Backing socially corrosive policy?
I see Mr Hayes, President of Leicester Secular Society, continues with his offensive on faith in schools ("Catholic schools use their powers", Mailbox, March 26).
I have no reason to believe Mr Hayes is anything other than an honourable person, but as he uses his office of secular society president, to support his writings, I believe the readers are entitled to know whether he is pursuing a personal campaign and using his office for gravitas, or has Leicester Secular Society made a conscious policy decision to crusade against religious teaching in schools?
If it is the latter, an explanation of this socially corrosive policy, no doubt, must follow, as the society speaks on behalf of its members, which is a significant minority of Leicester's citizens.
Stephen A Warden, Wigston Magna.
2 Comments
by Danny, Narborough
Thursday, April 01 2010, 11:21AM
“Mr Warden makes the mistake many religious people do of relating a desire not to teach any particular religious belief in schools with "social corrosion".
I am not a member of the secular society but agree with them that morals and good behaviour should be taught in school, but without indoctrination by any particular religion.
Indeed, I would argue that it is this that is "socially corrosive" as it teaches that their faith group is different/special/better than others simply because of the deity they believe in. Not exactly helping us all to live together as one happy family, is it.”
by John Dale, Narborough
Thursday, April 01 2010, 10:26AM
“Mr Warden seems to be reading more into Mr Hayes' letter than I could see printed.
I cannot speak for Mr Hayes, but I would be most surprised if he was "against religious teaching in schools". I would imagine he is actually against religious indoctrination in schools - especially where funded by the state.
The teaching of comparative religion is necessary in a global economy in order to understand the motivations of religious people. I am personally, and every secularist I've ever met is, in favour of this. What I strongly oppose, and is the real "socially corrosive policy", is the indoctrination of children into one specific religion, whilst neglecting to educate them about the wide variety of other (incompatible) religions.
The state support of so called "faith schools" is not only utterly discriminatory, but also incredibly short sighted when looking at social cohesion.”