This Batley Grammar Malarky

Let's face it you've got to be very insecure in your beliefs if you get upset over a picture of whoever you worship or even someone poking a bit of fun at your religion of choice.

I just laugh it off if someone makes a joke about the flying teapots.
 
My feeling about this is, just apply the law in the particular case.

I think we are covered in terms of freedom of expression, hate speech, slander, libel, peaceful protest, threatening behaviour etc etc.

The problem arises when people expand a particular case to characterise whole groups, religions etc.
 
The teacher was extremely stupid, it was the wrong thing to do and the guy will probably never teach again. On a wider note i believe the UK should be seen as a neutral non religious secular state, which tolerates all faiths (including teapots) and non faiths equally. Religion should not impinge or influence law or matters of state in this country, haven't we learned any lessons from northern Ireland of mixing politics and religion.
 
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Glover_elbow said:
Pointing humour at the ridiculousness of religion and the hypocrisy of its preachers has gone on for centuries and long may it continue. i remember being at catholic secondary school in the 80s and watching life of Brian in an RE lesson to this day it one the funniest things i have ever watched . The whole idea of blasphemy to me is nonsense. In my mind Schools should be promoting secularism and discouraging all forms of fundamentalism. i would also be happy for schools not to teach any RE at all. The death threats should be followed up and the perpetrators prosecuted. Having said all that the teacher was incredible stupidity in this day and age to think He would get away with it.
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I've been having these discussions with my atheist daughter who is bizarrely doing her RE A level.

My opinion is that all schools should be secular, it isn't the education systems job to teach people to be religious and to ensure a future set off customers and cash flow for any religion. If a parent wishes to teach their kids a specific religion then that should be exclusively paid for by the parents, at a specific weekend or evening religious teachings school. These should not be treated as charities either, because they are simply providing a cashflow for whatever church in the future. All such schools should be monitored for good practices, such as teaching tolerance, and non-violence and should have their license to teach revoked should they breach it.

As for teaching RE, my daughter describes current A level as containing many sociology topics not specifically about RE. That has led me to conclude that we should invert that and create a mandatory general sociology GCSE, with topics covering world religious practices, after all it's good for society to recognise differing religious groups to help with tolerance, and also politics to support the idea that we need a better politically educated youth to ensure they can identify the lies spread through the internet and protect our future democracy.
 
Youngie said:
Just seen this on the news.

I will be honest and say I dont get what they are protesting about today... The school and the teacher have issued apologies... the teacher has been suspended pending an investigation... What more do they want? him flogged in the street?
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Apparently they think the school are not taking it seriously enough.
It is reminiscent of a similar group protesting outside schools about children being taught lgbt education.
I think the police should disperse these people first and foremost (covid) secondly we should not be bowing down on this matter. The picture may have been ill advised however there is a balance between freedom of expression and learning and being respectful of others religion.
 
FatCat said:
Apparently they think the school are not taking it seriously enough.
It is reminiscent of a similar group protesting outside schools about children being taught lgbt education.
I think the police should disperse these people first and foremost (covid) secondly we should not be bowing down on this matter. The picture may have been ill advised however there is a balance between freedom of expression and learning and being respectful of others religion.
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I don't see what purpose the protests can achieve other than stoking hatred on all 'sides' but balance to a group of mixed race schoolchildren?
 
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Osboro said:
Laws only apply to reasonable and responsible people.
I'm sure the French had laws against the beheading of teachers.
This is the exact same scenario and is developing exactly the same way, why? Because the Maniacs who performed the murder in France had the same guide book as the " Peaceful protesters" in Batley.
Laws won't stop the Religious extremists who make up a tiny minority in an otherwise peaceful belief system.
But, if the behaviour of said maniacs mean that this Imam or that Bishop gets more respect ( is feared) then you will not see the congregation of sheep protesting against any "respect" that was in fact ,earned by fear.
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Should a Christian cake makers be allowed the right not to bake a cake for two same sex people attending a civil partnership? [nb: actual case]?
Do they that the right to exercise religious discrimination against people because of their sexuality? [Because it is allegedly a "sin" to be gay in the eyes of God]?
 
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I'm
Train Guy said:
We all need to be squeaky clean on subject like this.
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I dont understand TG , what do mean by Squeaky Clean?.
A few have expressed that the Teacher should have known better, was stupid or naive. I dont agree.
Any reluctance to draft a lesson on blasphemy that didn't include a modern example would be wrong.
If you would avoid it then the extreem followers of the sect that has this thing about images ( either sunni or shia object the others are ok with it)HAVE WON.
You are in fear of their reaction.
Search out , prosecute and jail these people, lets not tolerate intolerance. Not one inch.
 
r00fie1 said:
Should a Christian cake makers be allowed the right not to back a cake for two same sex people attending a civil partnership? [nb: actual case]?
Do they that the right to exercise religious discrimination against people because of their sexuality? [Because it is allegedly a "sin" to be gay in the eyes of God]?
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Can we keep on subject roofie please🙂
 
Maybe I might paint Mohammed splitting the moon this weekend, maybe he's on his lunar honeymoon with his 6 year old bride?! 🤷‍♂️ No religion will oppress my freedom of thought and expression ever.

Sorry if this hurts anyones sensibilities if there are any muslim reading this, nothing personal against you, you have the right to believe in your religion and your prophet and live to whatever religious tenets you choose, and I hope it leads you to happiness in your life. But it isn't your place to oppress my thoughts and behaviour simply because you believe your religious beliefs to be a taboo.
 
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