Church and Schools

[flip_flop]

I went to church yesterday.

I don't believe in god, but I do find it fascinating how people who appear to be normal intelligent people can believe in something as absurd as a greater being.

I went to church because we have had to start playing the game of pretending we are good church-going people to ensure our kids get into a decent school.

In my town, there is just one school that is not linked to a church and this is miles away, and as a firm believer that children should walk to school, this school is out of the question.

The nearest school, a 5 minute walk away, gives preference to church goers first, which must be supported by a letter from the vicar.

This is an absurd situation, isn't it?

Is discrimination on religious grounds illegal?

[jno]

The real problem seems not to be the church's principles but your own. You don't believe in kids taking a bus. You don't believe in God. You have apparently not got any principle that forbids lying and deceit, however, so you've gone for that one.

[flip_flop]

Semantics

You see it as lying and deceit, zeuhl sees it as hypocrisy and cowardice(?), whereas I see it as an act of trying to do my best for my kids and is therefore done from a position of love and devotion.

[ummmm]

I think most people in 'real' life would agree with you.

[Quinlad]

So much love and devotion, you can't be bothered to drive for 15 minutes in the morning.

[ummmm]

Face to face we wouldn't be having this argument. We're much more understanding when talking to a person we can see.

[modeller]

I have been following this thread with interest and the basic problem seems to be whether or not nowadays faith schools should exist at all. I should point out that not all faith schools are successful any way. If all schools were secular they could be judged purely by their educational ability. Historically most faith schools are in rural areas and the next nearest school would be in the next village. I can remember going to a faith school because thats where every child went . It had nothing to do with a particular faith.

[modeller]

I forgot to mention that I live in an area where we have , Muslim, Sikh , C of E, Catholic, and Secular schools. Can anything be more divisive ?

[TCL-MUMPING]

"You see it as lying and deceit, zeuhl sees it as hypocrisy and cowardice(?), whereas I see it as an act of trying to do my best for my kids and is therefore done from a position of love and devotion. "

All that love and devotion but you or your wife can not spare time for a fifteen minute car journey to a different school.

[ummmm]

Zeuhl.....I didn't say I agreed with him.

[flip_flop]

15 minutes at best, but as previously indicated most likely more.

In all liklihood probably about 30 minutes - an hour a day being bundled up in a car.

Or, a five to ten minute walk in the fresh air to the local school. Stress and hassle free and good for them.

I know what's best for my kids TCL and its the second option.

[TCL-MUMPING]

Dishonesty is the best policy then?

[flip_flop]

Walking to the local school is better for them than being driven in a car for up to an hour a day.

Is that really so hard to understand?

I'm playing the system to my advantage - I'm not breaking any laws or rules and am therefore doing no wrong.

[TCL-MUMPING]

The post was not about having to travel so far to a school but the need to be deceitful in order to convince a minister that you are "good church-going people" and the influence the church has. It would be interesting to know the questions the school asks about the attendance at church.

How many schools are in this area by the way?