National Secular Society complains about ‘outdated baggage’ in religious education
On June 16th, Stephen Evans, CEO of the National Secular Society, and Fiona Moss, CEO of the National Association of Teachers of Religious Education, were interviewed on BBC 1 TV’s Sunday Morning Live programme to discuss whether religious education should be given a more prominent role in both primary and secondary schools. Stephen argued for a change in the curriculum towards a new subject with a different title to be available in all schools without the outdated baggage that it currently carries. Fiona Moss insisted that the current subject already fulfils the criteria of being objective, critical and pluralistic, as Stephen advocates.
A recording of the interview is available here (begins at 38.47).
When does religious education become indoctrination?
An article in Cambrian News reveals that so-called ‘Scripture slots’ have been a component of assemblies at Llanidloes High School in Powys, Wales. During their weekly online assemblies in 2020, children read Bible verses, including one on exorcism, and guest speakers, including a GP, provided faith-based health advice, stating that 'Jesus has authority over illness itself’. Student planners featured a page listing Bible verses under issues including sex, abuse, addiction, relationships and suicide, and the school has, allegedly, been teaching creationism with wall-sized posters in Christian tutor groups and assembly sessions.
The headteacher at the school, an elder in an evangelical church which promotes conservative views on sexuality and gender, defends his actions by citing UK law, which states that ‘all maintained schools must provide religious education and daily collective worship for all registered pupils’ which ‘must be wholly or mainly of a broadly Christian character’. The National Secular Society has called for this law to be abolished. Head of campaigns Megan Manson said: ‘The alarming assembly videos reveal the scale of the evangelism that's been happening at this school, often engaging external speakers with a proselytising agenda... The disturbing views promoted by the headteacher’s church make the issue even more concerning.’ The full article contains more detail.
Hopes for humanism under Keir Starmer’s new Labour government
On 10th June, Keir Starmer wrote a letter to faith leaders regarding what they could expect of his party should it win the election and form the next government. Andrew Copson, CEO of Humanists UK, joined with representatives of various faiths on two BBC programmes on 7th July, two days after the Labour party’s success in the election, to explain their hopes for the future under the new government. Firstly, he participated in BBC Radio Four’s Sunday programme (item begins at 35:31) and later on BBC1 TV on Sunday Morning Live (at 01:43).
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