Call for children as young as five to be taught humanism in RE lessons
The Religious Education Council for England and Wales has proposed that children as young as five should learn about humanism in schools as part of a new curriculum supported by the Government.
Report
The cirriculum, unveiled by the Council this week, proposes a number of changes to the current approach to Religious Education which it says will assist in “securing the future of RE in schools”.
It recommends that children should be taught about secular views as well as major world religions and minority groups, such as Jainism and Zoroastrianism.
It suggests further that children aged five should be encouraged to discuss why“some people pray every day, but others not at all”, and learn about the differences between humanist and Christian marriage.
Proportion
Andrea Minichiello Williams, CEO of Christian Concern, commented:
“Not all worldviews are the same and not all worldviews have had an equal impact on the formation of our nation’s institutions and values.
“These guidelines seem to assume that they have. Schools should be free to teach different views in the proportions they deem appropriate.
“Schools, in consultation with parents, should have the freedom to decide which views to focus on in their RE lessons.”
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