Trevor Cooling is wrong to suggest that the British Humanist Association would “propagate” the idea that religious faith is “a dangerous virus” - no humanist would see that as the function of reformed, “inclusive”
assemblies.
The proper place in the curriculum of community schools for the critical examination of religions and beliefs must surely remain RE lessons.
If anyone is confused about what the word “inclusive” means, it is the defenders of the current law (though I do not know if Mr Cooling is one of them). In a debate last week on collective worship, the Bishop of Peterborough said that worship can build community because it allows participation in “humanity’s shared search for God” - but this search is not shared at all and automatically excludes the large majority of young people, who do not believe in gods.
Why can we not have a culture where people of all religions, and humanists, can celebrate together and build on genuinely shared human values through school assemblies?
Andrew Copson Education officer British Humanist Association 1 Gower Street, London
