School assemblies offer a chance for children to learn that the British values of which we hear so much have their root in the teachings of the Bible

From The Telegraph-

There can be few things in life less harmful than the gentle Christian values learnt by children during school assemblies. It is remarkable, therefore, to hear an Anglican bishop arguing that the collective worship in them should be watered down. The Bishop of Oxford, the Rt Rev John Pritchard, is the Church of England’s head of education, yet he argues that the traditional assembly should be replaced with non-denominational “spiritual reflection” or silence, which he thinks would better suit the secular age. His explanation that “we would be on much safer ground” if that were the case is likely to make hearts sink all over the land.

Before making such a fundamental change, it is worth asking: is there something wrong which needs to be fixed? For example, are parents unhappy that their children are being exposed in the assembly room to Christian themes such as loving your neighbour and forgiveness? Do they object to regular collective worship “mainly of a broadly Christian character”, which is a legal requirement following the 1944 Education Act?

More here-

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/10951404/Thoughts-for-the-day.html