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UK News

Report shows kids are being pulled from RE over Islam fears

Research carried out by Liverpool Hope University showed that over two thirds of requests to withdraw pupils from RE classes were linked to concerns over the Islamic faith.

The survey also found that 7 per cent of requests were linked to Hinduism and Buddhism and a further 6 per cent to Christianity.

Current UK law protects the right of parents to remove children from RE classes on the grounds of protecting the conscience of religious minorities from being forced to receive Christian religious instruction.

Mark Chater, a Christian and former advisor for religious education, told Premier's News Hour this law is out of date and many parents use it as an excuse.

"We have a problem, in my opinion, with the withdrawal clause as it stands at the moment and I think it should be changed."

Mr Chater said religious education is vital in today's society and helps to promote tolerance and unity.

"We, as a nation need to be able to say we want all our children and young people to know and understand about religious diversity in this country because it's the kind of country we are now.

"We should be enabling them to face up to it and be relaxed with it."

He added that exposure to other believe systems can have a positive impact on our walk with God: "My own understanding of the Christian faith was enriched when I started learning about other faiths and other worldviews.

"I started to understand what was unique and different and special about Christianity."

Mr Chater believes that children have a national entitlement to learn about alternative worldviews and that this should apply to all UK schools.

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