The conscience clause in religious education and collective worship: conscientious objection or curriculum choice?

The 'conscience clause' allows parents to withdraw their children from religious education and collective worship; however, the reasons why parents might wish so to do are not stated in the legislation. This article looks briefly at the legal issues to do with the place of religious educat...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Louden, Lois M. (Author)
Format: Electronic/Print Article
Language:English
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Published: Routledge 2004
In: British journal of religious education
Year: 2004, Volume: 26, Issue: 3, Pages: 273-284
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B Great Britain / Religious freedom / Religious instruction / School worship service
IxTheo Classification:KBF British Isles
RF Christian education; catechetics
SA Church law; state-church law
Online Access: Volltext (doi)
Description
Summary:The 'conscience clause' allows parents to withdraw their children from religious education and collective worship; however, the reasons why parents might wish so to do are not stated in the legislation. This article looks briefly at the legal issues to do with the place of religious education in the school curriculum, the type of religious education to be provided in schools without a religious affiliation (including an exploration of the meaning of the 'Cowper-Temple' clause), and at the grounds on which parents may wish to exercise the conscience clause. It shows conclusively that withdrawal may only occur on the grounds of conscientious objection, not as a matter of choice.
ISSN:0141-6200
Contains:In: British journal of religious education
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1080/0141620042000232328