Debate: Get out of my Head! Education, Indoctrination and the Battle over Faith Schools

The first of a series of three debates that will interrogate the state of secularism today.

The Institute of Ideas and Bishopsgate Institute present a series of three panel debates (7 February, 6 March, 3 April 2008) that will interrogate the state of secularism today. Taking inspiration from Bishopsgate Institute’s renowned collection on free-thought and secularism, the debates aim to continue in the long tradition of critical inquiry of religion and of its opponents.

The government thinks faith schools are the way forward for education, and even non-religious parents often believe that their children will benefit from a religious ‘ethos’. Rather than being Jesuit-like proselytising, this kind of religious education seems more akin to ‘value’-laden lessons about obesity or carbon footprints. But might both religious and atheist parents be better off avoiding the government’s educational agenda? Does education have more to offer than instilling kids with values?

Speakers will be David Perks (Head of Physics, Graveney School; lead author, What Is Science Education For), Andrew Copson (Education and Public Affairs, British Humanist Association) and Dr Austen Ivereigh (Catholic journalist, commentator and campaigner). Claire Fox (Director, Institute of Ideas ) will chair the debate.

For further information on the Institute of Ideas please visit www.instituteofideas.com.

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