Religious primary schools when you aren't religious? Your experiences?

[Nai]

I think you need to weigh up the pros - the value you place on the education, the sense of community, the innovative methods etc and the cons - the fact that they are learning about something that you don't necessarily believe in. If you can reconcile that then you have your answer - if not, then you have to look at the alternatives.

Also remember that not all people who attend religious schools end up being religious either. Your DS will eventually make up his own mind about his own beliefs regardless of where you send him or who tries to indoctrinate him.

[skybie]

i really really wanted to send DD1 to the lutheran near us. but at the end of the day we couldnt afford to send 3 possibly 4 kids to a private school.
The school was fantastic and i really wanted DD1 to have some sort of grasp on religion.
i was raised as a nothing (athiest i think its called?) and have absolutely zilch understanding of religion.i felt it wouild be a good way for her to learn about religion even if she chose not to practise.
The girls who took us around the school said it wasnt so much about learning religion as learn respect for others ect.
If you like the school and you're happy to have your DS learn about religion then i say go for it

[SammyRo]

we're looking at a catholic primary school for our 2, as it is in walking distance (a pre-requisite for us), its pretty cheap, and I've heard great things about it. Yes, it does have a component of religious education and church attendance as part of the school week, but from what I've heard its not full on, ram it down your throat kind of religion. Its more morals and ethics.

I attended a catholic high school, and I wasn't indoctrinated into the catholic faith, I wasn't convinced to give up my own belief, and in fact, I think I was encouraged to develop quite liberal view points. And the fact that it was Catholic didn't affect what was taught in other areas of the curriculum, including science. We did do religious education as a subject, but it looked at a wide range of religions, with no condescension towards them, and I found that it gave me a good moral and ethical understanding.

If you do your research, and visit the school, then I think you'll choose the right school for you and your LO, regardless of its religious stance.

[krysalyss]

Thanks guys you have all been really helpful. I went to playgroup today and got some other perspectives as well as quite a few mums go there so I got to hear the opinions of an atheist whose kid goes there, a mum who is lutheran but not very hardcore, and another who is quite devout and is also a teacher so gave me some good perspectives on the teachings there and the philosophies and I think it settled some of my concerns. So at this point we are still undecided but leaning towards the lutheran school. While DH was still leaning towards the state school I was considering how I would put my case to him about the lutheran one when his mum piped up about paying for school, and about it being religious which got him all indignant and pushed him most of the way without me doing anything! LOL Gotta love MILs!

[LuluHB]

DD1 started kindy at the private Christian school and DD2 will follow her there next year. The school is kindy to year 12 and while the teachers and admin staff are all religious (its a pre-requisite of their employment), children attending don't have to be practising Christians. There is quite a focus on religion even for 4 yr olds - they pray before recess and lunch, pray for friends if they're sick, learn about the bible etc. My DH and I have both been christened but neither of us are practising - not even close.

We chose the school because it offers superior education and facilities, together with enouraging a well-rounded approach to overall life - kids provide community service at local old age community etc. While none of my family attend church, we do live by basic Christian values so I don't believe our choice to send the kids to a Christian school is at all hypocritical.

[krysalyss]

While none of my family attend church, we do live by basic Christian values so I don't believe our choice to send the kids to a Christian school is at all hypocritical

Actually, when I was speaking to the teacher today a lot of principles and philosophies rang true to how we parent as well e.g. how they deal with conflict and relationships.