Tod’s Story

Dear fellow parents,

My 5 year old has started school this year and attends SRE classes, as do all but one child in his class. We are not raising him with a faith, but do not wish for him to be picked on for not attending, as other children have been at his school. We do not mind him having some introduction to Christian ideas, as it is the dominant religion in this country.

However, the religious instruction he is receiving is inappropriate. The teaching at his school is done by Baptists only, reflecting the beliefs of the headmaster. Christian concepts are presented as facts, just as if it were the 3 r’s. There is no discussion of other faiths at all.

I feel that there is an urgent need for an alternative class at the time SRE is held. Contrary to opinions expressed by some of the churches, these classes should be open to any child at their parent’s discretion, not just those that do not attend SRE. Many parents like me would move their child to the ethics class. An assumption that parents who send their kids to SRE would not consider an alternative, and should not even have it offered, is grossly untrue. This is nothing more or less than the churches trying to maintain their hold on young impressionable minds at a time when they do not question what is known and what is taken on faith.

Yours sincerely
Dr Tod Eggleton
Newcastle