Were religious activities compulsory at you school?

Question

When I was at primary school we had a religious assembly withn hymns and prayers every single day. It was a state run county primary school.
At secondary school we had one religious assembly per week and GCSE religious studies was compulsory - BUT this was a Church of England school so this was to be expected.
How much religion were you exposed to at school - and do you think it is fair when kids are made to pray and sing hymns at state run schools? Do primary schools have daily religious assemblies these days?
Do you have any other thoughts on religion in schools?

At primary school we were only taught Christianitity and although I think daily worship was not compulsory per se I don't ever remember a single kid opting out of it. We had a large school too - 2 classes of 30 per year (grade).
At secondary school, a Church of England school many people opted out of worship activities. We learnt about Judaism, Islam, Hinduism and Christianity in religious education classes, and if I had taken A-level we would have studied Sikhism.

Answer 1

in the UK there is a lawful requirement of schools for children under the age of 18 to recieve 5% of their weekly time table as Religious education this is compulsory but parents can ask for their child to be 'opted out'.

Religious education is education about religion not indoctrination. in that it covers 6 major world faiths.

however schools also have a requirement to provide a morning assembly either with a spiritual feel/message. how the school interprets this is somewhat open....

IMO I feel RE is a good thing, it encourages empathy and a basic knowledge of other religions, I think Assemblies are a good thing, not sure they need to be religious though tbh.

Answer 2

I went to elementary school in South Carolina. Most people in the town I lived in were Christians, so we did have religious activity in school. However, it was voluntary. There were some students whose parents didn't want these things taught to their children, so there was something set aside for them.
Even though church and state are supposed to be "separate", I had no problem with it (still don't) because it wasn't FORCED on the students. We learned about evolution as well. I thought it was very balanced. As it should be.
However, when I moved to California, and then to Washington State, the schools were completely secular.
I simply believe that if evolution is going to be taught, religion should be as well. Consider the fact that many aspects of evolution have been disproven, and yet it is still taught as fact...that isn't science. It is a THEORY. It should be taught as such.

Answer 3

I'm surprised to hear this. I thought the UK was better at keeping Church and State separated than we (US) were.

I went to public schools all my life and no, there were never any religious assemblies. Howevere, we did have to say the pledge of allegiance every morning, which I thought was a bit fascist.

I believe all religion should be kept out of public schools. Religion is what you go to CHURCH for. And if parents really want their kid to learn about religious ideas while at school, they can opt for a private school.

Answer 4

My thought is--- Compare schools today to those that did expose religion to students 20 years ago. Kids today have no respect for anybody or anything. If you don't believe a certain way just tell your kids. I think my child(when ever she is in school) should not have to be exposed to non christian religion. Not believing is someone Else's religion not my family's, so what is the difference? Religion does not have to be christian. you can't take religion out of schools. because try and stop my child from praying over her food or even saying a prayer before a test. It can't be done!!!!! and when another child sees this,Oh my goodness they have been exposed!!

Answer 5

When I was in school we were given a new Bible every year, & we were allow to pray in school, I am from the USA. But all that has changed now because one woman protested it, There is some states that is trying to bring prayer back into schools, We do have a lot of Private schools, & we are given a choice, that we can home school our kids. I am a Graduate of High school in 1968. I have always said, when you take God out of something, that leaves a void, & a void has to be filled with something, so the devil moves in then, & our governments just can't figure out why there is so much crime rate rise in schools.

Answer 6

i could asked an analogous question, and that they suggested each and every so often it quite is like interior the flicks... yet i ask your self why.. in my college (India) you're extra probably to be customary in case you win prizes/medals in inter college fests/contests or take part in team making a track or dancing or maybe if.. And while you're solid academically you're extra customary.. it quite is all opposite in Indian faculties.. and that i contemplate whether human beings truly kiss interior the corridors like they show interior the Hollywood severe college video clips.. in India faculties are tremendously strict, you will get suspended for containing palms with somebody from the alternative intercourse, lol. Oh yeah we've canteens too and not cafeterias My college has a technology park, a rock backyard, a botanical backyard, a rain water harvesting device and a greenhouse. and a few statues showing the evolution of guy. it is so for the geeky human beings. yet i like it. we've 2 huge grounds and various timber too! It rocks. Edit: you will probably locate approximately 10 faculties throughout India the place you're actually not required to positioned on uniforms

Answer 7

Pledge of Alligience in elementary (primary) school, but I never really saw that as religious. I attended a Catholic school for one year, and we had to pray every morning and attend a grade-by-grade mass once a month. But, that is to be expected from a private school like that.

But, honestly, no. No religion, no quiet time, to prayers. I wasn't exposed to any religion in school.

Answer 8

Since I went to a fundamentalist christian school, yeah I had a bit of bible thumping done to me.

2 assemblies a week, morning prayer, and bible class with church history. I've had a bit of religion.

My thoughts? This will probably mess up someones head alot, no me, but alot of folks will be funny.

Answer 9

The separation from state and church is very important. religion belong in the private sector. the state has no business promoting that stuff. Be goo be nice

Answer 10

we had the Pledge of Allegiance when growing up and a period of
" quiet time " however there was no formal Prayer as such. so much has changed over the years in our culture and society am not certain what the rules and regulations are in school anymore.