please don't label me

[papa smurf]

The Billboard Campaign


in the last two weeks of November 2009 billboards at four locations in the UK will display some of the labels routinely applied to children that imply beliefs, such as 'Catholic', 'Protestant', 'Muslim', 'Hindu' or 'Sikh', together with labels that people would never apply to young children such as 'Marxist', 'Anarchist', 'Socialist', 'Libertarian' or 'Humanist' (see images).

In front of the shadowy labels are happy children, with the slogan, "Please don't label me. Let me grow up and choose for myself"
.................................................. ........
so what do you think should children be allowed to grow up then make there own choice ,or is it the right of the parent to decide a child's beliefs for them.

this was discussed on Jeremy vine [radio 2] got some interesting points of view.

[Jules]

As a non believer I sent my son to a C of E school for two reasons, one so that he could learn about Christianity and then make his mind up for himself and also because it was the best school in the area. I believe that they should be able to choose for themselves.

[Gary L]

But do they learn?
isn't it the case that they are taught to believe, like it's actual history and was real.

[Taf]

The system here allows for parents to take their children out of religious assemblies and religious education lessons. I tried, but got "The LAW says they must have religious 'training"'in school!"

So our children went to these religious periods and just ignored everything that was thrown at them. My daughter's response to it all was a classic:

"How the hell do I decide if I want religion or not? Give me a chance! I'm only a teenager!"

I'd rather the French model: no religion or politics in school.

[martyh]

It would be hard to raise a child in a religious family without influencing them.Don't forget that even though a child has been bought up going to church/mosque or synagogue they still have the choice to stop going when they are adults,
I can't see the point of the campaign myself

---------- Post added at 18:11 ---------- Previous post was at 18:07 ----------

Originally Posted by Taf

The system here allows for parents to take their children out of religious assemblies and religious education lessons. I tried, but got "The LAW says they must have religious 'training"'in school!"

So our children went to these religious periods and just ignored everything that was thrown at them. My daughter's response to it all was a classic:

"How the hell do I decide if I want religion or not? Give me a chance! I'm only a teenager!"

I'd rather the French model: no religion or politics in school.

i would agree with you Taf ,i don't think that religion has any place in schools ,and as for the antiquated notion that all children have to have some form of religious education is ridiculous these days

[Mick Fisher]

Of course there should be no place for religeon or politics in schools, but in the real world our, IMHO, oppressive administration just cannot start the brain washing early enough.

[rogerdraig]

its nice to see you think children can be brain washed so easily that few hours of religious education has made them want to become nuns and priests

sigh

[Mick Fisher]

Originally Posted by rogermevans

its nice to see you think children can be brain washed so easily that few hours of religious education has made them want to become nuns and priests

sigh

Sorry but I never said anything of the kind.

[martyh]

school,imo, is for the education of children ,for learning facts not for teaching uncorroborated hearsay about a man called jesus(for example) who may or may not have lived ,that is the church's job and any parent can send their child to any number of religious schools if they so desire to be taught about religion.
Having said that i dont think Cof E schools these days focus on religous education as i knew it ,singing hyms and so on ,my sons only (13yrs)R.E lesson is once a fortnight for a hour and it's called "religious careers" whatever the hell that is which i believe is only there to satisfy the law ,perhaps Maggie or any other teacher could clarify

[idi banashapan]

this very argument caused a massive, well, argument between myself and my daughters mother when my little girl was very young about 8 years ago. The mother wanted her baptised, I did not. My main reason was that I felt she should choose herself when she was old enough. I won't hide religion from her, but I don't believe it is right to push a child into a religion at a time when they simply do not know any better to make a decision of whether or not they wish it to be a part of their life. I don't think that is fair. And I certainly don't think Catholicism (which the mother wanted) as a religion that I would ever force my child into, branding her a sinner before she is old enough to even walk...

[Maggy J]

Originally Posted by Taf

The system here allows for parents to take their children out of religious assemblies and religious education lessons. I tried, but got "The LAW says they must have religious 'training"'in school!"

So our children went to these religious periods and just ignored everything that was thrown at them. My daughter's response to it all was a classic:

"How the hell do I decide if I want religion or not? Give me a chance! I'm only a teenager!"

I'd rather the French model: no religion or politics in school.

Round here the system is this.

Ok.In state schools assemblies are provided 5 days a week one for each year.There are NO hymns,no prayers,no sermon, nothing remotely religious.

What they are is a conduit for information between the PTB and the students,occasions to give out awards and rewards,discussions about appropriate behaviour(anti bullying),inappropriate behaviour(bullying),reminders of rules,uniform and so on.

So no need to withdraw any child for religious reasons.

Of course in religious based schools they are full on religious occasions and it is assumed that by applying to attend the school you are prepared for your child to attend assemblies.

As to religious lessons..what happens is there is nowhere for the child to be placed if parents insist on removing their child as no one wants to be saddled with a child not taking the lesson..A free period is a free period.What then happens is that the child stays in the room with the rest of the class and does their own thing as no one wants to take extra responsibility to actual provide an alternative subject/syllabus.

[lucy7]

I was fetched up by non believers, who in one way now I think about it probably preached to all of us about there is no God, more than just leaving the topic alone.

I started looking into stuff for myself at about age 30.
Went to a BAC place of worship for 4 years or so, then stepped away from it for my own reasons.
Started studying with JWs and the rest is history.

I am pleased my parents did not put me through any religion.

I still struggle when I see the teenagers being dragged to our meetings twice a week.
Forcing your own beliefs on to youngsters in my opinon is not right.
Here is the fine line that parents with a faith have.
Cant leave them at home alone can you.
Also you think that your belief is right, so you want them to learn about your religion.
You can lead a horse to water , but you cant make it drink!

Children are very easily influenced by their parents, but it does get to a stage when they can form their own thoughts and beliefs and either step away from their religion or embrace it.

[Russ]

I found this to be a great article. Basically says the militant atheists (Dawkins and co) are just as bad as the evangelical religionist they claim to be against.

[danielf]

Irony

[papa smurf]

Originally Posted by Russ

I found this to be a great article. Basically says the militant atheists (Dawkins and co) are just as bad as the evangelical religionist they claim to be against.

if that fits your views on atheists i'm happy for you .