Derek Holloway, who is the Church's lead officer for RE warned that parents who do so deny children the chance to learn how to live and get along with others with different backgrounds and beliefs. He said he is aware of parents taking their children out of RE lessons because of their extremist views or religious beliefs.
Holloway said in a blog post: "To enable all to 'live well together' there is a need for all pupils from all backgrounds to receive a broad and balanced curriculum that includes high-quality RE.
"Sadly, and dangerously, the right of withdrawal from RE is now being exploited by a range of 'interest groups' often using a dubious interpretation of human rights legislation. The right of withdrawal form RE now gives comfort to those who are breaking the law and seeking to incite religious hatred.
"The Church of England is far from alone in this view and we support the broad consensus across the sector - both from teachers and RE advisers - that the right of withdrawal from RE is being exploited by a minority and should now be reviewed."
Last year teachers passed a motion almost unanimously that called on the executive of the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) to "negotiate with the Department for Education to revoke the existing legal framework which entitles parents to be able to withdraw their children from Religious Education".
Currently, parents have the statutory right under Section 71 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 to withdraw their children from RE lessons and acts of collective worship at all maintained schools, including faith schools. Parents are not obliged to give a reason for requesting withdrawal.
