Church and Schools

[flip_flop]

I went to church yesterday.

I don't believe in god, but I do find it fascinating how people who appear to be normal intelligent people can believe in something as absurd as a greater being.

I went to church because we have had to start playing the game of pretending we are good church-going people to ensure our kids get into a decent school.

In my town, there is just one school that is not linked to a church and this is miles away, and as a firm believer that children should walk to school, this school is out of the question.

The nearest school, a 5 minute walk away, gives preference to church goers first, which must be supported by a letter from the vicar.

This is an absurd situation, isn't it?

Is discrimination on religious grounds illegal?

[flip_flop]

I know, its madness - how can the church, in a largely secular society, wield such power?

[TCL-MUMPING]

In 2009 the Court of Appeal said, "Once [a faith school] is oversubscribed, it can lawfully restrict entry to children whom – or whose parents – it regards as sharing the school's faith," the court said. "No school, however, is permitted to discriminate in its admissions policy on racial grounds."

[Old_Geezer]

I'd agree that the situation where education not linked to ones faith is unavailable locally, is absurd, and suggests the local authorities are failing. 5 minutes walk is a luxury, but IMO one ought to be situated within 30 minutes walk.

But I don't see how you can claim that believing in a deity is absurd. You are free to disbelieve if you wish but the people who believe do not just appear to be normal intelligent people, they are normal intelligent people. It is sad you apparently do not realise that.

Personally I don't think faith schools are a good idea. The government holds our public kitty and should provide an education. If others want to supplement that with teaching about their religious beliefs I think that should be kept separate.

[milliezoe]

Flip-flop
As a regular churchgoer I resent your opinion of normal intelligent people as absurd individuals believing in a greater being. The admission that you have to play the game reveals a great deal of the morals you have. What about the children who do not get a place because people like you play the game. I suspect that once your child gets a place the church will never see you again
You are what I call a four wheeled christian you ride to church to be baptised and to be married and then buried
Can I suggest an Alpha course for you it may change your life

[TCL-MUMPING]

What is absurd is the fact that you would rather lie about following a particular faith than use transport to allow a child to get to another school.

[anotheoldgit]

What a totally hypocritical attitude to take.

I presume once your children are pupils of that school, you will moan about any religious doctrine they are taught?

[flip_flop]

We don't have any choice other than to play the game. If we had, we would. And you are right, once in, we'll never step foot in the church again (whether my children do in the future, that is of course up to them).

I don't think wanting what's best for my children is immoral milliezoe - quite the opposite in fact.

I don't want to play this game (I have far better things to do on a Sunday morning than listen to a load of old mumbo jumbo), but if it means getting a place at the closest school which is within easy walking distance, or my wife having to drive a car to school every morning, which is 15 minutes away, probably more at that time of the morning, then we will.

With hindsight perhaps I shouldn't've put the opinion in my original post that I think religion is a load of old hokum, but it just really gets on our nerves that we are having to do this because of the farcical situation that the church has so much influence on the local schools.

[Old_Geezer]

I still think your beef is with the local authority not with the religious groups that have stepped in to provide an education.

[ummmm]

My situation is opposite to yours. There are only 3 Catholic schools where I live. 2 primary and 1 upper. We have no choice but to travel.

[jake-the-peg]

There is no problem with faith schools being selective

There is a big problem with them being selective and being funded by the state

[No_Likey]

i dont think its out of order...religious education will be one of the lessons taught at the school, so i would agree they should at least have some alligance with some sort of religion....

also, do you find it strange that the best schools always tend to get those with a religious affliction? one could argue that the discipline a moral tuition they get benefits the child...

thats said....15mins is hardly out of the way is it?

and what would be wrong in letting your child make their own way? that way it doesnt affect you at all? i used to travel an hour to school, some used to travel more....

if you are reallly that aggrieved at having to go to church, why not just go to teh furtherst school.....

stop your moaning

[TCL-MUMPING]

“We don't have any choice other than to play the game. If we had, we would.”

“I don't want to play this game (I have far better things to do on a Sunday morning than listen to a load of old mumbo jumbo), but if it means getting a place at the closest school which is within easy walking distance, or my wife having to drive a car to school every morning, which is 15 minutes away, probably more at that time of the morning, then we will.”

In the original question you said, “In my town, there is just one school that is not linked to a church and this is miles away, and as a firm believer that children should walk to school, this school is out of the question.”

This firm belief in a child walking to school seems to have been abandoned.

[flip_flop]

How so TCL?

It is better for a child to walk to school than to be driven.

Jake makes a very good point - these are all state schools.

[TCL-MUMPING]

You said that by playing the game you could get the child in the nearest school OR your wife could drive fifteen minutes to another but Initially you said that the only school not linked to a church was out the question as it was too far to walk to.

[No_Likey]

or let them get a bus....train...out or curiosity is it c of e or catholic?

[ummmm]

My son walks. 2 and a half miles. He's given bus fare and has the choice. He chooses to walk and saves the money.

[flip_flop]

I'm missing your point.

The nearest school is within walking distance. The only school not linked to a church is not within walking distance.

It makes sense for us to use the nearest school.

To use the nearest school we need to go to the church which is affiliated with that school.

The main thrust of my point is how, in a largely secular society, can the church wield such power.

[keyplus90]

So in other words you decided to believe in god when it suited you.

[No_Likey]

just so you know, its not the church wielding its power, it is the schools policy to give preference to church goers...

it is widely accepted that children who attend church gain a certain level of discipline, and moral values...that statement i know will provoke a volly of disagreers, but it is a fact that in church you have to sit quiet for 1 hr, and listen, which is a fundamental part of learning, and thus provides a foundation for learning...

i cant see why your kid cant get public transport...