Concern over use of the ET building

[JohnPaulTheTenth]

So ET is now a good Christian school, fair enough, I under the impression that you promoted something different. I think you lot are a bit confused and cannot answer the question.
All together: ET IS WONDERFUL I LOVE ET; ET CAN DO NO WRONG.

I am indeed confused. What is the question? In a single sentence, if possible...

[RK82]

Well holy moly, what a debate! Firstly, I can't correlate how renting out the school for an independent after hours activity, regardless of the activity (once it's legal of course), has any impact whatsoever on the education of the children. Surely this is the important point? Yes, the money collected goes towards the running of the school but it in no way can it affect the education delivered. ET are entitled to use their facilities to the best of their ability to generate funding. It is a money making exercise. Secondly, can you imagine the thread that would have followed if ET refused to rent the space to a religious organisation on the basis of their regilion? It would be discrimination and would not be entertained.

[Harry Byrne]

Well holy moly, what a debate! Firstly, I can't correlate how renting out the school for an independent after hours activity, regardless of the activity (once it's legal of course), has any impact whatsoever on the education of the children. Surely this is the important point? Yes, the money collected goes towards the running of the school but it in no way can it affect the education delivered. ET are entitled to use their facilities to the best of their ability to generate funding. It is a money making exercise. Secondly, can you imagine the thread that would have followed if ET refused to rent the space to a religious organisation on the basis of their regilion? It would be discrimination and would not be entertained.

... is the correct answer.

[richard dawkins]

Well holy moly, what a debate! Firstly, I can't correlate how renting out the school for an independent after hours activity, regardless of the activity (once it's legal of course), has any impact whatsoever on the education of the children. Surely this is the important point? Yes, the money collected goes towards the running of the school but it in no way can it affect the education delivered. ET are entitled to use their facilities to the best of their ability to generate funding. It is a money making exercise. Secondly, can you imagine the thread that would have followed if ET refused to rent the space to a religious organisation on the basis of their regilion? It would be discrimination and would not be entertained.

We don't know how much money is being made. I have no problem with ET school refusing to rent the building out to anything that clashes with its ethos including a pack of atheists who just want to meet up and laugh at religion. If a Christian School refused to rent out a building to such a pack no-one would bat an eyelid. But when it is the other around religion as always gets the special pass. This I guess is what Mammy2 is trying to say.

What irks me more is not the school renting out the building but the way these Christians have no consideration for the ethos of the school. Instead of people having a go at Mammy2 for ducking questions how come someone doesn't answer why these Christians don't use one of the 5 other Christian venues in Donabate?









There is nothing wrong with respecting ethos.

[Harry Byrne]

"someone doesn't answer why these Christians don't use one of the 5 other Christian venues in Donabate?"

Maybe because they don't want to
Maybe they live in some of sort of crazy democracy featuring free choice
Maybe every school in the land rents out meeting rooms
Maybe none of this makes any difference to anything
Maybe you are simply obsessed with technically and strictly observed pluralism and want us to know.

Maybe.

[richard dawkins]

"someone doesn't answer why these Christians don't use one of the 5 other Christian venues in Donabate?"

Maybe because they don't want to
Maybe they live in some of sort of crazy democracy featuring free choice
Maybe every school in the land rents out meeting rooms
Maybe none of this makes any difference to anything
Maybe you are simply obsessed with technically and strictly observed pluralism and want us to know.

Maybe.

Fitting post for the last day of May-be.

[JohnPaulTheTenth]

There is nothing wrong with respecting ethos.

And that ethos is inclusive, not exclusive...

http://www.dpetns.ie/Controller.aspx?Page=7&Lang=1

Belief Systems... "This strand gives the children an opportunity to learn about the values, festivals and celebrations of different religions and belief systems. It aims to foster a sense of respect, tolerance and shared understanding."

So, unless other groups are excluded from renting a meeting room based on beliefs... other religions, atheists, etc., there really is no conflict that I can see.

[JohnPaulTheTenth]

...how come someone doesn't answer why these Christians don't use one of the 5 other Christian venues in Donabate?

Maybe turn up and ask them? Only members of that group can answer that, surely.

[richard dawkins]

Belief Systems... "This strand gives the children an opportunity to learn about the values, festivals and celebrations of different religions and belief systems. It aims to foster a sense of respect, tolerance and shared understanding."

Read that again and then show me how these people celebrate different religions and belief systems please?

So, unless other groups are excluded from renting a meeting room based on beliefs... other religions, atheists, etc., there really is no conflict that I can see.

Well at least you are consistent. So are my in that I don't think atheists should get the room either. So hopefully we can at least respect consistency in each other.

[JohnPaulTheTenth]

I didn't say I don't think atheists shouldn't be able to rent the room.

No, I don't think Christians celebrate all religions. I think they celebrate one. And Hindus another, etc. The school ethos encourages tolerance and celebration of all.

[JohnPaulTheTenth]

RD - out of interest, have you asked either the school or any group renting a room for a justification?

[richard dawkins]

RD - out of interest, have you asked either the school or any group renting a room for a justification?

No what has happened is I expressed an opinion here and then other expressed theirs'. I initially thought some people would agree with me but very few have. Then I thought they'd changed their minds but no-one has. Nothing has been said that has made me consider changing my own mind either. And the mud slinging was terrible. Hopefully the house prices won't suffer too badly.

I half enjoyed the chat and half wondered what the point of it was.

Regards.

[JohnPaulTheTenth]

RD - out of interest, have you asked either the school or any group renting a room for a justification?

No what has happened is I expressed an opinion here and then other expressed theirs'. I initially thought some people would agree with me but very few have. Then I thought they'd changed their minds but no-one has. Nothing has been said that has made me consider changing my own mind either. And the mud slinging was terrible. Hopefully the house prices won't suffer too badly.

I half enjoyed the chat and half wondered what the point of it was.

Regards.

Mine's down 30 grand on the back of this alone. But, sure, it's only money.

Yeah, I think this has run it's course for me too. Opinions expressed on the subject, job done.

PS - I wasn't suggesting that should HAVE TO go to them for a justification, and that doing so or not doing so would prove a point. Just genuinely curious.

[richard dawkins]

RD - out of interest, have you asked either the school or any group renting a room for a justification?

No what has happened is I expressed an opinion here and then other expressed theirs'. I initially thought some people would agree with me but very few have. Then I thought they'd changed their minds but no-one has. Nothing has been said that has made me consider changing my own mind either. And the mud slinging was terrible. Hopefully the house prices won't suffer too badly.

I half enjoyed the chat and half wondered what the point of it was.

Regards.

Mine's down 30 grand on the back of this alone. But, sure, it's only money.

Yeah, I think this has run it's course for me too. Opinions expressed on the subject, job done.

PS - I wasn't suggesting that should HAVE TO go to them for a justification, and that doing so or not doing so would prove a point. Just genuinely curious.

I would feel a bit awkward doing that and was hoping you'd do it.

[Ann O]

...ET IS WONDERFUL I LOVE ET; ET CAN DO NO WRONG.

ET phone home ?

[bear]

what happened to attack the post not the poster ? This post had many have things been relaxed or does it only apply to a certain few ?

[Ken]

I didn't see anyone complaining they were attacked.

[bear]

I didn't see anyone complaining they were attacked.

. You were quick enough before mr admin to say it to me about attacking the poster,

[Ken]

I didn't see anyone complaining they were attacked.

. You were quick enough before mr admin to say it to me about attacking the poster,

I recall I apologised that I had over reacted and reinstated you. Not sure where you going with this.

[Donabate Hatter]

I think thats an attack on you Ken, ban him I say!!!!! LOL

[bear]

I didn't see anyone complaining they were attacked.

. You were quick enough before mr admin to say it to me about attacking the poster,

I recall I apologised that I had over reacted and reinstated you. Not sure where you going with .this.

. Just wondering are things a bit more relaxed i felt it was over moderated in the past but if you feel that you need to agree with the other poster that it is a personal attack and ban me thats no prob .

[Donabate Hatter]

Blimey Bear lighten up, I did put LOL at the end to indicate that it was a joke!!!!!

[blowin1]

ET have been allowing the school to be used for "religious" purposes for the last 10 years.... two of our kids have gone there and they had Catholic Classes on a monday afternoon, but in order so as not to offend anyone, the classes were held one hour after the end of the school day. I have to be honest and say that I am totally surprised that this seems to cause some people offence. ET have a great community ethos, and whether its the local athletic club or extra curricular catholic classes, their doors are open to all.

[mammy2]

The problem with ET is they promote one ethos in public and in private they have a completely different one. My neighbour's children had to attend Catholic instruction. Although they would have preferred not to. They were told off by a teacher over not attending.

[blowin1]

Sorry Mammy2 that is complete rubbish ! our youngest child left ET last year and yes, she did the afterschool Catholic Class on Mondays. These Classes are organised by the Catholic Class Committee who have nothing to do with the day to day running of the school, they source the Teachers from other schools but I would agree that on one particular year our eldest did have one of the teachers that worked in the school, BUT we as parents were told that we were not to approach or attempt to discuss the Catholic Class with this teacher during the school day and that rule applied to the children as well. I do not believe for one minute that an ET teacher would give out to a child for not attending catholic classes. Also, registration is done by the Catholic Class Committee and you have to SIGN a FORM to agree to the classes and you have to PAY for them.....so all your "neighbour" would have to do is not sign or pay !!!!