Religious Education in Schools
1. First of all, where do you live on this lovely blue planet of ours?
| 68% (132) | USA | |
|---|---|---|
| 10% (21) | Britain | |
| 6% (12) | Canada | |
| 7% (14) | A European country, other than Britain | |
| 1% (3) | An Asian country | |
| 3% (6) | An African country | |
| 1% (3) | An Australasian country | |
| 0% (1) | A South American country | |
| 0% (1) | Somewhere else |
193 voters have answered this question.
2. Did you/do you go to a state (public) school or a private school?
| 77% (150) | State school | |
|---|---|---|
| 15% (30) | Private school | |
| 6% (13) | Other type of school |
193 voters have answered this question.
3. At the school you went to, or are currently attending, did they have religious education classes?
| 37% (72) | Yes they did | |
|---|---|---|
| 54% (106) | No they didn't | |
| 6% (13) | They have similar lessons, e.g. "cultural awareness" | |
| 1% (2) | Don't know/can't remember |
193 voters have answered this question.
4. Regardless of whether they did or did not have religious education in your school, do you agree with religious education in schools?
| 25% (50) | I am strongly in favour | |
|---|---|---|
| 12% (24) | I am somewhat in favour | |
| 9% (19) | I am fairly neutral, not particularly bothered either way | |
| 17% (34) | I am somewhat opposed | |
| 33% (64) | I am strongly opposed | |
| 1% (2) | I have no opinion at all on the matter |
193 voters have answered this question.
5. Here in England, we do have religious education in state schools. However, parents have a legal right to remove their children from such lessons, if they don't like what their child is being taught. Obviously they would not have the same right for, let's say, mathematics. Should parents have a legal right to remove their children from religious education classes?
| 78% (151) | Yes they should have that right | |
|---|---|---|
| 12% (24) | No they should not have that right | |
| 5% (11) | I am undecided | |
| 3% (7) | I have no opinion on the matter |
193 voters have answered this question.
6. Is it OK to teach children that there are quite a few different religions in the world, and to teach the basic beliefs and structure of the main religions?
| 78% (152) | Yes, that is reasonable and sensible | |
|---|---|---|
| 5% (10) | No, I would not want my child taught any religion other than my own | |
| 10% (21) | No, for other reasons | |
| 3% (7) | I'm not sure | |
| 1% (3) | No opinion |
193 voters have answered this question.
7. Would you remove your child from religious education classes, if they were being taught about Islam or Buddhism?
| 3% (7) | Yes, I would remove my child from such lessons. I am a bigot. | |
|---|---|---|
| 16% (32) | Yes, I would remove my child from such lessons. | |
| 56% (107) | No, I would not do anything under those circumstances. Children should learn about different religions. | |
| 5% (10) | I'm not sure | |
| 18% (35) | I don't have children |
191 voters have answered this question.
8. Should children be taught about atheism?
| 49% (96) | Yes they should | |
|---|---|---|
| 11% (22) | No they should not | |
| 33% (64) | They should be taught that it exists, without emphasising it | |
| 2% (4) | I'm not sure | |
| 3% (7) | No opinion |
193 voters have answered this question.
9. Which religions should children be taught about in school lessons? (Check all that apply). Assume they would be taught just the basic structure, beliefs etc.
| 53% (104) | Christianity | |
|---|---|---|
| 38% (75) | Islam | |
| 36% (71) | Buddhism | |
| 34% (67) | Hinduism | |
| 42% (82) | Judaism | |
| 35% (69) | Roman Catholicism | |
| 22% (44) | Mormonism | |
| 20% (39) | Jehovah's Witnesses | |
| 15% (30) | Zoroastrianism | |
| 16% (32) | Wicca/Pagan/New Age | |
| 11% (23) | Scientology | |
| 38% (75) | They should be taught about all of these | |
| 18% (35) | They should not be taught about any of these |
193 voters have answered this question.
10. Which religions should children NOT be taught about in school lessons? (Check all that apply)
| 13% (27) | Christianity | |
|---|---|---|
| 24% (48) | Islam | |
| 18% (35) | Buddhism | |
| 20% (40) | Hinduism | |
| 17% (34) | Judaism | |
| 21% (42) | Roman Catholicism | |
| 28% (55) | Mormonism | |
| 33% (65) | Jehovah's Witnesses | |
| 34% (66) | Zoroastrianism | |
| 41% (81) | Wicca/Pagan/New Age | |
| 19% (38) | Scientology (I don't want them bankrupted before they reach adulthood, he he) | |
| 29% (57) | Scientology | |
| 44% (86) | It is OK to teach school children about all these religions |
193 voters have answered this question.
