Representatives of faith groups in Bracknell have debated the merits of including non faith worldviews into religious education teaching in schools.
Members of various faiths in Bracknell met virtually to discuss whether people of no faith should be included in debates over teaching religious education.
The discussion was held by Bracknell Forest Council’s Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE).
A number of religions various forms in Christianity, including Catholics, the Church of England and non-denominational groups.
Members debated whether representatives of the Humanists and the Bahá’í faith should be included as full members of the SACRE council, thus having input on how religious education is taught.
Humanism is an atheist philosophy with a focus on morality, betterment and happiness in the absence of God or a higher spiritual being.
Meanwhile, adherents of the Bahá’í faith believe in the essential worth of all religions and the unity of all peoples.
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The Bahai’i faith was founded in Persia (modern Iran) in the 1800s and has its biggest places of worship at The Lotus Temple in New Dehli, India and the Bahá’í World Centre in Haifa, Israel.
The inclusion of Humanists and Bahá’ísts was debated by SACRE as the religious education syllabus is under review.
There were concerns about the inclusion of Humanists as they are not a definitive religion.
Councillor Alvin Finch (Conservative, Priestwood and Garth) said: “It’s an awkward one, and it’s a bit chicken and egg with the syllabus review coming up.
“I’m not really that comfortable with a non religious part being in the group, it seems difficult if the syllabus is going to change, maybe we should see what the changes are.
“I’m somewhat uncomfortable with the situation as it is, Bahá’í joining I think is fine, because we’re then talking about another religion coming in.”
Ron Bailey, from the New Covenant Church near Bracknell town centre, said: “My initial reactions are that I’m uncomfortable with this but I would not oppose it.
“The reason I am uncomfortable is humanism has a forward facing impression of being anti-religious and wanting to undermine religion, and I’m not sure that will help in working together.”
Mr Bailey raised fears that Humanists could have a ‘hidden agenda’ to steer religious education from an atheist perspective.
Defending the inclusion of Humanists, Mrs Andrews Anne Andrews, the Church of England (CofE) Diocese of Oxford advisor said: “Yesterday I was in a CofE school where the head of religious education is a member of Humanists UK and is in quite high standing in Humanists UK and is absolutely committed to the teaching of high quality religious education, so I don’t think that is the agenda.”
She conceded some Humanists do have an agenda, but admitted that some Christians have an agenda to seek to convert pupils as well.
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Ossie Anderson-Peled, a representative of the Jewish community, said: “We’re talking about children who are not necessarily engaged with religion, and a very important part of religion is an ethical framework, so I really think it’s important that children see an alternative ethical framework that isn’t necessaries about a deity.”
Currently, Humanists and Bahá’ísts are ‘co-opted’ attendees of the meeting, meaning they are consulted but do not hold permanent positions on SACRE.
The co-opted members were Kathy Hadfield from the Bahai’i faith and Alan Montgomery representing Humanism.
Mr Montgomery said: “The core moral value in Humanism would be very familiar to all of you, which is ‘do as they would be done by.’
“I want you to respect my views, and I would therefore be respecting your views, that’s it.”
Ultimately, SACRE agreed to include the Humanists and Bahai’ists as full members.
Kathy Hadfield and Mr Montgomery must now be elected by their organisations to represent them on Bracknell Forest Council’s SACRE.
The decision was made at the meeting on Wednesday, March 15.
The religious education syllabus review is being undertaken this year (2023) as it was last updated back in 2018.
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