Dear .............................

As you no doubt know, it is the view of many teachers, school heads and HM inspectorate as well as the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority that in the coverage of ‘beliefs’ in schools should include the views of those of us who take a non-religious philosophical and ethical position. I quote below:-

"Many pupils come from religious backgrounds but others have no attachment to religious beliefs and practices. Therefore, to ensure that all pupils’ voices are heard and that the RE curriculum is broad and balanced, it is recommended that there should be opportunities for all pupils to study … secular philosophies such as humanism."
(From " About religious education in the curriculum", p12, Religious education, the non-statutory national framework, QCA 2004 )

There are many parents in this borough as well as teachers and others in the community, who, in line with national figures are not religious believers – agnostics, atheists, secularists and humanists and a growing number who are hostile to religious belief given the now increasingly evident problems associated with public, political religious policies and activities. We think that it is of great importance that this should not develop into a justification for racism and sectarianism. And in many parts of the country, schools are reflecting this wider perspective on belief.

Although parents have chosen not to challenge the status quo on religion in schools, because of perceived problems for their young people, many would welcome a change to what they see as discrimination against their beliefs. Like us, they take the view that the values they want to see promoted are not the monopoly of believers and that this conflation of morality and ethics with religious belief is not only unjustified, but is harmful to young people’s thinking on such matters.

There are also many more people now who think that teaching opinion as fact is no longer acceptable practice on this subject, and it would be good if the move to a more objective approach to public morality and ethics was facilitated at the earliest stage of their education.

I am making this approach to you on behalf of Bromley Humanists who are affilliated to both the British Humanist Association (BHA) and National Secular Society (NSS) - both of which have campaigned on this issue for many years. The BHA has produced a considerable amount of teaching material, briefings etc. and there is now a body of information and sources on the Internet, such as that provided on the always up-to-date on-line encyclopedia ‘Wikipedia’ and other websites.

I have included for your interest a brief outline of our values and sources that you might find useful. Should you wish to include group discussions we have members experienced in the many aspects of humanism who would be willing to respond to requests to take part in group discussions, or give short talks, presentations etc.

In the interests of the many pressing issues of conflict, the environment, poverty international relations, women’s rights, prejudice and discrimination – homophobia and anti-Semitism; and public and private behaviour and responsibility - I hope you will integrate our rational, humanist point of view into the framework of moral and relationships teaching and discussions.

Yours sincerely