'What if you don't follow a religion?'

Christianity, Judaism and Islam are all mainstays of the religious education curriculum in Sussex.

But humanist Andrew Edmondson argues it is a breach of children's human rights not to be taught how people can live well without following a religion. Andy Chiles reports.

From the age of four children across Sussex are taught about the life and teachings of Christ and Allah.

They learn how and why Christianity, Judaism and Islam developed and the ways followers choose to, or have to, show their devotion.

Later in their school lives they are taught about Buddhism, Sikhism and Hinduism, as well as other religions.

The syllabus has provoked argument and debate. Different groups believe different aspects should be expanded, reduced, or dropped altogether.

Some believe traditional Christianity and Bible stories should be emphasised, some think they have become irrelevant.

But what happens if you do not follow a faith at all?

The question is whether learning about religion should include lessons in non-religious living.

Andrew Edmondson, of Mid Sussex Freethinkers, has been battling to force West Sussex to make humanism, or secularism, a fixture in its curriculum.

He argues children need to be aware that they can lead a good and ethical life, as humanism encourages, without following the doctrines of a formal religion.

Mr Edmondson says: "Up until now, community schools in West Sussex have been advised to teach children religious world views but ignore the non-religious."

He says that with the syllabus for West Sussex about to be fixed for the next five years it is important action is taken.

Humanism, as Mr Edmondson explains, is the concept of being dedicated to living a good, moral and ethical life without subscribing to a formal religion and worshipping deities.

The current curriculums in Sussex allow schools to touch on the subject but it is not compulsory.

It is up to individual teachers whether they discuss humanism and Mr Edmondson argues that this means it is often ignored.

The biggest issue, he claims, is that not teaching children about this kind of lifestyle is an abuse of their rights.

He says: "It is against the Human Rights Act and can be considered a form of indoctrination, as the Religious Education Council points out.

"Schools are now obliged to promote community cohesion, which can hardly be achieved by excluding the non-religious."

"Humanism is the belief that we can lead good lives without religion, and that the world is best explained using reason, science and shared human experience."

Mr Edmondson is a representative of the British Humanist Association (BHA), which was formed as an organisation to represent the non-religious.

He applied unsuccessfully for a place on the West Sussex Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE) last year.

SACRE is responsible for setting the county's RE syllabus.

One of Mr Edmondson's fellow BHA members was successfully voted on to the equivalent body for Brighton and Hove.

Despite missing out on membership, Mr Edmondson has continued to attend SACRE meetings as an observer and make recommendations to it.

He says a recent MORI poll showed that 36 per cent of people prefer humanist views, while a report from the Department for Education and Skills showed that 65% of 12 to 19-year-olds are not religious.

He says: "The new religious education syllabus for West Sussex runs from September and lasts for five years.

"For the first time, it mentions secular world views, which is a welcome first step towards the inclusion of the non-religious.

"Unfortunately, the syllabus advises schools to teach non-religious world views only 'where appropriate'.

"The obvious question is when is it inappropriate to teach non-religious world views in a state-funded community school?"

He says the framework followed by West Sussex was drawn up by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, whose RE advisor did not give any instance when it would be inappropriate.

Mr Edmondson says: "The new RE syllabus now contains a reference to humanism in its preamble.

But I was unable to remove the phrase 'where appropriate' from the RE syllabus."

He adds that the gap in the curriculum is something he feels local politicians want addressed.

He says: "As a local development volunteer for the BHA, I represent the non-religious in local government consultations concerning equality, diversity and social cohesion.

"Council officers are keen to seek humanist involvement. In contrast, the archaic SACRE system is holding back progress in West Sussex."

"A broad and balanced education is essential for social cohesion, as are community schools."

"West Sussex County Council needs to make an effort to break the divisive traditions of the past."

"Schools, especially primary schools, are not going to change their practices without clear guidance."

Mr Edmondson runs Mid Sussex Freethinkers (www.midsussexfreethinkers.org.uk), which will hold its next meeting in the Red Lion pub, in High Street, Handcross, on Thursday, April 17, at 7.30pm. Call 01444 811413 for information.

The Brighton and Hove Humanist Society next meets at the Lord Nelson Inn, in Trafalgar Street, on Wednesday, May 7, at 7.30pm. Call 01273 461404 for information.

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