Schools get go-ahead to teach Paganism alongside major religions

By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 2:10 PM on 9th November 2010

A council is allowing its schools to teach Paganism to pupils, it emerged today.
Lincolnshire County Council raised the issue of whether Paganism should be added to the Religious Education curriculum at a recent meeting.

The county's RE advisor questioned whether study of Pagan doctrine should be added to the six world religions currently studied in schools.

It was decided that individual schools can choose whether they wish to teach Paganism to pupils or not.

Minutes from a meeting of the Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education revealed the bizarre discussion.

It reads: 'The RE advisor reported she had looked into the query about Paganism forming part of the school curriculum.

'It was determined this covered a broad range of beliefs and practices.
However, there was no direct guidance about whether it should be included, and it was left to the individual schools to make the decision about whether to include it.

'The RE adviser told the committee she would keep her eye on the situation and report back should there be any developments.'

Paganism, which encompasses many non-Christian religious traditions, celebrates nature and worships many deities, both goddesses and gods.

Pagans view the cycle of the natural year as a model of spiritual growth and renewal and celebrate festivals at important times of the year.

Debbie Barnes, Assistant Director of Children's Services for Lincolnshire County Council, said individual schools can decide whether or not to teach Paganism.

She said: 'Currently the county council's RE curriculum for schools does not include Paganism, which is determined as covering a broad range of beliefs and practices.

'There is no direct guidance about whether it should be included in the school curriculum and it is left to individual schools to make a decision about whether to include it.

'Our RE Adviser has agreed to monitor national guidance on this and any changes that occur.'

From: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1328080/Schools-ahead-teach-Paganism-alongside-major-religions.html