Russell Brand Alain de Botton - RE Today

40 Pages·2014·8.73 MB·English

Summer 2014
Special Edition
ISSN 0226-7738
In this issue
Persona dolls, making
Alain also…
RE more playful and
Why Richard Dawkins
de new media
is the best argument The power of religious words
for the existence of God Botton 20+ Jonathan Sacks on ‘The voice
Russell
of silence’
on ‘Why I am
Brand
not a Christian’ classroom ideas
incorporating
Professional
reflection
(formerly REsource)
BESTSELLER!
An exciting and dynamic collection of 116 effective
strategies for the RE classroom
• strategies suitable for 5–16s
• arranged in 7 sections:
• Act
• Create
• Think
• Enquire
• Reflect
• Talk
• Write
• photocopiable and downloadable resources
and templates More that 101 Great Ideas1 Alphabe1t o nA thlep flhooarbet on the floor
UUsefsule fofrul for
••• ggao uufm iisddpoaaidrnnietccluee fa oool rnnd s etttehvrueaelcc oithmpuinmrpignoe grant ntapdnu cpleei la-arlnenddin epgnlaqcuei ry IAtePsfanecoaIhtnobefsnltfUca neafiacarsooacSatshrorbtnscbousesnl-mtel dct it iuao aetiinaru esovanarsctrtgocsfet®avhro b uiiscdm –gooouaepnsseie5llmunlgt ndletv erst4iu p–go e fpsaiipnsoo iu 1msevtlnuwiersm3terlprgor vecehgtavh iep noiloi esdsiltdm go el ep;sn.e es; ia-elmugtnsev er pge psaps imetluSwi•e•sm•e tl 2 p r vIer AashgftnQwtpaWmao dlihepn sp oieltomiarauoekes dhoose lhst m Tefi l eely,spa tg;asa.s e evht oabl ttryc r;tee inemu geaa-oio stedosr ug nsd otde wny rsessvoc ,oop sl a roit (lauuntayih fnntottpcor gtehadd eer msf etps,n abao agX ,ilvo.v i ae otSt•YfsoKetahy c•otnha uZe a eetcbto e hmr n ine)uor outiIe.prdt ,ssfA austg e f tna wemwiooat saatesowla horn t hsrpuma lohomtm atarosnassuekherropih ededi ngscs? vrmi fi h?e?drAl pei,ata gina,aWHal t4n vrah guasab e socryc :ncahp wteewante6ldgeoa ohiore–at d sedcyrdt ed1srsf.gia s)o oo0 riU tlde b o mw lorylyps elsensotcoeo,urio tp u gouloat utr(aoehthnlaim ul tfrayailt se ’ey sn tdnptotw ie hp cfl numltmtlhheaeso dcdsaeet aieeoliitbr eutsnt fesr,ne pb o ud,rotie X rtu,hsmleenlioo i taeat: laoo mtotoicilYGWskutr h shy lp petnegtohaa h uottZhn dfaBe tarntbqo e.e?s, otn iPurewn )M(mm r oute oowea.ds ,,sn fran htiu tg Rktteit dia ohh o es,ww oat sn etsQ Sasto isoh yo rr ro.tl hrto eeayaThloordh mtu? npagt)Ton e usWrefeeW rrewothy dheemoinhg aeshlmefr vra ppa rh.eettdA u t pt’eIhos asnm oa aqenty,acvln u4n ooteriateheatsushf e esutistcre tn nchl i p w?koeiatndn ohg rea dsecr sf.ias oriU lbo lol lsenoteu t u ott(aethnil trlse ’y stow h flulmheeost aeeoitnt ferp u,rti rthsleio aeatlmoicilkr h lp peea uottnB tntqes, PurewM e oweas,frn ti Rttitdohho, n eQ Satish r o.lt eeaThor t npgtTesree rwothy hmo aemefvrp r.et u tIho snmqentv u otithetshestie tn i kon
W‘liunsiktehifniungl eftooar co’h tg hsuteirdra estte arganytd ei gs‘ siaee seh ieanllp stofhu’e lr epqfuuebircelkinc acteiso,n APAWDcgorlSoepofhlvlhefiuaoesabpeS lbaoro.t empra-metai nlitIos?tgion–eoa st 1ntrt2 ®hu wies–oait tfl ha5oninlnods4 –ra – o113S•• t PrCar•h••oat o nevaB BStomridgahldimsi tycenoetetkh si rdraon .eeoft ngo Thonsod lae cdmibs fffiieo eiarfit.yc fc clnTh ldketutedhho:a:l :treIewe•I nAnny infnf io lhpng ah lli aaQ rglpmna‘Womvodni v reweuteoesenh muop, ti ttveonooAsoahb i g ellrl o eaksiy:spaonafrpiisnn tnstk1 o l dtotmdgo 0 ue f o;imf uB ’epo i twot rn hr shsuow n tetenmd,l oa i e panytegn ohn.isevrodgsr oord e e. isu ibta m(,bosu npatchptynfhpca ou a orksn ogberpou sde ettirpe mo slhfh bsudpp eai labp.fnliaryonai vd.vatircd eno .smk fofKe gIgoq cofae l uas unidteot etihccde cftiher idks erulr o lmici.daynepltn osefakae d,nt s esta emiopph l ftlwacuoro nfo otsrar umsur icloinr agtbiess nnhldhcreogd piti.edffl ic?cyThanvei,lc og??rreheii.cvs ninko eWHittwrst hp guymieoaso:errnaah’t ,sdesw6l eooii s–ft dyd1)oo0 m yypooriguouhm fate dpienmtls ca ilibruseo de ument:o oGWusgtoh hdfar.?ot (mmon ahkei eswtso oyrroydu?) WfWeehhl apatt’es oa ycnoeeuf utrhl ?ing
supported by everyone else.
o n l y UUsefsuel fofrul for3 Trading2 pl a cTesrust games
Engaging young
BU£Y1 8YOUR COPciFeMAcTbWentsD1chgrvoaeen hSyei2olRnlleckorrdisleeceStEo.o etprzeaaofe ueheu letbbmarvrinlhge-yo vnyauaofp ha euredig unoa Yb ailtb tpisen spr mmahlliwbgaenrgaooeo. areaag–ht gyerc m–hk8arpe nrt5eaetr3iistic cemyna tiheol hhgnil, g tf eoIota isoyo?nlgie duon––o s 8 t 1n 8tr2 hS•u•w• t e sSr ApptWoawhiat hrTlrnnttoafla herhdh,eycwaa aepoa eegntbinn s orpnypgooko stuideof dhin t tpsrppeyah iiiaot.ye–ueli sonommph 1pnO aiao lonl vwswefse iitqh oomnbhuuSar•r •et glaoecd ,rgc iuth t oh aepg aPrfuC aehoJreporetaera arpwsctl •h•cpsh lt•oaaiet teie slne c iro bh ne2kvrDatsBd Be usD efS t iom,riaai,rdn gn afhesmliadia mm sk,tinn ctyhcei enodeteaoitlt.enyhgkgw h siw rdgepe.cr? ano ma.heehi teonWft hloa Cen gto Thonettstobodho ho m srla3ae rg caardmtAibDirie stms frgffiiaipet eo neialhpireiarfiagtf.tyh osec nfw c o cb ,dHln oTh ldnaabkeueturteasys ac dgk ,nhhao:apc e:o ulru att :ihtttrensIieweknIw hsie knnAmngtnyem Yinoha g fnfori,eh i motk t ynlMhpo.nhga. h l ag ilefAiu ngiaaa r glvmnasssse‘ eolttavo ni i-t?h vomm rhfeewerouteoee ies rpnmrhy wm pe,i t !iccpxea ttvehonturnApsouaad©bt ri rra g ellfiterRla to sheakE,vscis: ao eTettnifrpioaemo inmdn tkrnnsak’1s syi isn e d noSmd,mgol e0guvaru ftvieno;tfeni Bhcs ’despoe d te wsi t–r ns n h2r ho0s uw1 n te3tem,la i e pategn ohn.ierdgsr orde e. isu ba m,bos pacptynhpca u a ksn obrpou sdeettipeo lhh bsudp ei lbp.fnliryona datircdno.smk f gIgoq fae l uasnidtot ihcde cftieidks rlr lmic.daynln oeakad,nts sta epph l flcuoro footsra sur iclinragbie nnhldcegd ti.effl icyThane,lc ogrehei.cvs nko eitwrst hp ymieoasrerna’t,sdes eoi sf
supported by everyone else.
3 Trading places
Visit: shop.retoday.org.uk • Email: saUlesesf@ul rfeortoday.org.uk • Call: 0121 472 4242
Engaging young
cinh iRldEr ebny iuns lienagr rniicnhg, S• t Srhatoewg pyupils an image or picture, e.g. a Christian baptism, Muslim men at
ecbetsvoaeenolnleckiceto. eaafu tbmariovnapeudgo it inpr mwgar arahtgychae tetris cem teolhi gfeta ioyon dus • Apptohrlrnaaer,yca paeens orgok sief in t tpph iaoeue onmmpp io lolwsefs itqhonhuar et gec ,rcih toha afu aJrepreaeawsclcs tai teslneirhkrsd s ef i,aa,n fsmaa ktnchi ditlenyh w gpec mhehthloae etttbo o msr gaarrietmgaipnhpergth ow b dHoaeuray c g,na eouru ittsknwhikngeoa g orih mktn.h. aieAng sse ta thomhere iepry ei ccpxhtupuatrrr eteash,cs ettiaemokrn’ssisne ,ml gva ientnhsd dei ns o
See also • Wawnhhdae tbn po todhseyit.yi ohna vwe oburlodu pgehot pthlee b2eD in im naogwe? i nWtoh a3tD r eliafseo, nassk c athne tmhe tyo g fiavset-?forward five minutes –
Freeze-frame–5
Mystery bag–83
Through the keyhole–88
© RE Today Services 2013
12
Cover image
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Editor
BESTSELLER! Contents
Lat Blaylock
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Editorial team
Lizzie McWhirter (news)
Editorial Story
Jane Brooke
Julie Grove
Chris Boxley 5 ‘Know, grow, do!’ 26 How does peace grow?
Lat Blaylock Jim Wallis
Advertising
Rebekah Hah-Dwyer
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Opinion For the staffroom
Publishing dates
Published three times a 6 Why I am not a Christian 28 Tony Blair, RE and global
year, in September, January Alain de Botton human rights
and April
An exciting and dynamic collection of 116 effective Lyndsey James
8 The power of religious words
Published by
strategies for the RE classroom
Julie Grove 30 Ten ideas to get SEN pupils
Christian Education
• strategies suitable for 5–16s Publications questioning
10 Why Richard Dawkins is the best
Margaret Dean, Susan Davies
• arranged in 7 sections: The annual subscription, argument for the existence of God and Charlotte Arnold
including postage, is £34.00.
Russell Brand
• Act For details of other RE
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• Create NATRE membership 13 The voice of silence Professional reflection
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• Think 0121 472 4242 or email
32 Welcoming a wider readership
[email protected]
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For the classroom
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• Reflect 1020 Bristol Road 33 My NQT year in RE
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Tel: [phone]
www.retoday.org.uk kids and me’
• photocopiable and downloadable resources
16 How to make RE more playful for
Judith Everington
and templates 1 Alphabe1t o nA thlep flhooarbet on the floor Editorial and young learners: ten ideas (4–11)
••• ggao uufm iisddpoaaidrnnietccluee fa oool rnnd s etttehvrueaelcc oithmpuinrmpignoe grant ntapdnu cpleei la-arlnenddin epgnlaqcuei ry UIAtePsfanecoUaIhtnobefsnltfUca nseafiacarsooacSatshrorebtnscbousesnl-mtel dct fit iusao aetiinaruu esovanarsctrtgocsfet®avhrol e b uiiscdm –gooouaepnssefie5llmunlgt ndloetv ferst4iu p–go e fpsaiipnrsoou iu 1msevtlnuwiersm3terlprgor vecehgtavh iepl noiloi esdsiltdm go el ep;sn.e es;f ia-elmugtnsoev er pge psaprs imetluSwi•e•sm•e tl 2 p r vIer AashgftnQwtpaWmao dlihepn sp oieltomiarauoekes dhoose lhst m Tefi l eely,spa tg;asa.s e evht oabl ttryc r;tee inemu geaa-oio stedosr ug nsd otde wny rsessvoc ,oop sl a roit (lauuntayih fnntottpcor gtehadd eer msf etps,n abao agX ,ilvo.v i ae otSt•YfsoKetahy c•otnha uZe a eetcbto e hmr n ine)uor outiIe.prdt ,ssfA austg e f tna wemwiooat saatesowla horn t hsrpuma lohomtm atarosnassuekherropih ededi ngscs? vrmi fi h?e?drAl pei,ata gina,aWHal t4n vrah guasab e socryc :ncahp wteewante6ldgeoa ohiore–at d sedcyrdt ed1srsf.gia s)o oo0 riU tlde b o mw lorylyps elsensotcoeo,urio tp u gouloat utr(aoehthnlaim ul tfrayailt se ’ey sn tdnptotw ie hp cfl numltmtlhheaeso dcdsaeet aieeoliitbr eutsnt fesr,ne pb o ud,rotie X rtu,hsmleenlioo i taeat: laoo mtotoicilYGWskutr h shy lp petnegtohaa h uottZhn dfaBe tarntbqo e.e?s, otn iPurewn )M(mm r oute oowea.ds ,,sn fran htiu tg Rktteit dia ohh o es,ww oat sn etsQ Sasto isoh yo rr ro.tl hrto eeayaThloordh mtu? npagt)Ton e usWrefeeW rrewothy dheemoinhg aeshlmefr vra ppa rh.eettdA u t pt’eIhos asnm oa aqenty,acvln u4n ooteriateheatsushf e esutistcre tn nchl i p w?koeiatndn ohg rea dsecr sf.ias oriU lbo lol lsenoteu t u ott(aethnil trlse ’y stow h flulmheeost aeeoitnt ferp u,rti rthsleio aeatlmoicilkr h lp peeaaAwvbRAaimea n uottnniennBEdrde tsiat nttlqdd veewtsviT,lii carl rePoureweasreiMltpkrne dee e dre tooerweflgrsdaaitavsnsvi, fresn iyni enetii i ns c Rnactmt timrgtdsit setohthsRon ee, ioaas e as nErs eQ g Sno yiavonRttvtnisa ft oh iff drEarpgc so.ltgdet e e reee osTiaThmoflroairnsmho etel no epyg titpTdaodRcecdye sreouate tnEy s retwo oltlyhyot ttri dhofhcsm oi ae a R ydmeneofvrlE .aop fr .e t yut tIh o snmqentv u otithetshestie tn i kon 122902 wEaE IGGfddn ooPoiisodeuttwdoo tlaedrr eqnrii raa Pudswlle e ae tastteareetseriraa o attwmmhnw tqsewe u tleoeoate ok?at eke(s7sikrn–?,, g t1Cah6 afne)ond nrc ? wwe (r1hh 4aa–tt1 9) 38 B Ternia cnh Garaatcetseristics of RE
W‘liunsiktehifniungl eftooar co’h tg hsuteirdra estte arganytd ei gs‘ siaee seh ieanllp stofhu’e lr epqfuuebircelkinc acteiso,n APAWDcgorlSoepofhlvlhefiuaoesabpeS lbaoro.t empra-metai nlitIos?tgion–eoa st 1ntrt2 ®hu wies–oait tfl ha5oninlnods4 –ra – o113S•• t PrCar•h••oat o nevaB BStomridgahldimsi tycenoetetkh si rdrano .eeoft ngo Thonsod lae cdmibs fffiieo eiarfit.yc fc clnTh ldketutedhho:a:l :treIewe•I nAnny infnf io lhpng ah lli aaQ rglpmna‘Womvodni v reweuteoesenh muop, ti ttveonooAsoahb i g ellrl o eaksiy:spaonafrpiisnn tnstk1 o l dtotmdgo 0 ue f o;imf uB ’epo i twot rn hr shsuow n tetenmd,l oa i e panytegn ohn.isevrodgsr oord e e. isu ibta m(,bosu npatchptynfhpca ou a orksn ogberpou sde ettirpe mo slhfh bsudpp eai labp.fnliaryonai vd.vatircd eno .smk fofKe gIgoq cofae l uas unidteot etihccde cftiher idks erulr o lmici.daynepltn osefakae d,nt s esta emiopph l ftlwacuoro nfo otsrar umsur icloinr agtbiess nnhldhcreogd piti.edffl ic?cyThanvei,lc og??rreheii.cvs ninko eWHittwrst hp guymieoaso:rernaah’t ,sdesw6l eooii s–ft dyd1)oo0 m yypooriguouhm fate dpienmtls ca ilibruseo de ument:o oGWusgtotomebDh ehnfdfyeaa ards .?Rsctotuoe hi Ec(rmgmre shioTanre osn aalm h d aaddkeaeinvno esnywededtst rs So t too ylehnirsfarroeo iyvtdyn thupi? goc)ier m e ueW fWpssept.reeolhnyhldc aupaetc t’est oa ycnoeeuf utrhl ?ing rBeicsohvoepr yV?i cWtoormiae Mn abtishheowpss? (14–19) 10
supported by everyone else. [email protected]
o n l y UUsefsuel fofrul for3 Trading2 pl a cTesrust games Environmetally friendly print 6 Why Richard Dawkins
BU£Y1 8YOUR COPEciFeMAcTbWentsD1chngrvoaeen hSyei2golRnlleckorrdisaleeceStEo.o etgprzeaaofe uehieu letbbmnarvrinlhge-yo vgnyauaofp ha e uredig uynoa Yb ailtb topisen spr mmahlliwbugaenrgaooeo. arneaag–ht gyercg m–hk8arpe nrt 5eaetr3iistic cemyna tiheol hhgnil, g tf eoIota isoyo?nlgie duon––o s 8 t 1n 8tr2 hS•u•w• t e sSr ApptWoawhiat hrTlrnnttoafla herhdh,eycwaa aepoa eegntbinn s orpnypgooko stuideof dhin t tpsrppeyah iiiaot.ye–ueli sonommph 1pnO aiao lonl vwswefse iitqh oomnbhuuSar•r •et glaoecd ,rgc iuth t oh aepg aPrfuC aehoJreporetaera arpwsctl •h•cpsh lt•oaaiet teie slne c iro bh ne2kvrDatsBd Be usD efS t iom,riaai,rdn gn afhesmliadia mm sk,tinn ctyhcei enodeteaoitlt.enyhgkgw h siw rdgepe.cr? ano ma.heehi teonWft hloa Cen gto Thonettstobodho ho m srla3ae rg caardmtAibDirie stms frgffiiaipet eo neialhpireiarfiagtf.tyh osec nfw c o cb ,dHln oTh ldnaabkeueturteasys ac dgk ,nhhao:apc e:o ulru att :ihtttrensIieweknIw hsie knnAmngtnyem Yinoha g fnfori,eh i motk t ynlMhpo.nhga. h l ag ilefAiu ngiaaa r glvmnasssse‘ eolttavo ni i-t?h vomm rhfeewerouteoee ies rpnmrhy wm pe,i t !iccpxea ttvehonturnApsouaad©bt ri rra g ellfiterRla to sheakE,vscis: ao eTettnifrpioaemo inmdn tkrnnsak’1s syi isn e d noSmd,mgol e0guvaru ftvieno;tfeni Bhcs ’despoe d te wsi t–r ns n h2r ho0s uw1 n te3tem,la i e pategn ohn.ierdgsr orde e. isu ba m,bos pacptynhpca u a ksn obrpou sdeettipeo lhh bsudp ei lbp.fnliryona datircdno.smk f gIgoq fae l Pabtsuasnhidtt2ynroat iehi dncde cna ftIi teiSdd lkse corOalr do wlmic6.rda mynud1l 4nV o.sepaka0iOnad,nt0s Cgnsta1 e y pph v ple fearlncuoroi gcnvfootcesrtiar rtisur noiaeclinrdgnbagbiei ml tnpnehledcr eedigod ntni. ecwffl k tiecyThaasnsie l,tlcs hogreeh sei.cv s nko eitwrst hp ymieoasrerna’t,sdes eoi sf 8TrWaaehm Clhei ghy pni roIooi uwstst e iwra onorf d s ifRsou rts htsehe elbl eeBsxrtia santredgnu1cem4 oefn Gt od
How
supported by everyone else. Using persona
does
3 Trading places dolls at William
Visit: shop.retoday.org.uk • Email: saUlesesf@ul rfeortoday.org.uk • Call: 0121 472 4242 peace Law School,
Ecinhn igRldaEgr iebnnyg iuynos liuennagrg rn iicnhg, S• t Srhatoewg pyupils an image or picture, e.g. a Christian baptigsmr, oMuwsli?m men at Peterborough
ecbetsvoaeenolnleckiceto. eaafu tbmariovnapeudgo it inpr mwgar arahtgychae tetris cem teolhi gfeta ioyon dus • Apptohrlrnaaer,yca paeens orgok sief in t tpph iaoeue onmmpp io lolwsefs itqhonhuar et gec ,rcih toha afu aJrepreaeawsclcs tai teslneirhkrsd s ef i,aa,n fsmaa ktnchi ditlenyh w gpec mhehthloae etttbo o msr gaarrietmgaipnhpergth ow b dHoaeuray c g,na eouru ittsknwhikngeoa g orih mktn.h. aieAng sse ta thomhere iepry ei ccpxhtupuatrrr eteash,cs ettiaemokrn’ssisne ,ml gva ientnhsd dei ns o
See also • Wawnhhdae tbn po todhseyit.yi ohna vwe oburlodu pgehot pthlee b2eD in im naogwe? i nWtoh a3tD r eliafseo, nassk c athne tmhe tyo g fiavset-?forward five minutes –
Freeze-frame–5
Mystery bag–83
Through the keyhole–88
© RE Today Services 2013
12
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Editorial
‘Know,
Lat Blaylock
[email protected]
grow, do!’
For over 30 years, REtoday magazine has A special little tasty issue ‘We’d love it if you joined
been putting excellent classroom ideas into You are reading our special taster edition of
the growing number of
teachers’ hands, so that their RE lessons the new REtoday. We have selected articles
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5
Opinion
Alain de Botton service and lunch at his home afterwards, an
experience for which I’ll be for ever grateful.
Why I
I recently attended Mass at Westminster
Alain de Botton
Cathedral and loved it. I was paying par-
alaindebotton.com
ticular attention to the issue of status. Here
no one asks what anyone else ‘does’. It no
longer matters who is the bond dealer and
am not who the cleaner. It is the inner values of love
and charity rather than the outer attributes of
power and money that are venerated. Among
Christianity’s greatest achievements has been
its capacity, without the use of any coercion
beyond the gentlest of theological arguments,
a Christian to persuade monarchs and magnates to kneel
down and abase themselves before the statue
of a carpenter, and to wash the feet of peas-
ants, street sweepers and dispatch drivers.
‘I recently attended Mass
I was brought up by a father who made I never wavered in my certainty that God at Westminster Cathedral
Richard Dawkins look open-minded on the did not exist. I was simply liberated by the
and loved it.’
matter of there perhaps being a supreme thought that there might be a way to engage
being. I recall him reducing my sister to with religion without having to subscribe to
tears in an attempt to dislodge her modest- its supernatural content. I recognised that my
ly held notion that a reclusive god might continuing resistance to theories of an afterlife I have never prayed, and I don’t believe in
dwell somewhere in the universe. She was or of heavenly residents was no justification anything supernatural, yet I believe that once
eight years old at the time. If any members for giving up on Christianity or indeed on faith goes from a society, there are particular
of their social circle were discovered to the music, buildings, prayers, rituals, feasts, dangers that open up. We don’t need to fall
harbour clandestine religious sentiments, shrines, pilgrimages, communal meals and into these dangers, but they are there and we
my parents would start to regard them illuminated manuscripts of all the faiths. should be aware of them.
with the sort of pity more commonly
reserved for those diagnosed with a For a start, there is the danger of individu-
‘I have never prayed, and
degenerative disease, and could from alism: of placing the human being at the
then on never be persuaded to take them I don’t believe in anything centre stage of everything. Secondly, there
seriously again. is the danger of technological perfectionism:
supernatural, yet I believe
of believing that science and technology can
Christmas was a particular test bed of loy- that once faith goes from a overcome all human problems, that it is just a
alties. At its approach, my parents would go matter of time before scientists have cured us
society, there are particular
into overdrive, stressing the absurdity of all its of the human condition. Thirdly, without God,
rituals, art, songs and traditions. My parents dangers that open up.’ it is easier to lose perspective: to see our own
weren’t so cruel as to deny their children times as everything, to forget the brevity of the
presents – but to make the point, they insisted present moment and to cease to appreciate (in
on giving them to us in the middle of August. I simply can’t imagine joining a faith a good way) the miniscule nature of our own
This wasn’t a problem. It was rather special, that is very foreign to me in terms of my achievements. And lastly, without God, there
even elect. I went through childhood feeling background. I would feel it to be a betrayal can be a danger that the need for empathy
rather sorry for people vulgar enough to have of my family. By accepting The Father, I’d be and ethical behaviour can be overlooked.
Christmas trees and advent calendars: hadn’t going against my father.
they understood? Alain de Botton was born in Zurich,
The closest I have come to an evangelical Switzerland, in 1969 and now lives in
In my mid-20s, I underwent a crisis of Christian is my good friend Luke Bretherton, London. He is a writer of essayistic books
faithlessness. My feelings of doubt had their a wonderful theologian and author that have been described as a ‘philosophy of
origins in listening to Bach’s cantatas; they of Hospitality As Holiness. He has been a terrif- everyday life’, and have been bestsellers in
were further developed in the presence of ic advert for Christianity, not only because of 30 countries. Alain also started and helps to
certain Bellini Madonnas, and they became his intellectual energy but also because of his run a school in London called The School of
overwhelming with an introduction to generosity and good humour. He was the first Life. His latest book, Religion for Atheists, is
Zen architecture. person ever to invite me for a proper Christmas out now. He was talking to Sarah Lothian.
6
Opinion
Read this article
with your 14–19s,
14–19
and then try some
of these learning
activities:
H ow much was Alan influenced by his
parents in his belief? How influential
do you think parents are on their
children’s beliefs? Who do you know
who believes something different from
their parents? How did that happen?
S hould Christians tell children that
there is such a person as Father
Christmas?
D o you think religion helps society, as
Alan suggests? Why? Why not? Can a
society exist peacefully/harmoniously
without any belief system?
W hat do you think would be the effect
on the world if there were no religion
at all?
W hat would a world without religion
mean for you?
H ow far do you think de Botton’s
12 for the
positive reaction to his experiences of
Christianity might reveal a longing for
price of 10!
something like it in his life?
Only
A lain toys with the idea of engaging
£95!
with religion if only he could do so Questions in RE is a collection of practical and inspiring
secondary curriculum resources. Each book provides
without having to subscribe to its
ready-to-use activities for students aged 11–16, exploring
supernatural content. How far do you
questions that ma(cid:27) er to diff erent faiths as well as raises
think that might be possible? questions of beliefs in compelling ways.
The complete series
equips you with:
(cid:127) 2 70 photocopiable pages
for classroom use
(cid:127) More than 320 classroom
activities
(cid:127) Personal refl ections from
young people and interviews
with people of diff erent faiths
and beliefs
(cid:127) Includes case studies and
artwork/photographs to
Religion for Atheists: explore as part of learning
A Non-Believer’s Guide to (cid:127) Additional specifi c access
the Uses of Religion by Alain activities for less able students
de Botton is vital reading for and challenge activities to
any teacher of RE who wants stretch the more able
to understand the frontier and much more…
between faith and atheism in Buy now!
Britain today.
shop.retoday.org.uk (cid:127) Tel: [phone]
This article is reprinted by kind permission of
Email: [email protected] (cid:127) Fax: [phone]
Christianity magazine, April 2012.
7
Opinion
The power of
religious words
Julie Grove, of the REtoday Many proverbs capture the essence of a truth universally
understood, but that cannot be said for the often-quoted: ‘Sticks
Editorial Team, looks at an
and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt
approach to words that me.’ Words do indeed have the potential to hurt in ways more
profound than the physical. When they are religious in origin
change the world from
they also have the power to shape lives, to promulgate a given
different religions. orthodoxy and to endorse or condemn practice. In the classroom
such words can be used to give insights into the way words
influence the lives of believers.
Context Classroom Learning
The word is a conflation of two Arabic After making due and deliberate preparations, show Suggested age group:
words: ‘Bismi’ means ‘in the name of’ pupils a beautifully illustrated Qur’an and invite their 4–5 years.
and ‘llah’ is an abbreviated form of reactions. Explain that the ‘patterns’ are words, beautifully
For pupils to:
Allah. It is a proclamation, declaring written and, for some people, holy because they are about
that what follows comes with all the God. Tell pupils some people know all the words off by • know that words
power and authority of God. Every heart and talk about what that phrase means. about God are impor-
h recitation from the Qur’an begins with tant to some people
a the Arabic words: Bismillah Rachmani Introduce the words ‘Muslim’ and ‘Qur’an’, explaining how • begin to understand
ll Rachim: ‘in the name of Allah, the children sometimes have a party when they are just four that the Qur’an is
mi Compassionate, the Merciful . . .’ years old to mark the time when they start to learn these precious and learning
words, so that they can have them in their heads all the its words is important
s
i In some cultures young Muslim children time. Explain it is called a ‘Bismillah’ party because those to many Muslim
B
celebrate with a Bismillah party when are the first words in the book and the first ones to be children
they begin to learn Arabic at mosque learned. Show pupils the Arabic letters and find them in • reflect on how they
school, as recognition that they are be- the Qur’an. celebrate their grow-
ginning their learning of the Qur’an, the ing up/their learning.
Invite children to talk about words they know and their
book which will profoundly influence
favourite books. Ask them what they like to learn and how
their lives.
they celebrate their learning.
8
Opinion
Context Classroom Learning
These are Punjabi words translated as Introduce the symbol and invite discussion about it before Suggested age group:
‘There is only one God’, visually repre- showing pupils the Gurmukhi text of the Mool Mantra and 5–7 years.
sented in a stylised form of Gurmukhi inviting them to find this shape and explaining what it
For pupils to:
script as a symbol which has enormous means. Talk about its importance as a visual reminder to
spiritual significance for Sikhs. Sikhs of what they believe about God. Encourage pupils to • know that Sikhs
r
a explore the ideas expressed in the prayer and invite them believe in one God
k The words open the first hymn com- to add their own thoughts about God, whatever they • understand some-
n posed by Guru Nanak which has become might be. Explain the origin of the words and their use thing of the power of
O
a universal prayer for Sikhs called the today, emphasising how Sikhs believe they link them to words and symbols

k Mool Mantra. They express the essence their beloved Guru. to influence a person’s
I
of a Sikh’s belief and introduce every life
chapter of Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh This can be developed through one of the traditional sto- • reflect on their own
holy book. ries about Nanak, thinking about how he is remembered ideas of what God
and revered, or in an exploration of the Sikh kara, another might be like.
concrete representation of Sikh belief in one God.
Aum, pronounced Om, is both a visual Begin by playing a recording of the Om being chanted. It Suggested age group:
and an auditory symbol. The sound of may be necessary to prepare pupils first by giving them 7–11 years.
the word is used by Hindus as a mantra, a series of questions to focus their listening and then talk
For pupils to:
repeated many times, to concentrate about the sound and how it made them feel. Explain its
their minds and raise their spiritual use and purpose and what it represents to Hindus. Invite • know that words
awareness. It is considered a most them to imagine the sounds of creation. can take many forms
m sacred and auspicious sound, an echo and carry meaning in
O of Shiva’s drum, beating the rhythm of Introduce the word in its visual, preferably three di- different ways
/ the dance of creation and expressing the mensional, symbolic form and talk about the ideas it • understand that for
m essence of the faith. represents. Hindus the divine can
be expressed in the
u
Invite a Hindu into the classroom to talk about the signif-
A In its visual form it has three parts, sound of a word
icance of the shape and to explore some of its symbolism
representing different elements of the • reflect on the sounds
in ordinary life.
faith: birth, life and death; past, present that make up their
and future; masculine, feminine and world.
This can be developed through exploration of the figure of
neuter forms of life; and it says of God,
Shiva Nataraja, the Lord of the Dance, using the tradition-
there is Brahma the Creator, Vishnu the
al story to interpret the imagery and raise issues about
Preserver and Shiva the Destroyer.
good and evil, life and death and belief in God.
Other words that could be given this sort of treatment just as profitably include: ‘I am the
Resurrection and the Life’; the Shahadah; God is Love; the Shema; and many more!
9
Opinion
Why Richard Dawkins
is the best argument
for the existence of God
Russell Brand, comedian and bestselling author, takes a view on the reality of God.
This article (at last) gives me the opportunity up Genesis like (forbidden) apple chutney and Dawkins, the patron saint of atheists, would
to prove the existence of God. You may think knee-jerk fundamentalists, who are always say that all religions are simply wrong – a
me unqualified for a task that has baffled the zero fun and far too much mental. baffled blanket of cosy lies to warm dopes into
finest theologians, philosophers and physicists snug compliance; unproven ideologies based
since the dawn of time, but don’t worry, I’ve Who could fail to concur with Dawkins’s on faith. I think God exists beyond the current
been unqualified for every job I’ve ever em- erudite dismissal of these hapless saps? No reach of science, that one day our fast-evolving
barked on, from learning to drive to working as one. I have Dawkins to thank for my own minds will know God empirically as they do
a postman for the Royal Mail, and both these understanding of the fantastic discovery that now only intuitively. That the mystical will
quests were successfully completed, aside from is evolution; his passion and expertise in this become physical.
a few broken wing mirrors and stolen letters. documentary hugely enhanced my knowl-
So, unlike the Christmas money of the residents edge and illuminated what for many spiritual Galileo Galilei, the man credited with being the
of Ockendon, Essex, you’re in good hands. people can be a difficult subject. first to point a telescope skyward (all previous
users had presumably been Renaissance
Atheists are all about us, sermonising from It is only in his absolute renunciation of God peeping Toms), speculated that heliocentrism
the godless pulpit on the benefits of their that the professor and I part company and, was viable: that the earth likely circled the sun.
anti-faith with some pretty good arguments heaven knows, I’d understand if you wanted He was imprisoned for this observation, which,
like, oh I dunno, ‘evolution’ and – oddly, I to join his party. In almost any expedition viewed retrospectively (through my invention,
think, given the stated nature of their motives in which the rival guides were myself and the retro-speculars), seems unfair. He was,
– being incredibly reductive in their line and Richard Dawkins, I wouldn’t be surprised to after all, correct. Evidently the persecution of
manipulative in their targets. find myself pulverised by the converted horde scientists by religion has irked the members of
stampeding towards the professor. that community but I think that the theoretical
Zero fun and too much mental annihilation of God is a reprisal too far.
I once had the pleasure of talking to the However, it’s not just swivel-eyed haters
brilliant Richard Dawkins, who has been and mad mullahs who live a religious life, We must, on both sides of the debate, show
called the ‘Abu Hamza of atheism’. (It was me and to condemn all religion and spirituality compassion. I, for example, have overlooked
who called him it, just then.) In his remark- on the basis of their slack-jawed, knee-jerk the bald fact that Galileo’s parents gave him
able documentary The Genius of Charles saliva-flecked vitriol (spit-triol?) is as unfair a bloody stupid first name considering their
Darwin, the professor excellently relayed the as the simplified dogma that the choir of surname was Galilei. Galileo Galilei. He would
information within his hero’s On the Origin pious atheists harmonise against. Gandhi, have gone through hell at my school, not for
of Species, gave us some key information as I recall, was quite a religious man. St being a heliocentric heretic but for being a ri-
from his own masterpiece The Selfish Gene Francis of Assisi was a straight-up believer. diculously titled child. We already had another
(which I only read because I took it to be an And while the tenets of Buddhism are varied lad in my year called David Dave (honestly) so
unsanctioned biography of the Kiss bassist on the notion of God, the creator, I think it his problem wouldn’t have even been original.
Gene Simmons) and set about unravelling would be fair to describe the Dalai Lama as a
religion and spirituality with the adorable spiritual chap. I don’t see atheists queuing up Religion has rightly been cited as the cause
fervour of the Andrex puppy making off with to call the Dalai Lama a dickhead. These are of much suffering and conflict, way beyond
some scriptural lavvy paper. Choice among the examples to which we should turn when what ol’ star-gazing ‘two names’ went through
Dawkins’s targets were the kind of daft questioning the existence of a power beyond with his prison stretch and forced retraction.
ha’p’orths we’re accustomed to tolerating on man. Not Glenn Beck or some other capillary Plus the Pope (I think it was Pope Benedict
our telly: low-browed creationists gurgling blob on Fox News. Benedicto) recently pardoned GG, so let it go.
10