These articles and other items come from an amazing kaleidoscope record that the educationalist, journalist and spiritual seeker Phil Hall has put together to celebrate the lives of his parents. They were journalists and anti apartheid campaigners in South Africa, his mother was imprisoned and later the whole family exiled. They worked in Africa, the Middle East and India. Great rich store of resources to aid discussion and make RE relevant and alive.

I have copied the article from Independent and the letter from The Telegraph mentioned in a recent thread, adding some of the best submissions etc. I've highlighted important bits. Do keep up the pressure and forward these to Mr Gove, to your MP to chase Mr Gove with + anyone you know who may be willing to do the same, I think this time is really critical and a lot of people will be like me, up to the neck with other duties, so its hard to fit in the time. Good Luck and happy summer

This is a collection of links to other resources including inspiring quotes by Einstein, Native American Quotes, Christian texts and quotes, The Bhagavad Gita with highlighted texts, some ppt Slide Shows with inspiring and interfaith texts etc. It will save people who want good quotes from having to trawl through a lot of other resources to find good quotes. Listed both as a guide and for posters or displays as there is material to use for both here.

two articles relating to the attacks and what seems to have motivated them. Some lovely images of 'angry Muslims&' (actually ordinary people just being people - a great bit of satire.

Here are some reports and articles which relate to the danger RE is facing. This is relevant to everyone who has a voice in managing a school or planning the curriculum. If RE is undermined then the quality of spiritual, moral, social and cultural education is under threat. Without good RE, our whole society becomes more intolerant, prejudiced, divided and dangerous. RE must keep its position as a core Humanities subject with Geography and History. We all need to work together to defend the position of RE. Contact me (PM) if you have related articles/reports and I will attach them.

16 - 17th Jan - Homophobia and sex-education 18th - 20th parking frustrations + gratitude to friends for helping my daughter . 20 - 23 outline only - 24 - 25th includes comment on competition and ‘excellence’ in school and on some of the atrocities committed by the British Raj in India + news of the rest of the day. An article about Lahore and Partition with interviews. 26th - flier and business card for Silk-Painting + Monsanto. Is it the world’s worst company? 29th Jan + ‘Against all the odds.’ 6th Feb is about the snow and 7th about Mum and being independent.

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.

For KS 3 Religious Education A Power Point of images and questions explores similarity difference and change using leaves. Then reflecting on similarity and difference in people - not just physical similarities and differences but also in thoughts and beliefs. Exploration of prejudice, bullying and intolerance in the lives of the pupils present and in wider society. Moving on to reflect on the question 'What is the Purpose of life?' - with some food for thought taken from the six major religions.

In response to a question about the use of SMART targets in RE, some ideas plus, in relation to one - to reduce the use of unqualified generalisations - some info about Pope Francis' survey of Catholics worldwide which highlights the diversity of belief even within one denomination of Christianity.

Since I have a spiritual teacher who I consider to be very wise, I have gone to his website and looked on the free library site, using the words, arguments, atheists and God Realisation in the search. This file is what I found particularly interesting / relevant to the current argument on the forum. I think there are passages here which you may use with KS4 and Post 16 - as well as possibly within the staffroom and for your own enlightenment.

All the details from the Festival website - but in larger font - easier to read. All the 150 speakers + general info Timetable and blog. sounds interesting!

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

lots of info and contact details for this conference. RE empowers our students, offering an opportunity to understanding themselves. others, society and the world we live in. RE opens minds and gets our young people thinking more deeply. It helps to create a good ethos in the school - an ethos that welcomes and celebrates diversity rather than fearing it. Good RE can also challenge the kind of attitude and behaviour which was exemplified in the riots and can lead to gangs and violence. Support RE. Take part in this conference!

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.