this is an issue which may affect pupils in your school. Although it is a cultural not a religious practise it could be introduced as part of Human Rights, Citizenship, Coming of Age ceremonies or (as Islam takes a stand against it) within a unit on Islam. The Times reported in 2009 that there are 500 victims of FGM every year in the UK. According to the Foundation for Women's Health, Research and Development, 66,000 women in England and Wales have experienced FGM, with 7,000 girls at risk.

a great example of the importance of looking at translation when seeking to understand any scripture. several articles from the Web give different perspectives on the way that translating ekklesia as church (a word that is derived from Kuriakon) has distorted the meaning of the Bible and given power to the institution, not the people. Because many reject religion in response to the misuse of power, this is particularly important to explore in RE. File on William Tyndall added. He was put to death because his correct translation threatened those in power.

I came to New York in August to attend the birthday anniversary festival of my spiritual teacher. It was as joyful and inspiring as ever. But before I returned home I was asked if I might be able to stay a bit longer to care for a friend who is ill. I don't get much opportunity to come on internet so I have no idea whether this blog idea will be a &'one off&'; or whether I will be able to add to it regularly, but my friend has been away for a couple of days - so at least I have been able to start. I hope it is of use or interest to some of you.

Someone sent me a PM asking if they could quote me in an article they're writing about RE. I sent an outline of my approach and will add bits from old posts relating to my experience of teaching RE. Sharing this here as colleagues may find some useful ideas. As always, my only aim is to give support and encouragement to all my lovely colleagues and stay working in the field that I love so much and care about so passionately. I'm always happy to come in school to support you. And I offer great slide-show based reflective Assemblies and role-play workshops.

NATRE sent out an email with these attachments concerning the English Baccalaureate and its effect on RE. In case you missed the email or need to refer to the documents without going into email, here are the attachments plus the covering email. Please share ideas regarding continuing the fight to get RE included in the EBACC Thanks

examples of people who were members of gangs and who have transformed their lives through finding faith. John Pridmore is a great example of a British gangster who turned his life around through faith and The most recent one in the news is Mark Rowan who has just been appointed as a Vicar for a village in Devon. inspiration, courage, Christianity, faith,

June 6 part 1 is about gratitude. P 2 - my son's concert tour in Italy June 11th Part 1 cats p 2 - Hinduism and Community June 12th - poet Hollie McNish poem - racism and xenophobia June 14th part 1 Mum leaving for Shetland Part 2 about the consequences of a conference in London on Saturday. June 18th Vygotsky&'s Zone of Proximal Development June 20-22 a painful experience explored and transformed What amazes you most poem July 12th - and 21st the Clutter Problem 23rd when I focused on my spiritual life for Guru Purnima.+ latest miracles from Lourdes

This is a resource for all my great colleagues - to explore practical strategies that we can use to make our lives stronger and more peaceful. The idea behind this is that if we can become spiritually stronger and more peaceful that will impact on our students, classes, colleagues and schools - to say nothing of its effect on our families and our own happiness. So I am asking you all to send me your own favourite 'weapons for peace' which we all can share and benefit from. As always please give feedback and a rating.

Here are poems and quotations about sport and the spiritual life from the Sri Chinmoy Library site. These cover topics such as the World Harmony Run (also called the Peace Run) the Six and Ten Day endurance ultramarathon races - and then as many good and relevant quotes as I could gather in about three hours of researching. These form a great resource to dip into if you are asked to do cross-curricular work on sport and religion.

a selection of articles and images from the World-Wide Climate Change Demonstrations on World Peace Day you can use the ppt as a Starter Activity or in a lesson related to the Environment.

I'm sharing this to give others who want to write some ideas. I have tried to cover as much as I can here - in my original letter of 28th May - which is probably too much - but others may like to take some of the points to use in their letters. Still no answer about RE and the Bacc so I'll continue to share any correspondence resulting from this email the MPs 'campaign.' It may be of interest to post 16 / KS4 Citizenship and RE Thanks DurgaMata

the first article is from the BBC website and relates to the banning of Gay marriage in Anglican churches. I aim to add more. Please send me a pm if you have any good links.

In response to a thread asking for suggestions of films about Islam, I suggest the 1970's film Message and the Bolywood movie My Name is Khan (2010) Responding to comments about East is East I give some background about the original play which was taken as the basis for the film but mutilated in the process. I hope to watch West is West and will review that when I do. Suggestion s of other films which explore or give insight into Islam and particularly British Muslim experience would be welcome. I will add any suggestions that other teachers may make.

Something for your Gifted and Talented KS4 students to get their teeth into - poem by Pierre Teilhard de Chardin great material to reflect on, which links science and religion in a mystical way. 'An increase in consciousness is an increase in love&' If we reflect on ourselves as human beings we also reflect on ourselves as &';earthlings' with a genetic history and relationship with the entire universe.

this is a fairly comprehensive article about the 2911 Census with table of statistics - How Christianity rose in some regions but decreased overall but Hinduism Sikhism Islam and Buddhism all increased slightly. A great article from the Guardian with articular focus on the changing patterns of religious belief and practise.

Rabia is just one example of a great and much loved and respected Muslim saint who did not follow the traditional 'pattern of behaviour' recommended in Islam. For one thing, she never married. This is a passage about her from Wikki.

It's great to see the Olympics bring so many people together, uniting and inspiring so many in Britain. To be a great sports hero requires many &'divine&'; qualities such as patience, determination, endurance, courage and enthusiasm - and brings so much joy. On TV tonight, discussion on the 'exclusive&' nature of sports - equestrian / sailing. But everyone is getting so much joy in watching. The discussion itself should lead to improvements which bring more people into the different sports. I&';d love to see more games (such as Indian Kabadi) from around the world into the Olympics, too.

looked on internet tonight to find the address of my friend Professor John Hick, to send him an invitation to A Moment's Peace although I know he may not be able to travel that far. When I saw him last - about a year ago, his back was bad and restricting his travelling. Instead of finding the address I found this obituary. It will be useful, interesting and inspiring to look at with G and T KS4 and with KS5 pupils. I also include an outline of a conversation we had with him when I took our A'level students to ask him about Death and the Afterlife in Christianity.

You may find word comes up with a message that this contains 'unreadable content' and asks if you trust it. Just click &'yes.&'; There is nothing here except the links to the film I Am Kalam. I've added simpler and simpler versions but the question still comes up. All the files do open fine, This is great story about a poor kid and a prince who become friends. explores wealth and poverty, identity, inspiration, socio-economic differences, bullying, relationships, loneliness, disappointment, courage, destiny or fate v our capacity to choose and work for our future and more

A selection of articles mostly from Wikki and youtube videos about a young Nepali Buddhist who at the age of about 13 was inspired to go into the forest / jungle and meditate for six years sitting under a tree - in a similar way to the Buddha. His tree became a focus of pilgrimage and tourism. The Discovery documentary team went to investigate and filmed for 96 hours without a break - proving that he did not eat, drink or move from the spot in all that time (something that science does not recognise as possible.) Also info about the American Buddhist monk Steve Hagen and some of his books.