A mother is campaigning to have Paganism included on the curriculum in the UK’s schools.
Part-time student Fiona Edden, who has raised her three children as Pagans, has submitted an online petition on the Downing Street website which last night had been signed by 79 people.
Paganism is followed by about 40,000 people in the UK, yet is not studied at schools where the six major religions are on the curriculum, as well as humanism. Pagan groups last night backed the bid, saying there was unfounded “fear and ignorance” about the religion and the nation’s children should be informed.
But education bosses said there were no plans to introduce the religion into schools, although guidelines have recently been drawn up to look into the teaching of minor faiths.
The petition started after Ms Edden’s eldest child Abbey, 14, raised the issue of Paganism with her teachers, but was told there were no plans to include it. As a co-ordinator of the Durham Pagans, Ms Edden, who has two other children, Dane, 12, and Regan, six, submitted the e-petition as she wants their faith to be part of their schooling.
Ms Edden, of Newton Aycliffe, said: “I feel it is abhorrent that they can’t discuss their beliefs openly and I know many Pagan parents feel the same.” She went on to say that her children’s schools have a duty to acknowledge their beliefs and religious festivals, as with other groups. Her opinions were backed by Morgan Rhys Adams, of the Pagan Federation, a group which embraces a range of nature- worshipping faiths.
She said the inclusion of Paganism was “long overdue”, adding: “This is a multicultural society and it’s unfair to ignore one significant group of people. “The stereotype is wrong. These days you get Pagans in all walks of life, from barristers to doctors and even teachers.”
Schools are required to focus their religious education on Christianity. The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority is responsible for drawing up the syllabus. A spokesman said there were no plans to incorporate Paganism into the national framework.
May 11, 2007 at 9:58 am
Here is a direct link to the e-petition for those that are interested:
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Study-Paganism/
June 14, 2007 at 6:38 pm
bloody ridiculas its prejudice surely thats against the law??? am i wrong? yes i will sign x
August 5, 2007 at 9:06 pm
I’ve signed the petition…
It would get alot more support if it was put on the Pagan Federation site?
http://www.paganfed.org/paganism.php
Best of luck & blessings.
September 3, 2008 at 8:37 am
And WHICH ‘paganism’ will be taught? (And by whom?)
Mithraism? Zoroastrianism? Hinduism? Asatru? Vanatru? Which type of ‘Celtic’ paganism – the one that allows polygamy – or not? How about the Brehon Laws?
How about pure Anglo-Saxon – along with all its views on justice? Finnish/Slovakian paganism (coz there are people that are immigrants and brought their religions with them)?
All the above are ‘paganisms’ – and I’m fascinated to know how each one (and those not mentioned) would be taught objectively by people that actually practise them?
Anam Anfa
September 3, 2008 at 6:06 pm
As a pagan and a parent i not only wonder the answers to the same questions Anam Anfa has raised but also the motivation behind someone who calls themself pagan and chooses to indoctrinate their children when frequently those of us who choose or are chosen by the path have a distinct dislike for indoctrination….
I have not brought up my children as Pagans, nor do intend GIVING them an identity to which they must live up to, they are free to choose as we all should be, therefore I reject spiritual education of ALL forms that go beyond the hearth and homestead.
I would like to say the the majority of christian people who would be concerned at the inclusion of this subject that this woman does not speak for the majority of well thought Pagans… I am sure she is Wiccan, which is fine but that is far from the only faith… most of us of any of the many faiths which fall under the pagan umbrella do not see how a spiritual path that is based on PERSONAL responsibility and CHOICE as an INDIVIDUAL could be put into a single curriculum.
Nor do I personally understand how politically correct schools would find it to have Dianic, Mithraic or Celtic traditions to be included in a curriculum… how on earth would these poor kids learn efficiently and comparitively with the jews do (a), muslims do (b), christians do (c) and pagan’s do (e),(f) or (g) unless they come from this part of the country so they now do (h),(i) or (j)… it couldn’t work and would ultimately create more of a problem than ignorance would.
Please THINK before attempting to stick Paganism into a “church” mind within society that heartilly rejects us simply for existing.