Teach Christianity

Teach Christianity

by: Little Sparklers - 12-07-05 20:28

Hear Hear ! - I am a Pre-school owner with what I hope is an open and inclusive curriculum. At ages 3,4 & 5 - whoever heard anything so ridiculous as thrusting Christianity or any other religion down a tiny persons throat? They have difficulty going to the loo by themselves, sharing and putting their shoes on - I really don't think anything other than sharing in the colourful annual events of selected faiths is advantagous to such a young audience. KT

by: Slunky

I am a christian and you don't have to have a confessional box to be a christian any how. Also as we as a county are a 'christian' country surely that means that all age children should be taught a form of christianity. I actually went to a C of E Primary school but they didn't even mention god in any of the songs that they sung it was all about the birds the flowers and the cabbage. Seems really stupid to me really. I could have understood it if it wasn't a C of E school but really. So therefore this shows that maybe christians can't send their children to decent schools which actually teach or worship God or Jesus. Despiter what people think being a christian is not about being better than everyone else actually we are probably worse than everyone else. Being a christian just means that we are trusting in god and the fact that he died for ALL our sins before and after we become christians. We also know where we are going so we have a bonus that all none christians don't have!! anyway sorry that was a bit of a rant just a bit peed off that people seem to think that being a christian means that we are perfect and everything. well thats what I picked up in these posts!! Trust me we're not!!

Teach Christianity - 23-08-05 14:55

by: poppet

Dear Moonflower
The 2001 Census collected information about ethnicity and religious identity. Combining these results shows that while the population is more culturally diverse than ever before, White Christians remain the largest single group by far. In England and Wales, 36 million people (nearly 7 out of 10) described their ethnicity as White and their religion as Christian. Source: www.statistics.gov.uk

I think there is a lot of misunderstanding about what Christianity teaches and what it means to be a Christian. Part of being a Christian means sharing our faith with others. Prior to becoming a Christian I was facinated with occult practices. This started at age 5 or 6 when I was introduced to a book in our school library called 'Tom and the Ghost'. Which is about a boy who takes a potion from a witch and is then able to interact with ghosts for a limited time. It is only now almost 30 years later that I see this was harmful to me. But I still had the right - even at that age to reject Christianity and I did. I think it is wrong to suggest that Christianity can force us to do or believe anything. We all have free will and hearing about different faiths does not take that right away from anyone. Each person has a right to choose and hearing about Christianity doesn't deter from that.

Teach Christianity - 23-08-05 15:13

by: poppet

It is easy to say that we live in a modern age and their is no place for God. But at the end of the day our time is limited - we all die in the end. There is nothing more important in a human being's life than considering the big spiritual questions like 'Why are we here?' and 'What (if anything) happens to us when we die?'. In a Christian country there is still a place for teaching Christianity to young children - they are never too young to hear the good news outlined in the Gospel. Christianity is not about one group saying they are better than another group. It about a world where humans are separated from God and the good news that He has made a way for each person to have that relationship restored.
Hearing this message does not take free will away from anyone - nor does it prevent anyone from living life in just the way they choose.
I think each of us must question why so many people feel threatened by the thought of teaching Christianity to children yet they are happy to teach the precepts of other faiths and pagan ideas.
If you have heard a lot of bad press about Christianity but have never read a Bible - pick one up and judge for yourself. It is the same with anything in life don't accept other people's opinions or what you read in the papers etc. Look into everything with an open and enquiring mind.

Teach Christianity - 05-09-05 18:12

by: Moonflower

Poppet.. i have read parts of the bible thank you.. for curiosity sake in my younger years, after I put it down, I never bothered picking it up again.

you mentioned that each person should have the right to choose... where is that choice for the children when it is fed to them through schools? Doesnt seem like they have a lot of choice in the matter.

As for your comments about paganism.. you can teach a child values about nature and respecting plants and animals... you dont have to try and make them believe about set gods or goddesses, as with any religion.. it is the ethics of the matter. Hearing about religions is one thing.. having it preached to you is a different matter, and that is the matter I am on about.

You also mentioned about reading a book when younger that you feel harmed you, and think I understand what you are trying to say.. but at the end of the day.. let children know about religions when they are in junior schools.. but they need to stop dictating to children that 'god exists, god created the world, blah de blah'

I have a very open and enquiring mind.. I believe in the possibility of anything.. I have my personal beliefs with that also, which does not believe in any god, which does believe in an afterlife and spirit communication due to experience, psychic phemominon etc etc.. but I am not naieve enough to know that my views are totally right and everyone who believs different is wrong, I am aware that anything is possible. I respect others views, and would ask them to do the same... assuming that everyone should believe the same thing is wrong, and pushing personal ways of thinking on children is wrong... when people do things like that to adults it is classed as brainwashing, yet they let people still do it to our children!

Please dont assume that because you experiences your views with religion that every child will do the same.. children are impressionable, and the less fairy tales they have put in their heads and told they are true the better.

I do have one question for all of you who do believe and feel it should be taught in schools(ie collective worship style) You have heard those opposed to the idea, and why we dont want it... I would like to know what reasons you have for wanting your christian beliefs put upon children who dont follow that faith? I want to know why all children should be taught this like it is fact, I want to know why some of you feel that creationism ough to be taught as fact insted of all scientific evidence of evolution, I want to know what is wrong with the humanist approach.. I want to know why all of you feel your views are better than everyone elses.. after all.. that is what it comes down to isnt it..you dont need to preach religion, any religion to intill common decency and respect in children, so why force one religion on them?

Teach Christianity - 06-09-05 17:07

by: scarlett

religion has no place in schools or nurseries. if parents want to bring their child up to believe in their choice of religion then it should be taught at home.

however, we celebrate and welcome different festivals, cultures, food, activities from all differente faiths and cultures, i just dont think religion has a place in the early years education.

you cant tell children that 1 religion is right, because the parents are all different faiths (or not).