Is it time to scrap Christian assemblies in our schools? #BBCNolan

Dec 07, 2015, 10:02 AM

Scrap christian school assemblies in Northern Ireland. A UK wide report says the requirement for schools to hold religious acts of worship should end. What does that mean? Well it would affectively spell the end of all pupil Christian Assemblies in schools throughout Northern Ireland. The law here says that every primary and post-primary school has to have an act of 'collective worship' for pupils during the school day. Effectively that means most schools hold an assembly every day which usually includes a Christian hymn, prayers, or a bible reading. But would that be a bad thing? A recent survey Nolan Live TV carried out showed that only 36% of Catholics said they attended church once a week or more, compared to 25% of Protestant responders. If so few of us are actually going to church can we call ourselves a christian country anymore? Stephen was joined by commentator Malachi O'Doherty and Peter Lynas from the Evangelical Alliance