Corrections to Sunday Telegraph Article 26/04/2009
26 April 2009
The AHS will be seeking corrections from the Sunday Telegraph after the paper misrepresented the AHS’ new schools initiative, which encompasses fostering interfaith events, scientific and religious educational activities and charity work.
The AHS does not and would never seek to challenge religious education in the manner that article predominantly suggests. The AHS strongly believes in the importance of a balanced, impartial and full religious education and would support the introduction of a national RE curriculum to ensure standards are met.
In brief, here is a summary of the purpose of helping students found their own atheist, humanist and secularist groups:
* To teach students how to debate and create dialogue between school faith groups.
* Provide the school with fun and educational events and activities, including two student-led courses: ‘Perspectives’ in which a speaker from a faith group gives a talk followed by Q&A, and our ‘One Life’ course, which considers moral and ethical issues without god. Many events will also support the scientific curriculum.
* Encourage charity volunteering.
* Give students the experience of running a group and managing events.
* Show students that it’s ok not to believe in god and encourage critical thinking.
* Bring out issues concerning religious privilege in schools such as collective worship and incomplete or biased religious education.
The AHS hopes that by drawing attention to this we can set aside caricatures of both sides (religious and nonreligious) and encourage more meaningful debate to take place in the public sphere.’