A government consultation due to close on 24 February1, has raised again the possibility of the state monitoring children’s church groups.
The voluntary code of practice proposed by the government, is designed to cover every kind of club a child may attend, including religious groups. Sunday schools are mentioned specifically in the code’s ‘non exhaustive list’ of out of school ‘clubs’.
Hatred
Paragraph 30 of the code of practice states: ‘Staff and volunteers should also be vigilant to ensure that no person in the setting is exposed to extremism or is at risk of radicalisation. This can be expressed in various forms including… stir up hatred’(sic).
Ten questions with Charles Gardner
Charles Gardner is a South African-born journalist and volunteer with CMJ (Church’s Ministry among Jewish people) living in Doncaster, South …