Atheism lessons planned for schools

Recent reports that children are to study atheism at school (Gaby Hinsliff, The Observer, Sunday 15 February; Sarah Cassidy, the Independent, Sunday 15 February) have started a lively discussion in the press. This policy change is proposed by the New Labour think-tank, the Institute of Public Policy Research (IPPR) and guidelines for schools are being drawn up by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA). According to the Observer "The draft plans being drawn up by the QCA will not be compulsory, allowing religious schools the freedom to keep devout parents happy". Comments from the British Humanist Association can be read on their web site.

The IPPR report concludes:

1. RE should not focus narrowly on religions but should a) widen its scope to include non-religious belief systems including atheism, agnosticism and humanism b) encourage the study of free standing philosophical and ethical problems.
2. The heading 'Religious Education' should be dropped in favour of something like 'Religious, philosophical and moral education' as it has been in Scotland.
3. Religious education should learn from the Citizenship curriculum and develop a less content heavy approach that creates more room for skills led learning.
4. RE should aim to instill norms of reflective thought and reasonable discussion - so complementing values and dispositions cultivated in citizenship curriculum.

In the Guardian on Tuesday February 17 Mary Kenny complained "Atheism teaching will be dull next to the richness of religion. ... where are the stories? Where is the narrative?" We might recall Richard Dawkins' comment "But to say that something is comforting is not to say that it's true". However, a more positive stance is taken by Joan Bakewell in the Guardian on Friday February 20: "I can't believe it: atheism is a negative and empty notion. Surely what is meant is humanism, an ethical outlook on life and morals now adopted by many non-believers and former believers."

Gordon Peckham
Exeter