Why should religion have any influence on our lives?

[Michael B]

End of.

Except what you miss all through all of your reply, is that the only "End of" there is is that the demand of the secularists to ban state-funded faith schools is contrary to the wishes of people (we tax payers) who both fund and choose the schools. In the UK we have democracy and choice, and I celebrate the freedom we have. You want to suppress that freedom, whereas I can happily celebrate the freedom we have. The schools parents want attract pupils and the government money follows that - it's simple and popular (apart from for those who want strong central state control of schooling).

Now I'm older, and our children have been through schooling (and it was brilliant, we were really thrilled with all the schools, and the vast majority of the teachers), and so I don't have so much of a dog in this race any more. I really appreciated the choices we had, and what I want for the next generation of young parents coming through is that same freedom of choice that we had. If they (and that includes you) all choose non-faith schools, then so-be-it: I would not begrudge them the choice we had as parents just because they make different choices, and I am happy to pay for the type of schools they want for their children. But, while I have any say, then I will continue to support local freedom and choice in education, so that people, in their own communities, can make their own choices in what is one of the most important things for anyone - the upbringing and education of their children. I want parents to continue to be able to choose for themselves (or indeed the children could choose, once they have sufficient maturity), not to have secularists think that they can choose so much better for other people's children. So, I respect your right to make choices for your children (more than respect it - I very much want you to have that choice), but when you want to stick your nose into the choices others of us make then I will gently tweak your nose and tell you that I'm quite able to make my own choices, but thank you for your concern anyway.

Things can always be better, but I am generally really proud of the education system we have in the UK, and that includes the pluralistic aspect to it; we have a diversity and freedom of education that matches the diversity and freedom of our society, and I'm proud of that as a Brit.

End of