Note: if you have not already done so, please also read our introductory page of key facts about opting your child out of religious education classes.
This letter should be addressed to the Principal. If you do not get a reply within two weeks write to the Board of Management. If they do not reply complain to the Minister for Education and Skills if it is a denominational school. If it is a VEC School such as Community School, Designated Community College or Community College write to the local Vocational Education Committee.
If you do not get a reply or they refuse to let you opt out your child from Religious Education classes and Religious Services write to the Minister for Education and Skills. Please also let us know of any developments in your case.
Dear
I wish to exercise my Constitutional Right under Article 44.2.4 to opt my child out of Religious education class and any Religious service.
Section 30 – 2 (e) of the Education Act 1998 reads: “Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), the Minister – shall not require any student to attend instruction in any subject which is contrary to the conscience of the parent of the student or, in the case of a student who has reached the age of 18 years, the student.”
One of the stated aims of the Religious Education course at second level is “To appreciate the richness of religious traditions and to acknowledge the non-religious interpretation of life”. Acknowledging the non-religious interpretation of life does not constitute RESPECT for the philosophical convictions of non-religious parents under Article 2 of Protocol 1 (the right to education) of the European Convention on Human Rights.
The European Court of Human Rights has stated: “The verb “respect” means more than “acknowledge” or “take into account”. In addition to a primarily negative undertaking, it implies some positive obligation on the part of the State. The term “conviction”, taken on its own, is not synonymous with the words “opinions” and “ideas”. It denotes views that attain a certain level of cogency, seriousness, cohesion and importance (see Valsamis, pp. 2323-24, & 25 and 27, and Campbell and Cosans, pp. 16-17, & 36-37).” (para 84-c – General Principles Folgero v Norway ECHR 29th June 2007).
The non-religious interpretation of life is merely acknowledged in passing in a section of the course alongside materialism and fundamentalism called ‘Challenges to faith’.
As the Religious Education class is contrary to my conscience I wish to opt (child’s name) out of this class. Please confirm this in writing and I would ask you not to discuss this matter with my child.
Yours faithfully,
Perhaps, a first letter should be more friendly rather than going in with the legal one (above) in the first instance. I think a ‘Dear Mr Skinner, we want to opt our little Johnny out of religion class as we are not religious believers. Thank you for all the good work you are doing. Johnny is thriving and loves school. See you at the cake sale. Best wishes, etc”
These are, after all, our schools and the places where our children have to socialise and learn to get along and many/most teachers may share our concerns at the church’s interference. By all means, if you get a hostile reply, follow up with the legal stuff. Anyway, it worked for me and I’m now on friendly terms with two school principals.
I agree with Feardorcha, a letter stating the legal and technical side of why the school must acknowledge non-believers in the schools religious ethos will cause instant tension between the student and the school as well as damage the relationship with the school and parents. A friendly letter is much more appropriate, and the sample letter should be used only if the friendly letter is ignored or rejected.
I think it would be ok if you started the letter with the paragraph like, i do not wish my child to participate in religious classes would you could arrange that, if you can’t please ring to discuss.
just say plainly what you expect them to do, and then add the legal backing you don’t actually want to get into a long back and forth over your right.
My son is in Third Year and I have only just read through the Religious Education curriculum – I am absolutely horrified and wish I had tried to get him out of it earlier – however I thought it was compulsory. The curriculum is so horrible – where do you start? For one thing it conflates religion with morality, and also with community. I want to be clear that it is my son’s views and beliefs that I respect here – I no more believe that a child is an atheist because their parents are than I believe a child can be described as a christian because their parents are. However, I know that we have to pursue these things via the right of the parent, rather than of the child or young person. My son has hated this class from the get go, saying he was given a bible by some people who visited the class to talk about their religion (grrr!) and he threw it on the roof of the school – good for him! I know one way to pursue this is via the parents’ rights but we must also push for the young person’s rights to have a say on their education, curriculum and environment. I am hoping (and should I say praying?) that this is not a compulsory subject for Senior Cycle…
I find the comments of Michelle Rogers to be vulgar, condoning the actions of her son throwing a copy of the bible on the roof of his school, and applauding him! Wow, if that is to be condoned in the name of rights, sher why not make intolerance of religious beliefs a core part of the curriculum. If one does not believe in a mode of religious education, that should be respected but by disrespecting those that do have faith, clearly respect and tolerance is a one way road to some…..