To David Hendra:

It's good to see that you are very happy to proselytise and to indoctrinate children at the taxpayers' expense. How would you like it if the only school you could manage to get your child into was one run by the Scientologists?

The reason that there are so many "faith" schools is that they have control over their admissions, which state schools do not. They can cream off the best pupils in a locality and leave the remainder to state schools.

The state has no business allowing religious organisations to grab a share of school places in order to indoctrinate children with their beliefs to the detriment of those who want a secular education for their children. If people want to send their children to a school with a "religious ethos" then they should be prepared to dip into their own pockets.

Schools are for teaching, not for preaching.

Stewart Ware, London, UK

Ooh, that old chestnut, Keith! The Codex Siniaticus contains more than just the gospel of Mark (missing the 12 key verses to which you allude). It also contains the entirety of the New Testamant - including countless references to Jesus' birth and resurrection in the other Gospels and many of the other books! What a lovely piece of selective pseudo-information you tried to slip us all there! Nice try.

Cheryl - I'm sorry if you are 'appalled' by my attitude. But you suggest I fail to teach. Actually I teach at a school that has just received a good/outstanding OfStEd report, and I have been rigorously examined with reference to the Pay Threshold Standards to ensure that my teaching practices are of a very high standard, thank you.

Your terminology is nonsensical. To proselytise is to convert someone from one faith to another. Children arrive in my class with no faith at all. I cannot proselytise them.

I just tell them about MY relationship with Jesus.

He's great.

David Hendra, Morecambe, Lancashire, UK

It is not a problem that the Archbishop believes in God and that Dawkins does not because it cannot be proved either way. But religions and education are another matter and it is possible to prove that much religious doctrine is invented or has no historical provenance. The doctrine of the Papal succession from Peter is based on one sentence of supposition by Athenaeus A.D.180 and there is no Christian basis for the doctrine of infallability so there is no basis for the claimed authority. The Codex Siniaticus, which is the oldest New Testament (in the British Museum) contains no Christmas story and no resurrection and the other old copies agree. There is good evidence that these constructs were plagiarised from other ancient myths and added hundreds of years later. The Hadiths in the Koran were added later and are based on hearsay. Children are not being taught that tenets of religions are beliefs, but that they are facts with provenance, and this is a deception.

Keith Budden, Rayleigh, SS6 8HD

At the root of all these controversies is a parliament which is defying the will of the people.

The statutory requirements for religious education [which in practice is indoctrination] , and daily worship, should have been removed long ago. And allong with them, the 26 bishops and the blasphemy laws.

Peter Angus, Kirkham, Lancs

I think religion should be talked about in all Schools. The non-relgious should not force their view of the world onto children that is wrongheaded. They can only see that they are right and everyone else is wrong, again wrongheaded.

I agree that children should make up their own minds and believe it or not they do! You should have faith in children, rather than believing they are somehow incapable.

Religion in faith schools is of course going to be more one sided than in a state school and parents should know that! A Christian school will teach christianity as their main thrust and they would not be true to themselves if they did not. But again Children, some buy it and some do not.

A Purely Secular school would of course teach that religion was all nonsense and would that not be dogma and forcing a worldview on children.

So Yes balance is needed, and interfaith schools an idea I've heard about may be a good idea

Steven, Buckhurst Hill,

I am appalled at the attitude of David Hendra who is supposed to be a teacher but instead uses his position to proselytise - but I think his is at least the HONEST opinion as I find the Church's 'official' stance on inclusivity and moderation hard to believe. I myself went to a CofE Primary school as it was the only one in my catchment area (Choice? Really?). I was expected to say Grace, say prayers, read Bible stories, attend religious assembly and when I asked questions about the Bible I was rebutted. I could not understand why the fantasmical stories of the Old Testament were considered 'truth' when Aesops Fables and Narnia were merely fictions. When I was older and asked to be excused from religious assembly (like the JW's and Muslims were allowed to) because I was an atheist, my teacher's response was 'don't be silly Cheryl, of COURSE you're not an atheist!' And this was a BOG-STANDARD English comp. Religious brainwashing at school should NOT be allowed.

Cheryl, Swindon, UK

I'm an advocate of sending children to state schools myself, though I am a committed religious believer. I understand how some parents would rather have their children in a school that they feel has practices more in harmony with their beliefs. This is why parents in the U.S.A. send their children to religious schools. Is that not why parents send their children to Church of England schools? If a church-supported school is NOT going to allow it's faith's teaching to have any effect on what and how it teaches, then what is the point of having it?

D.L. Anderson, Crossett, AR/U.S.A.

To teach religious superstitions as facts to young children is evil.

Chris Newell, Surrey,

Why is the C of E being targetted in this way when all schools run by religions behave in the same way? I hold no brief for the Church, but I doubt that its narrow approach to religion encourages the belief that all others are incorrect and therefore anathema, deserving death to be visited upon them. So long as the ethos of any religious school encourages moral and ethical behavior and tolerance for others of different faiths, I have no problem with any of them.

Bill Q, Derby,

If only there were such a thing as secular schools! The Education Act and Circular 1/94 compel all state schools to teach religion and, in particular, Christianity!

Roll on separation of state and religion!

Mick Phythian, York,

David,

It is not "that simple" not so send one's child to a Church school, as in many areas most or all schools (particularly primary schools) are attached to Churches.

You are a Christian. Good for you. Although I find the notion of encouraging children to follow dogma rather than to arrive at their own coclusions distasteful, I acknowledge that it is your prerogative to do this to your own children. Please, however, do not try to inflict this upon other peoples'.

Historically, without the church's input, our education system may not have been the success it is today. This does not mean that the church is necessary now.

Choice is good. People can choose Christianity when they are adults. Childrens' minds are malleable, and exposure at an early age to religious propaganda, however well intentioned, reduces their ability to develop ideas and attitudes of their own, and also leads to the logical conclusion that their way of life if "better" than that chosen others.

Peter, Nottingham, UK

well said David!

Maureen Gregory, Kent,

I wonder how many people who took part in the survey know anything about what actually happens in church schools. The massive majority of Church of England schools are primary voluntary controlled schools, which follow the same RE syllabus as other schools. Church schools generally encourage a much higher degree of respect for other faith positions than other schools, which is why they are often the school of choice for peope of other faiths. Some times surveys tell us more about the prejudices of the public than the facts.

Rod Symmons, Bristol,

If you don't like the way church schools teach religion, then don't send your child to one. It's that simple.

I work in a church school. I am a Christian, as are many who work in them. I will ALWAYS promote the Christian faith over and above other faiths. It's not because I work in a church school, it's because I'm a Christian. True Christianity is intrinsically evangelistic. Jesus instructed his followers to go and 'gossip the Gospel'. It's what we do. Whether at home, at work, at the gym, walking down the street - it's just part of being who I am. Even if the RE syllabus were to change, my approach would not. To do so would deny my faith.

Let's not forget that historically, without the church's input, our education system would never have been the success it is today.

God gives us choices. I agree with Him. Choice is good. Want a secular education for your child? Send them to a secular school.

David Hendra, Morecambe, Lancashire, UK