How do they teach religion at your chidren's state school?

[Bathsheba]

Hi, I know you specified public schools but I thought I'd mention that even if you send your child to a private school of a particular denomination they still may teach about all religions. My DD has attended 2 Anglican schools and both have taught about all the world's major religions. I think this is great We attend a Uniting Church (Christian) on Sundays and even there the minister teaches a little about other religions... he tells the congregation about significant religious days for Jewish, Buddist faiths each on a regular basis. I think this is really important. It really fosters tolerance and understanding.

[Heaven]

I went to an Anglican Private school. We had prayer in homeroom and prayers and hymns during assembly but in religion class we learnt about all the major religions of the world.

[Bathsheba]

That sounds similar to what my DD has SJ. I think it's great. When I was a child in the 1970's public schools where I lived still taught some prayers like the Lord's Prayer (Our Father who art in Heaven...) and a little prayer of grace said before eating (Thank you God for the food we eat...) I still remember them to this day. Things you learn as a child really stick hey? In times of stress I sometimes say the Lord's Prayer to myself... it helps to calm me down. I hope that my children will learn a few off by heart too.

[Heaven]

I really liked it too. And I'm like you, still remember them by heart. I often say the lords prayer.

[Tam78]

I'm a trained Primary teacher although now a SAHM, Most of the state schools I taught in had RE and it was always run by local churches, most were christian but others were JW's or muslims I think it depends on the churches in the area and whether they consider it an important thing to give their time to.

[robbo3]

My DS's school (public) has religion for 1 hour a week. They have Christian and Catholic, they are run by the local churches. I don't like the idea of someone else (especially someone untrained or focused on their particular faith) teaching my child about religion.

I am aiming to teach him a broader range of RELIGIONS/FAITHS rather then a specific denomination, iykwim. Both DH and myself are non religious.

So obviously my DS does not attend school scripture....he has supervised free time with some other non scripture kids, where they do puzzles, draw etc.

[Kitt3n]

My DD's Public School has scripture - Catholic, Prodestant, Hindu, Buddhism and a couple of others ( i really cant remember which ones!! )

Each year, at the beginning of the year they are required to select one scripture for the year and stick with it. So far she has done Prodestant, Buddhism and this year she is doing Catholic. Next year will be Hindu.

This is one of the main reasons that i love her school.

We are not religious but i think it is very important for her to be exposed to as many religions as possible so that if she does decide to follow any religions when she grows up she will be unbiased in her selection.