Rowan Williams to warn of downgrading of religious education

[Russ]

Originally Posted by Stuart

In fact you are doing exactly what you said they shouldn't by continually knocking the beliefs of others.

Originally Posted by Stuart

You seem to want to impose your views on everyone else,

[Sirius]

Originally Posted by Russ

If you don't mind me asking, how long ago was that?

Work it out from my age

[Damien]

Originally Posted by Russ

I'm not playing any sort of numbers game. There are a number of individuals who want religion removed from parts of society for no reason other than they disagree with it. I can't stand the attitude of "I don't like it so ban it it". What I pointed out was I'm glad that most people don't have that view.

No. They want traces of it removed from public life so that it doesn't have a influence of those who don't share that belief. Such as the influence against Gay Marriage.

[Russ]

Originally Posted by Sirius

Work it out from my age

Attitudes have changed greatly since then. At the very least, political correctness has ensured that there is less (if any) focus on "this is how it is and you should believe it" in RE these days apart from within faith-schools.

Originally Posted by Damien

No. They want traces of it removed from public life so that it doesn't have a influence of those who don't share that belief. Such as the influence against Gay Marriage.

I get that - but read any thread on any forum about religion, faith and beliefs and you will always get members of the anti-religion brigade wanting it to be removed from public life purely because they don't agree with it. The Humanists are notorious for it. Not suggesting all Humanists are but many atheists use it as a vehicle for their evangelising, precisely what they criticise those with faith for doing.

Usually they are so viciously anti-religion that they view any promotion of RE as acceptance and validation of religious belief. This alone is a good enough reason to ensure the next generation do not share their ignorance.

[Lord Nikon]

Given that throughout history Religion has been responsible for more and bloodier periods of time than most other things (Witch trials, Crusades, Christians being thrown to lions etc to name but a few brief moments in the history of mankind) I can see the motivation. However (And remember I am an Atheist) I believe that a balanced education regarding religions from Agnosticism to Zoroastrian is essential to remove some of the bigotry surrounding some of the religions. (True, I have yet to hear of an Extreme Buddhist but still, I'm not going to single one religion on the basis of some extremists) We need to stamp out intolerance and the ONLY way to do so is through a balanced education.

When I first joined this site many many moons ago Russ was 'The self proclaimed Cableforum Bible Basher' and we had several discussions. Each of our belief structures is based on PERSONAL preference and opinions we have formed through education and knowledge and so we should provide that same base of information for the children, whether they wish to become paganistic in their beliefs, whether they wish to follow a polytheistic or monotheistic religion or become atheistic or agnostic. We do not fail them by giving them the ability to make an informed decision as to what works best for them. (Though if I ever have kids and they decide to follow the Westboro Baptist Church there may be some therapy sessions booked) We are each our own people and the best thing we can do for those generations who are to follow is to make sure they are as well educated and well informed as possible, only then may we see an end to the events that take place in the name of religion.

Remember also this simple adage 'Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it'

[Mactire]

Originally Posted by Stuart

So, you actually have no idea what you are talking about?

Im putting across my opinion on a forum.. who's being Flippant now ?

Im going leave you all to yourselves.. Ive never met such an up their own ass bunch of Moderators on a forum in my entire life. But it figures.. Jeebus people.. See ya's around >>>>>>>>>

[Angua]

As a compulsory subject it should be continued to year 9 and not as a GCSE. Thankfully they seem to have separated the full GCSE into general religion (all children) and specific faith (Muslim or Hindu or Christian etc depending on the child's religion) based for the full GCSE which is optional.

It was the one O'level subject I truly hated at school as we were stuck studying the Gospel according to Matthew.

[Russ]

Originally Posted by Mactire

Im putting across my opinion on a forum.. who's being Flippant now ?

Im going leave you all to yourselves.. Ive never met such an up their own ass bunch of Moderators on a forum in my entire life. But it figures.. Jeebus people.. See ya's around >>>>>>>>>

Bye.

Originally Posted by Lord Nikon

We need to stamp out intolerance and the ONLY way to do so is through a balanced education

Absolutely - a balanced education on ALL sides.