A selection of comments on what this campaign means to them and the need to reform religion and belief education.
To build a harmonious and integrated society for the future around young people must be given a balanced and objective education all all major religions and belief systems.
Steve, from DERBY
All children should receive a proper, unbiased, education about all the main religious views, including the now majority UK 'no religion' view, covering secularism, humanism, and atheism.
Jim, from LUTON
Our schools should not be permitted to teach about religion from their exclusive viewpoint. The law should be changed to prevent this.
Andrew, from MANCHESTER
I think RE should be taught as an objective description of a diverse range of peoples belief systems, with an emphasis on the critical assessment of facts. It should also be taught consistently at every school and the only way to do this is by making it part of the National Curriculum.
Gurpreet, from REDHILL
In this divisive era, I think it's vitally important that a broad range of major world views are considered, compared, and contrasted.
William, from NOTTINGHAM
A non-proselytising approach to religion equips pupils with an age-appropriate understanding of the diversity of beliefs they will encounter in the world, from online to offline. It equips young people to understand their and others' rights and responsibilities, and to avoid the state-sanctioned imposition of religion or ideology upon individuals without their consent.
Terri, from NORTH LONDON
Every young person has a right to full education about all beliefs, religious and non-religious. Everyone is entitled to freedom of conscience. It is not ok to coerce and manipulate into acceptance of a parent's belief or non-belief system.
Rosemary, from ST ALBANS
Given the long-standing existence of religious diversity in England, it makes sense to adopt a neutral stance when explaining religion in its historical and social contexts.
Russell, from BOURNEMOUTH
Teach the history and social impact of religions and promote tolerance and good feeling to all peoples, but an educational establishment promoting a specific religious belief is backward thinking and has no place in a 21st century world.
Andrew, from STEVENAGE
My daughter is 9 years of age and is constantly being bombarded with information about many religions, these are glorified versions that catch her attention for that reason. Children are not taught about being non-religious and that they are entitled to their own beliefs. Children should be educated about all the different cultures and races that create our diverse society including the views of those who do not choose religion.
The government thinks religious education is important for developing children's critical thinking, values, and understanding of different traditions. There are much better ways to achieve this than through...
RE has become a subject in search of a purpose. There are better approaches to learning about the diversity of beliefs, and better uses of time than using outdated legislation to perpetuate it, says Keith...
Comments from Ofsted's chief inspector highlight the need to help schools resist efforts to shut down teaching which reactionary religious groups deem controversial, says Alastair Lichten.
A review has highlighted significant problems with the way RE is taught. Alastair Lichten argues that it shows the need to ask fundamental questions about the purpose of education about religion.
National Secular Society
Challenging Religious Privilege
Supporter comments
A selection of comments on what this campaign means to them and the need to reform religion and belief education.
To build a harmonious and integrated society for the future around young people must be given a balanced and objective education all all major religions and belief systems.
Steve, from DERBY
All children should receive a proper, unbiased, education about all the main religious views, including the now majority UK 'no religion' view, covering secularism, humanism, and atheism.
Jim, from LUTON
Our schools should not be permitted to teach about religion from their exclusive viewpoint. The law should be changed to prevent this.
Andrew, from MANCHESTER
I think RE should be taught as an objective description of a diverse range of peoples belief systems, with an emphasis on the critical assessment of facts. It should also be taught consistently at every school and the only way to do this is by making it part of the National Curriculum.
Gurpreet, from REDHILL
In this divisive era, I think it's vitally important that a broad range of major world views are considered, compared, and contrasted.
William, from NOTTINGHAM
A non-proselytising approach to religion equips pupils with an age-appropriate understanding of the diversity of beliefs they will encounter in the world, from online to offline. It equips young people to understand their and others' rights and responsibilities, and to avoid the state-sanctioned imposition of religion or ideology upon individuals without their consent.
Terri, from NORTH LONDON
Every young person has a right to full education about all beliefs, religious and non-religious. Everyone is entitled to freedom of conscience. It is not ok to coerce and manipulate into acceptance of a parent's belief or non-belief system.
Rosemary, from ST ALBANS
Given the long-standing existence of religious diversity in England, it makes sense to adopt a neutral stance when explaining religion in its historical and social contexts.
Russell, from BOURNEMOUTH
Teach the history and social impact of religions and promote tolerance and good feeling to all peoples, but an educational establishment promoting a specific religious belief is backward thinking and has no place in a 21st century world.
Andrew, from STEVENAGE
My daughter is 9 years of age and is constantly being bombarded with information about many religions, these are glorified versions that catch her attention for that reason. Children are not taught about being non-religious and that they are entitled to their own beliefs. Children should be educated about all the different cultures and races that create our diverse society including the views of those who do not choose religion.
Helen, from SHEFFIELD
Support this campaign
If the comments from these supporters have inspired you to learn more, or share your support, please use the links below.
Our Campaigns
Join our campaign for an inclusive and secular education system.
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We campaign for the law and the administration of justice to be based on equality, respect for human rights, and on objective evidence.
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Public services that are intended for the whole community, especially those funded by public money, should be provided in a secular context.
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We campaign on a wide range of topics where religious privilege impacts public life. Including:
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For over 150 years we have campaigned for disestablishment, the separation of the C of E and state.
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Related News
Posted: Wed, 15 Jun 2022
Government opposes moves to protect secular schools’ ethos
The government has refused to support amendments to a bill which would help nonreligious academies protect their secular ethos.
Posted: Thu, 19 May 2022
Prioritise RE reform not enforcement, NSS tells government
The NSS has warned the government education about religion should be reformed, rather than enforced, amid calls to compel schools to teach...
Posted: Tue, 18 Jan 2022
RE promotes religiosity but not morality, German study finds
Religious education promotes religiosity but not broadly shared moral and political values, research suggests.
Posted: Thu, 24 Jun 2021
Laws requiring exclusively Christian RE to face court challenge in NI
Northern Ireland's High Court has allowed a challenge to laws requiring confessional RE and collective worship in all schools.
Posted: Tue, 09 Mar 2021
Major reform of teaching on religion and belief passes in Wales
Legislation which will substantially reform the teaching of religion and belief has passed its final parliamentary vote in Wales.
Related Opinion
The government thinks religious education is important for developing children's critical thinking, values, and understanding of different traditions. There are much better ways to achieve this than through...
Religious education isn’t the right vehicle for civics
Posted: Wed, 23 Feb 2022
RE has become a subject in search of a purpose. There are better approaches to learning about the diversity of beliefs, and better uses of time than using outdated legislation to perpetuate it, says Keith...
It's time to move on from religious education
Posted: Tue, 17 Aug 2021
The Church of England's new evangelical missional strategy should lead us to question its entitlement to proselytise in schools, argues Stephen Evans.
Schools aren’t there to save the church
Posted: Thu, 22 Jul 2021
Comments from Ofsted's chief inspector highlight the need to help schools resist efforts to shut down teaching which reactionary religious groups deem controversial, says Alastair Lichten.
Schools must be supported against religious bullies
Posted: Wed, 07 Jul 2021
A review has highlighted significant problems with the way RE is taught. Alastair Lichten argues that it shows the need to ask fundamental questions about the purpose of education about religion.
Requires improvement: Ofsted review shows need for a major rethink on RE
Posted: Wed, 02 Jun 2021
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