The number of faith schools in Britain is rising. Around 7000 publicly-funded schools – one in three – now has a religious affiliation. As the coalition government paves the way for more faith-based education by promoting ‘free schools’, the renowned atheist and evolutionary biologist Professor Richard Dawkins says enough is enough. In this passionately argued film, Dawkins calls on us to reconsider the consequences of faith education, which, he argues, bamboozles parents and indoctrinates and divides children. The film features robust exchanges with former Secretary of State for Education Charles Clarke, Head of the Church of England Education Service Reverend Janina Ainsworth, and the Chair of the Association of Muslim Schools, Dr Mohammed Mukadam. It also features insights from child psychologists and key players in faith education as well as insights from both parents and pupils. Dawkins also draws on his own personal history as a father, arguing that the government must stop funding new faith schools, and urges society to respect a child’s right to freedom of belief.
Video Rating: 4 / 5
zeldaofarel
September 18, 2011 at 6:08 pm
If 90% of their income comes from the state, then why are they faith-based? It’s state-funded. Kick the churches out, they are not contributing anything to the whole thing!
ivar3145
September 18, 2011 at 6:52 pm
al gore got a fucking nobel prize for his bullshit. but this man does not. fuck the world.
epicnidhogg
September 18, 2011 at 7:24 pm
1 in 3 are faith schools? in my country only the public ones arent(at least in the paper)
epicnidhogg
September 18, 2011 at 7:40 pm
@siyengar9821 hitchens no, he supports iraq wars
nicklaue
September 18, 2011 at 8:02 pm
40 billion dollars in faith schools. are we as humanity not flucked.
milenyj666
September 18, 2011 at 8:33 pm
Teachers! Please, If you have to teach ab. religion teach of world religions as about a myths, eventually some traditions but not like about some unquestionable facts ! the most annoying is that goverment in my country pays salaries catholic priests for learning religion there. This is pure absurd.
MeepullStewray
September 18, 2011 at 8:45 pm
u mad britain?
Sakib241
September 18, 2011 at 9:37 pm
I’m a Muslim who prays five times a day but I want Dawkins as Britain’s education minister. Enough with this sectarian education. Keep your religion to yourself. No need to proslityze and try to influence others or little children. Once they get an education, they can choose for themselves.
westside1love
September 18, 2011 at 10:04 pm
Been watching a lot of these videos on this channel, I can’t remember where I saw the comment about the beginning music, but it just fits in perfectly in all Dawkins documentary segments. He played a big role in my questions about God (I was a ‘Catholic child’) and now consider myself an Atheist. But anyway, the music, fits great. Thanks 🙂
dfvish
September 18, 2011 at 10:37 pm
@calthopian Just so you know, in 2004, faith based organizations in america received up to 40 000 000 000 in federal money . Not to mention the fact that american churches are not taxed.
I’m not even english but if you think america is better when it comes to not funding religion you’re out of your damn mind
Kassie0ate0a0cow
September 18, 2011 at 11:35 pm
@siyengar9821 Here here! <3 Wish more people thought like this ;(
SabresGuy5
September 18, 2011 at 11:35 pm
@2009OLP 1st, he’s saying that they’re screwed, y’know, up shit creek. Not fucked up, if that’s what you mean. 2nd, Emperor penguin? (Hey, I’m starting to see it now :)). I’ve found that Mr. Dawkins blinks a lot when he knows something is bull.
2009OLP
September 19, 2011 at 12:08 am
@TheAlaricPetz I find he looks like an Emperor Penguin. 😉
2009OLP
September 19, 2011 at 12:38 am
@oneiros666 While I am vehemently against religion, to base that on the whole of the British population is ridiculous.
calthopian
September 19, 2011 at 1:19 am
Your government funds religious schools? I’m sorry, but that’s one of the reasons i love America, no taxes to religion…
jimbizzzale67123
September 19, 2011 at 2:09 am
@Koenma007 Its not so much his accent I love but the way he speaks in such a calm collected manner, I feel if I spoke this way I would win alot more arguments.
jimbizzzale67123
September 19, 2011 at 3:06 am
@SpyGuysX
Could it be people are becoming more intelligent?
SpyGuysX
September 19, 2011 at 3:23 am
0 dislikes?
unbelievable!
WillHunter1992
September 19, 2011 at 3:30 am
@oneiros666 Our head of state is the leader of the Church of England, and there are religious seats in the House of Lords. I wonder how many hundreds of years it will take before we finally achieve a secular government :/
Koenma007
September 19, 2011 at 3:35 am
Professor Dawkins and his cool accent. *_*
Great vid btw. =)
oneiros666
September 19, 2011 at 4:13 am
@trdi Hey, douchebag. Here is what you said: “Guess what, your government is funding part of the budget as well.” That is pretty clear. Also, the EU funds _several_ educational programs in member states. For example is higher education free for students from member states if they study in other EU states. EU funds several special programs as well, look it up; dipshit.
trdi
September 19, 2011 at 5:11 am
@oneiros666 You have a reading comprehension of an islamic fundamentalist and tend to understand clear things like a true young Earth creationist then. It was obvious that I meant that Norwegian gvt pays for Norwegian religious schools. EU doesn’t pay for religious schools in EU countries – each government pays for them. You need to study a bit what constitutes EU budget, you fucking YEC. 🙂 EU = independent countries with independent budgets.
oneiros666
September 19, 2011 at 5:39 am
@trdi Hello. You said “You are from Norway? Guess what, your government is funding part of the budget as well. ” When you say “part of the budget” I thought you meant the UK or EU budget. Otherwise, why would you say that Norway contributes to the budget of religious schools in the UK? You fucking, stupid, motherfucking moron. ZOMFGROFLMAO
trdi
September 19, 2011 at 6:08 am
@oneiros666 I was not talking about EU. Where did I say EU, you “fucking moron”? And Norway IS an European country, isn’t it, you “fucking moron?” And not to even mention that you weren’t talking about Europe at all, you just said that brits are fucked, when your government does the same, you “fucking moron.”
Fucking morons, lol….
dirtyichikiller
September 19, 2011 at 6:14 am
psykisk misshandel, helt sinnessjukt!!