions or did she indoctrinate her children to believe what she believes in, Paganism.
Paganism - a recognised religion to some - is followed by about 40,000 people in the UK, yet is not studied in many schools where the six major religions are on the curriculum, as well as humanism. "Too many for my liking but now some want more". No wonder kids have trouble understanding religion.
How many of these 40,000 are adults and how many are children who have been taught paganism by their parents as the only religion.
Pagan groups backed the bid, saying there was unfounded "fear and ignorance" about the religion and the nation's children should be informed. "If pagans want their children to be informed then do it themselves or just buy them all the Harry Potter books. Kids love fairy tales..
Sorry i wouldnt like my children to be learning about paganism/wicca/whitchcraft in schools and i believe many more think the same as i. | |
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| paganism taught in schools
Posted: 8/5/2007 12:31:25 PM | guess teaching this you would have 2 be careful u dont get ex-SPELL-ED 
could always send them 2 harry snotter n hogwarts  | |
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| paganism taught in schools
Posted: 8/5/2007 12:41:59 PM | Sorry i wouldnt like my children to be learning about paganism/wicca/whitchcraft in schools and i believe many more think the same as i.
The school wouldn't be suggesting they should become the above, merely be aware of it and what it stands for. Surely this isn't a bad thing? Then when they get home you can discuss the pros and cons and tell them what you think, which is your entitlement as a parent. Whats the problem?
VVVV Yes but many of those religions are off shoots from key ones. I'm sure there aren't thousands of 'key founding religions', which could be concentrated on.
Wafta I wish I had been taught about rastaferians when I was at school and consequently never thought to find out. Children don't generally do extra homework if they don't have to. What the curriculum does do by offering 'some' religions is make a destinction between them and others. ie some matter and others don't. To say children would try and emulate people from a religion studied is also pretty pathetic. Have you ever watched a film with murder in it and then go out to murder someone? | |
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| paganism taught in schools
Posted: 8/5/2007 12:43:37 PM |
Do you think all religions should be covered within school?
How can all religions be taught in schools? There are thousands of them, there is not even enough time for them to teach one religion except for in a superficial way! | |
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wafta
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Joined: 6/14/2007
Msg: 35 | |
| paganism taught in schools
Posted: 8/5/2007 12:50:08 PM | Right, I'm off to my LEA first thing in the morning to DEMAND that they add Rastafari to their list of religions taught in school.
Wonder how you'll all feel when your kids are coming home with dreads calling themselves "I and I".
I think all "major" religions should be taught and our kids should have enough sense to research the "minor" ones for themselves before making their own decisions.
How many of you, out of interest, have had your kids christened ?! That, in my opinion, is the worse thing, forcing religion onto a child who isn't old enough to make up their own mind. If you must have a party, call it a naming ceremony and leave out the church !! | |
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| paganism taught in schools
Posted: 8/5/2007 12:52:18 PM | | As a fifth reformist manichee I demand that my religion is taught in all schools! | |
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| paganism taught in schools
Posted: 8/5/2007 12:54:09 PM | Message 35.
Like i have said before in this thread i dont think religion should be taught in public schools at an early age and schools should concentrate on the basics of education and not biblical fairy tales or other forms of religion, if the parents who are responsible want to teach their children then let them do it whatever that religion may be. " But forcing beliefs upon them i believe is indoctrination.". To put it another way i think its abuse of a child...
If children at a later age want to choose RE as an elective subject then let them choose for themselves when they are more educated in the basics of education, but not be made to study it.
As for religion i believe its a way of power and control of the masses and believe religion has caused and is continuing to cause problems in this world. "Thats what my problem is"
Edit,,,message 37 yes i agree and whilst we are at it lets petition that the Chav language is taught as well because i think thats more popular than paganism...
A new religion. The Religion Of Chav.
Wafta by teaching religion they are actually teaching atheism, kids grow up so realise that what the adults taught them that religion isnt for them and realise they have been taught a load of twaddle. | |
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wafta
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Joined: 6/14/2007
Msg: 39 | |
| paganism taught in schools
Posted: 8/5/2007 12:56:14 PM | How many hours of RE do they have a week in schools these days?
Shit, I'd rather my kids time was spent learning something more constructive and useful.
Hmmmm, wonder if they teach "atheism"? That's another one to add to my petition. | |
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| paganism taught in schools
Posted: 8/5/2007 1:02:47 PM |
Lets think about why paganism is being talked about and being part of the RE curriculum...All because one woman brought her 3 children up on Paganism so now wants it taught in all schools..So she petitioned 10 downing street with 79 signatures. Wow lets change the way we teach are children because one woman collected 79 signatures...
So? Everything has to start somewhere! If the Suffragettes hadn't petitioned downing St women more than likely still wouldn't be able to vote! Tell you what, lets think about why Paganism isn't taught, it's far more relavant to the UK than alot of other religions?! It's part of our history, heritage & culture! We are discussing taught, no need for hysteria that by children being aware & knowledgable of a subject it automatically means they will choose to partake in it! We teach children about biology. Do they all become medical staff? No. *shakes head*
My question is did she teach her children other religions or did she indoctrinate her children to believe what she believes in, Paganism.
So what if she did?! They're her children, plenty enough people indoctrinate their children to believe in Cristianity, do you have a problem with that? If not, why not? They are both religions, & people are free to choose what they wish to believe in, or not!
Paganism - a recognised religion to some -
Anyone that doesn't recognise it is behind the times. You can now choose to swear by Pagan Oath in British courts. I think you can safely say, it's recognised alright.
Pagan groups backed the bid, saying there was unfounded "fear and ignorance" about the religion and the nation's children should be informed. "If pagans want their children to be informed then do it yourselves or just buy them all the Harry Potter books. Kids love fairy tales..
The latter part of that statement is an exemplary example of exactly what the 'Pagan groups' meant by fear & ignorance.
Sorry i wouldnt like my children to be learning about paganism/wicca/whitchcraft in schools and i believe many more think the same as i.
I'll repeat myself. Paganism is not witchcraft, & the teaching of it would not automatically include spells or magic.
I think what people & children need are informed & educated choices. | |
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| paganism taught in schools
Posted: 8/5/2007 1:05:45 PM | All I remember about RE when I was at school was watching Schindler's List, excellent film, and for the GSCE having to put together a project outlining a major religion. When it was finished, the teacher would put a tick by the name in the register and that was that. She was, luckily for us, madly in love with the schools carpenter at the time thus in a dreamworld for much of the year, so we just ticked our names near the end of term and that was that.
They're married with kids now! Aww! | |
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| paganism taught in schools
Posted: 8/5/2007 1:06:34 PM | " But forcing beliefs upon them i believe is indoctrination.". To put it another way i think its abuse of a child...
They aren't forcing belief or indoctrinating unless the child has been sent to a religious school chosen by their parents. R.E is not about that and I know for a fact that teachers are not allowed to express their personal beliefs incase it should change the view of a child who looks up to them. They are only allowed to teach the basic facts on any religion told. They enjoy learning about other people. I have taught about the Chinese New Year to Reception children. They made Chinese Lanterns which we displayed in the class room and I read them a story about a little Chinese girl who lived in the UK. She got a letter from her relatives in China with a gift in it, which is something they traditionally do to celebrate etc. The children enjoyed learning and one of them happened to have a connection with China and was able to give her experience. How can that be bad?
I've also made little candle holders with a year 4 class and taught about devali and ramadam. When you know the stories that go with the festivals it feels less 'us' and 'them', you can empathise with the stories, even though they have no bearing on your way of life and it becomes fun and interesting. Non of the children came to school wearing a bindi the next day or expressed a need to change their faith. They just move on to the next lesson and continue being little sponges taking in all they learn. Quite often there is someone in the class who is a member of the religion and can explain customs first hand, but the Christian and Catholic schools often have very little understanding of others as they are segregated and it is even more important they know about others.
I didn't particularly like teaching R.E personally, but that was more due to lack of knowledge myself than disinterest in the subject matter.
VVV Not sure I go with that thought. My son is still classed as a child at 13 and he questions everything and often comes up with very plausible reasons for not agreeing with something he is told. It can be a pain in the neck when you just want him to do as he's told, but in the same vain i'm glad he does that, as I know he is really thinking about things. He actually goes to a Catholic school (although we are not Catholic) and told me some years ago that he believes science over religion. He's not into the 'Adam and Eve' thing. | |
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| paganism taught in schools
Posted: 8/5/2007 1:17:36 PM |
So what if she did?! They're her children, plenty enough people indoctrinate their children to believe in Cristianity, do you have a problem with that? If not, why not? They are both religions, & people are free to choose what they wish to believe in, or not!
I have a problem with any form of indoctrination whether it be communism, christianity, paganism, the quoran ect ect ect.
Children at a young age being taught whatever kind of religion dont have the ability to grasp and understand whats its about never mind what it means.
If you taught children to believe the world was flat they would believe what adults tell them until they learn from other avenues that the world is not flat but infact round. | |
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| paganism taught in schools
Posted: 8/5/2007 1:24:51 PM | | MOTHER NATURE is a god. The same one as the rest of us have. Money is another one if you wish. Xmas = SPEND SPEND SPEND! Nunc dimittis! | |
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| paganism taught in schools
Posted: 8/5/2007 1:28:50 PM | You managed to change the national curriculum?
Wow, im gobsmacked, well done you! As curriculums are national and not area determined you really have acheived something there. Well done.
Did you ask them to insist rastafarianism was taught as well as any other religion? At the end of the day R.E. CANNOT teach every single religion going as there are thousands upon thousands of them.
It is like insisting that every single event to have ever occured is taught in history really. You cant so it.
Curriculums change every year and different things are taught. | |
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| paganism taught in schools
Posted: 8/5/2007 1:33:55 PM | There's thousands upon thousands of religions?
Islam's gonna have a bit of a job converting everyone then!  | |
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| paganism taught in schools
Posted: 8/5/2007 1:38:06 PM |
Islam's gonna have a bit of a job converting everyone then!
What version of Islam? Sunni, Shia, Druze, Ismailism, Sufi, Wahabi? | |
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| paganism taught in schools
Posted: 8/5/2007 1:43:01 PM | Can some one provide a link as to whether paganism is a part of the national curriculum as i havent been able to find one as of yet and have believed the OP and trusted that it is infact being taught in UK schools as a part of the national curriculum..Though i never saw anthing that the OP wrote that said it was part of the National curriculum and i believe the OP was talking about her own childrens school in the thread.
Last thing i found on the subject was this..
Schools are required to focus their religious education on Christianity. The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority is responsible for drawing up the syllabus.
A spokesman said there were no plans to incorporate Paganism into the national framework.
Christianity must be included in a school’s RE curriculum as this is the majority faith in the UK.
The RE provided by your child’s school should reflect the faiths represented within the locality of the school.
http://druidnetwork.org/en/interfaith/articles/REandLaw.html
Well, brace yourself. Powerful knowledge coming your way – there is no national curriculum for RE. At least not in the sense most of us picture a National Curriculum. The only person with the final say in what your child learns in RE in school is your school Head of Department with Curriculum responsibility for Religious Education. Anything to which they may refer for help and guidance in this task is non-statutory and hence non-compulsory. They, and they alone decide.
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wafta
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Joined: 6/14/2007
Msg: 49 | |
| paganism taught in schools
Posted: 8/5/2007 2:18:03 PM | ^^^^^^ So basically our kids are being taught a load of crap at the discretion of the school and we're not even informed of it??!!!
Oh dear, this really does warrant a visit to the school in September methinks !! | |
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| paganism taught in schools
Posted: 8/5/2007 2:23:07 PM |
Lets think about why paganism is being talked about and being part of the RE curriculum...All because one woman brought her 3 children up on Paganism so now wants it taught in all schools..So she petitioned 10 downing street with 79 signatures. Wow lets change the way we teach are children because one woman collected 79 signatures
i would also love to know how you got this information?
then later stated....
there is no national curriculum for RE. At least not in the sense most of us picture a National Curriculum. The only person with the final say in what your child learns in RE in school is your school Head of Department with Curriculum responsibility for Religious Education. Anything to which they may refer for help and guidance in this task is non-statutory and hence non-compulsory. They, and they alone decide.
so your facts are from?
yes, RE in fact is the only subject where the curriculum is not nation wide...
hence religious school preaching one faith.....
all RE does (in reality) is teach children to have respect for other peoples beliefs.....
to learn about other cultures....
not to (and should not to) push ones beliefs onto another | |
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