Pagans Want to Be Included Too

In the United Kingdom, or really anywhere else on planet earth, Paganism is not part of the school curriculum. However, a mother in the UK, Fiona Edden, wants it to be part of the learning process. Recently Edden submitted an online petition to the Downing Street website, asking for support in adding Paganism to the school curriculum.

Just as in the United States, Paganism is a recognized religion. The UK estimates approximately 40,000 followers of the religion. The reason for the petition is in fact to add the teaching of the religion, but it is also to show equal rights as well. The current school curriculum teaches of six other major religions and humanism as well.

Currently Pagan groups around the area backed the petition stating "there was unfounded 'fear and ignorance' about the religion and the nation's children should be informed." But on the other side of the coin, the people in charge of education said "there were no plans to introduce the religion into schools, although guidelines have recently been drawn up to look into the teaching of minor faiths."

Edden is a coordinator of the Durham Pagans and has raised three children in the faith. She submitted the e-petition when her eldest child, Abbey (14), questioned her teachers on issues of Paganism and was told there were no plans to include it in their curriculum. Edden's other two school-age children, Dane (12) and Regan (6), were also part of her reason for submitting the petition. She believes their faith should be part of their schooling, just as other children's faith is part it.

Edden feels that her children's school has a duty to acknowledge the beliefs and religious festivals of the Pagan families, just as they do with other religious groups. "I feel it is abhorrent that they can't discuss their beliefs openly and I know many Pagan parents feel the same," she said.

Edden's opinion on the matter is being backed by many in the Pagan community. Morgan Rhys Adams, of the Pagan Federation, agrees with Edden's quest. Adams said thought that including Paganism in the curriculum was "long overdue" and stated "this is a multicultural society and it's unfair to ignore one significant group of people."

"The stereotype is wrong. These days you get Pagans in all walks of life, from barristers to doctors and even teachers," Adams went on to say.

So who is responsible for making the decisions on what the schools will teach in their curriculum? The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority is in charge of putting together the syllabus that the schools will adhere to. A spokesman for them stated that "there were no plans to incorporate Paganism into the national framework."

Upon doing a quick search on the Durham e-petition site, Edden has collected approximately 83 signatures and the petition will remain open until April 17, 2008. Unfortunately you do have to be a British citizen or resident in order to sign it. There were also a handful of other petitions of the site that involved Paganism in some way, including a petition submitted by Alex Bailey that was similar to the Edden petition. The Bailey petition on had 27 signatures and will be available until February 20, 2008. Hopefully the Edden petition will do better than the Bailey petition has done so Pagans in the UK can enjoy more religious tolerance and freedoms that other religions possess.

*Sources*

-Journal Live Online. URL: http://icnewcastle.icnetwork.co.uk/journallive/thejournal/tm_headline=mum-goes-to-no-10-with-paganism-plea&method=full&objectid=18987998&siteid=50081-name_page.html . Cochlin, Daniel. 2007Apr30.

-10 Downing Street E-Petions. URL: http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/ . 2007Apr30.