Is a Little Religion Too Much God?

These are great days for me. Almost everyday I find my preconceptions and beliefs challenged, my views and experiences broadened, my horizons looking more exciting.

Some Context…

I volunteer at a school. Like the esteemed Rat, I have decided on a career change and seek to become a teacher. Unlike our host, I am firmly in the Primary school camp.

So far I have spent on average one day a week, for a year, at a local Primary with various years and, I have to say, it has been brilliant!

Training to Teach?

If you want to become a teacher today, the impression given is that competition is fierce and every advantage should be sought.

Most course providers are looking for some teaching or classroom experience before letting you on the course. The real benefit, though, is for the open-eyed, open-eared and open-minded. Spending some time at a school gives you a very unembellished view of teaching.

With this in mind I have volunteered to talk to the 1st and 2nd year students at my Uni about the importance of getting classroom experience, and getting into the education establishment as an adult and as a potential employee, not just as a customer.

Religion in School?

One of the questions I will have to answer (it has come up before) is about the religious affiliation of the school.

It’s a Church of England Primary school in a small rural village. There are regular assemblies, which all have a religious theme (which can, in most cases, also be looked at in a secular light), and hymns and prayers are said in every one.

The signs of worship are gently spread across the school with most classrooms also having a small corner dedicated to Christian worship. The whole school has a prayer before lunch when in their classrooms. It appears to have regular visits from local clergy and has even been blessed with a visit from a Bishop.

There is relatively little for other religions or beliefs. As such there is no “time” set aside for these although, to be honest, on first glance it may not be in demand and I am sure the staff are more than professionally up to the challenge of accommodation. Still, the offer of a choice would be nice to see.

Oppression?

What is key is that none of this is oppressive.

While assemblies are compulsory, and unfortunately the singing within is for the pupils (I don’t), there is no compulsory head bowing and palm pressing for prayer. Indeed, some girls have a little arm dance at the end of lunchtime prayer. It appears that religious utterances in non-RE lessons are non-existent and religious behaviours are not used as a punishment stick or as an overt moral guideline.

At the risk of offending a very dear friend, I would rather religion played no part in the education of children other than as a studied aspect of human society or at a Sunday School at a church. The school I volunteer with has never once asked about my religious leanings, commented on my lack of participation in religious observances (including Easter service where I played a technical support role) and have made me, a mere untrained volunteer, feel welcome and valued every day.

And this will be my message to my fellow students: despite my atheism I have never felt uncomfortable or out of place in that school community. Indeed this has been a truly beneficial and wonderful life experience.

So, until the day when our education becomes truly secular, a little God is not going to harm anyone.