Parliament Continues To Deal With Religion and School Issues

In Britain's Parliament, issues of religion and schools continue to occupy the agenda. Today, the House of Commons is debating an amendment to the Education and Inspections bill that would let students in public schools opt out of religious exercises on their own initiative, instead of needing a parent to request their withdrawal from religious activities. (Politics.co.uk). In a separate matter, on Monday the House of Lords rejected two proposals that would have given councils the power to require all new faith schools in their areas to admit 25% of their student bodies from other religious groups. (See prior posting). Instead, the Lords adopted a general provision that requires all schools in England to promote "community cohesion". (Christian Today.)