Although I am an atheist and my wife an agnostic, we decided that the local Church of England state primary school (US: public school) was the best local choice for our two sons now aged 7 ("W") and 10 ("T"). We applied for the elder child, stating our religious views (or rather lack thereof!) very clearly, and were pleased when he was accepted; followed a few years later by his brother. We have always explained to our children that what they believe must be their choice, and we have been careful not to try and influence them. Today, however I saw something which I found disturbing. "T"'s teacher had put on the wall a large cut-out figure of Jesus, with the title "QUESTIONS FOR JESUS" above it. On its left were pieces of paper each with a question written by a child. Fair enough. But on the right each child had written reasons WHY they believed in Jesus. They varied from "because he died for me" to "because my Mum lost her ring, prayed and then found it". Not one expressed doubt. I asked "T" what would have happened if a child had not believed in Jesus (he's currently something of an agnostic), and he said that he wasn't sure. I asked him what he had written, and he said that he couldn't remember, but that his teacher had suggested his reasons to him. It looks to me as if the teacher has ASSUMED that each child believes in Jesus (not necessarily the case, as the school has by law to accommodate a number of children from non-Christian families) and is putting words into their mouths. It would certainly upset the cosy wall-display to have a dissenting voice on a scroll next to the figure of Jesus. "Why do you believe in Jesus?" is not the right question for a teacher to ask in ANY school - "Do you believe in Jesus, and why?" is surely a fairer question.
MY question: is this behaviour legal in the UK or has the teacher overstepped the mark in this case?
MY question: is this behaviour legal in the UK or has the teacher overstepped the mark in this case?
Communication is everything
