Education: End the Religous Divide

Accord: it's a Good Thing.

It's simply a campaign aiming to ensure that faith schools cannot discriminate against non members of that faith when considering admissions or employment applications.

This is my idea of a secular society. I don't care if people of faith manage schools as long as they don't prevent my children going to them, stop my friends being employed in them or teach the kids unbalanced stuff about religion, science or personal relationships. & I'm happy to say lots of religious people agree, as well as atheists and agnostics.

Now they need your help. In the coming weeks the government is bringing forward its Equality Bill, many of whose clauses directly affect the issue of inclusivity and exclusivity in education. Accord's aim is to make sure that it removes the exemptions that allow faith schools to discriminate in their admissions, curriculum and employment practices.

They need as many supporters as they can get. Join their list of supporters by registering here for regular email updates and campaign news. & do post it on your own blog if you have one.

Are We Of One Accord?

I've always felt a bit ambivalent about militant atheists like Dawkins and Hitchens. Basically I agree with them but they seem to be fighting an American fight against creationism which barely exists in this country, not concentrating on the tough issues that have to be faced to properly secularise Britain.

This, on the other hand, is something I wholeheartedly support - a campaign for equality and human rights and against the special exemptions enjoyed by religious schools. A campaign which focuses on fair admissions and fair employment practices. &, best of all, a campaign supported by religious people as well as non-believers. (There is no necessary conflict between belief and wanting to live in a secular society.)

Ashok Kumar MP has tabled an Early Day motion supporting the Accord Coalition. It reads:

"EDM 530: Accord Coalition

That this House supports Accord, the national coalition that unites religious and non-religious individuals and organisations campaigning for inclusive schools; believes that all state schools should be open to children and teachers of all backgrounds and beliefs; is concerned that current legislation permits schools with a religious character to discriminate against staff and students on the basis of their religion or belief and to teach a partial religious education curriculum; calls for religious education to be objective, balanced and fair; welcomes the positive approach taken by Accord and the breadth of its membership; and urges the Government to remove exemptions from equalities legislation for state-funded religious schools."

They need as many people as possible to contact their MPs asking them to sign the motion. This is a very effective way of letting your MP know how you feel about the way faith schools operate.

Imagine There’s No Heaven...

The man with the best blog strap-line in the world covered this business of the Humanist Association hiring some ad space on London buses to tell the world there probably is no God. He's right that it's a very 'Be Careful Now'/ 'Anglican-let's-not-offend-anyone-and –aren't –the roses-looking-lovely-this-year' kind of atheism.

But, blimey – it's taking off. At this rate the Humanists will be able to decorate a fleet of aircraft as well...