Comment on pro and anti-religious literature in schools

The plan by science communicator turned anti-religion campaigner Professor Richard Dawkins to take his crusade into schools has been met with concern and scepticism by some of his peers and allies - and by one leading charity.

Critics have suggested that 'flooding' schools with propaganda for or against religion is equally wrong and that the new foundation will score an own goal if it goes down the tit-for-tat confrontation route.

Ekklesia's Simon Barrow commented: "Such an approach will be deemed unacceptably polarizing and simplistic by many people who also oppose inappropriate proselytizing (of whatever ideology), faith-based selection in publicly-funded schools, creationism, and tax breaks for the promotion of particular beliefs. That, of course, includes both religious and non-religious people alike."