SACRE

Members and Associates will be aware that last year Bedfordshire Humanists applied to join the local SACRE (Standing Advisory Committee on Religious Education), which sets the Religious Education syllabus for schools in Bedford Borough. Humanism is now a part of Religious Education, which is legally required to be interpreted as Religion and Ethics.

We were rejected, with no reason being given. We were required to wait one year before reapplying.

We reapplied this year, and again were rejected with no explanation being given.

Non-religious parents and others might feel aggrieved that the only non-religious, ethical, education children in Bedford Borough will receive in RE lessons will be devised by religious people! How do you think those people would feel, if the situation was reversed?

Rest assured that we will not let this drop. Action is continuing behind the scenes.

We need anyone who finds this situation unacceptable to make their voice heard. Either by writing to the newspapers, talking to their councilor, or even by joining Bedfordshire Humanists.