Compulsory Worship

[hmmm_tea]

Churches push for school worship

I really don't like the idea of compulsory worship in schools.

People should certainly be free to believe whatever they choose to believe and this doesn't fit with that. Yes, it's certainly a good thing for children to come into contact with religions (and good for it to be a range of religions - they need to be aware of the diverse range in modern culture).

However, they shouldn't be made to take part in any unless they specifically choose to do so.

Religion is an important part of modern life for many people, but it certainly should be kept separate from government and education.

Comments

[emperor]

The churches are actually trying to get schools to obey the existing rules, not change them. Whilst the church here has less influence than in the USA, we don't have a separation of church and state here, and parents may opt their children out of assemblies.

[edith-the-hutt.livejournal.com]

Some of us are rather pissed off about the existing rules as they are...

[hmmm-tea.livejournal.com]

The churches are actually trying to get schools to obey the existing rules

Yes, an the reason the rules aren't obeyed is because they are no longer reflective of modern british society. As I've already said faith is a matter of personal choice not government legislation. Any worship of any religion should be opt-in by the children NOT opt-out by the parents.

we don't have a separation of church and state here

Which is precisely my point. We should. We are no longer an entirely Christian nation, we cannot continue to be run on the assumption that we are.

[emperor]

I don't think we've ever assumed that *everyone* is a Christian. Even now, over 70% of people are, according to the 2001 census.

[ex-robhu.livejournal.com]

Given that do you think it's right that schools have to have religious worship?

[emperor]

Why should schoolchildren be denied the chance to worship with their peers at school, when there exists the possbility of opting out for the minority that want it?

[ex-robhu.livejournal.com]

Do you really think its the minority that don't want to worship?

[hmmm-tea.livejournal.com]

I've got no objection to there being opportunity for group worship. My objection lies in the fact it is presumed that everyone wants it unless they specifically opt-out and even then it's the parents that have to do the opting-out not the child in question!

Anything along those lines should be opt-in.

Besides, does worship have any meaning if the person worshipping doesn't believe in what they are doing?

[(Anonymous)]

In connecting the church and state there is a fundamental assumption that it is in everybody's best interest to do so.

over 70% of people are

Which means that there is probably a sizable portion who aren't...

[ex-robhu.livejournal.com]

Agreed but what is shocking (or not depending on your POV) is that churches would immorally push thie religion on children.

[ex-robhu.livejournal.com]

What is spirituality?

[ex-robhu.livejournal.com]

Do you think there should be a separation fo the church and the state?

[emperor]

I am undecided on the matter.

[beatnikbetty.livejournal.com]

exactly!
this is an issue that my organization deals with:
www.au.org
Americans United for Separation of Church and State

[(Anonymous)]

Weren't religions originally providing a social purpose in providing rules for social living? It is man's later re-interpretation of those rules that have proved problematical, and the alarming things is all sides are convinced that they are right.
Having to opt in should be the rule, but then I'd never have had the pleasure of singing in the chapel choir.