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Not funding faith schools>
I don't think we should stop funding faith schools. I don't think 'faith' or religion in themselves are the problem. Infact I think it is essential we don't lose touch with old texts like the bible and the koran which are the basis, directly or indirectly, of alot of modern thinking. I know many people, myself included, who were educated in a religious environment went on to be atheists, or agnostics, with a healthy understanding of that with which they disagree. Hate speech can happen at any institution.
The northern Ireland and Irish Atheists make a point of it to connect with faith groups that share goals or just to mix.
Yes, this is definitely something to aspire to. Alot of young, liberal, metropolitan people in the circles I move in take a dismissive attitude toward religion, which helps no-one.
William.-
Faith schools lead to segregation and therefore are a problem, see Northern Ireland. Selection is based on the religion parents give their kids (it's not that you can choose) leading to kids being segregated from a very young ago.
Secular education on religion including everyone's festivals (sugar fest, lent, easter, christmas etc.) yes please.
Living in Northern Ireland I see the toxic influence of religion. DESPITE most people of course not being bigots it skews public policy and leads to bad sex-ed, shaming of LGBT people and women and a lot of other issues.
We have creationism in schools. What rot! And those things unfortunately come from religion.
Despite any religion having moderate streams (the Islamic world used to be a world leader in science hundreds of years ago until a regressive doctrine took over, Protestantism also fosters some origins of scientific thought) the nasty dumb ones take over. And again the Tories let it happen with their "education" minister.
However, we are all entitled to our beliefs and I see a lot of stereotyping which helps absolutely nobody. I probably have more in common though with a left liberal secular muslim than a right wing gun toting atheist... :)
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Why should faith schools be funded? It is incredible to me that we have systems and institutions in place to reinforce segregation at such a young age.
JWestland
salmonchild
Not funding faith schools is a start the National secular society and British humanists had some worrying news on those.
Other than that we have to mix and that's not easy. I mix mostly with work, which is diverse but I'd need to go out and go to multicultural group meetings otherwise. We all easily get stuck with ppl "like us" :)
The northern Ireland and Irish Atheists make a point of it to connect with faith groups that share goals or just to mix.