Currently all state funded schools in England and Wales are legally required to hold a daily act of worship of a ‘broadly Christian nature’.
It’s been reported that 42 schools have successfully applied to their local Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) board to opt out of the collective worship in the past three years, with many requesting to hold “multi-faith” assemblies instead.
Rev Steven Terry from the Accord Coalition for Inclusive Education told Premier it is culturally inappropriate to require children of all faiths and none to adhere to this law.
“I think this is very welcome news. I only wish that more schools were doing it.
“We live in an increasingly diverse society and to have a situation where we’re still required by law to offer a daily act of worship of a broadly Christian character is, I think increasingly inappropriate, given how many different cultures and different faiths systems are now represented in our society today.”
Terry was optimistic that Christianity still had a presence within schools but went on to say that an exposure to different beliefs provides a realistic and balanced education for children.
“We’re not taking Christianity out of the school place. By doing this, we’re certainly allotting it a proper place within the context of a multi faith community.
“One shouldn’t feel threatened as a Christian by having other…
… Read More
—
Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Premier Christianity News.