Remove the statutory obligation in schools to provide a 'broadly Christian' daily assembly - petition

reposted from: http://www.pm.gov.uk/output/Page13797.asp
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Schoolassembly - epetition reply

20 November 2007

We received a petition asking:

"We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Remove the statutory obligation in schools to provide a 'broadly Christian' daily assembly."

Details of Petition:

"Religious observance in schools is divisive, especially when the obligation is exclusively to the Christian faith. The link between state education and religious observance should be removed completely allowing atheists and those of other faiths to participate in school life on an equal basis. Allowing an individual to "opt out" is not sufficient as this categorises and potentially stigmatises children. Furthermore in rural areas often ONLY faith schools are available locally. This discriminates against non-religious children and teachers (who often can't be employed without religious hypocrisy) and those of other faiths."

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Read the Government's response

The Government believes that Collective Worship stimulates thinking and encourages pupils to learn about Christianity as well other religions and belief systems, nurturing respect and tolerance. It also offers schools a unique opportunity to develop their particular ethos and set of shared values.

All maintained schools are required to carry out a daily act of Collective Worship of a broadly Christian nature for all pupils. This reflects the religious tradition of this country. For schools where this is not appropriate the head teacher can apply to the local authority to have it lifted so that the Collective Worship in that school does not have to be of a Christian nature.

Every parent has the right to withdraw their child from Collective Worship and we believe this is important. In addition, from 1 September 2007, a new clause in the 2006 Education and Inspections Act came into force which gives students over the age of 16 the right to opt out of collective worship, without parental consent.

The Department for Children, Schools and Families will be updating their guidance for schools on Collective Worship to ensure that schools are aware of these issues.

In rural areas, Church of England schools have traditionally seen their role as catering for all the children in an area and admission arrangements for church primary schools in rural areas make no distinction amongst pupils.

petition the Prime Minister to Scrap traditional Religious Education in schools and replace with Anthropological studies

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We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Scrap traditional Religious Education in schools and replace with Anthropological studies. More details

Submitted by C. F. Still – Deadline to sign up by: 23 March 2008 – Signatures: 55

More details from petition creator

Anthropology is the cultural and physical/biological study of man and human populations. Teaching this would promote religious and cultural awareness without bias. Lesson plans should/could consider and incorporate demographic (population characteristics). Our society is now hugely multicultural, education should reflect this.

petition the Prime Minister to make religious education in all schools compulsory

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We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to make religious education in all schools compulsory.

Submitted by Helen Bond – Deadline to sign up by: 27 November 2007 – Signatures: 55

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We believe that a lot of religious based violence and bullying could be stopped if children were educated on the morals, customs and ethics of all the world's religions instead of having their education in that direction left at the mercy of unfair stereotypes. People are afraid of what they do not understand, religious education would provide understanding and encourage tolerance

reposted from: PM
my: highlights / emphasis / key points / comments

petition the Prime Minister to Remove the statutory obligation in schools to provide a 'broadly Christian' daily assembly

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We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Remove the statutory obligation in schools to provide a 'broadly Christian' daily assembly.

Submitted by Carol Haynes – Deadline to sign up by: 17 September 2007 – Signatures: 90

More details from petition creator

Religious observance in schools is divisive, especially when the obligation is exclusively to the Christian faith.

The link between state education and religious observance should be removed completely allowing atheists and those of other faiths to participate in school life on an equal basis.

Allowing an individual to "opt out" is not sufficient as this categorises and potentially stigmatises children.

Furthermore in rural areas often ONLY faith schools are available locally. This discriminates against non-religious children and teachers (who often can't be employed without religious hypocrisy) and those of other faiths.

reposted from: PM
my: highlights / emphasis / key points / comments

petition the Prime Minister to Outlaw in full all aspects of religion, religious education, publications, establishments and groups within the UK

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We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Outlaw in full all aspects of religion, religious education, publications, establishments and groups within the United Kingdom.

Submitted by Jason Higginbotham

More details from petition creator

To remove the chorosive influence of religions in society; from the denial of scientific fact to the enforced marriages and genital mutilation that often occur. To create an atheist society based around scientific endeavour and minds free from superstition. As everyone is essentially born atheist, there should be no opportunity for schools, institusions, parents or anyone else from forcing their unproven and unprovable beliefs down anyones throats.

Petition Rejected

This petition has been rejected because:

• It was similar to and/or overlaps with an existing petition or petitions

Additional information about this rejection:
This petition is very similar to several others http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/abolishreligion/ http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Religions/ http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/endfaithschools/ Please consider signing one of those, rather than setting up your own.

reposted from: PM - petition rejected
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petition the Prime Minister to protect the theory of creation as a viable alternative to the big bang theory in educational establishments

We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to protect the theory of creation as a viable alternative to the big bang theory in educational establishments.

Submitted by Helen Gerling

More details from petition creator

In opposition to petitions such as those which request the removal of religious study or the teaching of Creationism in schools, we request that the Prime Minister protect, for future generations, the theory of Creation. This theory is as scientifically and philosophically viable as the Big Bang theory or the theory of Evolution and should be treated as such in schools. This would help prevent the uninformed intolerance of alternative scientific viewpoints and encourage the openness that drives scientific discovery forwards. Such an official protection would also encourage people to understand that religion is not necessarily negated by science and that following a religion does not, in itself, mean that an individual is ignorant or irrational.

Petition Rejected

This petition has been rejected because:

• It was similar to and/or overlaps with an existing petition or petitions

Additional information about this rejection:
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/beliefs/ While not exactly identical to this petition it is similar, as it is on the same issue and with the same goal. We are trying to avoid duplication as this has been requested by users, both so they can access the petitions more easily and so the signatures are not dilluted among multiple petitions.

reposted from: PM - Rejected Petition
my: highlights / emphasis / key points / comments

petition the Prime Minister to Ban all Faith Schools

We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Ban all Faith Schools.

Submitted by Alan Twiss of none

More details from petition creator

It would appear that children have no human rights when it comes to religion. They are brainwashed into religion at faith schools and have no redress against such. All children should have an education that incorporates generalizations on all religions as well as agnostic arguments against them.It is also important to tell them why people need, or do not need such beliefs thereby giving them a more rounded view of others. Let children make their own minds up as to which religion is for them when they are more informed and old enough to comprehend. Create academic NOT religious schools.

This petition has been rejected because:

• It was similar to and/or overlaps with an existing petition or petitions

Additional information about this rejection:
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/faithschools/
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/imarekab/

reposted from: PM - Rejected due to duplicate
my: highlights / emphasis / key points / comments

petition the Prime Minister to Remove Charles Darwin from being considered a respected individual

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We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Remove Charles Darwin from being considered a respected individual. More details

Submitted by ELIZABETH FISHER

More details from petition creator

1. Remove the picture of the extremely racist Charles Darwin from the £10 note AND 2. If this country is not a racist country, let us rid ourselves of the religious (firmly held belief) filth of Darwins teachings! Do not teach his arrogant and UNSCIENTIFIC theology (his god was himself) in our schools and misname it as "science." If we teach Evolution, we should teach other (and more plauseable possibilities - i.e. Intelligen Design) beliefs.

Let us not forget that "race" is a made-up concept anyway. We should run away at full speed from any thing that has encouraged the actions of Adolf Hitler!

Petition Rejected

This petition has been rejected because:

• It contained language which is offensive, intemperate, or provocative

Additional information about this rejection:

reposted from: PM - Petition REJECTED!
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petition the Prime Minister to promote science & engineering in schools

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This petition is now closed, as its deadline has passed.

We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to promote science & engineering in schools.

Submitted by David Morton – Deadline to sign up by: 21 March 2007 – Signatures: 37

More details from petition creator

To promote science & engineering in schools by all possible means. Science & engineering is the surest way to boost a country's economy long term and sigificantly improve living standards. This means compulsory science subjects and maths at school with extra funding for science departments. Public awareness advertising of science graduates wages and job prospects compared to non-science subjects. Industry needs more workers trained in science, engineering & maths. We need to supply these workers to them to keep the UK competitive and prosperous.

reposted from: PM - petition now closed
my: highlights / emphasis / key points / comments

petition the Prime Minister to remove collective worship in schools

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This petition is now closed, as its deadline has passed.

We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to remove collective worship in schools.

Submitted by Phillipa Smith – Deadline to sign up by: 08 April 2007 – Signatures: 277

More details from petition creator

The law that requires daily acts of collective worship is outdated, and against the human rights of the child to have an education free from religious indoctrination.

In collective worship there is no equality for all, no adequate provisions for those wishing to opt out of it, and it discriminated against those particularly with no faith. It also breaches equal rights.

Religious practice is not education, it is faith, and should be kept seperate from an educational environment.

reposted from: PM (Petition now closed)
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petition the Prime Minister to withdraw all funding from religious schools

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We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to withdraw all funding from religious schools.

Submitted by K. R. Hose – Deadline to sign up by: 12 February 2008 – Signatures: 154

More details from petition creator

Religion is divisive. Whereas all should have the right to sponsor institutions of whatever type from their own funds, public money should not be used to support them.

reposted from: PM - Sign here
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petition the Prime Minister to make Philosophy and critical thinking a/the central part of the educational system

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We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to make Philosophy and critical thinking a/the central part of the educational system (from early infancy onwards) alongside Maths, English and Science in order to both raise the abilities of students (as has been demonstrated, see more details) and to aid in solving many issues including those that are currently referred to as pertaining to 'tolerance'. More details

Submitted by Shiro OTA – Deadline to sign up by: 05 February 2008 – Signatures: 248

More details from petition creator

It has been demonstrated that the teaching of Philosophy can raise the academic results of children (Buranda State School Showcase 2003 Submission Form). As well as this, the ability to critically analyse situations and claims protects one from brainwashing, undue appeal to authority and argumentative fallacy. For these reasons, and their positive consequences, let us move Philosophy and critical thinking into the centre of British education.

reposted from: PM
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petition the Prime Minister to Ensure Evolution-based Science is taught in Schools and NOT Creationism.

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We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Ensure Evolution-based Science is taught in Schools and NOT Creationism. More details

Submitted by Richard Painter of none – Deadline to sign up by: 16 January 2008 – Signatures: 265

More details from petition creator

It is generally accepted that the Theory of Evolution - with some extensions and qualifications - is the best explanation for the variety, extent and development of life on earth. Nonetheless there are those who, on the basis of religious faith, are intent on exposing school children to ideas such as creationism, so-called "Intelligent Design" and other varieties of religious dogma for which there is no scientific or factual basis. Some schools are teaching such creationism as "fact" or undermining the scientific theories by promoting doubt and highlighting any shortcomings whilst suggesting that creationism be accepted as an article of faith despite the lack of factual or evidentiary support. This petition calls for the latter views to be clearly categorised as "religious beliefs" and that in science classes, the predominance of the scientifically-based, evolutionary hypothesis be advanced as the generally accepted and most likely to be true.

reposted from: PM
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petition the Prime Minister to Protect the teaching of creationism and other religious beliefs in all schools.

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We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Protect the teaching of creationism and other religious beliefs in all schools. More details

Submitted by B Stanley – Deadline to sign up by: 18 December 2007 – Signatures: 592

More details from petition creator

All major religions should be taught in schools so that our multi-cultural society can be preserved. Children need to learn about other religions so that they can have an understanding of the society in which they live. This is not indoctrination!

petition the Prime Minister to cease the creation of more faith schools ...

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We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to cease the creation of more faith schools, take existing public-funded faith schools from the control of religious bodies and convert them to unbiased schools for all. More details

Submitted by Allan Hayes – Deadline to sign up by: 18 December 2007 – Signatures: 1,028

More details from petition creator

One third of our state schools are controlled by the Church of England (with one quarter) and the Catholic Church.

Whatever contribution to education these schools make, the churches are also using them to promote their own interests.

The present government policy of not just accepting this but of promoting the creation of more Christian schools and responding to the understandable demands from other religions for fair treatment is leading towards serious religious, racial and social division.

We face the prospect of over half our state schools being controlled for admissions, employment and ethos by non-accountable religious bodies with their own agendas.

Faith schools are not gifts from the religions: all wages and salaries and almost all building costs come out of taxes.

The changes should cause no disruption to the educational performance of the schools since most staff could remain in post.

reposted from: PM
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petition the Prime Minister to ban within government-funded schools the promotion or practice of any particular faith or religion.

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We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to ban within government-funded schools the promotion or practice of any particular faith or religion.

Submitted by Quentin Brodie Cooper of UK Brights – Deadline to sign up by: 16 May 2007 – Signatures: 3,093

More details from petition creator

Faith-based or sect schools encourage and propagate divisions within our society.

Schools should be places where our children are taught to think about the world around them and come to their own conclusions. In short, they should be taught, not only about the profusion of religions and faiths but also about how moral and socially responsible lives can be led without them; rather than, at a time before they have sufficiently developed critical faculties, being indoctrinated.

reposted from: PM
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petition the Prime Minister to Abolish all faith schools and prohibit the teaching of creationism and other religious mythology in all UK schools

We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Abolish all faith schools and prohibit the teaching of creationism and other religious mythology in all UK schools.

Submitted by Nicola Holt – Deadline to sign up by: 15 November 2007 – Signatures: 13,602


More details from petition creator
Faith schools remove the rights of children to choose their own religious, philosophical and ethical beliefs. They also sanction ethnic segregation and create tension and divisiveness within society. Schools should be places where children are given a free education, not centres for indoctrination. Creationism and other religious myths should not be taught as fact regardless of the funding status of a school. Abolishing faith schools will provide children with more freedom of choice and help to promote a fully multi-cultural, peaceful society.

reposted from: PM Petitions
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support for faith schools Petition

We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to continue the support for faith schools and to ensure that in all schools the teaching of traditional ‘faith’ views of origins is included alongside the more recent scientific ‘theories’ which many scientists ‘believe’.

Submitted by Jonathan Curry – Deadline to sign up by: 29 June 2007 – Signatures: 17,223

More details from petition creator

Faith schools help to ensure that children develop mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually and morally. As such faith schools ensure children are well placed to choose their own religious, philosophical and ethical beliefs. Schools should be places where children are given a full education, not centres where the spiritual and moral is excluded. Evolution and other scientific theories should not be taught as fact but instead along side other ‘faith’ views of origins. Supporting faith schools will provide children with a fuller education, parents with the choice of such for their children and help to promote a fully multi-cultural and peaceful society.

petition the Prime Minister to Remove Christianity or any other organised religion from the legal process

Action: Petition

WASP recommend this petition to the PM

We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Remove Christianity or any other organised religion from the legal process and start the process of consigning them to the history books. More details

Submitted by Martin-Bacon – Deadline to sign up by: 29 June 2007 – Signatures: 214

More details from petition creator

Religion, or the organised worship of a mythical deity, is not only divisive, but dangerous and frankly immoral. While this country remains a nominal 'christian' state it is making a statement that is not supported by the vast majority of the population and is actively hated by many. Including a deity in the oath of allegience or legally binding oaths is illegal under European Human Rights legislation and therefore makes them null and void, imposing religious beliefs via said oaths is also illegal. Allowing high ranking members of cults such as the C of E to comment publicly on political and social issues must also be banned, they have nothing to offer beyond their own restricted agenda and are leading people down a sectarian path that is again, immoral. People must also be allowed to publicly, and of record, disassociate themselves from any religion without let or hinderance from said religion.

petition the Prime Minister to prevent the use of creationist and other pseudo-scientific propaganda in Government-funded schools

Petition here.

We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to prevent the use of creationist and other pseudo-scientific propaganda in Government-funded schools. More details

Submitted by James Rocks of 'Science, Just Science' Campaign – Deadline to sign up by: 31 May 2007 – Signatures: 1,286

More details from petition creator

The Prime Minister has recently spoken about the importance of science education in the UK. Creationism & Intelligent design are greatly featured in the media and are being used disingenuously to portray science & the theory or evolution as being in crisis when they are not. Moreover groups such as Truth in Science are targeting our nation's children and their science education with material that is not only non-scientific but have been rejected by the scientific community. These ideas therefore do not constitute science, cannot be considered scientific education and therefore do not belong in the nation's science classrooms.

Clarification from petition creator

http://tinyurl.com/3a3uux