Atheists on the offensive against Christianity in schools

The National Federation of Atheist, Humanist and Secular Student Societies (AHS) is planning an offensive against Christianity in schools this summer.

The AHS, supported by professors Richard Dawkins and AC Grayling, is aiming to set up a network of atheist groups in schools to oppose Christian groups.

It will also be launching its first atheist summer camp for children, which will teach that religious belief and teachings can prevent ethical and moral behaviour.

The AHS wants to encourage students to lobby schools and local authorities about what is taught in RE lessons and to demand an end to daily acts of collective worship. It also wants societies to hold events to persuade students that there is no God.

One of the co-founders of AHS, Chloë Clifford-Frith, said that the groups would serve as a direct challenge to the Christian message being taught in schools.

She claimed that Christian Unions could influence vulnerable teenagers looking to join a club with “fundamentalist” doctrines such as the belief that homosexuality is a sin and that God created the world.

She said, “We want to point out how silly some of these beliefs are and hope that these groups will help to do that," reports The Telegraph.

At university level, AHS groups have grown in number from having a presence in seven campuses in the 2007/08 academic year to 25 in the 2008/09 academic year.

The Leeds Atheist Society claims to have been the victim of discrimination, vandalism, theft and death threats from religious groups.

Philosopher AC Grayling, who is supporting the initiative said, "As well as making the case for reason and science, it is great to know that the AHS will be standing up against religious privilege and discrimination.

"The AHS shows that increasing numbers of young people are unwilling to put up with it."

In response, Simon Calvert of the Christian Institute said, "Atheists are becoming increasingly militant in their desperate attempts to stamp out faith. It is deeply worrying that they now want to use children to attack the Christian ethos of their schools.

"Many parents will also be anxious at the thought of militant atheists targeting their children."

The first atheist summer camp, called Camp Quest, is also being organised. Organisers say the idea, which began in America, is "a godless alternative to traditional religious summer camps, such as vacation Bible schools".