Download my highlighted full REC 23rd October 2013 report with the emphasis on 'non-religious worldviews'. Page numbers below refer to the full report.
At launch of Review of Religious Education in England by @RECouncil in Parliament this afternoon. #ReThinkRE pic.twitter.com/n6nmaZNJGs
— Bridget McGing (@B_McGing) October 23, 2013
British Humanist Association
The British Humanist Association say in a BHA press release:-'the REC subject framework for Religious Education (RE) for the first time, puts non-religious worldviews such as Humanism on an equal footing in terms of curriculum time with religious beliefs. The document, which contains 100 references to teaching about non-religious worldviews, has been welcomed by the BHA for underlining the need to teach about the biggest or second biggest category of beliefs amongst young people.'Do non-religious worldviews now have parity in terms of curriculum time with religious beliefs in Religious Education? I think not. The report does not apportion time to be spent on non-religious worldviews versus religious beliefs. The time to spent on non-religious worldviews will be decided by RE teachers.
I am suggesting a new name for Religious Education (RE). This new name would be either:-
- Religious & Non-Religious Worldviews (RNRW) (my preference) OR
- Religion & Worldviews (RW)
The teachers of RE have typically been from students of Theology. With the new subject RNRW, teachers would be equally welcomed with interests in secular philosophies, humanism & atheism, critical thinking & scientific method.
BHA also suggests that ‘Some schools with a religious character will prioritise learning about and from one religion, but all types of school need to recognise the diversity of the UK and the importance of learning about its religions and worldviews’ and ‘What is important is that the RE curriculum used in all schools enables young people to develop an informed understanding of religions and worldviews. Schools with a religious designation have an important role to play alongside schools without such a designation in this common goal.’ – suggesting even ‘faith’ schools should teach about non-religious beliefs.
Majority of young people are not religious
BHA Chief Executive Andrew Copson, who was on the steering group for the review, commented, ‘Government surveys have suggested that a majority or perhaps even two-thirds of young people today are not religious, so for religious education to remain relevant it is vital that this large group’s beliefs are taught about alongside those of their religious peers. For years now we have been making gradual progress towards the acceptance of the teaching of non-religious worldviews in RE, with the 2004 national framework including Humanism in national guidance for the first time. Today’s framework replaces that document and is itself a further milestone in inclusiveness.'
Should RE should be determined nationally, not locally?
BHA say ‘We also welcome the document’s call for a national debate on the “settlement” of RE. We are concerned that the current system of agreeing syllabuses at a local level leads to too much variability in quality and think that the subject would be on firmer footing if it were placed on the national curriculum alongside all other subjects that have to be taught.’
Aims of Religious Education
The REC report states:-‘The curriculum for RE aims to ensure that all pupils: A. Know about and understand a range of religions and worldviews; B. Express ideas and insights about the nature, significance and impact of religions and worldviews; C. Gain and deploy the skills needed to engage seriously with religions and worldviews’. (pages 14-15)
What is a 'Worldview'?
The word 'worldview' is used in the Forward by Michael Gove in the phrases 'religions and worldviews' or 'faiths and other worldviews' (page 5). The Introduction (page 6) uses the phrase 'religious beliefs and worldviews' and in the National Curriculum Framework for RE (NCFRE) Introduction the phrase 'religions and worldviews' (page 13) appears.In RE purpose of study (page 14, footnote 7):-
'The phrase ‘religions and worldviews’ is used in this document to refer to Christianity, other principal religions represented in Britain, smaller religious communities and non-religious worldviews such as Humanism. The phrase is meant to be inclusive, and its precise meaning depends on the context in which it occurs, eg in terms of belief, practice or identity.'From the above definition, it is clear that 'worldviews' means 'non-religious worldviews, for example Humanism or Atheism.' The report adds that 'the phrase is meant to be inclusive depending on the context in which it occurs'.
The report references [non-religious] 'worldviews' 87 times. Atheist, atheism and agnostic are referenced once each. Humanist / humanism are referenced 10 times and 'non-religious beliefs' twice. This brings the tally to over 100 references to teaching non-religious worldviews. The word 'secular' was not referenced at all. 'Philosophy' was referenced 19 times and 'ethics' or 'ethical' referenced 20 times.
From the 7 June 2013 draft of the REC National RE Curriculum to the final 23rd October report the language of non-religion changed dramatically. The draft contained the word 'non-religious' 34 times as in the phrases 'non-religious worldviews (18 times), 'non-religious beliefs' (3 times), 'non-religious stories / sources / patterns / families / places / truth / practice (once each) and 'non-religious people' (twice).
Under the section 'The breadth of RE' the report says 'This means that from the ages of 5 to 19 pupils in schools learn about diverse religions and worldviews including Christianity and the other principal religions.' (page 15). In this context, in my view, Humanism or Atheism should have been referenced as an example of a worldview.
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