Need help with an issue!

Ariel · Post by **Ariel** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 7:45 pm

Hello all, I'm a potential sixth-form student (the situation is a little complicated) and, although the school seems perfect, I've got a major concern which I hope can be assuaged quickly!

Basically, I'm an apostate - I lost my faith a few months ago for a myriad of reasons. Naturally I wouldn't appreciate being forced to attend chapel, as that would actually infringe upon my principles. The official website mentions allowing students to 'reflect' despite the form of their religious belief - yet I have no spiritual beliefs whatsoever.

I'm prepared to learn fervently, having been restricted the oppurtunity for a very long time, but its unfortunately impossible for me to become a pupil knowing that my education will not be secular. I have absolutely no problem with a strong religious influence, I myself just want to be left alone in the spirituality department.

So, is my atheism an issue? Thank you for your time!

Hannoir · Post by **Hannoir** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 7:53 pm

Not an issue. I dont know your circumstances, but I am pretty much an atheist. I sang in the chapel choir for the music (being a music student) but actually switched off during the sermons and thought about far more pressing things...

I think the school does require students to go to chapel, but thats in person not mind I guess. As for your education, it certainly wont be religious based, as the school isnt really like that, unless you are going to take RS or something.

Good luck with the application. I was also a new dep.

UserRequestedRemoval · Mon Oct 02, 2006 7:56 pm

I wouldn't worry too much about it. You can make it known that you do not wish to take part in religious acts on principle. Even back in the 70s the school was very accomodating about religious matters. You never know you might find it intellectually rewarding to enter into debate and or discussion whilst at the school, advancing your view point and hearing opposing views. I hope you go for it and if you do, welcome to housie.

Ariel · Post by **Ariel** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 8:07 pm

As long as there isn't a huge amount of pressure it isn't an issue for me, but being forced to attend chapel is problematic. I really don't want to go back to that kind of atmosphere all over again. My worry is that there is a whole load of funding coming from religious organisations and this sort of behaviour is 'expected', but maybe I'm being paranoid.

I'm guessing (hoping) the reality is a little more relaxed than the website suggests: http://www.christs-hospital.org.uk/27.html

soc wrote:I wouldn't worry too much about it. You can make it known that you do not wish to take part in religious acts on principle

Well, thats a relief!

blondie95 · Post by **blondie95** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 8:22 pm

as for funding from religious orgs i dont think thats the case.

I was a new dep although i dont have fully christian belief but i do believe some things, i didnt always enjoy having to go to chapel but like Hannoir said you trun off if you want to in chapel, i certainly did, i found it a useful half hour to think about things

cj · Post by cj » Mon Oct 02, 2006 8:56 pm

Ariel wrote:but being forced to attend chapel is problematic. I really don't want to go back to that kind of atmosphere all over again.

Chapel is often used as an opportunity to gather the whole school together under one roof - it's one of the few buildings on site that can accommodate all the community. When I was there in the 80s there were some very interesting preachers. One I remember vividly was Pat Arrowsmith (veteran anti-nuclear campaigner) who did not preach religion but spoke about the world, philosophy and politics. Thought provoking whichever side of the fence you sat on. Speak to someone if you feel 'the religious foundation' ethos might be a problem. Don't let it be a hypothetical problem that might cause you to lose an opportunity to partake in a unique experience. And good luck, whichever path you choose to follow!

UserRequestedRemoval · Mon Oct 02, 2006 9:14 pm

Being Catholic I was given the option of not attending ANY chapel services. I decided to go for the sake of being a part of the group. I also joined the chior because I enjoyed singing.

The point is that I had the choice not to go at all on religious grounds.

DavebytheSea · Post by **DavebytheSea** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 12:18 am

Ariel wrote:As long as there isn't a huge amount of pressure it isn't an issue for me, but being forced to attend chapel is problematic.

My son is now a Grecian but entered last year as a New Dep.

We are a Christian family so don't share your particular problem. However, I do remember the question being asked. The answer was very pragmatic - "Nobody is forced to go to chapel, but everybody does!"

I think you would do well to heed the advice given by those with little or no faith who have posted on this forum.

The fact is that chapel is a core part of the community experience of Christ's Hospital. Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Agnostic, Atheist - all meet there to share a common experience. For some that may be perceived as a Christian experience, but for plenty others it is not - nor does it have to be for you. The music is rich, the sermons occasionally interesting and the murals endlessy fascinating. In my opinion, if you cut yourself off from this, you will inevitably be the poorer for it. No one at the school will try and force Christianity down your throat, but they will hope to engender a respect and a toleration of the beliefs of others. Please do not insist on cutting yourself off from such a central part of the CH corporate life; to do so would be to demonstrate the very intolerance which you, with some justification I think, perceive in some of us who would call ourselves Christian.

Good luck in your application and remember that the very name of the school is bound to have an impact on the way it conducts itself. I think if you can come to terms with that, going to chapel will be easy for you and I hope an enjoyable an enriching experience what ever your faith - or absence of faith may be.

Post by **jtaylor** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 12:33 am

I'd agree with everything said so far.
My feelings are that attendance at a chapel service doesn't require the brain to be engaged, or the individual to speak any of the words.
It should also be remembered that there aren't (or certainly weren't in my day) any compulsory communion services - and hence there is no actually formal compulsory element of religious ceremony that the individual would have to take part in.

I would suggest attendance at the services - as previously suggested, this could be an interesting intellectual learning experience to hear the other views, and encourage intelligent debate.
Religion without intelligent debate is dangerous in my genuinely humble opinion....(happy to be argued with!)

J

englishangel · Post by **englishangel** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 7:54 am

In state schools there is a legal requirement for a daily act of religious worship, as CH is a C of E foundation that takes the form of a C of E chapel service. I was brought up a non-conformist and I had no difficulty with going to chapel.

BTW at 16 I had Believer's Baptism in the Baptist Church and by the time I left University I had no faith, not sure that I lost it, it just faded away, if it was ever there in the first place.

Richard Ruck · Post by **Richard Ruck** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 8:34 am

The requirements re. Chapel do seem to change under different headmasters. There will be a new Head in September 2007, so who knows what might happen?

When Sean and I were at C.H. compulsory attendance for seniors was restricted to Compline on Wednesday evenings, and to one or two Sunday services, usually at the beginning of term, and at the end for the leavers service.

Now it seems that everyone has to attend a Sunday services, although pupils often have a choice of two styles of service, I think. Those closer to the school would know more about this.

We just took it in our stride, the non-religious as well as those who were believers. I often didn't really appreciate having to attend, say, a maths lesson on a Saturday morning, but I just got on with it.

If you try to use the experience to understand the sense of community which the school is trying to promote, and perhaps to enjoy the music (which can be spectacularly good) then you'll find your own principles won't come to much harm

Mrs C. · Post by **Mrs C.** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 8:51 am

Sunday chapel is compulsory for all , as is Tueday morning for seniors and Wednesday morning for juniors.
However , as DBTS rightly points out, there are pupils, and staff, with varied and no religious beliefs at CH. Most pupils are here for 7 years and a large proportion would agree with the comment that you don`t need to be in chapel in mind, only in body!

As EA points out, state schools are generally required to have a daily act of religious worship - CH only asks this of its pupils twice a week!

Great Plum · Post by **Great Plum** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 10:01 am

I think one thing to note is that the school is a religious foundation, so to expect no religious attendence at chapel etc would be wrong.

Deb GP · Post by **Deb GP** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 10:02 am

I didn't really believe in anything at school. But chapel was one of those guaranteed times that I could be still and quiet for a while and I enjoyed that immensely. That hour of escapism kept me sane.

I enjoyed the singing and joined the choir which also made it worth while.

Some of the sermons were certianly worth listening to. PD James, the chief Rabbi, the Anglican Chief exorcist, Simon what's his name who was injured in the Falklands spring to mind.

For what you can gain from attending the school, 90 minutes a week sitting still is a small thing to do and I don't think you'll be compromising your beliefs nor lack of them.

Great Plum · Post by **Great Plum** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 10:14 am

I think what Debbie says makes a lot of sense...

Even the most ardent teenage athiests/ agnostics went to chapel...