Religious Education In School.. What to Choose?

[Char]

My Eldest is 8 years old, and goes to our (fantastic) local primary school - Grade 2. She does really really well - had problems with reading in grade 1, but did reading recovery, and is now reading at a grade 3 level! She really enjoys school, and also does some extra-curricular stuff like swimming and karate.

When we moved here, and I enroled her, i opted her out of RE, just as i had done in her previous school. I assumed she wouldnt be the only one doing the alternative session, and didnt really worry about it.

Then, at the middle of last year, she came home and starting talking about RE - how they had been learning about Jesus, etc. I was a bit shocked and annoyed - considering i had opted her out. But, she seemed to be really enjoying it. Not really getting 'into' it as such, but being introduced to a new aspect of people's lives, and how they thought. I explained to her that RE really should be teaching her about ALL religions (as i did in school in hong kong.)

She thinks some of it is all a bit funny and silly, but does come home and ask some interesting questions. A few weeks ago she raised the issue of death, and what happens after. I asked her what SHE believed, and she was unsure. I gave her some examples of different beliefs, and she very quickly said 'Im VERY sure that people come back again.. maybe there isnt a heaven'

So, even though we are a very NON religious family, is it ok for me to keep her going to RE? I dont think it can do any harm as such, and i can see it being quite beneficial in opening her eyes to other issues.. I just feel like a bit of a fraud!

What would you do?

[Joey]

I do the same thing Char, I let the kids go, I figure they will tell me if they dont like it but they have the right to learn about it.

They go, they learn about different religions, they ask questions, I answer as honestly as I can and tell them its up to them to make up their own minds.

[Char]

phew, thanks jo

[bunty]

I would ask about the RE programme Char. At our school they do not teach children about other religions. I was quite horrified to see some of the stuff they brought home - like a colouring page of a man standing on the edge of a cliff. Below was hell/flames and the words 'are you a sinner?' Across the way was another cliff (salvation/choosing God). I thought it was inappropriate and confusing for 5 and 6 year olds. I pulled Ethan out of RE after another issue with the Easter bunny, and he hasn't been back since. If it was a basic education in all the religions of the world it would be different. I think Ethan would just about be better off watching John Safran versus God . Mind you, our RE is taught by a local church-going mum, so they are not likely to have a vast array of knowledge on different religions I suppose.

[spiralgirl]

I agree -I would love my children to be taught the basics about all major religions, and not only Christianity as being fact, if you know what i mean?

I tend to consider myself Buddhist, and hubby doesnt really have a religion, but is interested in Buddhism, but i dont really want to assume that mychildren will be Buddhist ya know? I think they will make up their own minds, but it would be great for them to understand all world religions.

Are you able to learn more about what is taught in the schools RE?

[Char]

cherise - the program at ours is purely christian. they do have an option to study Baha'i, but i know even less about that than any others they might do

Cliffs, flames, OMG! I will definately be keeping a watchful eye! So far, we've just had stuff related to the story of jesus - christmas, jesus' love, etc. Emily brushes that stuff off mostly..

Im actually pretty pissed off that they only do the one religion. When i did RE, we learnt about ALL off the different religions, and how they related to one another, history, ethics, etc. Maybe that's up to me

[Jakaluma]

Maybe badger the school to include all religions - at the very least all the major ones. It sounds like you're giving her a good balance out of her RE lessons.

I would also explain to her that even though her teacher is telling it like "this is the truth" it is only a belief, and there are a lot of different beliefs. In other words, distinguish it from things like maths and english and science.

[Rinelle]

From what I gather, RE is taught by volunteers at the school, and this is why the selection is usually pretty limited. Most volunteers teach their own religion, and that's about it. It's also why you get such variation across schools.

[kristamumof3]

We choose Baha'i for our son who is in Kindergarten. We chose it because it gives a talks about all religions rather than preaching just one. They learn about morals. I would personally align myself closer with Buddhism than any other religion but I do believe in giving my children some spiritual study so that they can start to question and make up their own mind.

[DePome]

I've just logged on to have a bit of a rant about this! Keep an eye out for it