What do you make of this?

[BlackBerry25]

Oh, here in Canada, we do cater to people with allergies.

We have nut free schools, perfume and fragrance free schools, etc.

 

[Nic1107]

Surely no one is suggesting that Christian Brits ought to have more rights than Muslim Brits because Christians 'founded' the country? (And are not the UK's composite regions in fact pre-Christian anyway?). Because... I mean, by that line of thinking, Britain was also founded by white people, so should Brits of colour be considered second because British society was 'founded' by white people? Religious discrimination is never okay, and people seem to forget that being Muslim does not make someone less of a British citizen than a Christian.

If they switched all the non-pork products to halal tomorrow without telling anyone, would the non-Muslim children know the difference? No, but to the Muslim children it would make a world of difference. They needn't take the pork off the menu; Muslim children could bring a cold lunch those days or take the veg option, like children with dietary restrictions have been doing for ages. There is a happy medium, but its strongest resistance seems to come from a cultural bias, which is worrying and sad. And so what if Saudi Arabia bans pork for everyone- do two wrongs make a right? Shall we punish British Muslim citizens for it?

For those who disagree with the method of slaughter- surely the meat currently served in schools was not humane-raised, free-range, hormone-free and died peacefully of old age? I'm not arguing your right to object to the halal method of slaughter, but if animal rights is the issue, it may be worth your time to look into where the meat is currently coming from and consider packing a lunch in the meantime.

 

[Dopeyjopey]

^ well said

 

[Hannaaisha]

yes well said nic1107 and I just want to add the reason Saudi Arabia don't have pork is because it is the central place of the whole Muslim religion. England is not the central place of a non-halal diet therefore there is no substance in any argument against halal.

 

[Drazic<3]

Thanks Nic for the wonderful post.

I thought some of the replies on here stunk of 'indigenous British people' rubbish! I don't know why some people have so much problem with us all living together and making sacrifices for each other. We are all British, and heck, even if we arn't whats the problem with making small changes for each other? Especially weird to start talking about animal welfare when most of the meat served in schools is low grade, high turnover factory farmed. Nothing kind or humane in that!

 

[coccyx]

Seems to be the same group of people making 'small' changes for others. In an ideal world would work both ways

 

[Aidan's Mummy]

That's what I.was trying to say it has to work both ways. I have nothing against there being a halal
option like their is veggie etc. Why does it have too be all or nothing?
X

 

[sophxx]

thats because most people will eat ay meat apart from people who eat halal

do people have the same argument with mc ds and subway kfc greggs all the asian takeaways and kebab places serving halal i know alot who still go there it seems imo if people dont know its halal they dont care if they eat it but because its in the paper its another way to jump on muslims as alot of people are racist towards them inculding people i know they have alot to say on the subject till you point out to them most of the meat they eat is halal x

 

[indy and lara]

I still think that the way our school lunches work cover all bases. There is a hot meat and hot veggie option and a cold meat and veggie option. That way everyone has a choice of hot and cold. The only 'special' diets catered for are those few children we have with a life threatening pea allergy so no peas/ chickpeas/ lentils, etc. On days when our veggie meal is quorn based then the cold veggie option would be there for vegans (although we have no vegan kids at school). I am not sure that it is really practical within catering budgets and the practicalities of school catering to offer a separate meat, halal, vegan, veggie, etc option everyday.

If parents do not wish their LO to have school dinner then they bring a packed lunch with them and in that way they can control the food their child has.

 

[Aidan's Mummy]

I am no where near racist I just think there should be am option incase some parents are agains halal. I'm not personally but some may feel that they are. Therefore not being inclusive. It works both ways
X

 

[polo_princess]

There are a lot of things that bug me towards "catering" (not in the literal sense) for other cultures and religions, but i have to say this doesnt

I mean its not as if it looks or tastes any different so how would you know? If someone sat 2 plates of meat down in front of you i doubt you'd be able to tell between them, so who cares? Its obviously just the "principal", truth is i bet 99% of us have eaten Halal meat without even knowing it.

I dont quite get why its so wrong, kids certainley arent going to kick up a fuss about it, as long as it tastes good then theyre happy!!

 

[November1984]

I don't think religion should mix with state including school systems unless you pay extra for a private religious school.

 

[sophxx]

I don't think religion should mix with state including school systems unless you pay extra for a private religious school.

and how many people can honestly afford 15 grand a term??

and private schools here are catholic yet they take any religion just like any school

 

[sophxx]

the parents in our area who are against it are bnp but the best thing about it is youll see them all on fruday and sat night in the halal takeaways and mc ds kfc and they dont even realise yet they use things like this to pick a argument or make asian pakistain people feel targeted

i dont think they even realise jewish people or other white people eat only halal just cos pakistain people sre coloured they dont like them

 

[Blah11]

There are a lot of things that bug me towards "catering" (not in the literal sense) for other cultures and religions, but i have to say this doesnt

I mean its not as if it looks or tastes any different so how would you know? If someone sat 2 plates of meat down in front of you i doubt you'd be able to tell between them, so who cares? Its obviously just the "principal", truth is i bet 99% of us have eaten Halal meat without even knowing it.

I dont quite get why its so wrong, kids certainley arent going to kick up a fuss about it, as long as it tastes good then theyre happy!!

Exactly PP. I have a problem with schools having no nativity play We should make allowances for all religions and cultures, not stop one in fear of offending another

 

[suzanne108]

I don't think religion should mix with state including school systems unless you pay extra for a private religious school.

I might be being stupid and taking this the wrong way but do you mean that muslim children should go to muslim schools unless they want to conform to the christian way of life????

 

[Blah11]

I think she more or less means that religion shouldnt be mentioned or catered to at all in schools

 

[November1984]

I don't think religion should mix with state including school systems unless you pay extra for a private religious school.

I might be being stupid and taking this the wrong way but do you mean that muslim children should go to muslim schools unless they want to conform to the christian way of life????

A school has a large mix of people, christian, muslim, jewish and catholics (name your pick) that are in the public education system. Religion is a touchy subject for some and people seen to become offended by other's customs at times (obviously). Why should any of it be imposed on others? Religion in general is a subjective topic and it's to each their own.
I believe if I wanted my kids to have a specific religion imposed on them I would do it in private, at places of worship and possibly pay for them to go to a private religious school.
You get what you pay for. Private schools are expensive but if it's important kids say prayer in class (as an example) and you have the cashflow send them to a school for it.
I went to a catholic school and had religion as one of my subjects, I am not religious now and don't want my kids to have ANY religion imposed on them anywhere. Something that is the personal preference of others isn't everyone's - personal preference shouldn't dictate public systems IMO.
Religion isn't the same as math. Religion is a custom. Places of worship are made to express those customs. School isn't church.
It's like the recent overturn of gay marriage bans in California, USA - why was there a ban to begin with? It goes against the bible (an opinion).

 

[fantastica]

Tbh...like other have said ther are a lot of things that bother me with 'catering' for everyone..but I don't think this is such a big deal.

Not having a nativity play etc. DOES bother me though...whether you believe in Christianity or not...it is still the basis for a lot of our history and how things work in our country, so it's important to learn about it and understand.

The uni nursery where Jacob was going to go (leeds) just serves veggie food...I guess that's because there's such a diverse mix of people and cultures living/travelling there to study it just makes more sense - they serve quorn etc.

Surely a dead body is a dead body no matter how it's been killed? It's all wrong imo but that's a different debate! Having both as an option would keep everyone happy though.

BTw...think some quorn products are vegan (or used to be) just not the majority..but there are other brands that are!

 

[Hannaaisha]

Well November1984 I think it is good if you let your children be exposed to everything in life (that isn't horrible) and that way they will grow up to be an emotionally intellectual, open minded and understanding person with a fantastic wide knowledge on different issues and I believe that type of person will go far in life, yet someone who lives in a box and only likes what they know will remain in that box and probably not achieve much in life. And I really believe that is the truth. I love nativity plays and it is a tradition here so it should definitely stay on the agenda in schools.