Freethinking - epetition reply
29 June 2007
We received a petition asking:
"We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Make it illegal to indoctrinate or define children by religion before the age of 16."
Details of Petition:
"In order to encourage free thinking, children should not be subjected to any regular religious teaching or be allowed to be defined as belonging to a particular religious group based on the views of their parents or guardians. At the age of 16, as with other laws, they would then be considered old enough and educated enough to form their own opinion and follow any particular religion (or none at all) through free thought."
Read the Government's response
The Government remains committed to the provision of Religious Education (RE) in schools and recognises its valuable contribution to the spiritual, moral and social development of pupils.
RE in schools aims to develop pupils' understanding of the role and significance of religion in the modern world and the important beliefs and values that shape it. It equips pupils with the knowledge they need to make informed choices about religion.
The National Framework for Religious Education, which was introduced in 2004, provides that pupils should learn about Christianity and the other principal religions represented in the UK. The framework places inclusion, tolerance, diversity and interfaith dialogue at the heart of children's learning.
The Government believes it is important that children in all our schools learn respect and tolerance for the views, faiths and cultures of others.
The Government also respects the right of parents to raise their children in accordance with their own faith and this is why parents have the right to withdraw their children from all or any part of RE.
Further Information
PM's Biography