|
Assembly led by S2
Nadine: Good morning, girls and boys and welcome to this morning’s School Assembly. As you all know, this is a very special week in Paible School. Throughout the week we are going to celebrate the fact that we are an anti-sectarian school. This means that we respect each other, whatever our beliefs are. To begin with, we are going to take you on a bit of a whistle-stop tour of the world.
Rory: Yes, this morning we are going to take a quick look at the major world religions. We have fifty children here – representing the world’s population. That means that each person present represents 2% of the world’s population. Let’s now divide up into the different world religions.
Christianity = 16 pupils, Islam = 10 pupils, Hinduism = 7pupils Primitive Religion = 3 pupils, Chinese Traditional Religion = 3 pupils, Buddhism = 3 pupils, Judaism / Sikhism / Baha’i = 1 pupilNon-religious = 7 pupils
Nadine: Let’s now ask each of the groups whether sectarianism exists within their number.
Rory: We will ask the non-religious group first. OK guys, you claim not to have any religion. Does that mean you always love one another?
Calum: Not at all! We’re quite divided actually. Some of us would call themselves agnostics, some atheists, some free thinkers and some humanists. And we can actually be quite fundamental about the fact that we don’t believe.
Rory: Right to Judaism, Sikhism and Baha’i now. Is there agreement there?
Chirsty Ann: Well, not really. For example, you can be an Orthodox Jew or a Reform Jew. I suppose the Sikhs and the Bahai’s are more united – well, until you scratch the surface!
Nadine: Interesting. Let’s turn to Hinduism now. An old religion. You’ll have it all sorted out, I’m sure.
Donald: Well, no. Again we present quite a united front, but some of us trace our religion back a lot further than others and that can create quite a bit of aggro, you know!
Rory: I see, what about those who follow a primitive religion. Are you folk united?
Louise: United? Us? You must be joking. We have as many beliefs as we have tribes!
Nadine: Right! I’ve had enough. Let’s go to China. You guys united?
Fraser: Sorry….Not a bit of it. Think of the number of folk in China for a start. Put that together with village folk lore and it will give you some idea of religious life here.
Rory: Let’s go to the Buddhists then. You guys of one mind?
Kayleigh: ‘Fraid not. Three way split here: Mahayana, Theravada and Vajrayana.
Nadine: Lets’ turn to the biggest world religion then: Islam. United surely?
Steven: And when did you watch the news last? You could be Sunni, Shia, Ahmadiyya or Druze – and that’s before we even begin to think of the cultural differences between our people. A bit of a mess really!
Rory: Ok, here goes. Christianity. A leader who lived a life of love. Gave Himself for love. You guys surely love one another.
Eilidh: Us? Dream on. We’re supposed to, but we’re not that good at practising what we preach. In fact, we are ashamed of our divisions.
Rory: Are you telling me that you split up into different groups?
Catherine: Listen to this selection:
Roman Catholic, Anglican, Independent, Baptist, Pentecostal, Episcopalian, Brethren, Presbyterian
Nadine: Ah………….Presbyterian. That brings us from global to local. You guys are ruled by elders, right? You all have a say. That must bring unity.
Grace: Unity. I wish! Listen to this lot:
Church of Scotland, Free Church, Free Presbyterian Church, Free Church Continuing and Associated Presbyterian Church.
Rory: Right, it’s time we did something about this. Let’s begin by reading the words of Jesus.
Catherine: Bible Reading – John 15 v 12-17
Nadine: I’m sure you’ll agree with the sentiments expressed in that passage. This week at Paible School, we are hopefully going to put that advice into action.
Rory: But folk will never agree about everything!
Nadine: You’re quite right. Rory But can I let you into a secret? It is possible to get along with folk you don’t agree with.
Rory: You sure about that?
Nadine: Well, take our First Year pupils for example. They all come from a lot of different church, but they still manage to:
Learn Together, Play Together and also to Work Together
Let’s hear from some of them now. Let me introduce Oisin and some of his classmates.
Oisin: Hi there. The three of us represent St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church.
Nadine: And now Alice.
Alice: Good morning. My group represents the Church of Scotland.
Nadine: Let me introduce Margaret and John Alex.
Margaret: Hi there. The two of us represent the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland.
Nadine: And finally, James.
James: Hi there. I represent the Free Church of Scotland.
Nadine: Now guys, what lessons can the rest of us learn from you?
John Alex: Well for a start you can be friends with people you disagree with.
Oisin: Seonaidh Ailig is right. I don’t always agree with him and he doesn’t always agree with me. We still manage to get on well though.
Alice: That’s right. We have a lot in common – a lot to celebrate! We can also be sure of our own beliefs without looking down at others.
James: We also know how difficult it is to make up once you fall out. It’s a bit like Humpty Dumpty really – they couldn’t put him back together again!
Nadine: So do you have a message for the religious bullies who mess the world up so much?
Alice: Well, we believe that we can beat the bullies.
Oisin: Together we can stamp out sectarianism!
Margaret: That’s right. Don’t give it! Don’t take it!
Top of page
|
