Well, this issue deals with ethics. I think this is a pretty good cause, and it was linked from the Richard Dawkin's Foundation.
It's essentially a petition for the abolition of "faith schools" and teaching of creation myths in school. The catch is that it is only signable by British citizens. I am not one, but I think it's a good cause and many of you might find it worthwhile as an ethical movement.
Faith schools remove the rights of children to choose their own religious, philosophical and ethical beliefs. They also sanction ethnic segregation and create tension and divisiveness within society. Schools should be places where children are given a free education, not centres for indoctrination. Creationism and other religious myths should not be taught as fact regardless of the funding status of a school. Abolishing faith schools will provide children with more freedom of choice and help to promote a fully multi-cultural, peaceful society.
I was rather shocked that such things are allowed to go on in the UK in schools. It seems rather horrible that these schools are allowed to do this to children at so young an age. Do private institutions really have the freedom to teach nonsense as fact?
The UK does have an official state church, after all. It's not that surprising, although religious schools are among the worst kind of church/state union.
On a side note, I've often wondered if certain kinds of church/state union actually tend to harm the public image of religion, thus causing the opposite effect of what church/state unionists would like. Specifically, any kind of state church which draws involuntary tax contributions is bound to cause a certain amount of cynicism and resentment rather than increasing peoples' faith.
"It's not evil for God to do it. Or for someone to do it at God's command."- Jonathan Boyd on baby-killing
"you guys are fascinated with the use of those "rules of logic" to the extent that you don't really want to discussus anything."- GC
"I do not believe Russian Roulette is a stupid act" - Embracer of Darkness
"Viagra commercials appear to save lives" - tharkûn on US health care.
Sadly, considering the person in charge, I doubt this petition would have any effect. We're talking about the guy who praises faith schools as a great thing for children's education, and asks people NOT to send their kids to a private school after he sent his own fucking kids to one.
"May God stand between you and harm in all the empty places where you must walk." - Ancient Egyptian Blessing
Ivanova is always right.
I will listen to Ivanova.
I will not ignore Ivanova's recommendations. Ivanova is God.
AND, if this ever happens again, Ivanova will personally rip your lungs out! - Babylon 5 Mantra
